Using Windmill to Configure your Measurement Hardware
The SetupIML program scans your measurement and control devices and builds a default set-up file. SetupIML might see, for example, a device with 5 K-type thermocouples called Temperature1, Temperature2, etc, whose measurements should be between 0 and 100 degrees Celsius. SetupIML lets you change these settings, and others, for all types of hardware, no matter how connected to the PC. This means that the setup details for everything are contained in just one file.
You change SetupIML's default settings using simple dialogue boxes. For example, you can:
- Change the engineering units, converting volts to millivolts for instance.
- Name your input and output channels: Pressure, Humidity, Speed, Latitude, etc.
- Change the input or gain range: choose the range that most closely encompasses your signal and thus increase the resolution of that signal.
- Set alarm thresholds and link these to digital output lines, to sound a buzzer or switch off an appliance for instance.
- Enable filtering of noisy signals.
- Zero strain gauge bridges.
- Group digital channels so you can switch several digital outputs on or off at once.
- Name digital states: On and Off, Open and Shut, High and Low, etc.
In SetupIML just double-click a channel to change its settings.
SetupIML lets you specify alarm checking on analogue or digital inputs. You can set two alarm thresholds (warning and critical) and link these alarm conditions to digital output lines for instant control.
Not all channels or devices need to be included in every set-up. Two experiments could be running at the same time, each one using a different set of channels. The experiments can be started and stopped independently.
While SetupIML is running it constantly checks each operation with the hardware and so immediately spots any errors.
SetupIML is free with every Windmill system.
Step-by-Step
- You should have already run ConfIML and selected your hardware. In SetupIML, from the File menu select Open
- Create New Setup. All your types of hardware devices will be listed under the Device menu.
- Hardware data channels are listed as 00000, 00001, 00002 etc. Double-click one to change its settings.
- Save.
For full details see the programs Help or Manual.
