02-28-2005 01:19 AM
02-28-2005 02:56 AM
02-28-2005 02:09 PM
02-28-2005 02:38 PM
12-27-2005 03:41 AM - edited 12-27-2005 03:41 AM
Thanks all for great replies (and sorry for TommyH for my late reply!)
Actually I'm back here in this thread because I moved to another company and we purchased DSC module, I tried it my self and it really did great job to make LabView do most of the standard SCADA packages do. But still there are some problems.
Pluses of DSC module:
1- I can define Tags (configure Tags) and link it to OPC servers eaisly.
2- I can define alarms
3- Trend seems OK (I didn't try it)
4- Tags monitoring is a great RunTime tool
Minuses of DSC module:
1- Only Value-alams type is supported (No ROC or deviation alarms)
2- Graphical objects are too limited (I know that Symbol Factory is there, but they are only a static images that can't be animated)
3- Animation types are not as other SCADA packages.
4- I can't enter a formula instead of a Tag name to animate an object
5- There is no obvious method to create multiple screens and navigate between them (Please correct me if I'm wrong),
6- "HMI Wiazrd" is great, But the bad thing is that it generates its code in teh block diagram, If I have 30 object in my Front Panel and use HMI Wizard, I think that my Block Diagram would be really a spagetti code.
I really can't see any good reason for displaying this code generated (Note: it can't be edited) ?!
I think that it would be nice to let the user (LabView programmer) choose wither to view the generated code or not.
Message Edited by Ayman_Metwally on 12-27-2005 03:43 AM
12-27-2005 06:06 AM
LV is not a specialized HMI or SCADA application and the DSC module doesn't make it one. It adds some capabalities, but you will need to write the code (and the "screens") yourself. It's the same with animation - LV doesn't currently handle dynamic interfaces very well. With some playing around you can do animation, and some of it can even be pretty good. Search for "animation" in the example finder to see more. You can also place animated gifs for some "static" animation. You can also use the picture control to do some "flowing" animation, but those all require some playing around with LV.
Minuses of DSC module:1- Only Value-alams type is supported (No ROC or deviation alarms)
2- Graphical objects are too limited (I know that Symbol Factory is there, but they are only a static images that can't be animated)
3- Animation types are not as other SCADA packages.
4- I can't enter a formula instead of a Tag name to animate an object
5- There is no obvious method to create multiple screens and navigate between them (Please correct me if I'm wrong),
6- "HMI Wiazrd" is great, But the bad thing is that it generates its code in teh block diagram, If I have 30 object in my Front Panel and use HMI Wizard, I think that my Block Diagram would be really a spagetti code.
12-27-2005 06:28 AM - edited 12-27-2005 06:28 AM
Thanks tst for your reply.
You are right:
LV is not a specialized HMI or SCADA application and the DSC module doesn't make it one
That's absoulutly my openion, But many customers (and consultants!) fail to understand this. They want thier application done using LabView wither it's suitable for it or not.
Message Edited by Ayman_Metwally on 12-27-2005 06:32 AM
12-27-2005 12:03 PM
That is a problem through out the programming industry, where the client (whether an inhouse one, or an outhouse one (sorry!)) wants it done one specific platform, with a specific language, whatever, whether it is the right tool or not. I had a client, a fairly large, techincally sophisticated one, where I was continually fighting the battle to have them continue using LabVIEW as their primary test development environment. They had a large investment in LabVIEW, a number of inhouse programmers, as well as us outside consultants, but thought that another platform, VB, would be better. Their reasoning was that there are 100's of thousands of VB programmers and considerably fewer LabVIEW ones. I agreed with this, but pointed out that the language was only part of the problem. That LabVIEW, since its inception, has had tools to "do measurements" and that most LabVIEW programmers had some experience with "doing measurements", where VB programmers that did measurement type applications were probably a larger minority of the VB programmers as a whole.
As described in the previous posts, LabVIEW really isn't a SCADA "package" as is Lookout, InTouch, iFix, etc., even with the addition of the DSC, but much of the missing parts can be done in LabVIEW with a bit more work. Where this hybrid really shines is when trying to mix the traditional SCADA tasks with some that are well supported by the other SCADA packages, or the traditional hardware found in a SCADA system. I'm currently putting a proof of concept together for a prospective customer, who has specified LabVIEW, that will (hopefully) end up being a hybrid, with the HMI talking to a PLC and thermal chamber, as well as some DAQ hardware, etc.
Good Luck in your new company,
P.M.
12-28-2005 03:41 AM
Thanks LV_Pro for your reply .. and your nice wish.
12-28-2005 10:00 AM