A Multitude of Programming Questions
 

Keep in mind this is my first year programming for FRC, but not my first year programming graphically. (I use Wiremod for Garry's Mod, not sure if you guys have played it.) I'm progressing very well currently. LabVIEW makes things simple.

I'm looking for a number of crash course, step-by-step tutorials on how to make things work. If you can find tutorials and other such items on other websites, I'd appreciate the links. This might be quite the lengthy thread.

Pneumatics

1. What sort of VI palette should I use to control the spikes? General Motors, Relays, or Solenoids? Which one is the most simple and will allow quick implementation?


2. I hear the older Festo devices (larger ones) have a high failure rate. Is it recommended to use a newer valve produced by a different company?


3. I do not know much about Relays in general. Their purpose, functions, and advantages are all unknown to me. Is there a detailed tutorial that explains how they work?


4. I want to program an automatic pressure release that takes place 2 seconds before the end of a match. Ben Zimmer, who provided the LV Mastery videos, touched base on a subject like this. Has anyone made a subVI that I may implement? If not, doe anyone have any idea of the placement and design to make this happen in this year's code?


Encoders

1. We are planning to use the encoders that were provided for this year's gearboxes. Is there a wiring diagram that would thoroughly explain how to wire one into the 2010 Control System as well as an Encoder tutorial that would provide some insight into how I would implement this into this year's code?


2. The encoder rate is in (something)-per-ticks. I had no luck finding a subVI here that would convert it from '(something)-per-ticks' to 'feet-per-second'. How would I convert to 'feet-per-second'?


General Knowlege

1. I did my best to find a function in LabVIEW similar to a Boolean Latch switch (Toggle Switch), but for a True/False. I want to press Button 1 to change the statement to True and press it again to make it False. Is the Case Selector in a case structure already toggle or do I need to create more code?




I'll be asking more questions as they arise, any valuable input is appreciated very much!

Re: A Multitude of Programming Questions
 

I'll answer quickly the questions I can.

Pneumatics:

1. Spike relays are controlled using the Relay palette. Period.

3. Relays give a way to provide either power or ground (*) to a circuit. The Spikes are dual relay modules, and that makes them good for controlling a low-current motor in either direction.

4. I might do this by putting something in the Periodic Tasks vi to note the time when the robot goes into Teleoperated mode, then activate the pressure release after 118 seconds have elapsed.

Encoders:

1. See the LabVIEW Encoder Example. It has exactly what you asked for.

2. Provide a DistancePerCount when you Open the encoder.

General Knowledge:

1. Implementing such a toggle function is easy to do, but hard to describe. Look at Feedback Nodes, which can be used to do something only when an input changes value.

Re: A Multitude of Programming Questions
 

Look in the LabVIEW Getting Started Window >> Examples >> Joystick Button Latching Example