Sample Applications

• Automated Seat Tester
   

• High Speed 4-Quandrant Electric Motor Dynamometer
   

• Bed of Nails Test System for Printed Circuit Boards
   

• Data Acquisition Systems / Quality Control for Plastic Injection  Molders / Extruders
   

• Data Acquisition Systems / Quality Control for Metal Stamping Equipment
   

• Durability and Performance Test Stands for – Electric Motors, Starters, Alternators, Brakes and Pump Stand Sensors
   

• End of Line Test Systems
   

• Fiber Optics Amplifier Test System
   

• High Speed Data Loggers
   

• In-Vehicle DAQ Systems including – Temperature Mapping, Vehicle Dynamics, Brake Performance Testing and NVH
   

• Internal Combustion Engine Data Acquisition System (DAQ)
   

• Internal Combustion Engine Dynamometer
   

• Laboratory Automation – Bench Top Chemical Processing Control and Data Collection
   

• Magnetic Mapping Data Collection and Analysis System
   

• Non-Contact Torque Tester
   

• Sensor Test Stands
   

• Steering Column Tester
   

• Test Systems for Tires
   

• Vision Inspection Systems

Seat design, assembly, and validation has become increasingly complex.  Seats include not only motors to adjust position; they also include electronics communications modules, sensors, side impact air bags, and other safety devices.  During production, all aspects of seat functionality must be verified prior to installation in a vehicle. Often, defects can be repaired quickly and inexpensively right on the production line whereas, a similar defect found on a seat in a vehicle may cost more than a thousand dollars to repair.  Challenges in the development of an automotive seat production test system include factors common to many manufacturing environments such as cycle times, rapid configuration for new parts, flexibility, inter-connectivity to the production system, data archival, and overall system reliability.  The test system is fully pc-based utilizing National Instruments hardware and software.

 3D Encoder Test System

The challenge with this project was to develop a flexible and easy-to-use test system that would analyze the surface and flux density of magnetic encoders.  By using an existing 3-axis index table, LabVIEW software, and a National Instruments analog data acquisition board, Wineman Technology was able to develop the perfect system for this laboratory environment.

After a fuel line has been assembled it is necessary to check that the fuel line does not leak or build up an electronic charge.  During the process of making fuel lines, many defects can occur.  The tube may be blocked, be able to build a dangerous charge, or the connector may leak.  The fuel line is first tested for conductivity by having two probes extend into the part and measuring for current.  Only if the part passes the conductivity, is it pressure tested.  Every fuel line must pass those tests.  The use of the Cincinnati leak tester to perform the pressure tests and the PLC to control the rest of the machine made the debug process and maintenance easy.

The Fuel Module Test System was developed to control and test final assembly fuel modules.  It was required to be extremely flexible as an application and rock solid with data acquisition and hardware.  The concept was to develop one LabVIEW source code that could be implemented in various machines designed individually for different fuel module models.  The code would function in individual test machines as well as production final test dial tables.  The system design included integration with an Omron PLC.  The PLC performed dial table and pneumatic control, while LabVIEW performed all data acquisition and test motion control.  It was also required that the PLC be the general user interface.  The LabVIEW configuration was designed to function with or without a monitor and keyboard.

Running endurance, motor, and sound-characterization tests on windshield wiper motors and window regulators while increasing productivity for reporting, logging, and analyzing was the challenge of this project.  The PC-based solution used National Instruments’ plug-in DAQ boards and SCXI signal-conditioning hardware to design and build a PC-based, fully-automated, five-station system.  The test system is designed to run on a single PC using National Instruments’ LabVIEW software.  This design reduced the system costs and gave users the ability to control all of the tests from a single terminal.  The new system provides full integration of high-speed sound acquisition and analysis with motor testing on the fifth station.

When engineers at an automotive products company decided they needed a new Starter Durability Test Stand, Wineman Technology, Inc. teamed up with the customer to design a four-station test fixture with an automated Data Acquisition and Control System.  The Starter Durability Data Acquisition and Control system provides the customer with a seamless method of testing electric automotive starter motors, while simulating an IC motor during test sequence.  All this was accomplished through the use of National Instruments’ LabVIEW and DAQ hardware coupled with the period after fixture design.  The system allows the customer to test their motors quickly, easily, and efficiently.  It also produces data with increased accuracy and repeatability.