Manually Controlling 3-Way Valves with Labview

[Mak93]

I have three 3-way 12V electronic valves that I am trying to create a labview program that will have toggle buttons that will turn the valve to each of the 3 valve states.

I am using a NI myRIO to run the valves. I am new to labview and am not too sure where to start in order to manually be able to toggle the valves on and off.

[RavensFan]

First question.

How would you control these valves if you weren't using LabVIEW?

[Mak93]

By changing the voltage that is applied to the valve in order to correspond to each state of the valve

[RavensFan]

So with the cRIO, you will need to vary the voltage with an analog output channel.

Just double check the voltage and current requirements for that valve to make sure your analog output channel can handle it.

[Mak93]

So I guess my main concern here is that I have never used labview before, so I wasn't sure how the Analog Output block is actually implemented to get labview to do what I want it to do.

[Mak93]

So I guess my main concern here is that I have never used labview before, so I wasn't sure how the Analog Output block is actually implemented to get labview to do what I want it to do.

[RavensFan]

Then you need to take some tutorials.  Also look in Help >> Example Finder.  Search for cRIO and you'll find numerous examples on how to work with it.

[Mak93]

Thank you!

[chembo]

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@Mak93 wrote:

By changing the voltage that is applied to the valve in order to correspond to each state of the valve

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12 Volt sounds like the power supply for the valve, but what about the control signal?

What kind of valve is that? Is it a solenoid valve? In this case you need digital output.

Valves with variable position settings usually have 0 to 10 volt or 4-20 mA control signal.  

[Mak93]

I am using a valve from Clippard:http://www.clippard.com/part/E3O10C-2W012