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The Complete Guide To Better Test and Measurements Ametek 17
The Complete Guide To Better Test and Measurements Ametek 17
The Complete Guide To Better Test and Measurements Ametek 17
Better Test
and Measurements
A Deep Dive into Data Acquisition
and Functional Tests
Functional testing is a critical part of the
product development process, and it is
essential for high-stakes industries such
as automotive, military, aviation, and
medical. By testing products at each stage
of development, engineers can identify
and fix problems early on, saving time
and money in the long run.
That is why design engineers rely on high-quality functional testing equipment.
Through accurate, reliable, and redundant test systems, you can ensure that your devices:
■ Higher test accuracy and reliability by ensuring that the data is relative and reliable
Functional testing and data acquisition are critical for product development and testing. By using the right
equipment and techniques, engineers can improve their data’s accuracy and reliability, leading to faster
product development, highertest accuracy, enhanced cost savings, and easy regulatory compliance.
This guide will cover why testing and measurements are so important to the success of your
designs, starting with Data Acquisition.
The global white goods market, including refrigerators, is experiencing significant growth, with consumers
increasingly adopting connected home appliances and emphasizing energy efficiency. Manufacturers need
help in testing refrigerators, such as maintaining accurate and uniform temperatures, ensuring recovery
times, and complying with energy-efficiency standards. The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed new
energy-efficiency standards for refrigerators to lower energy costs and reduce pollution.
AMETEK Programmable Power offers comprehensive drivers and turnkey software solutions to support
different programming environments, including the Virtual Panels graphical user interface and EXLab
software for remote control, monitoring, and data analysis. They also provide products for measuring
parameters beyond temperatures, such as vibration, audible noise, durability, and electrical safety.
By offering accurate and reliable power and data acquisition systems, AMETEK Programmable Power and
its VTI Instruments brand helps streamline the testing of white goods, including refrigerators, and meets
manufacturers’ evolving needs regarding efficiency, compliance, and global compatibility.
While signal integrity can degrade as the signal moves The right data acquisition system will provide box-to-box
from one instrument to another, you essentially have the synchronization to help precisely correlate all acquired
same effect if you have improper signal conditioning. Either data. Synchronization ensures your sensors, controllers,
will give you false results and/or cause your test to fail. and every other testing instrument integrates correctly.
The more unified and integrated your system is, the faster
The best way to maintain accurate test results is to have and more efficient your data acquisition will be.
built-in signal conditioning. Not only does this lead to more
efficient data acquisition systems, but it can also help to When you can easily integrate and synchronize multiple
mitigate signal degradation from the conditioner. devices, your data acquisition system is scalable. This
is important when you require large data sets or when
your testing and data acquisition needs change.
Properly synchronized and scalable systems will have
the architecture to handle anywhere from tens to
thousands of channels.
A Western European university is constructing a new wind tunnel facility to enhance its aerospace engineering
department. The wind tunnel is vital for testing physical prototypes of aircraft and validating computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) simulations. The university decided to outfit the wind tunnel with a data-acquisition system
provided by AMETEK Programmable Power’s VTI Instruments brand to acquire data on parameters like lift, drag,
and performance of various components.
The chosen data-acquisition solution offers LXI-based instruments known for their accuracy, reliability, and ease of
use. The system supports synchronization through the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), allowing automatic
synchronization of all instruments. Scalability and cost-effectiveness were additional factors influencing the
university’s decision, along with the flexibility of the software environment. VTI Instruments’ solution supports
open-source programming languages, aligning with the department’s preference.
The university selected VTI Instruments’ products for strain and temperature measurements, including
the EX1403A precision bridge and strain-gauge instrument for flight load tests, and the EX1401 isolated
thermocouple and voltage measurement instrument for temperature measurements.
Vibration measurements were conducted using integrated electronics piezoelectric (IEPE) accelerometers
with the EMX-4350 smart PXIe digitizers and the EMX2500 embedded LXI/PXIe controller for connectivity.
■ The EX1202 LXI two-slot half-rack mainframe for switching and data acquisition
The university’s experience with VTI Instruments’ data-acquisition solutions showcased the flexibility,
scalability, accuracy, and reliability of AMETEK Programmable Power’s products. The instruments
support industry standards such as LXI and IEEE 1588 and offer compatibility with various programming
environments, including Linux, Windows, LabVIEW, and REST.
VTI Instruments’ capabilities extend beyond aerospace engineering and cater to diverse disciplines requiring data acquisition
and analysis. Additionally, AMETEK Programmable Power provides programmable DC power supplies, AC sources, and
electronic loads, complementing the data-acquisition system and addressing a range of academic requirements.
■ Electromechanical relays
■ Reed relays
■ Solid-state relays
A Note on One-shot
The Importance of Modular Destructive Tests
Switching Software
When designing switching software, it is best to take a If you only have one chance at
modular systematic approach. Rather than treating your
switching system as an afterthought and trying to assemble something, you need the best testing
a collection of individual switch modules, a proactive systems to ensure you take advantage
modular approach allows you to consolidate everything of your opportunity. In the military and
into a single mainframe. This results in an optimized aerospace industry, you often test costly
switching system with a high-channel count capacity
and a reduced footprint. equipment and do one-shot tests that
cost millions of dollars. This is because
Modular switching systems also give ATE engineers the many tests are destructive and can ruin
design flexibility to use domain-specific modules (i.e.,
the equipment you assess, like when
power, RF, and low-frequency) that can be combined to
cover whatever range of the signal spectrum you need. testing an aircraft’s fuselage. Get the
Switching systems depend on individual switch modules test wrong, and you are throwing out
to operate like a single subsystem, interfacing through millions of dollars and countless hours
external cabling, mass interconnect panels and test
of work and designing.
adapters to construct higher channel count multiplexers
or matrices. Ignoring how everything comes together as
a unified system can lead to: That is why redundancy is so critical.
If you destroy millions of dollars’ worth
■ Delayed Development Timelines of equipment for a test, you will want to
measure different points with multiple
■ Increased Switching System Complexity
testing systems to ensure the test is not
■ Integration Difficulties a complete failure if one of the systems
goes down.
■ Reduced Signal Integrity
A military depot required a comprehensive test system for slip rings, which transfer power and signals between station-
ary and rotating parts of equipment. The slip rings needed to meet various performance requirements, including high
current transfer, data communication capabilities, environmental resilience, shock and vibration resistance, and com-
pliance with EMI specifications. The testing regime involved measurements such as resistance, capacitance, insulation
resistance, dielectric strength, torque, current draw, and encoder output.
AMETEK Programmable Power and its VTI Instruments brand provided a solution for the depot’s test system. They
offered a range of programmable AC and DC power products, switching devices, and data acquisition instruments that
could fulfill the requirements. The depot benefited from technical advantages, durability, extensive military experience,
and competitive pricing by purchasing all the necessary equipment from a single vendor.
VTI Instruments presented the EX1200 family of modular and scalable multifunction
instruments suitable for various mechanical data acquisition and electronic test
applications. They also offered the Asterion programmable AC + DC power-source
family, which provided high power density in a compact form factor. The selected
products included data acquisition mainframes, high-voltage switches, digital multimeters,
multifunction I/O cards, and power sources capable of sustaining high currents.
The flexibility of the variety of products allowed for custom modifications. These modifications could perform unique
measurements required for the slip-ring test system. The deployed test system received positive feedback, opening up
opportunities to provide equipment for testing motors and generators used in military equipment.
This project highlighted the benefits of procuring power supplies, switching devices, and data acquisition equipment
from a single vendor. AMETEK Programmable Power’s reputation for reliability, experience in the military and aero-
space markets, and competitive pricing contributed to the successful partnership, as they offer a comprehensive range
of catalog and custom-engineered products to meet various test-system needs in military and aerospace applications.
Communications
In addition to supporting tests for wireless devices, VTI Instruments provides
broadband interface solutions for a variety of broadband application areas,
ranging from ground base stations to airborne radar. And, is the only high-
performance test and measurement switching provider that offers microwave
switching solutions in three different platforms: LXI for high-density, low-cost
switching (including custom switching solutions); PXIe for operation in existing
PXI test solutions; and VXI for existing large-scale switching solutions.
Commercial
Manufacturers of commercial products require flexibility to keep pace with
evolving technologies, standards and customer demand in various product
categories. In the white goods category, for example, companies are investing
heavily in R&D to meet customer demand for smart appliances, and tests and
measurements have full solutions to improve accuracy.
Semiconductor
As new smartphones, tablets, laptops, and internet of things devices proliferate,
they will need chipsets to manage data flow for their cellular, Wi-Fi, or other wireless
communications capabilities. VTI Instruments has extensive experience supporting
chipset test, including working with a manufacturer of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipsets
that needed to verify its products could work with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
VTI Instruments:
Equipment for Better
Data Acquisition
AMETEK Programmable Power and VTI Instruments offer data acquisition systems to help you
achieve better data acquisition in the world’s most demanding applications. Products include
both hardware and software solutions, such as:
EX1403A
The EX1403A Precision Bridge and Strain Gauge Instrument sets a new industry
standard for strain and bridge measurements. Based on a flexible data acquisition
platform, the EX1403A offers superior signal integrity for the highest performance
measurements possible while controlling overall test hardware costs. Built-in
signal conditioning, programmable excitation, and selectable bridge completion –
all integrated into the instrument and configurable on a per-channel basis –
greatly simplify setup and configuration for optimal system efficiency. With sixteen
channels of strain or voltage, independent 24-bit ADCs per channel, extensive
software-selectable filtering, and independent signal conditioning paths, you
can expect next-level accuracy and reliability.
With the right data acquisition system from VTI Instruments, you can get the data
you need to validate your designs and ensure your products work.
VTI Instruments:
Equipment for Better
Functional Tests
AMETEK Programmable Power and VTI Instruments offer several functional test devices for better testing in the world’s
most demanding application. Products span different modular instruments and modular switching devices, including:
T R U S T E D P O W E R PA R T N E R S
Your team should not have to worry about the specifics of power selection. By “owning the design” of your power
system, AMETEK Programmable Power can fully handle all power integrations, ensuring that all your instruments
work together as a unified system. This begins with our focus on modularity, which leads to a solution that overcomes
integration challenges. The result is a harmonized, unified system more significant in total than the sum of its parts.
With our turnkey solutions, you can confidently acquire a comprehensive system from the AMETEK Programmable
Power experts without worrying about fitting a power supply into your existing system. We handle the complexities
while you focus on what matters to you.
T U R N K E Y P O W E R S O L U T I O N S
AMETEK Programmable Power is more than just a supplier. As your trusted power partner, AMETEK
Programmable Power offers expert resources to ensure you find the perfect solution.
Our teams of expert engineers and visionary systems designers are deeply engaged and responsive to your needs
and committed to high quality standards. We work with our customers for the best possible understanding of an
application’s characteristics and unique requirements. With this knowledge, we become the architects of power,
shaping solutions that align with your needs. Whether it’s a cutting-edge power supply, a comprehensive power
ecosystem, or something in between, we can leverage the characteristics of each individual element and their
synergistic relationships to create that ultimate power solution for your specific needs.
T E S T E D E X P E R I E N C E
Worldwide locations. Dedicated staff with decades of industry-leading proficiency. Experience in every major
industry and application. Our engineers and power system designers have overcome so many challenges,
allowing us to quickly arrive at the right solution for your application.
Our unwavering commitment to effective communication, unparalleled responsiveness, and steadfast
engagement ensures a seamless collaboration as we diligently work towards delivering precisely what you
need. At AMETEK Programmable Power, we are renowned for our ability to adapt and provide tailored
solutions that propel your success.
Find industry-leading technology, turnkey solutions, and unparalleled engineering expertise at AMETEK
Programmable Power. Count on us as your one-stop shop for all your power and test needs.