Blog

To Train or NOT to Train?

Written by Ben Rayner | Aug 27, 2019 12:00:22 PM

It is true that some applications can be developed using LabVIEW without training. National Instruments has provided features that help you assemble the most common functions that their hardware is intended to perform. The phrase “Acquire, Analyze, Present” is often used to summarize those operations. The built-in functionality covers many typical use cases for NI hardware.

However, LabVIEW is not limited to the typical use cases. It can, and is, used to develop applications that NI has never considered or even thought possible. Having certified training is your best recourse for developing optimal and efficient LabVIEW based applications. For example, I had the opportunity to help a customer with a very demanding application that required efficient use of many computer and hardware capabilities. The customer had been told what they were attempting “was impossible.” Our engagement lead to a long-term relationship with that customer; working at multiple companies, on multiple continents, deploying variations of Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing.

Ultrasonic inspections require analysis of very large data sets that often involve multiple signals from an assortment of sensors. Efficient handling and analysis, with near real-time response times, requires that the data be handled in an optimal manner. Having the proper training would keep you from wasting critical productive time with needless copies or duplication of large data structures. Parallel processing, which is a built-in feature of LabVIEW, is another aspect that can serve us well when properly implemented. But, it can also present a stumbling block if not managed correctly. An example of this situation would be a background thread that is performing some task but is iterating more often than is needed, practical or required.

The formal training offered by NI for their software products goes a long way toward introducing a user to certain types of challenges and the methods for managing them. However, there is simply no substitute for an experienced eye if faced with unique scenarios. That is where Data Science Automation’s Certified Training courses take over. Having one-on-one access to Certified Professional Instructors that solve touch engineering problems with LabVIEW every day ensures that you get the most advanced and experienced solutions.