I have never used LabView before but am considering it for an automation control project I am thinking about taking on. I am looking for advice on how big a project this might be, how long it would take me to learn LabView for it, and when I said "thinking about" it means I also need your advice as to whether I am crazy for trying to tackle a project such as this in the first place so let me start by explaining what it is. (I apologize as I don't know the correct terminology but will do my best to explain.)
The project is a computer controlled ski flex tester that would have one screw-drive pressure sensitive plunger working on a vertical plane to compress and measure flex pressure on top of the ski (directly in the middle.) There would be a second linear motion system that runs a pressure sensor and separate height measurement tool under the whole length of the ski using a highly accurate indexed stepper motor (to match position with height/pressure). So we have a total of 2 motors, 2 pressure sensors and one height sensor. It would need feedback control from the vertical pressure/plunger system, as well as data capture and database storage with a graphical analysis and GUI control interface for certain parameters (ie start test for 150lbs person).
Now for the second part of the equation: me. I have 15 years of programming experience in VB, C, ASP, .NET, am strong with databases, have some experience in RS232 hardware communication, but very little robotics and only high school electronics education.
So here are the questions:
1. Is LabView the correct tool for the job or is straight Visual Studio a better option?
2. What is a ball-park estimate of time for a) a lab view expert, and b) me.
3. Am I crazy to start this as a newbie?
4. It seems like there are a lot of tutorials and sites like this to help, is it reasonable to think that you can get help for specific questions and problems quickly, or are unforeseen roadblocks a real possibility.
Many thanks for any help you folks can provide.