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Testimonials
“Very impressed…kudos to Viewpoint”
I really want to thank you for all your help getting us to this stage in automating our testing. We had our customer in this week to oversee some testing and they were very impressed, which is definitely kudos to Viewpoint.
“Significant value”
The Viewpoint team provides significant value to our projects, and I really enjoy working with Viewpoint.
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I have been working with Viewpoint for 15+ years on multiple projects. They have always provided creative and quick solutions to all of the problems we have placed in front of them. I have always considered them a valuable part of our global team.
LabVIEW Case Studies | Projects
Custom Automated Test System – Quantifying Energy and Durability Performance for Refrigeration
Custom Automated Test System – Quantifying Energy and Durability Performance for Refrigeration
Automation reduces manual labor while improving traceability
Assessing performance for improved energy ratings and longevity
Client – Zero Zone – Commercial refrigeration systems manufacturer
Challenge
Zero Zone wanted to improve the capabilities and durability of their new reach-in refrigeration products.
You might think that refrigeration is a mundane product line, but that is just not true! So many innovations are occurring as manufacturers are redesigning their products to improve their environmental footprint through better energy efficiency, coolants, and durability.
Assessment requires an understanding of the performance of the refrigeration units under many conditions. Zero Zone was taking measurements with a datalogger with too few channels, and no synchronization, to other devices that feed into the system. Plus, they had multiple models of their reach-in refrigerators that needed to be assessed. Furthermore, simplifying the data collection and analysis would make it easier to validate against ASHRAE standards.
Zero Zone came to Viewpoint with the following high-level desires:
- Expand the measurements by adding more channels and channel types (e.g., 4-20 mA, ±10 VDC and digital I/O).
- Provide graphs and KPIs to enable faster analysis of the data during the test.
- Minimize the chance of data loss during long test runs.
- Synchronize data collection and actuation.
- Automate storage of measurements per a user-defined period to eliminate manual start/stop of data collection.
- Simplify the manual configuration setup.
- Enable a way to find relevant data perhaps months or years after the test run.
Solution
Viewpoint developed a monitoring and control durability test system that could exercise Zero Zone’s refrigerators through hundreds of operation cycles over multiple conditions to simulate actual usage in, for example, a grocery store.
During initial conversations, we collaborated closely with Zero Zone to brainstorm on some potential approaches. We made some suggestions that could satisfy their desires while also managing their time and cost budgets.
For example, by automatically populating the cells in an Excel template based on their original systems’ Excel spreadsheet, we provided streamlined report generation without having to rewrite all the calculation code embedded in their Excel file in another app. The compromises we jointly endorsed were:
- Run an app on a PC to configure and monitor the test.
- Use both NI Compact RIO and Compact DAQ to enable robust and synchronized data collection and control with the ability to expand channels by adding modules in both the cRIO and cDAQ chassis.
- Store data on a local PC rather than a remote server to minimize the probability of data lost during the test run.
- Save configurations into Excel files for recall, and cloning, of prior setups.
- Write measurements automatically into the same Excel file for archive of the test setup and measurements.
- Create, in this same Excel file through cell formulas, the summary report from the summary calculations. This approach allowed flexibility for changes to internal and external test standards.
- Upload the summary data and test reference info into a SQL database for data management and long-term test statistics.
Digital outputs (DOs) were used to control various aspects of the test, such as door open/close and defrost on/off cycles. For flexibility, the user can specify the sequencing of these DO channels, in the Excel file used for the test, with various parameters that define the duty cycle, period, number of cycles, and start delay. The timing of these DO state changes was synchronized to the data acquisition by the real-time loop in the cRIO.
This system was deployed to 6 test bays, each one of which might be testing a unit for as little as a few weeks or as much as a few months.
Benefits
The main goal of this project was to reduce the effort and associated human error in the design and execution of the test run.
Some of the primary benefits for this automated system were:
- Reduced Errors: pre-verified template files used for test configuration and data storage lent consistency to test setup and execution.
- Less Testing Time and Effort: the automatic execution of the test and storage of measurements enabled running tests for multiple days (and nights) without technician interaction. Technicians could work on setting up other units for test rather than babysit the existing test. On average, based on the duration of the test time, testing throughput increased by approximately 25% to 40%.
- Shorter Reporting Time and Effort: reports were available about 85% faster than the time previously spent creating manually. The quicker feedback saved costs through early detection of unit problems and faster teardown at the end.
Some additional major benefits were:
- More details on refrigerator operation: “Wow! We never saw that before.”
- Database consolidation: statistical analysis takes hours not days and includes all tests run in the lab, not just ASHRAE tests. This central database enables long term retrieval of all test data.
- Reuse: techs embraced ability to reuse and modify previous setups.
- Consistency: driving the test definition through an Excel file encouraged uniformity.
- Traceability: documented and timestamped calibration measurements.
- Flexibility: channel counts, acquisition modules configuration, calibration, and calculation formulas were straightforward to change for new test setups.
The test automation provided by this system greatly reduced the labor involved in configuring, running, and analyzing the test run. Furthermore, the customer benefited from the consistency that resulted from the software-enforced process.
System Overview
We developed the application in LabVIEW and LabVIEW RT combined with a cRIO connected to a cDAQ via TSN Ethernet.
The data acquisition modules slotted into the cRIO and cDAQ chassis handled the I/O to the customer sensors and actuators. The sensors mostly measured:
- temperature,
- pressure,
- flow,
- power, and
- voltage.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
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Data logging of between 50 and 150 channels and control via digital signals |
Interface with Excel files for configuration, data logging, and summary calculations |
SQL database for summary and test setup data |
Real-time loop for robust operation |
HARDWARE USED |
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NI cRIO 8-slot chassis, TSN enabled |
NI cDAQ 8-slot chassis, TSN enabled |
Various NI cSeries signal conditioning modules |
Custom Automated Test System – Characterization of Heat Transfer System Thermal Performance
Custom Automated Test System – Characterization of Heat Transfer System Thermal Performance
R&D testing required flexibility in control schemes and measurement I/O
Client – ATSI, a large-scale System Engineering Provider
Challenge
Our client, ATSI, Inc., headquartered in Amherst NY, designs and builds complex structures and process systems, from industrial construction projects to mechanical systems for power engineering. A previous, long-standing Viewpoint customer that does research and design of thermal energy systems approached ATSI to engage in the build of a specialized test skid that would be used to assess and characterize a heat transfer system. Our long-standing end-customer requested a data acquisition subsystem based on LabVIEW.
Furthermore, the end-customer requested a subsystem that supported flexibility in the data acquisition by channel count and type, since the R&D nature necessitated adaptability. The overall test system needed to automate progress through a sequence of setpoints and ramps.
Solution
ATSI designed the automated control and sequencing with a Modicon PLC. Viewpoint augmented ATSI’s engineering resources to provide the data acquisition subsystem and setpoint sequence editing. This sequence was passed to the PLC for automated sequencing thought the setpoint list. Because our mutual end-customer did not provide explicit design details, we had flexibility to decide which aspects of the control and data acquisition needs would be automated by the Modicon PLC and which by the PC running LabVIEW.
Since Viewpoint had previously developed a similar application for our end-customer, with some of the required data acquisition needs, we chose to leverage and enhance that software platform for this project. That choice drove some of the other designs and defined the scope of work for Viewpoint and ATSI.
Some overall design decisions were:
- The LabVIEW application provided data acquisition, test configuration, and operator screens.
- The Modicon-based subsystems provided process control and safety.
- A PLC HMI for process system operation and status as well as control loop tuning.
- NI Compact DAQ (cDAQ) offered flexible PC-based acquisition channels for high sample rate historical data collection.
- A sequence editor on the PC defined the test setpoints, durations, and limits to pass to the PLC for execution.
The test configuration encompassed cDAQ channel configuration, PLC tag configuration, sequence editing, and graphical views on the acquired data. Some channels were acquired at slow rates, e.g., up to about 1 S/s for sensors measuring parameters such as temperature and flow, while others had fast rates, e.g., 1 kS/s to 10s of kS/s for sensors measuring parameters such as transient pressure and vibration. Handling the datafile storage and display of this wide range of data types and rates was important for the end-customer to compare and correlate the effects of changing operating conditions.
Data logging is configured by the sequence editor to occur on certain conditions such as immediately entering a new step, time delayed after entering a step, and activated by the PLC upon reaching stable setpoint control. This flexibility gave the end-customer management of when data collection occurred to ease the comparison and correlation of readings from selected sensors.
After the configuration is completed, the sequence is passed to the PLC. The operator starts the test on the PLC HMI and the PLC automates the test run. Data collected during the test run could be displayed in live graphs during testing, used for verification of setup and operation; post-test in stacked graphs and overlaid plots; and exported for specialized analysis, display, and review.
Benefits
The design of this system was driven largely by the need for flexibility. Sensors and channels could be added, the test sequence could be edited with a variable number of steps with editable execution features, and the data acquisition and storage permitted various rates and logging criteria.
These design choices offered the following advantages:
- As a partner of the team, Viewpoint acted as staff augmentation for ATSI by providing experienced engineers with expert LabVIEW and data acquisition capabilities.
- Flexibility of test sequences, including setpoints and their stabilization criteria.
- Tight integration between the Modicon PLC and LabVIEW-based PC enables critical control and safety to execute reliably and yet adjustably.
- Customized mechanical all-welded skid plugs into end-customer’s test article.
- Setup of data logging including configurable sample rates.
- Ability to add channels by plugging in supplemental DAQmx-based cDAQ modules.
- The LabVIEW application architecture is actor-based for straightforward inclusion of new data sources as needed in the future.
- New data sources are registered with the object-based data aggregator.
- The system handles multiple days of test execution
- The multi-pronged viewer allows verification checks while in setup an operation as well as post-test review.
System Overview
The custom automated test system supplied to the end-customer was a hybrid, made up of PC-based and PLC-based components coupled with the fluid-handling components on the skid. The hardware listed below includes only the data acquisition, control, and safety items, and only a high-level description of the mechanical aspects.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
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NI LabVIEW for Windows [Viewpoint] |
NI LabVIEW Modbus driver [Viewpoint] |
NI DAQmx hardware drivers [Viewpoint] |
Actor-based object-oriented LabVIEW application for the PC [Viewpoint] |
Modicon Concept software [ATSI] |
Blue Open Studio HMI software [ATSI] |
Function Block Programming for the PLC [ATSI] |
HARDWARE USED |
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Modicon PLC and modules for pressure, temperature, flow and other process variables |
NI Compact DAQ modules, including 4-20 mA, RTD, thermocouple, thermistor |
600 VDC Power supplies |
Components to flow fluid, including pumps, valves, pressure regulators |
Intel Tower PC for LabVIEW |
Mini Industrial PC for HMI |
Replacing Wire-wrap Boards with Software, FPGAs, and Custom Signal Conditioning
Replacing Wire-wrap Boards with Software, FPGAs, and Custom Signal Conditioning
Electronic components of fielded systems were aging out
Reverse engineering effort converted wire wrap boards to FPGA-based I/O
Client – Amentum – A supplier for Military Range System Support
Challenge
Amentum (www.amentum.com) supports a decades-old system deployed in the early 1980s. While the mechanical subsystems were still functioning, the wire-wrapped discrete logic and analog circuitry was having intermittent problems.
Systems designed and built decades ago can sometimes have wonderful documentation packets. Nevertheless, we’ve been burned too often when the docs don’t incorporate the latest redlines, last-minute changes, or other updates.
The replacement system needed to be a form-fit-function replacement to land in the same mounting locations as the original equipment with the same behavior and connections. Below is an image of the existing wire-wrap boards and their enclosure. We had to fit the new equipment in this same spot.
Figure 1 – Original wire-wrap boards
Finally, Amentum wanted to work with Viewpoint in a joint development approach. While our joint capabilities looked complementary, we didn’t know at the start how well we would mesh with our technical expertise and work culture – it turns out we worked extremely well together as a team and neither one alone could have easily delivered the solution.
Solution
Since the team treated the existing documentation package with suspicion, we adopted a “trust but verify” approach. We would use the documents to give overall direction, but we would need details from the signals to verify operation.
Leveraging Amentum’s experience with the fielded systems, the team decided early on to record actual signals to understand the real I/O behavior. We used the system’s “test verification” unit to run the system through some check out procedures normally run prior to system usage. This verification unit enabled us to use a logic analyzer for the I/O to and from the discrete logic digital signals and an oscilloscope and DMM for the analog signals. The available schematics were reviewed to assure that the signals made sense.
With a trustable understanding of system operation, Amentum created a requirements document. We jointly worked on the design of the new system. There were both an “inside” system (in a control shelter) and an “outside” system (in the unit’s pedestal).
Some overall tasks were:
- Viewpoint recommended an architecture for the inside application running on PXIe LabVIEW RT and FPGA layers.
- Amentum created the system control software on a Linux PC.
- Viewpoint developed the more intricate parts of the inside application and mentored Amentum on other parts they developed. This work recreated the existing discrete logic and analog I/O using PXIe NI FPGA boards.
- Viewpoint designed custom interposer boards to connect harnesses to the NI PXIe equipment, including a test point and backplane boards.
- Amentum designed and developed the cRIO-based outside system application and Viewpoint created a set of custom interposer boards to connect harnesses to the cSeries modules.
The PXIe FPGA boards handled the required 60 MHz clock-derived signals with correct phases, polarity, and so on. Furthermore, the wire-wrap boards were register-based so the PXIe had to decode “bus signals” sent over a Thunderbolt bus to emulate the programming and readouts from the various wire-wrap boards.
Figure 2 – PXIe replacement to wire-wrap boards
Amentum wanted to be able to support the LabVIEW FPGA VIs used to replace the functionality of the discrete logic. So, Viewpoint acted as mentor and code reviewer with Amentum to ramp them up on using LabVIEW FPGA effectively. Neither one of us alone would have been successful coding the applications in the allotted time. Joint knowledge and experience from both Viewpoint and Amentum were required.
Signal conditioning and harnesses needed to be reworked or replaced as well, of course, since the landing points for the wires were different in the new system. Viewpoint suggested a technique, which we’ve used frequently in past obsolescence upgrade projects, to create PCB boards that accepted existing connectors.
For the cRIO, these interposer “connection” PCBs plugged directly into the cRIO cSeries module. For the PXIe, these interposer PCBs accepted the field wiring connectors and converted them to COTS cables that connected to the PXIe modules. These interposer PCBs could have signal conditioning incorporated as needed. This approach significantly reduced the need for custom harnesses. All told, about 200 signals were passed between the PXIe and various other subsystems, and about 100 for the cRIO. This approach saved significant wiring labor and cost.
Figure 3 – cRIO with interposer boards between cSeries and field harnesses
The work to design and build the signal conditioning custom electronics was split between Viewpoint and Amentum. Viewpoint did more design than build and handed over the schematics and Gerber files to Amentum so they could manage the builds while also being able to make modifications to the boards as needed.
Benefits
Amentum wanted an engineering firm that was willing to work along side them as a partner. Joint discussions about architecture and design led to a collaborative development effort where Amentum benefited from Viewpoint’s extensive expertise and guidance on LabVIEW architectural implementation and FPGA coding style.
The main outcomes were:
- As a partner of the team, Viewpoint acted as staff augmentation by providing experienced engineers with technical capabilities that Amentum initially lacked.
- This team approach delivered a stronger product to the end-customer more quickly than either of us could do alone.
- The combination of Viewpoint’s and Amentum’s experience reduced the amount of reverse engineering needed due to the lack of firm requirements.
- Reduction of electronics obsolescence by using software-centric FPGA-based functionality. Recompiled LabVIEW FPGA could target future boards models.
- Increased software-based functionality simplifies future updates and modifications.
- Decrease in number of parts leading to simpler maintenance.
- Lower wattage consumed eliminated need for an anticipated HVAC upgrade.
- Cybersecurity concerns were reduced by using Linux-based systems and FPGA coding.
System Overview
Using software to emulate the old hardware was a critical success factor. Since the requirements were not 100% solid at the start of the project, some field-testing was required for final verification and validation. The flexibility of the software approach eased modifications and tweaks as development progressed. A hardware-only solution would have necessitated difficult and costly changes. For example, some of the changes occurred very near the final deployment after the system was finally connected to an actual unit in the field.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
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Emulate original discrete logic functions via FPGAs |
Emulate original analog signal I/O |
Overall system control via Linux PC |
Maintain the same user experience as existed before |
Modern application architecture for simpler maintenance |
HARDWARE USED |
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NI cRIO chassis with various cSeries modules |
NI PXIe chassis with FPGA modules to handle all the analog and digital I/O via a combination of multifunction and digital-only cards |
Custom PCBs for signal conditioning and connectivity |
Enhanced Portable Data Acquisition and Data Storage System
Enhanced Portable Data Acquisition and Data Storage System
Using a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) provides a high level of synchronization and determinism for acquired data.
Client
Tier 1 Automotive Design and Manufacturing Supplier
Challenge
Our client had an existing data acquisition system, used for mechanical product validation testing, that had undergone many updates and patches for over 15 years. These updates and patches, performed by multiple developers, had rendered the software portion of the system somewhat unstable. Furthermore, the system hardware was based on NI SCXI, which was becoming obsolete. These issues prompted our client to migrate to an entirely new system.
New requirements for this upgrade included utilizing a PXI controller running NI Linux Real-Time, a RTOS, executing a LabVIEW RT application. The data acquisition software had to support a variable mix of signal conditioning modules in the PXI chassis. In addition, the data acquired from these signal conditioning modules needed to be synchronized within microseconds.
Solution
Viewpoint leveraged another application, developed for the client a few years prior, to harmonize the user interface and to reduce development effort. Most of the development time focused on support and configuration of the multiple module types and ensuring that the data synchronization functioned as required. The result was an ultra-flexible, portable, high-speed data acquisition software/hardware combination that can be used to acquire time-sensitive, synchronized data across multiple modules in a PXI chassis running a real-time operating system.
Benefits
The upgraded system offers the following features:
- Highly configurable real-time data acquisition hardware/software solution based on LabVIEW RT and PXI hardware. Our client works closely with OEMs to assure compatibility and durability with their products, often going to the OEM’s test cells to collect performance data. The configurability in modules and channels affords the fastest possible setup at the OEM’s site which minimizes time and cost in the test cell.
- Configuration files stored in a SQL database format. Saving channel and module setups in SQL allows the test engineer to locate previous hardware and data acquisition configurations. The usual alternative is a bulk save of an entire system setup rather than using a more granular, and hence, more flexible approach afforded by using the database.
- Immediate test feedback through graphs and analog indicators, used to assure data quality before leaving the test cell.
- Data playback features after the data has been acquired, used for in-depth review of data after leaving the test cell.
- Data acquisition on the RTOS provides assurance that the acquisition will not be interrupted by network or other OS activities, which was occasionally an issue with the prior Windows-based application.
- Synchronization between signal conditioning modules ensures time-critical data taken on separate modules can be compared and analyzed.
System Overview
The system consisted of custom LabVIEW RT software intended to run on an engineer’s laptop and the PXI real-time controller and a PXI chassis populated with a flexible assortment of NI signal conditioning modules (provided by the client).
The software used an object-oriented Actor-based architecture, which facilitates adding new signal conditioning modules and flexible communications between the host PC and the real-time controller.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
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DAQ Task Configuration |
Event-Based DAQ Trigger |
Data Synchronization |
Real-Time Data Visualization |
Data File Playback Utility |
Datalogging to TDMS File |
HARDWARE USED |
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PXIe Chassis (4,9 or 18-Slot) |
PXI Real-Time Controller |
PXI Multifunction I/O Module |
PXI Digital I/O Module |
PXI Counter/Timer Module |
PXI Thermocouple Module |
PXI DSA Module |
PXI LVDT Module |
PXI High-Speed Bridge Module |
PXI Voltage Input Module |
Pump Test Station – Increasing throughput
Pump Test Station – Increasing throughput
Standardizing on testing technique & reporting
Increasing test throughput with automation
Client – Industrial pump manufacturer
Challenge
Pump manufacturers typically test their product in the same facility in which the pumps are created. These tests are well defined and based on standards created by organizations such as API and ANSI to name a few. These tests are run to verify the performance of the pump as well as provide a report to the customer demonstrating that the pump they purchased will meet their needs. Sometimes these tests become factory witness tests where the customer sits in on the testing being performed on the pumps they had purchased.
This particular pump manufacturer had a test facility where many different sizes and types of pumps could be tested. The software provided to them by another integrator to run the test stand had the desired user interface screens, but did not function as requested, and was missing certain desired features.
Our client came to us with the following requests:
- Evaluate the software written by the previous integrator to assess whether any of the code could be reused in the new application.
- Ensure that existing cDAQ hardware would be compatible with changes and improvements to the software.
- Deploy the hardware/software solution on the test site to verify it performed as required.
Solution
The Pump Test Utility was used for end-of-line test and product validation.
It had the following features:
- A Pump Test application that can run one of the following tests at a time:
- Performance Test.
- Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) Test.
- Mechanical Test.
- All test configuration and data files generated by the software must be compatible with Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to show vibration data real time while the test is running.
Benefits
- Standardization of testing technique –each pump will be tested with the same procedures and calculations/algorithms.
- Automated generation of report content and presentation – automation of this step will save hours of manually recording data and entering that data into a spreadsheet to generate the same report.
- Automation of the reporting and elimination of the need to manually record data will increase throughput of the testing facility.
System Overview
We developed the Pump Test Utility application to allow our client’s engineers and operators to:
- Run one of three guided tests that visually provides pump performance feedback during the test.
- Create a test configuration user interface that will be used to store configuration information that can be recalled when testing a similar pump.
- Automate the collection of data during the test.
- Automate the population of report templates with the configuration and data acquired during the test.
- View and print out vibration graphs real time during the test.
The pump test software was developed in LabVIEW.
It interfaced with simple delimited text files and Excel workbook templates to save the configuration information necessary to set up and run the required tests.
The resulting data acquired during the test, both raw data acquired from the sensors and calculated data used to characterize the pump being tested, are saved to delimited text files.
Both high-speed (10 kS/s) and low-speed (10 S/s) data are acquired. High-speed data are graphed real time in a separate UI that allows the user to set cursors on the graph for visualization and printing to a pdf report.
Low-speed data is written to a delimited text file for archival storage and retrieval if additional analysis is required.
The high-speed data are for vibration measurements. The low-speed data are for pressure, temperature, RPM and flowrate measurements.
Flow rate and vacuum pressure were automatically adjusted using a PID loop and 4-20 mA controlled valves.
The pump test configuration is performed within the application from a series of drop-down selections populated with sensors found in an Excel workbook. The Excel workbook is updated and maintained outside the application. Once the test sensors and conditions have been selected, those selections are written to an Excel workbook for use in the reports.
The Excel ActiveX interface was used to develop the reports the client provided to their customers for the slow data. The Excel workbook template contained the formatting necessary for the reports. As the software wrote the data into the workbook, the reports were built from the formulas and formatting already configured in the Excel template.
At the end of the test, the software printed the appropriate worksheets containing the elements of the report required. The vibration (high-speed data) is written to a binary file and a pdf.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
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Data Acquisition |
Test Sequencing |
3 Standardized Test Types |
Generate Standard Table-Based Reports |
Generate Pump Performance Graphs |
Generate Vibration Graphs |
Sensor Management Tools |
Test Configuration Management Tools |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
NI cDAQ Signal Conditioning Chassis |
Variety of NI cSeries Signal Conditioning Modules |
Pressure Sensors |
Level Sensors |
Flowmeters |
Vibration Sensors |
Displacement Sensors |
Temperature Sensors |
Torque Sensors |
Speed Sensors |
Pump Test Station
Pump Test Station
Client – Industrial pump manufacturer
Standardizing on testing technique & reporting
Reducing the number of pumps in the production queue
Challenge
Pump manufacturers typically test their product in the same facility in which the pumps are created. These tests are well defined and based on standards created by organizations such as API and ANSI to name a few. These tests are run to verify the performance of the pump as well as provide a report to the customer demonstrating that the pump they purchased will meet their needs. Sometimes these tests become factory witness tests where the customer sits in on the testing being performed on the pumps they had purchased.
Most pump manufacturers have more than one testing site at a facility to accommodate different pump types and sizes. The ability to automate these tests and to present a common look to the testing process and reports make the customer experience more positive to those reading the reports and/or witness the testing.
Our client came to us with the following requests:
- Evaluate the software written by the previous integrator to assess whether any of the code could be reused in the new application.
- Specify a hardware and software solution to acquire the signals needed to compute the performance results for standard tests.
- Deploy the hardware/software solution on the first test site to verify it performs as required and then deploy to the remaining test sites at their facility.
Solution
The Pump Test Utility had the following features:
- A Pump Test application that can run one of two different tests; a performance test and a net positive suction head (NPSH) test.
- An Access database was used to store the available sensors for that test site. The user selected the appropriate sensors while configuring the test.
- The test data was stored in an Excel file where each pump received its own Excel file.
- The LabVIEW Report Generation toolkit was used to populate the Excel file with data as well as create the report for the pump
Benefits
- Standardization of testing technique – now each pump will be tested with the same procedures and calculations/algorithms used are standardized across all test sites within the facility.
- Standardization of report content and presentation – now every customer that purchases a pump from our client will receive a report with identical information presented and that information will have been derived from the same calculations/algorithms.
- Reduction of the number of pumps in the production queue (and hence inventory) by roughly as much as 1/2 due to faster data acquisition and especially the archiving of the test results and the generation of the final report and its associated calculations.
System Overview
We developed the Pump Test Utility application to allow our client’s engineers and operators to:
- Run one of two guided tests that visually provides pump performance feedback during the test.
- Create a test configuration file based on an Excel template that will be used to store test data as well as generate a report.
The pump test software was developed in LabVIEW and interfaced with an Access database and Excel workbook to acquire the configuration information necessary to set up and run the required tests. The resulting data acquired during the test, both raw data acquired from the sensors and calculated data used to characterize the pump being tested, are saved to the Excel workbook. Both high speed (10 kS/s) and low speed (10 S/s) data are acquired and stored into one data file for archival storage and retrieval if additional analysis is required. The high-speed data are for vibration and sound measurements and low speed data are for pressure, temperature, RPM and flowrate measurements.
The pump test configuration is performed within the application from a series of drop down selections populated with sensors found in an Access database. The database is updated and maintained by the client through a series of user interfaces within the application. Once the test sensors and conditions have been selected, those selections are written to the Excel workbook for use in the reports.
The LabVIEW Report Generation Toolkit software was used to develop the reports the client provided to their customers. The Excel workbook template contained the formatting necessary for the reports. As the software wrote the data into the workbook, the reports were built from the formulas and formatting already configured in the Excel template. At the end of the test, the software printed the appropriate worksheets containing the elements of the report required.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
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Data Acquisition |
Test Sequencing |
Metric or SAE Units |
Multi-Level User Authentication |
2 Standardized Test Types |
Generate Standard Table-Based Reports |
Generate Pump Performance Graphs |
Generate Vibration Graphs |
Sensor Management Tools |
Test Configuration Management Tools |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
NI cDAQ Signal Conditioning Chassis |
Variety of NI cSeries Signal Conditioning Modules |
Pressure Sensors |
Flowmeters |
Vibration Sensors |
Displacement Sensors |
Temperature Sensors |
Torque Sensors |
Speed Sensors |
Industrial Monitoring for a Harsh Environment
Industrial Monitoring for a Harsh Environment
Developing an industrial monitoring system for ultrasound-based sensing in a harsh environment
Client – Energy Research Lab
Challenge
Our client was experiencing problems making temperature measurements in a hostile, irradiated environment. Traditional temperature sensors don’t last long in this environment, so our client was developing a sensor designed for these conditions.
Special equipment is required to drive this sensor. It’s an active sensor requiring an ultrasound pulser/receiver (P/R) and high-speed digitizer to make it function.
The prior attempt the client made at using an original set of special equipment was having reliability and connectivity issues. This reduced reliability was of critical concern due to the requirement for the sensor to operate for years without downtime.
In addition, the existing application was incapable of displaying live data and lacked a user-friendly interface. On top of that, data analysis had to be done after the application was run, causing delays.
Our client needed reliable and robust hardware to drive the sensors and an application that would eliminate the challenges associated with the existing system.
Solution
Viewpoint accomplished the following:
- Evaluated two different ultrasonic P/R sensor driver hardware solutions to select a solution that would provide the connectivity robustness, configurability, and correct sensor driver characteristics required for the given sensors.
- Decoupled the digitizer embedded in the original P/R by adding a PXI digitizer with better capability.
- Provided backward compatibility with previous measurement hardware to aid in performance comparisons with the new hardware.
- Developed a LabVIEW-based application that corrected all the issues with the existing application including real-time data analysis, real-time data visibility and a modern user interface. The new application also provided sensor performance traceability using the sensor’s serial number.
Benefits
The enhanced measurement system offers the following benefits:
- Reliable sensor subsystem to ensure uninterrupted data acquisition.
- Measurement hardware configurability for sample rate, collection duration, and pulsing repetition rate.
- Application configurability for automating the analysis, historical archiving, and results reporting.
- Real-time data analysis.
- Sensor traceability through serial number and data files.
- Engineering mode to take control of the entire measurement system.
- Improved data logging to include raw and analyzed data.
- Improved application user experience via robust data collection and configurability.
System Overview
The deployed temperature monitoring system consisted of the following components:
- COTS pulser/receiver hardware for driving the sensors.
- COTS high-speed DAQ for retrieving ultrasound signals.
- A LabVIEW-based software application to provide real time data monitoring, error/alarm notification, data analysis, data logging, part traceability and backward compatibility with the older sensor driver hardware.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
Acquire Data from Sensor Driver Device |
Data Analysis |
Write Raw Data to File |
Write Analyzed Data to File |
Configuration Utility |
HARDWARE UTILIZED |
---|
Sensor Pulser/Receiver Driver |
NI PXIe Expansion Chassis |
NI PXI Oscilloscope Module |
NI PXI Thunderbolt 3 Module |
INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
---|
RS-232 |
Thunderbolt 3 |
Semi-Automation of an Optical Component Manufacturing Process
Semi-Automation of an Optical Component Manufacturing Process
Automation reduces waste, manufacturing cycle time and human error
Client – Optical component manufacturer of precision structured surfaces
Challenge
Our client needed to introduce automation to a highly manual manufacturing process for injection molding of precision components. The manual process was slow, and yields were low, causing excessive waste. The low yield was traced to the inability to control the critical process variables.
Solution
Viewpoint decided to integrate a PLC, a motion controller, and LabVIEW to develop a solution for a “first phase” automation system to replace the highly manual process.
The PLC:
- controls eight axes of motion,
- controls the UV light for curing,
- and interfaces to other process equipment such as valves and sensors .
The LabVIEW application:
- guides the operator through the manufacturing process step by step,
- interacts with the PLC,
- and displays real-time process data and log data to a file for further review post manufacturing.
Benefits
Besides the automation benefits of consistency and speed, the client wanted the ability to adjust configuration settings and limits for almost every aspect of the operation, such as setpoints and motion stage positions. Configuration screens were developed that let an operator run through the manufacturing steps manually while making adjustments on-the-fly; perfect for “dry-run” production simulations. These screens require special permissions to operate in engineering mode rather than production mode.
The other benefits are:
- Reduction of set-up cycle time increasing component throughput.
- Reduction of variability of the manufacturing process.
- Increased product yield resulting in reduced waste.
- Reduced probability of product contamination due to automation and cycle time reduction.
- Data files enable review of past manufacturing data and potential process improvements.
- Part traceability enables better process understanding and control.
- Prompts and machine status checks help guide novice operators.
- System is configurable for different product lines.
System Overview
The entire system consists of the following components:
- A PLC controlling the motors responsible for positioning the tooling and other process equipment.
- A standalone controller responsible for controlling the process temperature.
- A LabVIEW application to serve as the operator’s interface to the manufacturing process. The application is responsible for tasks including:
- Guide the operator through the process.
- Provide important information about the process to the operator.
- Display any warnings/alarms detected by the PLC.
- Write process data to a file.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
Read Data from Stand Alone Controllers |
Read from, Write to PLC |
Write Data to File |
Comprehensive User Interface |
Process Sequencer |
HARDWARE UTILIZED |
---|
Stand Alone Temperature Controllers |
PLC |
Motion Equipment |
Vision Equipment |
INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
---|
RS-485 |
OPC UA |
High-Speed Digital Subsystem Emulator
High-Speed Digital Subsystem Emulator
Client: A large company involved in C4ISR
At maximum throughput, the Aedis systems needed to consume and produce more than about 800 MB/s/slot.
Background
A large company involved in C4ISR was developing a system for a new high-speed digital sensor device. Viewpoint was contracted to build a test system used in design validation and ultimately endurance testing of the sensor. Since the sensor was a component of a larger system which was being developed at the same time, another test system was created to simulate the sensor by feeding signals into the system.
Challenge
Both the amount of data and the frequencies of the various digital signals were nearly at the limit of hardware capabilities. At maximum throughput, the systems needed to consume during record and produce during playback about 800 MB/s/slot. The FPGA clock on the FlexRIO had to run up to 300 MHz. The skew between triggers for data transmission needed to be less than 5 ns even between multiple FlexRIO cards even when the parallel data paths has inherent skews associated with the sensor. Finally, the systems needed to handle clocks that might be out-of-phase.
Achieving these requirements required significant engineering design in the face of multiple possible roadblocks, any one of which could have eliminated a successful outcome.
Furthermore, as usual, the development timeline was tight. In this case, it was a very tight 3 months.
Viewpoint’s Solution
To meet the timeline, we had to work in parallel across several fronts:
- LabVIEW-based application development for both record and playback
- LabVIEW FPGA development for marshalling data between the controller and DRAM
- Custom FAM circuit board design and build
- FlexRIO FPGA CLIP nodes and code for low-level data handling
Technical Highlights
This sensor had several parallel data paths of clock and data lines with clock speeds up to 300 MHz on each path requiring exacting design and build of a custom FlexRIO Adapter Module (FAM) and unique custom CLIP nodes for extending the FlexRIO FPGA capabilities. The FAM also had a special connector for interfacing to the customer’s hardware.
Additional NI hardware and software completed the system components.
Results
The choice to base the Aedis emulators on NI hardware and software was critical to completing this project. The open architecture in both hardware (custom FAM) and software (CLIP Nodes) enabled us to include some very creative extensions to the base toolset without which the project would not have succeeded in the allotted pressured schedule and on a predetermined budget. We were able to stretch the capabilities of the hardware and software very close to their maximum specifications by combining COTS and custom much more cost effectively than a purely custom design.
LabVIEW Layers
The host application, written in LabVIEW, managed the configuration of the data acquisition and the control of the LabVIEW RT-based FlexRIO systems. The configuration primarily dealt with the number of sensor channels in use, skew settings between digital lines, and other parameters that dealt with the organization of the data passed between the sensor and the FlexRIO.
Two FlexRIO applications were written, one for record and one for playback. Each FlexRIO application was written in LabVIEW, and managed the configuration of the FlexRIO cards and the movement of data between the FlexRIO cards and the RAID drives. Note that Windows supported for the RAID driver. Between 10 and 32 DMA channels were used for streaming, depending on the number of sensor channels being used.
And, each FlexRIO application had an FPGA layer, written in LabVIEW FPGA enhanced with custom CLIP nodes. For the record application, we developed a custom DRAM FIFO on the FPGA to assist with the latencies on the PXIe bus. For the playback application, we were able to stream directly from DRAM.
FlexRIO Considerations
The FlexRIO and stock FAMs from NI were initially considered as candidates for this project. Clearly, working with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components would be most effective. Three options were available at the project start which could accommodate the required clock frequencies, but none offered both the required channel counts and skew/routing limitations. Hence, we had to design a custom FAM. This decision, made before the start of the project, turned out to be wise in hindsight because the parallel development path resulted in some shifts of sensor requirements which could be accommodated with the custom FAM but might have led to a dead-end with a COTS FAM.
FlexRIO CLIP
In LabVIEW FPGA, a CLIP Node is a method to import custom FPGA IP (i.e., code) into a LabVIEW FPGA application. CLIP stands for Component-Level Intellectual Property. We needed to use special Socketed CLIP Nodes (i.e., VHDL that can access FPGA pins) for this project because we could expose additional features of the Xilinx Virtex-5 not exposed in LabVIEW FPGA by accessing Xilinx primitives. Some specific features were:
- Faster FPGA clocking
- Additional clocking options
- Individual clock and skew control
- Custom PLL de-jitter nodes
Essentially, the FPGA design had a majority of FPGA code developed in LabVIEW FPGA and we used CLIP Nodes for interfacing the signals between the FlexRIO and the FAM.
FlexRIO Adapter Module
As mentioned earlier, we had to create a custom FAM because of the need to route high speed signals from customer-specific high density connectors while synchronizing signals across multiple data channels and FPGA modules to within one (300 MHz) clock cycle.
At these high-speeds, the FAM needed careful buffering and impedance matching both on the signals as well internal components on the FAM PCB. At the start of the design, we utilized Mentor Graphics HyperLynx High Speed DDR signaling Simulation software to minimize signal reflections prior to building actual hardware. This step saved countless hours in spinning physical hardware designs.
We designed the FAM to allow channel routing and access to additional clock and trigger pins on the Xilinx chip and PXIe backplane.
Custom Test System Using NI PXI for Electrical Test
Custom Test System Using NI PXI for Electrical Test
Updating an obsolete tester that maintains functionality
Client – Medical Device Manufacturer
Challenge
Our client already had a test system in place, but the tester (really two test systems testing two different product variants) was becoming obsolete. The tester was old, hardware was failing, and it was getting harder and harder to keep it reliably running. They wanted a new tester to improve reliability, but maintain the functionality of the existing tester to keep the FDA-mandated verification and validation time to a minimum.
Solution
The updated end-of-line manufacturing test system maintains the functionality of the old test systems, but with updated hardware and software. The same software is utilized for both the manual test system update and the automated test system update. Our client deployed 6 manual testers and 1 automated tester.
Benefits
- Improved maintainability and reliability with updated hardware and software
- Maintains existing test system functionality to keep certification time down
System Overview
There were two variants of the new test system. One was for an older product line that utilized manual test, with an operator that connected/disconnected the UUT, and initiated the test. The other was an automated tester, integrated into a manufacturing machine. Both testers utilized custom fixtures (provided by the client), off-the-shelf NI measurement hardware (selected by Viewpoint), and custom test software (developed by Viewpoint). The software is configurable for both the manual test system and the automated test system.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
Read UUT limits from config file |
Perform tester self-test |
Measure impedance |
Power UUT |
Pressurize UUT |
Measure UUT output |
Perform leak down pressure test |
PLC interface (for automated tester) for start, done, pass, fail |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
Custom test fixture (provided by client) |
NI PXI |
PXI Multifunction I/O Module |
PXI Digital I/O Module |
PXI Relay Module |
PXI Digital Multimeter Module |
PXI Switch Matrix Module |
*- images are conceptual, not actual
Manufacturing Inspection System Uses Machine Vision to verify assembly and labeling
Manufacturing Inspection System Uses Machine Vision to verify assembly and labeling
Reducing human error with automated inspection
Client – Automotive Component Manufacturer
Challenge
Our client already had an end-of-line tester in place. However, preventing incorrect product shipments drove them to add machine vision capabilities to verify that the part being packed is of the correct physical configuration and that the part was labeled correctly. They also wanted a more automated way to track which serial numbers were being shipped.
Solution
Viewpoint enhanced the existing end-of-line tester by adding machine vision capabilities to verify correct part assembly and part labeling. This capability also allowed for automated tracking of which parts went into which shipping container.
Benefits
- Automated part assembly verification to reduce human error from manual visual inspection
- Automated label verification to reduce the chance of shipping the wrong product
System Overview
The enhanced system added machine vision-based capabilities to an existing end-of-line manufacturing test system. New hardware (cameras, lighting, fixture) was selected and integrated by the client. Viewpoint developed the image analysis routines using the Cognex In-Sight software. These routines were then downloaded and controlled using LabVIEW software developed by Viewpoint. In addition, the LabVIEW GUI contained the image acquired by the camera and the results of the image analysis. The tester can inspect four different part types.
The software essentially performs the following functions:
- Look up the expected characteristics of the part being inspected.
- Populate the on-camera In-Sight “spreadsheet” with configuration information used in the image analysis/inspection.
- Trigger the image capture and read results from the on-camera spreadsheet.
- Use the on-camera image analysis to check a critical angle of the part as the part is set in the nest fixture.
- Check the information laser etched on the part and compare the results with what should be on the part (relative to the barcode read in for the lot and the 2D barcode on the part) using the OCR/OCV capabilities of the camera.
- Perform other physical part characterization image analyses to verify the part was correctly labeled & assembled.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
Look up expected part characteristics |
Trigger image capture |
Read results of on-camera image analysis |
Display image taken by camera and show if test passed or failed |
Monitor contiguous part failures & initiate shutdown |
Log vision test failures to database |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
Existing end-of-line tester |
Test Fixture |
(qty 2) Cognex camera |
Lighting for camera |
INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
---|
TCP/IP |
Automated Manufacturing Test System for Electronic Medical Devices
Automated Manufacturing Test System for Electronic Medical Devices
Using PXI and LabVIEW for modular testing of over 1,000 different models
Client – a medical device manufacturer and repair depot
Challenge
Our client manufactures hospital patient pendants used to control bed frame, nurse calling, and TV functions. The company was also growing after adapting a business model of being a repair depot for older designs for their own and the pendants of other manufacturers. As such, their products are very high mix and medium volume.
The basic functions for all these pendant models are closely related, so the client wanted a means to build a single automated test system that could verify functionality for 1000s of models. And, since the products are medical devices, the testers needed to comply to 21 CFR Part 820 and Part 11.
Solution
The testers were designed to support the common measurements needed to test the circuitry of the devices as well as the complex signals required to drive TVs and entertainment systems. A test sequence editor was created which allowed the client to create as many test sequences as needed to test each specific pendant model by creating a list from pre-defined basic measurement steps configured for each specific measurement.
For example, each device had a power supply, the voltage of which needed to be tested. To test a specific model, a voltage measurement step was added to the model-specific sequence and configured with the upper and lower measurement limits for the power supply. The complete test sequence was created by adding and configuring other measurements test steps as needed. Each test step could also be configured with switch configurations to connect the measurement equipment, such as a DMM, to the proper pins on the device circuit board.
Using this configuration process, the client was able to support the testing of well over 1000 models without any programming. A separate application was developed to create these test sequences which were saved as XML and fed to the test system for selection and execution.
The test execution was managed by NI TestStand and the pre-defined common test steps were written in LabVIEW. The test sequences and test results were interfaced to the client SQL database which they used in their ERP system. This ERP system used the results produced by the test system to help manage the workflow of production, for example by assuring that all units had passed testing before being shipped. Part 11 compliance was handled through checksums used to check if results had been modified.
Benefits
- Test sequence editor used to develop and maintain tests for 1000s of device models
- Enabling our client to create test sequences without programming reduced overall development costs by about 50%.
- Test sequences and test results were stored in the client’s ERP SQL-compliant database for integration with manufacturing workflow
- Modular and common software developed for the test systems reduced the V&V effort during IQ & OQ by allowing testing of the test execution application separate from the individual test sequences.
System Overview
The automated test system was able to execute each test sequence in three different modes: engineering, service, and production. Each mode has been specifically designed for various departments throughout the manufacturing floor. Typically, the manufacturing engineer would verify the sequence by executing it in engineering mode. Once the test sequence parameters pass, it was then approved for production testing.
During actual product testing, an approved and digitally-signed test sequence is loaded and executed via the test sequencer, designed for automated production. During execution, test results are displayed to the operator and simultaneously pushed to a database. The automated test system produces a record for each tested device, indicating the disposition of each test step and the overall performance of the device. All result data are digitally signed and protected from tampering.
The architecture of the test system follows a typical client – server model.
All client stations communicate with a central ERP and SQL server and each computer is secured by applying operating system security. The SQL server contains all of the test definitions, device history records and results. Information from it can be queried at any time by quality engineers throughout the organization, assuming they have proper login access. This provides real time status about products ready for shipment. Also, other than the software running on the client stations, no other user has permission to write or modify any information in this database. The client is able to keep the server in a protected area separating it from the manufacturing environment while the client test stations are placed throughout the manufacturing area.
Surprisingly, there were only twelve test steps needed to uniquely configure and be combined to create sequences to test well over 2000 unique models. Test steps are capable of measuring basic resistance, current and voltage parameters as well as perform sound quality measurements and high speed digital waveform analysis. Several tests were designed to be subjective while others are fully automated and test to a specified acceptable tolerance. During configuration, each test step requires the manufacturing engineer to enter expected values and tolerance limits to define pass – fail status. Upon testing, the devices are attached to a generic interface connection box and the test system makes the appropriate connections and measurements.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
NI TestStand |
Low-level measurement drivers to interface to a DMM, signal generator, switches, and data acquisition cards. |
Measurement-based test steps |
Test sequence execution |
Test sequence management |
User access management |
Test report creation and management |
Verification of test sequence content and ability of user to execute |
Verification of the content of the test results |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
NI PXI chassis and controller |
NI PXI acquisition cards for analog measurements |
NI PXI acquisition cards for digital input and output |
NI PXI DMM for precision voltage and resistance measurements |
Audio amplifier for speaker tests |
INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
---|
Ethernet |
*- images are conceptual, not actual
Automated Manufacturing Test Systems for Medical Diagnostic Equipment
Automated Manufacturing Test Systems for Medical Diagnostic Equipment
Using NI PXI and LabVIEW as a common architecture for multiple test systems testing several subassemblies
Client: a manufacturer of automated blood analysis machines
Challenge
Our client was embarking on a complete redesign of their flagship automated in-vitro Class 1 blood diagnostic machine. In order to meet schedule goals, the design and build of several automated test systems needed to occur in parallel with the overall machine. In a major design paradigm shift, many components of the machine were being manufactured as modular subassemblies, every one of which was an electro-mechanical device. Thus, multiple testers were required to test each of the specific subassemblies in the machine. And, since this was a medical device, the testers needed to comply to 21 CFR Part 820 and Part 11.
Solution
With a looming deadline, the testers needed a common architecture, so that all testers could leverage the development from the others. Since each subassembly could be tested independently of the overall machine prior to final assembly, the design of the testers was based on a common measurement and reporting architecture, written in LabVIEW, that interfaced to the customers Part 11 compliant database for testing procedures and measurement results. Furthermore, procedures and validation checks for calibration of the testers were part of the overall test architecture.
Benefits
- Modularization of the test system architecture aided development and maintenance
- Reduced overall development costs due to standardization of test sequence steps and reporting
- Both test sequences and test results were stored in a managed database that satisfied 21 CFR Part 11 requirements
- Modular and common software developed for the test systems reduced the V&V effort during IQ & OQ.
System Overview
Since multiple subassemblies were being tested, with one part-specific test system per part, the automated test systems used as much common hardware as possible to simplify the development effort through common hardware drivers and test steps. Measurements were made with PXI equipment. Test steps and the test executive that executed the test sequence(s) were developed using LabVIEW.
The types of test steps required to verify the proper operation of each subassembly were categorized into basic operations, such as voltage reading, pulse counting, temperature reading, and communications with on-board microcontrollers. The specifics of each measurement could be configured for each of these measurement types so that each test step accommodated the needs of the specifics of each subassembly. For example, one subassembly might have needed to run the pulse counting for 2 seconds to accumulate enough pulses for accurate RPM calculation while another subassembly might have only needed 0.5 seconds to accomplish that calculation.
The configuration of a test step algorithm was accomplished via an XML description. The accumulation of these XML descriptions of each test step defined the test sequence run on that specific subassembly.
Test results were associated with these test sequences by completing the entries initially left blank in the test sequence, so that all results were explicitly bound to the test sequence.
The operator user interface distinguished between released and unreleased test sequences. With unreleased test sequences, engineers could try the most recent subassembly designs without needing to wait for final validation. The released sequences were only available to test operators. This login-driven branching was managed using the Windows login, so that the client employees could use their company badge-driven login process. Once logged in, the user would be able to execute the test sequence in automated mode, where all steps happen automatically, or manual mode, where one step could be operated at a time.
Furthermore, the Windows environment was locked down using built-in user account group policies to designate the level at which a user could access Windows or be locked into accessing only the test application.
V&V Effort
During the V&V effort, each test sequence was verified for expected operation, against both known good and bad parts. Once verified, the sequence was validated against the requirements and, when assured to be as expected, a checksum was applied to the resulting XML test sequence file and all was saved in a Part 11 compliant database. Upon retrieval, when ready to run a test, the sequence was checked against this checksum to assure that a sequence had not been tampered.
Test results, saved as XML in the same file format as the test sequence, were also surrounded by a checksum to verify that no tampering had occurred.
The IQ/OQ efforts were handled in a traditional manner with the client developing the IQ/OQ documentation, with our assistance, and then executing these procedures, again with our assistance.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
Low-level measurement drivers |
Measurement-based test steps |
Test sequence execution |
Test sequence management |
User access management |
Test report creation and management |
Verification of test sequence content and ability of user to execute |
Verification of the content of the test results |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
PXI chassis and controller |
PXI acquisition cards for analog measurements |
PXI acquisition cards for digital input and output |
CAN card |
INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
---|
Ethernet |
CAN |
*- images are conceptual, not actual
Endurance and Environmental automated test system for electro-mechanical sub-system
(image is representative, not actual)
Endurance and Environmental automated test system for electro-mechanical sub-system
Automating tests that run for weeks at a time
Client – Automotive component supplier
Challenge
Our client was already doing validation, but it was manual, and the client’s customer started requesting faster turnaround of results. Their customer was also requesting data to be sent with the results. Our client chose to automate the validation process to enhance their productivity.
Solution
Viewpoint utilized the (mostly) existing hardware from the manual tester and developed software to automate the testing. The LabVIEW-based automated test system allows for endurance & environmental validation testing of an electro-mechanical sub-system.
Benefits
- Automates tests that run for weeks at a time
- Logs errors during the test (e.g., for continuous monitoring tests, logging the number of instances of when a UUT’s LIN (Local Interconnect Network) response deviates from a static, current draw outside of limits)
- Capable of testing a large variety of product lines
- Logs pertinent data to a database for post-test analysis/inclusion into reports
System Overview
The UUT is an electro-mechanical part that falls under a variety of different product lines. As such, the client had a couple variants of the tester, based on the communication needs of the UUT. A total of more than a dozen testers were deployed. The functionality of the tester evolved over time, specifically modifying software to make the tests faster / decrease cycle time.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
Extensive diagnostic/manual operation of system for debug of software and electrical connections between the UUT and the test stand/tooling. |
Product-specific software components to operate unique products. |
Execute mechanical endurance tests. |
Execute environmental endurance tests. |
Database output containing results from every test cycle (either mechanical cycles or time depending on test being run). |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
USB-LIN module |
USB and PCI CAN Interfaces |
Analog input card |
Digital Input card |
Digital Output card |
Power Supplies |
DMMs |
Switch Matrix |
INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
---|
CAN |
LIN |
USB |
GPIB |
Product Validation of Mechanical Subsystem with NI cDAQ
Product Validation of Mechanical Subsystem with NI cDAQ
The updated product validation tester automates long tests, allowing the client to prove more obviously that their part met the specification.
Client – Automotive Component Supplier / Manufacturer
Challenge
The client already had a test system in place, but it was old and was becoming unmaintainable. Increasing demands from the test engineers and the old software architecture not lending itself to clean implementation of these new features (new sequencer capabilities and ECU CAN communication) drove the need for a rewrite of the software application.
Solution
The updated product validation tester supports product validation of the UUT by automating long tests (sometimes a week or more) providing the desired set point control, allowing the client to prove more obviously that their part met the stated specification. Viewpoint developed the software and the client selected the hardware.
Benefits
- Automate long duration tests
- Improved operator UX by making controls and indicators more intuitive to the user as well as providing additional capability within one application.
- Acquire ECU data along with measured UUT data to allow for engineering performance characterization analysis
- Playback utility enables the Test Engineer to quickly view collected data to chart out a path forward for further testing.
- Automate a Design of Experiments matrix of conditions, through new sequencer capabilities, to more quickly arrive at product characterization parameters.
- All collected signals are now housed in one TDMS file instead of multiple files from different applications.
System Overview
The UUT is a complete engine with a focus on one of the mechanical subsystems. Data is collected on over 100 channels, measuring temperature, vibration, strain, RPM, position and pressure. Engine management data (e.g., component location, pressures, engine speed, and status flags) is collected via CAN. The engine speed is set via an analog output, and subsystem setpoints are sent to the ECU via CAN. SCXI still used on some of the old test stands, but is being phased out in favor of cDAQ. The test system software was developed in LabVIEW.
SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
---|
Test Sequencing |
Data Visualization |
Data Collection |
Setpoint Control |
HARDWARE USED |
---|
NI cDAQ |
NI C Series Digital input module |
NI C Series Digital output module |
NI C Series Digital input/output module |
NI C Series analog output module |
NI C Series temperature input module |
NI C Series analog input module |
NI C Series strain/bridge module |
INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
---|
Ethernet (TCP) |
CAN |
How to select a LabVIEW consultant
Maybe you’re LabVIEW programmer quit or retired, or maybe you’ve got some internal capabilities but need some additional support because everyone’s too busy. From hourly rates to a range of skills, there are several factors to consider. We’ll help you weigh each one. See How to Select a LabView Consultant.
LabVIEW developers: local vs remote
Headquartered in Rochester NY, we help customers all over the U.S. See the Pros and Cons of a local vs remote supplier for LabVIEW-based test system development.
3,000+
LabVIEW solutions deliveredGreat for automated measurement & control: manufacturing test, product validation, machine control and condition monitoring.
700+
LabVIEW FPGA systems deliveredGreat for applications requiring seriously deterministic timing, reliable code execution, and multi-channel synchronized processing.
1,000+
LabVIEW RT systems deliveredThe combination of LabVIEW RT and the RTOS on which it runs allows for the creation of applications with bounded jitter and latency.
500+
cRIO-based systems deliveredCombining a cRIO controller with the multitude of C Series modules creates a functional real-time controller in a small footprint.
1,500+
PXI-based solutions deliveredBroad range of off-the-shelf expansion cards & processing horsepower make PXI a formidable choice for many automated test applications.