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If Advanced Controls are not enabled, then the box is disabled and grayed out in the first while loop.
VISAs
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In order to connect to machinery, ..... something about that box.
COMPortThe VISA motor is whatever motor the user defines in the interface. This VISA is used as the object of all the commands and prompts written by the command VIs, which are listed and explained below.
***When you initialize the valve position, it is important that the valve be completely closed, and that zero is set as the initial position. If this is not done successfully then there is a risk of the valve overturning and breaking. Likewise, the constant velocity should not be too fast in order to prevent the valve from slipping while the program is running.***
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- Ensure that all controls in both VIs are accounted for. In the response VI this includes...
- text file paths are indicated, preferably in the computer's hard drive
- min and max valve position
- target level
- the COMPort is correctly configured
...and in the Measuring VI...
- the text filepath is indicated, in the same folder as the response filepath on the computer's hard drive
- the standard deviation, which shouldn't be any greater than 1 - In the response VI:
- the Run VI icon at the top left should be green
- the "Motor Connected" bool icon will be red when the VI is not running, but if it does not turn green after about a second of the VI running then the motor is not connected
- if you want the VI to automatically change the valve position for a trial, then you should select automatic. This should be done after the connection between the VI and the motor are tested (see Step 3).
- the Log Data icon should be green
- the Motor Enabled icon should be green, but grayed out
- Before running the VIs, you should do a test of the Response VI to make sure everything is working properly. This is done by enabling manual mode and changing the set number of turns open icon to any number between 0 and 3. Once it is determined that this does in fact change the run valve position connected to the motor, then the VI is connected correctly. Once you are done testing, automatic mode should be reselected in order to run a trial.
- When you initialize the valve position, it is important that the valve be completely closed, and that zero is set as the initial position. If this is not done successfully then there is a risk of the valve overturning and breaking. Likewise, the constant velocity should not be too fast in order to prevent the valve from slipping while the program is running.
When the above steps are completed, and the Response VI the above steps are completed, and the Response VI test has run successfully, the two VIs are ready to be run. Simply run click the run button of both VIs. If this is the first time using one of the text files, you may need to run the VI with the respective new text file first.
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Motor Connection
In order to connect your computer to the motor,
1 - power supply box
2 - motor enabled bool
3 - checking valve
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- make sure that the "Motor Enabled" bool is activated, and that the correct COMPort is selected.
- connect your USB Port to a Serial Port. This conversion is necessary in order to make your computer's code readable to the step driver.
- the step motor driver should be connected to a) a Power Box, b) that aforementioned Serial Port and c) a wire that eventually connects to the motor itself. Information on where to insert what should be evident on the box itself.
- make sure that the wire leading to the step motor driver is actually connected to the motor (I have forgotten to do this many times please check).
- In manual mode, when no liquid helium is in the separator, write the valve position as some number above 0 and up to 3. Then, go check the valve to ensure that it has opened, as this will be proof that your motor is properly connected!
Text Files
There are two main text files that would be constantly in use during a test. This includes the Response VI text file, logfile.txt, and the Measuring VI text file, which should be changed with each test, preferably to the date or time the test took place.
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