BL Motor Evaluation program

[GriffinRU]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Good job!

A suggestion: Could you put the links to download the apps in your sig. That way, we all know where to get the most current version without trying to dig back through the thread...

Ok, I will do that later.

Artur

[GriffinRU]

Updated version 1.0.3 (7.5MB)

[pinolelst]

I just installed the updated version and get this error message,I deleted the previous versions folder prior to installing the new version if that helps.
thanks in advance
Steve

[BrianG]

It loaded fine for me.

It looks like the new version uses an excel file to store motor data. Do you have Microsoft Excel installed?

[BrianG]

I like this new version! The addition of having motor data in an external file is nice! Great job.

OK, now for a couple of suggestions.

In the attached pic, there are two circled areas, "Note 1" and "Note 2".

Note 1: It looks like there is a little alignment issue where the column name over-writes the other column. Not a big deal, just wanted to point it out.

Note 2: The units are not shown. Most people know that torque is in oz-in, power is in watts, etc - but it may not be obvious to some. Maybe put the unit in parenthesis, or at the end of the output field? The units are displayed on the columns, so maybe that's good enough and I'm just being too picky. :)

Is it possible to add a pointer so that if you click somewhere on the x axis, it will display the values for the curves at that point? For example: Let's say I want to see exactly what power, current, and speed there is over a certain efficiency range. I would click somewhere on the efficiency curve and then some type of informational box would appear showing the values of the corresponding curves at that point on the x axis. Again, not a big deal - it would be just another neat feature.

Thanks again for this tool! It is looking very nice!

[GriffinRU]

Originally Posted by BrianG

I like this new version! The addition of having motor data in an external file is nice! Great job.

OK, now for a couple of suggestions.

In the attached pic, there are two circled areas, "Note 1" and "Note 2".

Note 1: It looks like there is a little alignment issue where the column name over-writes the other column. Not a big deal, just wanted to point it out.

Note 2: The units are not shown. Most people know that torque is in oz-in, power is in watts, etc - but it may not be obvious to some. Maybe put the unit in parenthesis, or at the end of the output field? The units are displayed on the columns, so maybe that's good enough and I'm just being too picky. :)

Is it possible to add a pointer so that if you click somewhere on the x axis, it will display the values for the curves at that point? For example: Let's say I want to see exactly what power, current, and speed there is over a certain efficiency range. I would click somewhere on the efficiency curve and then some type of informational box would appear showing the values of the corresponding curves at that point on the x axis. Again, not a big deal - it would be just another neat feature.

Thanks again for this tool! It is looking very nice!

Thank You,

Note 1: -Weird, I will check, my computer doesn't do that.
Note 2: - I will add, I was worry about screen size.

Pointers - I am working on that...next update will be with more bells and...

Artur

P.S. Looking for more ideas and suggestions

[GriffinRU]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Note 1: It looks like there is a little alignment issue where the column name over-writes the other column.

In program folder find BL_EVAL.ini file and change EnableAutoScales=False to EnableAutoScales=True. That should do the trick for this version.

Artur

[BrianG]

That did the trick! After playing with it, I noticed it only happened when I changed to a motor where the top number in the power column reached four digits.

I also played around with some of the other features.

Exporting to an image is neat, except the bitmap is black and white.

Found another bug (sorry). If you right click the graph, select "visible items", then select "scale items", a box comes up. If you move the mouse over the box, an error appears:

Fatal Internal Error: "panelsup.cpp", line 134
LabVIEW version 7.1.1
You will lose any unsaved work. For assistance in resolving this problem, please relaunch LabVIEW, or contact National Instruments.

An interesting thing I've noted. Max motor efficiency for XL motors is generally accepted as being at around 35k rpm. But, If I increase the voltage higher and higher, the efficiency increases and for a much wider/flatter range. However, the rpm for this is about 140k rpm and the power is on the high side at over 800w. I assume these graphs assume "ideal" magnets and super bearings? :)

[pinolelst]

Originally Posted by BrianG

It loaded fine for me.

It looks like the new version uses an excel file to store motor data. Do you have Microsoft Excel installed?

No but I have open office installed.Maybe I have to make it the default ?? Dunno Imma gonna give his fix a try.
thanks

pinolelst

edit: That fixed it for me.thanks

[GriffinRU]

Originally Posted by pinolelst

I just installed the updated version and get this error message,I deleted the previous versions folder prior to installing the new version if that helps.
thanks in advance
Steve

Well, I was using Excel to make it simple... but I will create another way to edit database. For now you can download attached file and unzip it to program folder.

I am using Excel only to import data, program only reads Excel upon first run (to create separate file) and when user clicks update via menu. This way you have more flexibility with data.

Artur

[GriffinRU]

Originally Posted by pinolelst

I just installed the updated version and get this error message,I deleted the previous versions folder prior to installing the new version if that helps.
thanks in advance
Steve

Finally nailed this one, it is related to MS Office version. I wrote program under office XP if you have MS Office earlier version then you will get this error. I am working on resolving this issue.