Laboratory Exercise No.

13
Virtual Instruments Creation Using LabVIEW

1. Objective:
The activity aims to create virtual instruments.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Create virtual instruments using LabVIEW.
3. Discussion:
LabVIEW, short for Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench , is a programming environment in
which you create programs using a graphical notation (connecting functional nodes via wires through which
data flows); in this regard, it differs from traditional programming languages like C, C++, or Java, in which
you program with text. However, LabVIEW is much more than a programming language. It is an interactive
program development and execution system designed for people, like scientists and engineers, who need
to program as part of their jobs. The LabVIEW development environment works on computers running
Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. LabVIEW can create programs that run on those platforms, as well as
Microsoft Pocket PC, Microsoft Windows CE, Palm OS, and a variety of embedded platforms, including
Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), and microprocessors.

Using the very powerful graphical programming language that many LabVIEW users affectionately call "G"
(for graphical), LabVIEW can increase your productivity by orders of magnitude. Programs that take weeks
or months to write using conventional programming languages can be completed in hours using LabVIEW
because it is specifically designed to take measurements, analyze data, and present results to the user. And
because LabVIEW has such a versatile graphical user interface and is so easy to program with, it is also
ideal for simulations, presentation of ideas, general programming, or even teaching basic programming
concepts.

4. Resources:
LabVIEW
5. Procedure:
1. Create a VI that converts a voltage signal , 0 V to 5 V, from a DAQ device to the equivalent level
values in a water tank, 0 cm to 20 cm, using while loop (100 ms time to wait and stop button). Use
Table 1 for the results.
2. Create a VI that simulates the temperature in an air heater system. The temperature in the air
heater is between 20 and 50 degrees Celsius. Use Random Generator, while loop, 1000 ms time to
wait and stop button. Use Table 1 for the results.
3. Create a sub-VI that performs a linear scaling y = mx + b , where m, x and b are inputs, and y is an
output. Test it using another VI. Use Table 3 for the results.
4. Create a simple sub-VI by using Formula Node to calculate the slope (m) and intercept (b) in the
equation y = mx + b, given two points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2). Test it using another VI. Use Table 4 for
the results.
5. Design a lab exercise using LabVIEW. Submission next meeting.

Course: Computer Applications for ChE Laboratory Exercise No.: 13

1
Group No.: Section: CH51FC1
Group Members: Date Performed: September 27, 2017
Cuesta, Alwyn Wren C. Date Submitted: October 04, 2017
Instructor:
Engr. Crispulo Maranan
6. Data and Results:
Procedure 1:
Table 1: Voltage-to-Level Conversion

Procedure 2:

2
 Table 2: Air Heater System Waveform Chart

Procedure 3:

3
 Table 3: Linear Scaling

Procedure 4:
Table 4: Linear Scaling

4
7.Conclusion
I therefore conclude that LabVIEW has many functions and with my newly-acquired knowledge on virtual
instruments, I have gained wider knowledge on what I can do with LabVIEW. From Voltage to Level
Conversion, Air-Heater System Waveform Chart, up to Linear Scaling, I can do a variety of calculations and
graphing that are hard to do manually. By applying the knowledge of this new features of LabVIEW that I
have learned to my studies, Im sure I could make use of it when I finally take my Plant Design course.
8. Further Readings:
Seborg Dale E., Edgar, Thomas F., and Mellichamp Duncan A. (2004). Process Dynamics and
Control. Singapore: Wiley.
Knopf, F. C. (2012). Modeling, analysis and optimization of process and energy systems.Hoboken,
New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.
Velten, K. (2009). Mathematical modeling and simulation: introduction for scientists and engineers.
Singapore: Wiley-VCH.

9. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

5
6