 Software - Test - DAQ - Logging - Automation - Analysis |
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MasTec Ltd supports a large community of software developers. Infrastructure
- Instrumentation - Automation - Machine Builders - ATE - T&M
- PLC - PAC - Smart Phone - Embedding - Wireless programmers |
Not all M/Studio code is generated automatically but the Main shell and Function calls are: - user interface, I/O, file, network etc are, allowing less experienced programmers to make big code safely. Measurement Studio sprang out LabWindows, the first automatic tool and it is now a much broader tool, allowing other commercial compilers etc to be used. Is it worth the money? This is an easy answer if you are involved in Test systems, using instruments, cPCI or PXI tools. Yes, however we feel it is best used in a team to optimise benefit, as it is possible to make modular programs that can be used through out a test facility, optimising time gains and stability and uniformity of code. |
Graphical C, as it is a full programming language using data flow methods. It is fast to build with, after you learn how to use it and this does take time. It is an excellent tool for long term mangement where there are several sites with variants of programs and there are infrequent visits to the sites for updates. LabVIEW allows a programmer to arrive at any site or access with Teamviewer and in a few minutes be working constructively inside the program making mods and improvements or fixes with great confidence. This is very difficult with code programs even with good documentation. If you are earning your living doing DAQ, Logging, instrumentation and automation projects and will continue to do so for many years, LabVIEW is the best software investment No one yet has better tools in our opinion. |
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Dasylab is also Graphical tools but not a complete programming langauge. They suit people who are not professional programmers and do not want to become one, but still want to collect data, analyse and print and graph results. It takes time to learn these two tools well but if you are a tech or a professor at an Education or Research facility and will do this evey day for the next X years, they are a very very good friend to have around and will allow you to translate your ideas into something that is bullet proof and easy to modify and improve as time goes on, but LabVIEW they are not. Are they worth the money? The people using them say yes and they are confidently using their computers, instruments and DAQ system in complex disciplines like Biomedical and Engineering research etc. Now with Python Scripts. |
Other Embeddable
Tools In general there are three camps
for Embedding. Pure Code Embedding, like Dynamic C, Where you require services like disk drives, networks, VGA display, PCI, PCIe, USB interfacing etc Linux or CE or XP/Win7/8 tools are the only way to go. For any projects the Linux and Microsoft tools work extremely well. We have worked with teams who have used all three methods, Linux, CE and Embedded XP/Win7/8 and all teams express satisfaction with the results. They have also all used differnet manufacturers Embedded PC boards, so there is no issue with choosing the PC, all manufacturers support these tools and have compatable driver sets. One of the big disappointments in the Microsoft embedded world is that you cannot transport normal XP, Vista or the Windows 7 code or applications across into CE and you have to go to the very expensive embedded XP solution, but it does work and well. For short run machines or systems this is viable. Win 8 apparently fixes much of this and will definitely give Android, iOS, Linux a challenge, especially for Smart Phone and Embedded work. |
Dynamic C
from Digi/Rabbit DC as it is called, has become quite a software development system for Rabbit Micro Embedding. We have used DC for 29 years and can say that if you use the Real Time Multitasking Kernel supplied, you can build the most elegant embedded code going - bar none. DC has a huge extra library set that takes all the work out of Ethernet TCP, FAT files, WiFI, Bluetooth, GSM, 3G, GPS, Mesh, encryption and much more. The productivity gains are similar to the above software tools but amplified, as DC spans itself across generations of Microprocessor develpment and micro models, from the simple Z180 micros to Rabbit 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6000 series micros, arriving at powerful 16 bit micros with large memory maps, SD cards etc. So use the same DC tool to build from simple to large embedded software suites. And it is free. Most embedded programmers use the same tools across micro families as described above. However DC spans not only Rabbit micros but a large range of single board computers and an even larger range of embeddable core modules. |
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GPIB Software If you are doing GPIB test systems regularly or have a large suite to develop, then use Agilents VEE, NI's LV or Measurement Studio, don't mess with rolling your own code or other packages. You can literally save months on large projects. Only use GPIB intereface hardware with Agilent and NI compatability. We recommend the industry leader ICS out of California. However if you are developing a one off system that is going to be inhouse and part of a product, go with C# now. Imaging &
Motion If you are doing Imaging or Motion systems regularly or have a large suite to develop, then again, use NI's LV or Measurement Studio, don't mess with rolling your own code, unless you are a expert programmer. You can literally save months on large projects. In these situations, only use Imaging or Motion intereface hardware that connect to NI compatability. Most manufacturers do, Adlink, DT, NI etc. However if you are developing a one off system that is going to be inhouse and part of a product, also go for C# now. Do look at Adlink's new Motion hardware and software, very very good. DAQ LabVIEW, Dasylab and DAQ Factory all have a loyal following as they allow rapid builds for DAQ. New Tools like DAQami allow DAQ, Graphing, charting, file in Excel foramt with a NO programming setup. Very nice. The new MCC ULX library for LabVIEW bring multitasking and polymorphic functions into LabVIEW. Excellent with loads of working examples. There is now an Android ULX style driver set that allows USB and Bluetooth DAQ with no fuss rioght into a tablet or smartphone. |
Automation Software is a huge area. In most cases Automation software is going to be a one off to control a plant, process or ?? So the software pick is based almost entirely on the hardware used. If you use SoftLogic and a PC then all the tools above apply. Doing Distributed I/O with an Industrial or Hardened PC and some of the tools above is an excellent choice. If you use a PAC or a PLC for local and distributed I/O then you will be stuck with the manufacturers software tools. In many cases there are license fees with this, so choose carefully We recommend Opto 22 PACs as it is main stream technology and is very simple to set up and understand and has superb software, Flow charts and scripts. There are very few tools around that are equal to OPTO 22s. If you are using PLCs then you are at the mercy of the manufacturer. Our pick on PLCs is Siemens and we sell VIPA from Germany that runs on Siemens software. The next software level, is ISAGraf IEC software tools and the champions with this development method is ICPDAS. Their range of PACs and CPU Softlogic modules linked to ISAGraf is extensice and will suffice for almost any small to mid size project and stay inside a good budget plan easily. For low cost PLCs, and there are many types, look at Array's logic function block software, it can not be easier and more universal. |
Read the piece on GPIB, this info also applies to instruments with RS-232, USB or ethernet connectivity. Most companies in NZ doing Instruments now use either LabVIEw or .net tools ( inside Measurment Studio), with C# being the most popular Wireless Connecting to wireless system can be a little daunting at first. However, all the tools above can be used to build system for 3G, GPRS, Bluetooth, Long distance RF Data Hauling systems. The decisions are taken away in most cases if you are using Routers or Gateways as the manufacturer usually puts in a processor and BIOS that undestands only one language like Java or Python etc. This is not a big deal and can be learnt very quickly if you know VB or C++ or C#. see Google Courses. The only manufacturer that has advanced Mesh Wireless tools is Digi with their very interesting end point to Server no programming tool set called DIA, Have a read on this. Cloud Wireless. For 3G Back haul systems use a router that is easy to work with. We recommend Python as it is free and supported by a huge community. |
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| Graphical Icon Programming Methods | ||||
| DasyLab Graphical Programming: | Popular SCADA Tools
Easy-To-Use DAQ System Supports Various Communications |
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| LabVIEW Graphical Programming: | Extremely powerful development tool using a Data flow compiler, for GPIB, device, machine and system building, instrumentation, DAQ, Automation, imaging, motion, etc |  |
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| Automatic Code Programming Methods | ||||
| Measurement Studio Programming: | Work in .Net using C, C# and VB | |
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| DAQ and Control Software | ||||
| DAQ Factory | Rapid development tool |  |
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| No Programming DAQ Graphic Excel export Software | ||||
| DAQami | Rapid tool | |
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| Microsoft Tools | ||||
| Visual Basic.net | Excellent pricing | |||
| Visual Studio.net | Excellent pricing | |||
| C Programming | ||||
| Rabbit Semiconductor Dynamic C embedded Dev |  |
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| PACs, PLCs & SCADA | ||||
| Soft GRAF ISA GRAF programming: | All-in-one Design: Soft-GRAF Studio : An easy toolkit to develop the HMI application which run in the ISaGRAF PAC. ISaGRAF : An Open PLC software to develop the control logic by Ladder, Function block, ST, ... Support Various and Colorful HMI Objects Multi-language: English, Traditional Chinese, Simplify Chinese, Russian, etc. IEC 61131-3 Standard Powerful PLC Programming Tools Supports LD, ST, IL, SFC, FBD & FC |
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| Indusoft programming: | Powerful HMI, and
SCADA Developing Tool Web Thin Client Solution ICP DAS Products' Drivers Bundled |
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| HMI Works programming: | WYSIWYG Intuitive
Design. Built-in and Extensible Graphics Library. C Language and Ladder Diagram Programming. Fully-integrated I/O Design. |
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| OPTO 22 ioControl PAC flow chart programming: | Advanced multitasking OSLess development system using Flow Charts and Text |  |
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| Function Block Programming for PLCs | Modbus RS-485 and Ethernet |    |
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| Simple low cost SCADA for PLCs | Stand Alone Systems | |
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| ARM PACs and PLC Linux and CE software tools |   ask for more specific tools |
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| .Net and Active X Tool sets | ||||
| DAQ .net for DAQ: | |
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| DAQ Bench .net tools: |  |
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| Drivers for Instruments | ||||
| GPIB, VXI and Serial IVI Instrument Drivers: |  |
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| Real Time and DSP | ||||
| Real-time Closed Loop Control LabVIEW and VB |  |
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| Very Fast DSP/FPGA with or without DAQ LabVIEW and VB | |
MeasX - Dasylab - Very Popular
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