Best Vibration Analysis Software for National Instruments Hardware

Question:

Hello everyone, I am seeking assistance with selecting vibration analysis software to complement our real-time analyzers, specifically National Instruments hardware such as the cDaq Chassis with NI9234 and NI9232 data acquisition cards. This small and modular setup works effectively for our troubleshooting projects. However, we are facing challenges with our current analysis software and are exploring alternative options. One software option we are considering is the LabVIEW-based software from National Instruments, although its complexity seems daunting based on online videos. We are also interested in exploring other vibration analysis software that is compatible with NI hardware, as our current software lacks support and is riddled with bugs, particularly in the area of data collection. Furthermore, we have heard about the acquisition of National Instruments by Emerson, which may have implications for the future. Any recommendations or insights on suitable software solutions for our needs would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Warm regards, Kyle Bowlin

Top Replies

Hello, I understand the frustration you are facing with the discontinuation of eZTOMAS and the Zonic book by NI after acquiring IOTech. This move has not served the machinery analysis community well. Despite this setback, I have managed to keep my three Zonic books operational using legacy software. I did explore alternative options such as OROS and Dewesoft, but they may not be compatible if you are already using NI data acquisition. Unfortunately, I can only empathize with your frustration. As you mentioned, the NI hardware, specifically the cDAQ Chassis with NI9234 and NI9232 data acquisition cards, works well for troubleshooting projects. However, finding compatible analysis software has been a challenge. The Alta Solutions software seems promising, but it requires their hardware to function. Customer support from National Instruments has also been disappointing. You may want to consider exploring NI's LabVIEW-based software, although it may seem complex based on YouTube videos. Additionally, with NI's recent acquisition by Emerson, the future of their products remains uncertain. If you are looking for software that can work with your NI hardware for vibration analysis and data collection, it seems like there is a gap in the market that needs to be addressed. I hope this information helps you in your search for suitable analysis software for your NI hardware. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need assistance. Thank you. - Andy Mellor

Edited by Kristan Sears on August 18, 2023, at 08:30. Kyle, I have extensive experience in this area and can provide you with several options depending on your end goal. If you are looking for a quick and user-friendly solution, I recommend DASYLab from Measurement Computing, which is ideal for data acquisition with NI hardware. Make sure to have NI MAX installed to configure tasks for the device using MAX before loading the NI modules into DASYLab. While LabVIEW can be challenging for beginners due to its graphical programming, DASYLab offers a more straightforward approach with minimal limitations. However, for real-time data with multiple channels, consider using Alta Solutions hardware. For more advanced users willing to invest time in learning, ME'scope from Vibrant is a versatile option with a wide range of tools and capabilities. It works well with NI-9232 or 9234 for impact testing but may require some effort to configure initially. If you prefer a customizable solution and have programming skills, consider using Mathworks (Matlab) for building high-end custom applications. To get started, I recommend trying out the 28-day trial version of DASYLab to see if it meets your requirements. Feel free to explore other software options that are compatible with NI hardware and offer the functionality you need for vibration analysis. Do not hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance or recommendations. Kristan Sears Original Message Sent by Kyle Bowlin on August 17, 2023, at 18:09: Hey, I'm in need of analysis software for our National Instruments hardware setup, primarily for real-time analyzers with cDaq Chassis, NI9234, and NI9232 cards. While LabVIEW is an option, I find it quite complex. Are there other software solutions compatible with NI hardware that you can recommend for vibration analysis? Our current software has issues and lacks support. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! - Kyle Bowlin

Hello Kristan, I appreciate your response and for sharing your insights on analysis software for National Instruments hardware. I am intrigued by the DasyLab option you mentioned and am currently exploring it. While I briefly looked into the Data Acquisition option in ME Scope, it seemed complex at first glance. During my research on the NI website, I came across several Flexlogger software videos online. The software appears promising and is priced at $793 per year. I plan to obtain a license and experiment with it. Thank you for taking the time to reply, and I will definitely share my experience with Flexlogger in this thread. Thank you! KB ------------------------------ Kyle Bowlin ------------------------------ Original Message Sent by Kristan Sears Subject: Analysis Software - National Instruments Hardware Kyle, if you seek a quick and easy solution, I recommend DASYLab from Measurement Computing. This software is user-friendly and works seamlessly with NI hardware. It is a hassle-free option compared to LabVIEW, which can be complex and costly. If you prefer a more advanced tool, ME'scope from Vibrant is worth considering, although it may require some learning curve. For custom applications, Mathworks MATLAB is an excellent choice but involves programming skills. I suggest starting with DASYLab's 28-day trial to see if it meets your needs. Hope this helps. ------------------------------ Kristan

Edited by Kristan Sears on 08-18-2023 at 13:37. Kyle, I urge you to exercise caution when using the Flexlogger software. While it may seem impressive, I have encountered issues with similar products in the past. The demonstration videos can be misleading, as they may require additional add-on packages like DIADEM for full functionality, which can add to expenses. The software may only display basic data parameters like amplitude and speed, lacking more advanced features such as phase analysis. This limitation can be problematic for certain applications, as I experienced with DASYLab. It is essential to thoroughly understand your data requirements before committing to a software solution. Additionally, consider exploring alternatives like PicoScope for quick data analysis with a portable digital oscilloscope. Before making a decision, thoroughly evaluate the software's compatibility with your NI hardware and the specific analysis needs of your projects.

Kyle, I appreciate your insights on the importance of phase, speed, Bentley Rack Vibration, and subsequent shaft orbits when considering new software options. It seems that the current software you are using struggles with reading tachometer or speed data from a keyphasor, and can be inconsistent in preserving spectral data based on the phase reference location. Upon further review, DIAdem seems like a necessary addition after watching YouTube videos. The initial affordability of DIAdem may raise some red flags, but it could provide the functionality you need. Thank you for sharing this information; I will definitely explore the suggestions you have provided. Best Regards, KB.

Hi Kyle, I understand your concerns regarding software compatibility with NI hardware. Given your situation, you might want to consider taking a look at Simcenter Testlab (previously LMS Test.Lab) by Siemens, which offers good vibration analysis capabilities and is known to interface well with various data acquisition systems. As for LabVIEW, it's a powerhouse indeed but it does have quite a steep learning curve due to its unique programming philosophy. However, once you get used to it, it provides great flexibility and integration with NI hardware. Regarding NI's acquisition by Emerson, it'll have implications indeed, but it's too early to predict the outcome. Perhaps, benching that idea until there's more information would be prudent. Worth noting, choosing software boils down not only to your technical requirements but also your team's familiarity with such tools and your personal preferences. It may help to set up trial versions of different software to see which is the most intuitive and fulfills your needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. What are some recommended vibration analysis software options compatible with National Instruments hardware like cDaq Chassis with NI9234 and NI9232 data acquisition cards?

Answer: - Some recommended software options include the LabVIEW-based software from National Instruments, as well as other third-party solutions that are compatible with NI hardware.

FAQ: 2. How does the complexity of the LabVIEW-based software from National Instruments compare to other vibration analysis software options?

Answer: - The LabVIEW-based software from National Instruments may seem daunting based on online videos, but it offers powerful capabilities for vibration analysis when properly utilized.

FAQ: 3. What are the common challenges faced with current vibration analysis software, particularly in relation to data collection and support for NI hardware?

Answer: - Common challenges include lack of support, bugs in data collection, and compatibility issues with NI hardware, prompting the search for alternative software solutions.

FAQ: 4. Are there any implications for the future of software solutions following the acquisition of National Instruments by Emerson?

Answer: - The acquisition of National Instruments by Emerson may have implications for future software development and support, so it's important to stay informed about any changes or updates in the software landscape.

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