Electrical Actuator Control

Who is the manufacturer of the actuator and which model is the controller?

If you haven't chosen an actuator: There are many mfgs of stand alone drive/actuators that are programmable in langauges not unlike Basic. Some thought would have to go into how LabView and the controller would communicate. I just finshed a job using a Tolomatic Axiom+ using with one of their actuators. The communications could be Modbus (which may be supported by LabView) or its own simple ASCII protocol.

You should take care in 2 directions:

- the stiffer you test specimen the more difficult will be the force control look at the time constants.

- electrical actuators generate the torque/force using a continous curent through so that it is a risk of high temperature if cooling is not considered for the highest torque/force AND the lowest speed.

The suggestion to use components available with soft from the shelf is very good Lab View is a good solution if you want to change procedures if not there are simpler softs.

Hi Before getting too deep into problems yourself, why not consider a ready made solution. My company manufactures a complete range of commercial hydraulic and servo electric actuators with all the control hardware and graphical programming application software (easier than Labview) you need for materials and components testing. If you send me your specification, I'll get someone to show you how we can help you - with no obligation of course.

Take care that if you really want to build something yourself you will need to take care of all aspects of safety for operators etc..

It may appear that a commercial solution costs more - but its much cheaper and more effective and safer in the long term.

I totally agree with "davidtphillips ". Many times a "home" solution is choosen because the costs are not very transparent and it seems to cost less in fact according to my experienc it could cost a lot more in hidden costs. And why rediscover America? Columbus did it already for us. It is justified to make a "home" project only if the usual products do not satisfy the specification. It is seldom but it is the case.

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Keep this in mind: 1) Speed is proportional to voltage and 2) Force is proportional to current.

It is difficult to make solenoids, for example, move from one end of their stroke to the other without position feedback, and even then, it's no picnic.

Without details, the best you can hope for are general answers like this one.

LabVIEW has the capability, but you have to supply the interface between the controller and the machine components.

Your question is too general.

Answers could scare you.

Do you considered simple hardware - local control and maybe LabVIEW / NI Data acquisition ?

I agree that the question is too general - but dont forget that few people today would design and build their own TV, car, even PC.

Testing equipment suppliers develop their products over decades, and for good reason. Discussing whether Labview can do the job doesnt really help at this stage as we dont know your application.

In any case you will have to consider things like:

Axiality of fittings (critical if the test is in compression)

Gripping of the test specimen

Measurement of strain / displacement (if you need to measure it)

How is test data read with regard to target positions (depending on the required testing speed)

Then -

if the product is to be used by an operator there are tough laws on health and safety depending where you are in the world. You must know the laws and how to apply them. Ignorance is not accepted as a defence.

Is the product to be used for a one-off evaluation (eg college project) then OK, but if it is to be used long term then how will you support it?

How will the system be calibrated? Will it (does it need to?)meet internationally accepted standards?

And of course cost.

Did I mention application software and support?

If you give more specific details we can all offer better advice.