(image is representative, not actual)
Endurance and Environmental automated test system for electro-mechanical sub-system
Automating tests that run for weeks at a time
Client – Automotive component supplier
Challenge
Our client was already doing validation, but it was manual, and the client’s customer started requesting faster turnaround of results. Their customer was also requesting data to be sent with the results. Our client chose to automate the validation process to enhance their productivity.
Solution
Viewpoint utilized the (mostly) existing hardware from the manual tester and developed software to automate the testing. The LabVIEW-based automated test system allows for endurance & environmental validation testing of an electro-mechanical sub-system.
Benefits
- Automates tests that run for weeks at a time
- Logs errors during the test (e.g., for continuous monitoring tests, logging the number of instances of when a UUT’s LIN (Local Interconnect Network) response deviates from a static, current draw outside of limits)
- Capable of testing a large variety of product lines
- Logs pertinent data to a database for post-test analysis/inclusion into reports
System Overview
The UUT is an electro-mechanical part that falls under a variety of different product lines. As such, the client had a couple variants of the tester, based on the communication needs of the UUT. A total of more than a dozen testers were deployed. The functionality of the tester evolved over time, specifically modifying software to make the tests faster / decrease cycle time.
| SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS |
|---|
| Extensive diagnostic/manual operation of system for debug of software and electrical connections between the UUT and the test stand/tooling. |
| Product-specific software components to operate unique products. |
| Execute mechanical endurance tests. |
| Execute environmental endurance tests. |
| Database output containing results from every test cycle (either mechanical cycles or time depending on test being run). |
| HARDWARE USED |
|---|
| USB-LIN module |
| USB and PCI CAN Interfaces |
| Analog input card |
| Digital Input card |
| Digital Output card |
| Power Supplies |
| DMMs |
| Switch Matrix |
| INTERFACES / PROTOCOLS |
|---|
| CAN |
| LIN |
| USB |
| GPIB |