Appendix B
Modifying and Installing I/O Expansion Boards
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual
B-2
ni.com
Installing an I/O Board
This section leads you through the steps to install an expansion board in the
VXIpc-872B and VXIpc-875B.
Materials Needed
You need the following items to install the expansion board:
•
A user-defined panel is required on the expansion boards based
on National Instruments blank PCI panel. The panel should be
manufactured from 0.03 in. (0.76 mm) thick 1010 cold rolled steel.
The finish should be 0.0003 in. (0.008 mm) nickel plate over
0.0001 in. (0.003 mm) copper flash. Contact National Instruments if
you have any questions about specifications for user-defined panels.
As an alternative, you can modify the blank panel provided with
the VXIpc-872B and VXIpc-875B. Custom panel design services are
available from National Instruments for a nominal fee.
•
PEM nut or a 4-40 nut with lock washer (hole diameter should
be 0.125 in. [3.18 mm]).
•
4-40
×
1/4 in. stainless steel panhead screw.
Installation Steps
Complete the following steps to install the expansion board:
1.
Notice that the VXIpc-872B and VXIpc-875B include one card guide
to secure the top of a PCI plug-in board. You may use the card guide
in either of two locations, depending on the length of your installed
board. Loosen the screw holding the guide and rotate the guide to the
uppermost position for PCI boards. Refer to Figure B-2.
2.
Replace the manufacturer-supplied panel bracket with the custom
bracket. The two holes in the bracket align with existing holes in the
VXIpc-872B and VXIpc-875B front panel.
3.
Seat the board firmly in the PCI expansion slot connector.
4.
Attach the board to the front panel with the two screws. You can use a
PEM nut on the back (far) side of the bracket, or a 4-40 nut with a lock
washer (hole diameter should be 0.125 in.). In either case, use a
4-40
×
1/4 in. stainless steel panhead screw to mount the board/bracket
assembly to the front panel.
