Torrington recognized that automating this process, thereby eliminating manual interpretation and calculations, would allow the company to improve the productivity of test personnel as well as the quality of reported measurement results. The upgrade would also simplify Torrington's ability to provide customer-specific calculations and unique terminology. After evaluating the application, Bloomy Controls recommended a system based on standard PC hardware and software. One important consideration when selecting the signal conditioning hardware was to protect the computer. Accordingly, the company chose modules that provide 1,500 Vrms of common mode voltage isolation and 240 Vrms of normal mode isolation.
Users also can enter test limits and calculation points.
To test the UUT's torque, the analog output board sends a low voltage signal to a servomotor, causing it to turn in the positive direction. The UUT rotates until the measured torque reaches the user-specified upper limit. When the measured torque reaches this upper limit, data acquisition begins and the test system changes the polarity of the servomotor voltage output, causing the servo to change directions. The servomotor drives the UUT to the user-specified lower limit, and when it reaches this limit, the system reverses the servomotor direction again. It drives the UUT back to the upper limit and stops acquiring data.