Lely, a leading manufacturer of advanced agricultural machinery, needed to modernize its motor testing systems to improve performance and reliability. The existing systems were outdated, difficult to use, and inefficient to maintain. To address these issues, Lely collaborated with VI Technologies, utilizing their Expert Advice service to guide the development of a new software solution. As part of his graduation project, student Leandro de Nijs led the implementation, creating a standardized, modular, and user-friendly system in LabVIEW that transformed Lely's testing capabilities. The result was a more efficient, flexible, and reliable motor testing system.
Lely's existing motor testing system presented several significant challenges that hindered both usability and efficiency. The software was inconsistent across various test setups, making it difficult to maintain and update. Additionally, test cases had to be manually entered into the code, which was time consuming and error prone. Each Human Machine Interface (HMI) required its own dedicated laptop, adding to the inefficiency and complexity of the setup. These issues resulted in a system that was cumbersome to operate and maintain.
To address these problems, Lely collaborated with VI Technologies. The objective was to develop a new software solution that would resolve the existing issues and improve overall functionality. The new system should be designed with several key goals in mind:
During the Expert Advice sessions, VI Technologies provided critical guidance that enabled the successful development of Lely's new motor testing system. Several key recommendations were made, which proved essential in overcoming the challenges faced by Lely’s existing software:
These recommendations laid the foundation for a successful project, helping the customer implement a standardized, modular, and efficient software solution that improved Lely’s motor testing capabilities.
After successfully completing the project, Leandro de Nijs reflected:
"Hi Pascal,
Thanks for reaching out! I've been busy with my thesis deadline, but I'm happy to share that the project was a great success, largely thanks to our meeting. I developed standardized and modular software in LabVIEW using the JKI state machine and OOP. Your tip about the JKI state machine was particularly useful.
Everything is now managed via a configuration file. Commands are sent by a host PC via Network Streams, and automated tests can be run. We also added an external logger, logging data to a database connected to Grafana for real-time visualization.
The prototype was tested on two different test benches with various components, and by simply adjusting the configuration, it can be deployed on both. And by simply adjusting the configuration, the prototype can be deployed on both test benches.
Kind regards, Leandro de Nijs"
The project modernized Lely's motor testing systems, resulting in a standardized, modular, and user-friendly solution. By drawing on VI Technologies' extensive expertise and prioritizing modularity and usability, the new software greatly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of Lely's engineering teams in testing processes.
VI Technologies offers a service called Expert Advice aimed at providing professional guidance in the field of test and measurement. As part of this service, VI Technologies offers the first two hours of consultation for free. This is designed to help potential clients understand their challenges and explore possible solutions without any initial cost. During these consultations, clients can access expertise in areas such as LabVIEW, TestStand, Python, databases, and various test and measurement setups.
The goal of this service is to use the extensive experience and knowledge of VI Technologies' team to help clients overcome technical hurdles, optimize processes, and implement effective solutions. The company emphasizes collaboration and innovation, aiming to turn ideas into practical and effective technological solutions.
In addition to expert advice, VI Technologies also provides LabVIEW training, consultancy, and turnkey solutions for automated test and measurement systems. Their expertise spans across software development, system integration, and data analysis, making them a valuable partner for businesses in various industries, particularly those involved in scientific and technological innovation.
A selection of projects in which we played a major role
