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25 Years of PXI- A History

PXI-4071 Card in front of a full PXI -1045 chassis

PXI is a robust platform that is powered by software and PCI electrical-bus characteristics with CompactPCI’s modular, Eurocard design. For over 2 decades, this high-performance and inexpensive deployment platform has been useful for a wide variety of applications across an expansive range of industries- including the military, aerospace, and industrial industries. The capabilities of PXI in test, measurement, control, and data acquisition applications set the industry standard- but how did it get to this point?

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Checking in With LabVIEW in 2022

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Back in June, we published a blog post navigating the initial project outlines for LabVIEW in 2022. Recently, NI released their Q3 Roadmap for the platform, outlining their plan for upcoming releases. September also marks the 9th month since LabVIEW switched over to an all subscription model in January of 2022. In this post, we will see what has changed for the LabVIEW roadmap since our June post, and we will dive into the different options for LabVIEW subscriptions.

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LEGO®, LabVIEW, and Robots- Oh My!

Lego Robot and assorted pieces on a play mat

As one of the largest companies in the world, the bright colors of plastic Lego bricks are a familiar sight to any toy aisle. These interlocking bricks provide an engaging outlet for creativity and innovation, going far beyond playtime and becoming a valuable asset to classrooms around the globe. Through the robotics kits of Lego Mindstorms®, engineering and programming concepts are taught in a way that actively engages children while also imparting important life skills.

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Measuring Sounds and Vibrations with NI Hardware

Closeup of two fingers measuring a yellow frequency line on a LCD screen

The NI C Series of Sound and Vibration Input Modules can be used with both accelerometers and microphones to collect vibration and acoustic signals. These signals can then be used for audio testing, monitoring machine conditions, and to determine NVH (noise / vibration / harshness). An incredible asset to any project, these modules aid in quickly and easily measuring sounds and vibrations. However, the amount of options and possible combinations can be confusing! Thankfully, there are a few key factors to keep in mind to help narrow down the choices and find the right microphone or accelerometer to fit your needs.

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Navigating the LabVIEW 2022 Roadmap

Closeup of laptop with code on the screen and a notepad and pen beside it

With a potential Q3 release from NI, LabVIEW 2022 is a highly anticipated release. With the drop of their project roadmap in March of this year, NI has outlined their current product plans and their expected trajectory for different capabilities. While the roadmap does not detail many specifics as the plans are subject to change, it does give an overview of what we can expect from the software within the categories of project management, interoperability, system support, and UI experience. 

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System Maintenance with Apex Waves

System maintenance is an integral part of test engineering. Whether you are designing a new test program set or working within an established one, it’s important to keep resources for both preventative and corrective maintenance in mind. By having plans for both addressing equipment issues as they come up and preventing issues from occurring in the first place, your system will be spared from expensive delays in the future. With a specialized focus on National Instruments parts, Apex Waves is able to provide the repairs you need to maximize the performance of your equipment and system.

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Software and Test Standardization

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It’s no secret that software is key to creating the foundation of modern technology. With the rate at which new products and features are introduced into today’s market, the test software industry must prioritize expedient production and flexible customer delivery. How can this be accomplished? Through the standardization of test equipment! For years, the goal of testing organizations has been to achieve standardization- yet many businesses struggle to apply test standards because they can’t agree on how. However, test standardization does not have to entail a major revamp of your engineering and production testing processes. Smaller, more manageable standards, such as code or data management standards, can be implemented to address and resolve inefficiency issues.

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NI and the Digital Future of Mobility

Timelapse photo of road at night with streaking of white and red from headlights

The automotive industry is rapidly expanding, with new advancements being presented every year. Breakthrough technological advances have forever transformed the industry- and brought new challenges. As a result, manufacturers are adopting technology solutions that rely on cutting-edge work ranging from cloud computing to autonomous driving. However, many businesses are still in the design and deployment stages of smart manufacturing systems.

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PXI and PXIe Compatibility

Closeup side view of PXI-5105

The PXI and PXI Express chassis portfolio from National Instruments includes a wide range of size and performance options, as well as additional features to ease system interface and usage. The variety of options to fit specific needs is one of the reasons that the NI PXI and PXIe are industry leaders for automated testing and measurement. However, understanding the compatibility differences between the two can often lead to some confusion.

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The “Why” and “When” of Test Equipment Calibration

Closeup of red digital multimeter

As every test engineer planning out their Test Program Sets has probably heard at some point, keeping up with calibration is crucial. But how do you know when to get your test equipment hardware calibrated, and why exactly is it so important? Not only is it mandated by government agencies, required by quality regulations, and monitored by international standards groups- it directly impacts the efficacy of your equipment over time. While regular calibration may seem like a tedious extra step, it is clear that the benefits are well worth it. Here at Apex Waves, our stock of NI parts is fully calibrated, so each part is ready to ship to you right when you need it- at the highest quality condition available on the market.

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