In my organization National Instruments LabVIEW is used to teach about control strategies for industrial equipment and processes to students of engineering and technology programs, combined with data acquisition elements, and microcontroller cards. It performs process control and applications for different strategies of classical and modern control, state space controllers, controllers through neural networks. Another application that is given is as a system for displaying variables graphically as HMI and to integrate PLC systems among others.
Pros
real-time data visualization
implementation of modern control strategies
integration of languages such as python and c++, for various applications
data acquisition through microcontroller cards
Cons
improve the management of pc resources to use the minimum amount of resources
add a utility for zooming in the block diagram window
Improve management of complementary applications, such as real time module or dsc
Likelihood to Recommend
Appropriate:In the implementation of SCADA-type graphical interfaces for process control and process simulation, as well as the implementation of control strategies, data acquisition and processing in real time.UnfavorableDue to the high system requirements to be able to execute the applications if you do not have the necessary computational capabilities, it can cause general malfunctioning.
We are a start-up developing novel water treatment products. To test the performance of the product, we develop in-house lab-scale automated testing systems and also pilot-scale systems to test the products off-site. For our systems, we used LabVIEW to read and write I/O, control the instruments, analyze and log systems' data.
Pros
Automation.
I/O.
Data Processing.
Cons
Debug features.
Likelihood to Recommend
Most of the time, I am using LabVIEW to develop automated controls for lab-scale and pilot-scale systems. LabVIEW is great for its graphical programming interface, which is easy to learn and understand. The program also has a lot of built-in VIs to perform different complicated I/O, data processing, controls, and graphing tasks which are extremely useful and convenient to use. My only problem with LabVIEW is how hard it is to clean up and debug the program, due to its being a graphical interface. It is hard to search for specific variables when debugging, and some of the online debugging features don't function well in real-time.
As a small contract engineering company our organization often finds the need to use LabVIEW to write our own programs to solve problems. The software is used primarily by the software and firmware engineers, but several of the mechanical engineers also utilize it. Our organization saves money by writing some simple programs in house instead of sending them out.
Pros
Being a graphical programming language, it is a little easier for a layperson to understand than text based programming languages.
The program has very good debugging features.
Support is good.
There are a variety of tutorials which make it easier to do something that you aren't sure about.
Cons
Sometimes backwards compatibility issues arise.
Error messages can be confusing.
Although it is a graphical programming interface, it has a pretty steep learning curve at first.
Likelihood to Recommend
I think National Instruments LabVIEW is well suited to those who have to run experiments whether that is in a formal lab or a less formal setting. Most of the programs that we write are aimed at some sort of data acquisition using sensors or hardware. LabVIEW is probably also well suited for hobbyists who do not know a written programming language but are willing to take time to use tutorials to figure things out.
I use LabView with our engine test bench's data acquisition system to collect high-speed pressure data and low-speed temperature data. The signal from the sensor needs to be acquired for a certain amount of time and in certain formats that meet our research requirements. I use LabView to make custom interfaces (VIs) that meet these requirements and output the recorded data in the desired form.
Pros
Graphical programming interface makes it easy and intuitive to set up data acquisition VIs.
Easy to add new sensors.
Easy to add/modify calibration specifications to get the desired form for output data.
Easy to package VIs in easy-to-use form that can be used by technicians and operators.
Cons
Sometimes have problems with my VIs when the software version is updated.
Becomes somewhat slow after updates.
Real-time plots (in my case pressure-time plots) sometimes get stuck or are laggy. Same is true for RPM gauge.
Likelihood to Recommend
LabView is a great tool to connect your sensors to your data aquisition hardware. It makes it really easy to set-up a data acquisition routine that meets your individual requirements. I, as an engine researcher, find it very well suited for engine experimentation.
For any other programming needs, i.e. not data acquisition, I would not recommend using LabView because of its graphical programming architecture. The architecture makes it a great tool for Data Aquisition but puts at a disadvantage when it comes to other computational tasks, e.g. making a thermodynamic engine model. For those applications having text-based programming is better suited.
We are an engineering services company who uses LabVIEW to write test and automation code for our clients. Sometimes the decision to use LabVIEW is dictated by our clients and other times they do not care what software it used but either way we always use LabVIEW. LabVIEW allows all of our engineers, regardless of background, to ramp up and develop code quickly.
Pros
Debugging tools are fantastic.
Since it is graphical it is easy to quickly understand what a section of code is doing.
The integration with hardware, especially NI hardware, is very good.
Cons
UI development is lacking compared to other languages.
The software requires a bulky run-time engine for EXEs which can be a pain when distributing simple applications.
Anything to do with websites is a challenge.
Likelihood to Recommend
Well suited for any type of industrial testing or automation, whether in a lab or production environment. It's a great tool for engineers to use. Not well suited for any type of web development or a simple application that needs to be easily distributed to multiple people without having to install separate support software.
