Production sensor exercise rig
Problem
A manual exercising rig of strain gauge load cells required upgrades in order to increase reliability, reduce human error, and integrate a sensor feedback loop to minimize overall test time.
Solution
Novum designed, developed, and installed a fully autonomous “smart” exercise rig that reduced overall test time and damage to sensors due to human error.
Built new mechanical structure using 80/20 t-slotted aluminum extrusion
Updated system to be capable of checking sensor full-scale before applying user-selected loads. Previous test rig was incapable of determining incorrect size selection which led to multiple incorrect settings and frequently damaged sensors.
Utilized National Instrument’s real-time CompactRIO controller to provide HMI, data acquisition from customer sensors and reference load cell, and control of electronic proportional control valve to apply correct exercising force
New test rig reduced exercising cycle time on average by approximately 20%
