MTS FlexDAC™ 20 Data Acquisition SystemReliable, accurate and flexible test data acquisition»

Optimize test data accuracy»

Maximize uptime»

Support multiple test stations witha single DAC system»

Achieve low cost of ownership»

Simplify training and improve
productivity»

Get a single point of contact foryour data acquisition, control andsoftware support

The MTS FlexDAC™ 20 Data Acquisition
System provides a high-performancesolution for acquiring data throughstrain- and bridge-based devices during
mechanical testing. Fast processing
speeds and a high-channel-count capacitymake the MTS FlexDAC 20 system ideal
for evaluating the behavior of full-scale
structures under load.
This standalone system is built on thesame proven and reliable hardware
platform as the MTS FlexTest® controller
family, and is optimized specifically for
use with industry-leading AeroPro™

Control and Data Acquisition software.
It is also modular in design, with thecapability to support up to eight dataacquisition groups with a single unit.
The end result is a completely integrated
solution that delivers unsurpassed dataacquisition speed, accuracy and flexibility.
With the addition of the MTS FlexDAC 20
system to the MTS solutions portfolio, youcan meet all of your hardware, software andglobal support needs with a single supplier.
This single point of contact will simplify
system setup and support and help improve
the overall efficiency of your test lab.

Precise, hardware-based clock synchronization

Superior flexibility and ease-of-use

Most data acquisition systems employ
software-based compensation to synchronize
data between measurement and load at a
specific moment in time. This can introduce
measurable time variability between whendata points are acquired and when a load
is applied, resulting in potential inaccuracy.
Because we engineer our control systems,
DAC system and test software specificallyfor use with one another, the MTS
solution employs hardware-based clock
synchronization that produces extremely
high data accuracy, helping you feel
confident about your test results.

Traditional stand-alone data acquisition
systems are limited to a single station,requiring test labs to purchase one box forevery test rig in use. In contrast, the MTS
FlexDAC 20 system can distribute channels
in any proportion across up to eight dataacquisition groups simultaneously. This
allows you to support more lower-channelcount tests stations with fewer DAC systems,
reducing both your initial and long-term
hardware expenses. The MTS FlexDAC 20system also features compatibility withmost legacy and all future MTS control
systems, as well as with data acquisition
systems from HBM and VXI. A common
RJ45 connector on each channel speeds
and simplifies sensor connections andeliminates the need for patch panels.

The MTS FlexDAC 20 system is also
designed so that if one channel becomes
unavailable, all of the other channels
remain available for use. This feature helps
to reduce unscheduled downtime and keep
you at peak productivity. Other advanced
functionality includes high data resolution,
built-in bridge completion, advanced
calculations within the hardware, andTransducer Electronic Data Sheets(TEDS) support.

Seamlessly integrated MTS FlexDAC
data acquisition systems, FlexTest
controllers and AeroPro software: theonly truly synchronized structural test
solution in the industry.

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Tightly integrated data acquisition and control
AeroPro software makes it possible tocombine real-time data acquired with theMTS FlexDAC 20 system into your MTS
FlexTest control system interface. This
integration eliminates the need to switch

between interfaces and manually synthesize
the data after testing is complete, improving
productivity and simplifying training for
new test engineers. It also offers moreinsight into tests in progress, making iteasier to meet certification standards andverify designs.
A single point of contact for global
service and support
Historically, test labs have been forced towork with multiple suppliers to create an
integrated control and data acquisition
solution. This situation has made it difficult
to get issues resolved, especially compatibility
issues between components. MTS resolves
this less-than-ideal situation with the ability
to supply, coordinate and integrate theentire solution from a single manufacturer.
At last, you have a single and highly
reputable point of contact for all of yourtest hardware and software support needs,
giving you access to the industry-leading
MTS network of global field support,service, and system integration expertise.

MTS FlexDAC 20 family
The MTS FlexDAC™ 20 Data Acquisition
System comprises a family of 64-, 48-,
32- and 24- channel units to makesynchronized data acquisition and control
a cost-effective reality for both large,full-scale structural tests and smaller
component and materials tests. All units
are compatible with AeroPro™ softwareand the MTS Data Display, which enables
test engineers to display plots, charts,
readings, view limits and more for all dataacquisition channels – plus control
channels – in a single convenient window.

B24 Units: 48- & 24-channel

AeroPro Software

A32 Units: 64- & 32-channel

MTS Data Display

Automated calibration
To affirm the measurement integrity of
MTS FlexDAC 20 units, MTS has createdan automated calibration method that canbe performed by either an MTS Field
Service Engineer (FSE), or by test lab
personnel with the purchase of a Calibration
Kit and annual software subscription.
Developed to verify and document that aunit under test is performing to MTS
engineering specifications, this automatedmethod enables over 1,200 separate
electrical measurements and calculations
to be conducted in about ten minutes,
greatly minimizing the disruption oftest activities and removing the risk ofmanual errors.

More Testing Applications
The MTS FlexDAC 20 system is ideal for a wide
variety of testing applications, and is especiallywell-suited for addressing the challenges oflarge channel-count structural applications. Inaddition to aerospace, this solution can be
deployed for civil structural, wind turbine, rail,
ground vehicles and materials testing.

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MTS FlexDAC 20 Data Acquisition System
General Functionality

64-channel Unit

48-channel Unit

32-channel Unit

Total inputs per chassis64483224

Maximum number of channels per system

20480

15360

10240

7680

Input connector
Synchronization with control systemRJ-45
Hardware synchronized A/D conversion between all channels in all chassis and FlexTest 40/60/100/200 controllers or timestamp

A/D converters

24-channel Unit

24-bits per channel

Independent stations

Up to 4, any channel in any chassis

Independent acquisition rate groups
Supported sensors

2 per station (up to 8 total)
1/4 bridge, 1/2 bridge and full bridge strain gages, load cells, analog temposonics, string potentiometers andvoltage input +/- 11mV, +/-110mV, +/-1.1V, +/- 11V

Integration with other vendors

YesNetwork connection

10/100 Base-T EthernetSize

48.26 cm W x 13.21 cm H x 55.5 cm L (19” x 5.2” x 21.85”)

Weight7.76 kg (17.1 lb)

Power and Environmental Specifications

64-channel Unit

48-channel Unit
32-channel Unit
100 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz @ 250 VA max
0° - 55° C (32 - 131° F)

A/D converters
Ambient temperature
Relative humidity

0 - 85%, non-condensing

Altitude

Up to 3,048 m (10,000 ft)

Certifications

24-channel Unit

CE, EN 61326, EN 61010

Electrical Specifications
Excitation
Maximum current

64-channel Unit

48-channel Unit

50 mA, over current protected32-channel Unit

0.5 V, 1 V, 2 V, 5 V, 7.5 V, 10 V
70 mA, over current protected
50 mA, over current protectedGains24-channel Unit
70 mA, over current protected

x1, x10, x100, x1000, set on a per-channel basis

Temperature shift± 0.1% over temperature range

Sampling rate

1 Hz to 6 kHz, user selectable on a per channel basis in up to 8 acquisition groups

Shunt resistors
Resistor connection

One per channel, externally installed on front of chassis, value specified at time of order
Software activated per channel, shunts across local bridge completion resistor for 1/4 bridge or
remote for 1/2, full bridge

Back half resistor network
Synchronization cable maximum lengths
Synchronization chain restrictions

1k/1k (0.05% ratio matching, 2 ppm/°C)
300 m between MTS FlexDAC chassis and FlexTest controller, 100 m between MTS FlexDAC chassis
160 FlexDAC chassis (10,240160 FlexDAC chassis (7,680160 FlexDAC chassis (5,120160 FlexDAC chassis (3,840channels) per chain, 2 chainschannels) per chain, 2 chainschannels) per chain, 2 chainschannels) per chain, 2 chains
per FlexTest controller
per FlexTest controller
per FlexTest controller
per FlexTest controller

Synchronization chain media
Synchronization limitations

PerformanceCat5e Ethernet cable
Hot plugging allowed, auto master/slave detect, no cabling restrictions for acquisition groups
64-channel Unit

48-channel Unit

FIFO data buffering
Tare
Event/action
Limit detection

32-channel Unit

24-channel Unit

75 MB
Available for all channels
Through AeroPro software
Through AeroPro software

Conditioning

64-channel Unit

1/4 bridge completion
1/4 bridge completion resistance
1/2 bridge completion
Full bridge completion
Bridge type and completion restrictionsExcitation restrictions
Filters
Filtering
Filter frequencies
Filtering restrictions
Lead wire resistance

4-wire configuration
5-wire configuration

Lead wire compensation isavailable for 3 wire ¼

48-channel Unit

32-channel Unit

24-channel Unit

Standard 3-wire
120 Ω, 350 Ω, optional user-specified (0.05%), set on a per-channel basis
6-wire configuration
4-wire configuration
6-wire configuration
7-wire configuration
5-wire configuration
7-wire configuration
No restrictions, each channel individually configurable
No restrictions, the excitation voltage is uniquely programmed for each channel
Bessel, Butterworth, Elliptical, Adjustable pass band (1 kHz max), no filter
Analog anti-aliasing filter with digital low-pass filter set on a per-channel basis
Customer definable through AeroPro software to 1 kHz
No restrictions
Lead wire compensation is available for 3
Lead wire compensation isLead wire compensation is available for 3
wire ¼ bridge sensors. Remote excitation available for 3 wire ¼ bridge wire ¼ bridge sensors. Remote excitation
sensing for ½ and full bridge sensors.
sensors.
sensing for ½ and full bridge sensors.

High strain nonlinearity

YesFeatures

64-channel Unit

Modularity
LEDs
Transducer Electronic Data Sheets (TEDS)
Digital I/O

MTS Systems Corporation
14000 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2290 USA
www.mts.com

48-channel Unit

32-channel Unit

24-channel Unit

All units can stand alone or be combined with other units, from the same or different manufacturers
Green LED for software controlled connection identification, yellow LED for excitation over current indication
Supports IEEE 1451 class 2 interface“SMART DIO” enables any analog channel to be configured as a digital IO channel

Telephone: 1.952.937.4000Toll Free: 1.800.328.2255
E-mail: info@mts.com
ISO 9001 Certified QMS

Specifications subject to change without notice. MTS and FlexTest are registeredtrademarks and MTS FlexDAC and AeroPro are trademarks of MTS Systems Corporation inthe United States. These trademarks may be protected in other countries. RTM No. 211177.
©2023 MTS Systems Corporation. 100-163-180h FlexDAC 20 • Printed in U.S.A. • 11/23