Data to excel, multi dimension data, multi sheets.

Question

I have an application that I'm hoping can be done in Labview and I'm hoping I can explain clearly, so here it goes.
I have a test where I'm performing an FFT on six axis of vibration (X-1,Y-1,Z-1,X-2,Y-2,Z-2) at several different RPM levels of a tool.
So I would like to store the data as follows:
Each axis will be on a separate worksheet and the data will be shown as one row containing a specific RPM followed by all of the FFT readings.
The next row will contain the next RPM value followed by all of the FFT readings for that RPM value. This will be for one axis.
There will then be a new sheet for the remaining five axis.
The operator will enter the RPM value into a box, hit a button which will record and calculate an FFT (lets say 800 points or whatever). This will create the six worksheets and populate the first row.
Then the operator will increase the RPM,  click some button to add another set of data, but this data will be appended to the next row (on each of the six sheets).
I'm strugging with adding a sheet, re-opening an existing file, and appending a row of data.
I've attached a picture.It shows RPMs and Frequency bins, with the data being acceration units for each frequency.
As an alternative, if Labview can do this without Excel, I'm not opposed to sending these rows of data to a graph where I can see a "waterfall".
I hope this makes sense and thanks for any ideas!
Jeff
Jeff
Attachments:
Accel.JPG ‏42 KB

Answer 1

Hey Jeff,
What version of LabVIEW are you using? Do you have the Report Generation Toolkit to interface with Microsoft Office? Either way, you can use the “Write to Spreadsheet File” VIs in LabVIEW to accomplish the results you desire. You need not have Microsoft Excel to use these VIs.
How far into the development of your VI are you? Have you configured the data acquisition (DAQ) steps? What NI-DAQ hardware are you using? I would begin with a DAQ example that ships with LabVIEW, then combine it with a File I/O example. To locate these examples, open LabVIEW, navigate to Help and select Find Examples.
Out of curiosity: why must the operator manually enter the RPM value? How does the operator determine this value? To further streamline your application, you may want to acquire the actual RPM value from whatever device is displaying it along with the acceleration data points.
Give the examples a shot, and if you get stuck along the way post back with your code and us forum users will try to help you out.
David G
Sales Engineer - SE Michigan & N Ohio
National Instruments