LARMOR: Couette Cell

[kjwoodsISIS]

As a scientist, I wish to control a Couette cell, so that I can perform shear flow experiments. The first experiment that requires this equipment is scheduled for Cycle 2018a (17 April - 18 May). The experiment will be performed on 6-8 May 2018.

Acceptance Criteria

1. I can control the Couette Cell via IBEX
2. IBEX provides an OPI similar to the existing LabVIEW VI

Notes

1. The Couette cell is described here: https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Unilever-Extensional-Shear-Cell.aspx
   • The description implies that there is a heating capability. How is this controlled?
2. The Couette Cell was originally driven by a McLennan PM341. It is now driven by a McLennan PM1000 system (compatible with a PM600).
3. LabVIEW VIs are here:
   • McLennan PM341: C:\LabVIEW Modules\Instruments\LOQ\LOQ Couette Cell\LOQ - Couette Cell.llb\LOQ - Couette Cell - Front Panel.vi
   • McLennan PM600: C:\LabVIEW Modules\Instruments\LOQ\LOQ Couette Cell\LOQ - Couette Cell - PM600.llb\LOQ - Couette Cell - PM600 - Front Panel.vi

[kjwoodsISIS]

Background e-mail:

From: Howells, Gareth (STFC,RAL,ISIS)
Sent: 12 April 2018 00:44
To: Woods, Kevin (Tessella,RAL,ISIS)
Cc: Akeroyd, Freddie (STFC,RAL,ISIS); Dalgliesh, Robert (STFC,RAL,ISIS); Nutter, Jamie (STFC,RAL,ISIS)
Subject: LARMOR : Couette Cell

Dear Kevin and Freddie,

There is some old experimental equipment called a Couette cell that was originally to be used on LOQ/SANS2D. However, it has now been recently allocated to LARMOR. It is based on a motion controller Mclennan PM341 or a Mclennen PM600 control crate. The LabVIEW driver is located at :

Mclennan PM341
C:\LabVIEW Modules\Instruments\LOQ\LOQ Couette Cell\LOQ - Couette Cell.llb\LOQ - Couette Cell - Front Panel.vi

Mclennan PM600
C:\LabVIEW Modules\Instruments\LOQ\LOQ Couette Cell\LOQ - Couette Cell - PM600.llb\LOQ - Couette Cell - PM600 - Front Panel.vi

The original control crate was a Mclennan PM341. However, the sample environment group decided that, as the original crate was old, it would be better to transfer it to a newer PM1000 controller (compatible with a PM600). I therefore converted the vi to a new vi to use the newer crate – hence the two vis shown above. Both crates look operational.

This experiment is now to be done on LARMOR – the equipment was moved to LARMOR earlier today for a trial fit. I demonstrated the equipment to Rob Dalgliesh today – along with Jamie Nutter to resolve a last minute top speed issue. Both Mclennan crates are connected and configured to COM52 with LabVIEW.

I thought that people were aware of this, but in going through the email trail this evening, I did not notice LARMOR and IBEX formally mentioned – hence the email. I believe it is expected for this cycle – early May – Rob implied the bank holiday weekend.

Regards,

Gareth

[kjwoodsISIS]

Rob suggests using lvDCOM for this:

From: Dalgliesh, Robert (STFC,RAL,ISIS)
Sent: 12 April 2018 13:44
To: Woods, Kevin (Tessella,RAL,ISIS); Howells, Gareth (STFC,RAL,ISIS)
Cc: Akeroyd, Freddie (STFC,RAL,ISIS); Nutter, Jamie (STFC,RAL,ISIS)
Subject: RE: LARMOR : Couette Cell

HI Kevin,
Yes that’s the one.
Unfortunately there is a bit more to do than just the mclennan controller.
There is another Vi that sits above this to give experimentally relevant information.

I suspect it will be easier to go down the route of an IOC to talk to the appropriate Vi at this point.

We also know the that the Vi is working fine.

Rob

[John-Holt-Tessella]

Release Plan:

Prep

1. Wait for normal build of EPICS and copy couette ioc to releases folder (Build43_couette_cell)
2. Create new release of GUI

• Tested on Demo by @John-Holt-Tessella

NB Labview code is already on Larmor:
1. Couettes cell vi and associated LOQ - Couette Cell - PM600.llb
1. Mclennan PM600 vis
1. New caputure message box vi

On the day

1. Copy IOC (COUETTE folder)from release to Larmor's IOC directory
2. Move client to backup directory
3. Copy release 4.3.2\client\client to apps DO copy not run the installer.

Got to here

1. Run %PYTHON% build_ioc_startups.py
2. Create component with couette cell in with blank macros apart from LVDCom 1. Test:
   1. Goes to a position (set position to 180 deg)
   2. Check constant velocity - set to 1 rev/second, check velocity reads back
   3. Check move between positions. Set changes between 0 and 360.

Extra: com port for couettes cell is port 52

[John-Holt-Tessella]

Code is merged do release plan and then for real on Larmor