LabVIEW

With the introduction of the hydraulic/pneumatic actuation system in our controls lab, we began using LabVIEW to monitor and control all physical loops in the controls lab.  We have figured out how to close a LabVIEW control loop with two inputs and an output at 2000 Hz.  From this initial experience we have branched out so that all experiments except an electromechanical one are driven from a control computer running LabVIEW.

Many students are now using LabVIEW for data acquisition and control in their senior projects.  A student group has interfaced LabVIEW to a GPS system and an electronic compass to enable an autonomous vehicle to navigate a specified course.  A student built a pneumatic muscle and used it for closed-loop position control in a LabVIEW loop.

Custom LabVIEW PID control loop for hydraulic/pneumatic positioner