Using VBAI to switch a solenoid valve

[nForce]

I have a 12V, 1W solenoid valve that i would like to switch on and off using my inspection program. I am current using a arduino/transistor setup but it is too unreliable. I was wondering what products you offer that I would be able to use to switch that valve. 

[luissg]

Hi nForce,

You can use VBAI to execute LabVIEW script if you have access to LabVIEW and use NI hardware to switch the solenoid like a digital card or relay card.

https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA00Z000000P6TASA0&l=en-US

You can also use DAQmx global channels to control the DIO data acquisition devices through VBAI

Here are a couple of DIO devices that you can use to control the solenoid.

USB:

6501

https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/model/usb-6501.html

6525

https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/model/usb-6525.html

PCI:

6520

https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/model/pci-6520.html

[Brad]

You can use those DAQ devices mentioned but you will get SW timed response since it uses Global Virtual Channels to read/write the DAQ device with a DAQ step in VBAI. You can also use a Vision device like:

- 8237R which comes with GigE ports for acquiring from GigE cameras

- 8255R which comes with IEEE-1394b ports for acquiring from Firewire a or b cameras

- 8254R which comes with IEEE-1394a ports for acquiring from Firewire a cameras.

- Any of the CameraLink board for acquiring from CameraLink cameras.

- Any of the Smart Cameras we sell

- EVS (Embedded Vision System) is an Real Time target that you can connect either a 1394 device or a Camera Link camera

- CVS (Compact Vision System) is Real Time target that you can connect GigE cameras to .

These Vision devices have dedicated I/O steps in VBAI that support hardware timed pulses based on a HW trigger, or can generate a pulse that stays high for a precise amount of time based on a pass/fail decision by VBAI. If you need HW timed precision for driving your device, I would recommend one of these devices. The GigE/1394 devices also can count the number of edges that occur on an input line and the 8237 can even configure a queue of pulses which can be useful if there are multiple parts between your visual inspection station and the ejection station. Check out this app note for details on this use case to see if you need something this advanced:

https://www.ni.com/en/shop/choosing-the-right-hardware-for-your-vision-applications/using-vision-rio...

If you just need simple software timed I/O, I would recommend a simple USB DAQ device with Virtual Channels defined as mentioned earlier and use the DAQ step in VBAI.

Hope this helps,

Brad