The fuses and relays box test bench has two functions in trucks assembly factory:
it displays to the operator the optional fuses and relays to be manually inserted according to the serial number of the truck
it inspects the box by vision checking all standard and optional fuses and relays are in place
Fuse box visual inspection test bench
Description
The fuse inspection test bench consists of:
hight quality industrial camera
hight power LED lights
metal structure
test fixture to fix the fuse box
sensors to detect bad insertion of the fuse box
stack lights red/amber/green for test bench state
enclosure to protect computer and electric and electronic components from industrial environment
touchscreen
computer with vision acquisition and vision analysis powered with LabVIEW
The fuse inspection test bench works in two modes:
production mode: this is the operator mode. It displays the optional components the operator have to insert and controls by vision the optional and standards components. It verifies the label part number. The specification of the components are extracted from the production database. At test end, it prints a label with serial number and test result for visual traceability. It generates test report file and synchronizes with network.
maintenance mode: this is the technician mode. It allows the calibration and components identification learning, and verifies the synchronization with the production database.
This system allows the study of refrigeration systems and the implementation of the thermodynamic calculations applied to refrigeration. Its uniqueness is that it is fully controllable via the Internet directly from a web browser like Internet Explorer or Firefox.
It consists of two cold rooms, each with their own evaporator but sharing the same cooling fluid R134a system (compressor, condenser …).
The control and configuration of this system can be done in two ways:
a classic console coupled to a regulator
PLC type industrial PAC (programmable automation controller) Compact Fieldpoint
The Compact Fieldpoint adds the possibility of remote control via the Internet, viewing the evolution curves of temperature, air and refrigerant fluid, pressure and power at various points. This allows calculating the required cooling system features such as enthalpy, entropy, Mollier diagram and performance coefficients.
Refrigeration system with control panel and circuit fluid
Hardware
The software is embedded in a Compact Fieldpoint controller from National Instruments. It includes a RJ45 Ethernet connector that allows to connect to the network in aim of uploading the executable on the controller module to the embedded FTP and publish shared variables on the network. We use Compact Fieldpoint module inputs / outputs, analog and relays for sending commands (start / stop, compressor speed , refrigerant solenoid valves, condenser and evaporator fans, lights and heaters for cold rooms) and collect measurements. We measure the power consumed by the compressor with the power meter included in the regulator. This regulator communicates only by Jbus protocol. So we use the RS-232 Compact Fieldpoint controller and connect to it an RS-232 <-> RS-485 converter. Jbus communication functions are programmed into the controller based on the Modbus protocol that is compatible for our use. An Ethernet 8 relays card is added to increase the number of relays.
The refrigeration system with Compact Fieldpoint modules in blue embedding LabVIEW real -time software. Also shown on the right side doors of the two cold rooms.
Software
LabVIEW for programming and compiling the program embedded in the controller Compact Filedpoint
LabVIEW RT Module for programming in LabVIEW embedded targets with real-time constraints
Operating system of the Compact Fieldpoint controller: Phar Lap ETS IntervalZero (Group Citrix)
HTTP server embedded in the Compact Fieldpoint controller to display directly in a web browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer …) the GUI controls and graphs
FTP server embedded in the Compact Fieldpoint controller to download the executable and configuration files and data
Screenshot of the GUI software programmed with LabVIEW, embedded in the controller module of the Compact Fieldpoint controller from National Instruments. You can access this interface from the Internet via a web browser like Google Chrome here.
How does it work?
The user has the option to choose, by a switch, using the bench in local mode with the classical control panel or using it in remote mode for examination and regulation by the Compact Fieldpoint. If the remote mode is selected, it is possible to visualize all the features, curves and calculations (entropy, enthalpy, Mollier diagram, performance coefficients) by connecting, via a web browser, to the controller. An LED lights when a remote user requests the control to change temperature settings or sending commands. A function allows the measurements recording for export to Excel. It is thus possible to reload these recordings to simulate the cooling system without making it work. Can be viewed simultaneously from multiple remote station but only one can get the control of the bench.
The purpose of this system is the collection of weather data, backup and transmission to the base located 5 km away. The system is portable and durable for outdoor use (rain, dust …).
System Diagram
Hardware Technology
The system is composed of :
Suitcase containing :
industrial Pocket PC (windows CE)
two RS ports
network port (RJ45)
PCMCIA acquisition card for special signals,
battery to extend power life
two wifi access points or UHF transmitters
two antennas
PC computer located in the base
Software Technology
PC operating software : MS Windows XP Pocket PC operating software : MS Windows CE Measurement software : NI LabVIEW Pocket PC and NI LabVIEW on the PC
How does it work ?
The operator connects the suitcase to the weather station. He opens the suitcase, switches on the Pocket PC and selects, via its touch screen, to transmit data. The weather station sent weather data to the pocket PC, on RS port and acquisition card. The Pocket PC computes data and sends these to the base via, depending of the hardware configuration, WIFI (RJ45 connected to WIFI access point) or UHF (RS port connected to UHF transmitter). In the base, a computer receives computes and displays data on the screen.
LabVIEW is used in this system to program a supervisor controlling the quality of sand in a career, before filling the trucks after the results of measurements of quality, we will inject a product to improve the characteristics of the sand to neutralize impurities (such as clay for example) and make them suitable for building. This pilot supervises three PLC (programmable logic controller), which each have a dedicated function: a sampler, a analyser and a divider.
Software for the supervising of the sand quality control
Programmable logic controller
Hardware technology
The excavation and filling trucks is completed by the sampler, analyzer and dozer system, wich is composed of:
a PC that monitors and controls the PLCs
three PLCs (and their mechanical components they control) linked to the PC via Ethernet:
Mitsubishi FX3U
Schneider Twido LCAE 40RDS
Telemecanique Micro TSX37
signal lights for alarms
Software technology
Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Supervisor programmation: langage Graphique sous LabVIEW de National Instruments PC-PLCs communication: OPC servers
How does it work?
The supervisor is able to display PLCs measurement data, and pilote PLCs and save data of the all system. It works in automatic or manual mode. Special machines orders are also available for the operator.
After sand excavation, the sampler takes a small amount of sand that leads to the analyzer. It analyses the sand with various chemical and electronic processes. The results will be given in order to inject a dose of inertant in the sand but upstream. Trucks of 48 tonnes are filled in 1 minute and 30 seconds.
This software does the automation the characterization measurements of the skin during clinical trials of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, using more than 15 instruments usually present in this type of laboratory: corneometer, sebometer, pH-meter, thermometer, glossimeter, mexameter, colorimeter tewemeter, reviscometer, spectrocolormeter, chromameter, cutometer, torquemeter. Therefore, it makes quicker measurement through a single software tool.
Example of a samples series of and analysis, for skin elasticity study , with the clinical testing software for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics products
Hardware
USB-type and series instruments are made from various manufacturers, so we have different communication protocols. The software automatically identifies each device connected to the PC and select the appropriate protocol to configure the instrument and collect measurements.
Devices list for surface skin measurements compatible with this software:
corneometer for hydration: Courage-Khazaka CM 825
sebometer for sebum: Courage-Khazaka SM 815
pH-meter for acidity: Courage-Khazaka PH 905
mexameter for melanin et erythema: Courage-Khazaka MX 18
tewameter for water loss: Courage-Khazaka TM 300
reviscometer for elasticity and fibers direction: Courage-Khazaka RVM 600
cutometer for viscosity by suction: Courage-Khazaka MPA 580
thermometer for temperature : Courage-Khazaka ST 500
glossimeter for gloss (reflection) : Courage-Khazaka GL 200
colorimeter for colour: Courage-Khazaka CL 400
spectrocolormeter for colour: Konica Minolta CM 700
chromameter for colour: Konica Minolta CR 400
torquemeter for elasticity, friction and hydration by torsion : Dia-stron DTM 310
Software
Operating system : Windows XP, Vista et Seven
Development : LabVIEW for the software and C# with Visual Studio for the development of .NET components
Data exportation et importation for Excel and XML files
Liste des mesures après une campagne de mesures pour une étude clinique de produits cosmétique ou pharmaceutique sur différents sujets.
Fonctionnement
After creating and configuring a study specifying the list of subjects, analysis conditions (zones, time, products) and the instruments used, or by importing data, the operator performs measurements instrument in hand. The software communicates with the instrument to collect measurements, analyze, save or export to other software tools such as Excel and print reports. A calibration function can detect and control the excesses and / or launch calibration of instruments. Regarding traceability, all actions performed by the user previously logged by its type (administrator or operator), are well recorded and identified from a history.
Electronic Control Modules are subsystems consisting of CPUs and assorted signal inputs and outputs dedicated to controlling a component within the vehicle (cars, trucks…). The aim of this system is to check that all ECM actions are correct, conforming to the specifications. It performs design validation. It is a development bench, helping technicians and developers during design and developement phases.
Operating software : MS Windows XP Measurement software : NI LabVIEW, NI DAQ
How does it work ?
Using the measurement software, the operator selects stimuli to be sent to the ECM. Each ECM response is adapted by the bench, acquired by the acquisition card and computed by the measurement software. The results are displayed to the computer screen.
The role of this test bench is the analysis and quality control of gas cylinders used in metallurgical industries, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and food industry.
The control system of gas is functionally decomposed as follows:
Entering management and production information of gas
Measuring the gases composition,
Analysis of measures and results,
Archiving data to a remote database.
The bench contains the following elements:
Gas delivery system,
Measurement instrumentation,
Acquisition and control central,
Management and supervision software.
User interface of the supervision software for the gaz analysis bench
Harware technology
The supervision software is installed on a PC. The acquisition and control central is composed of Compact Fieldpoint modules of National Instruments. Gas analyzers are Emerson Process.
Compact Fieldpoint acquisition central and its cards
The supervisor, on the PC, is linked to central by a serial link (RS232). The central commands 0/24V switches to route gas to the analyzer. The central commands analyzers by 4-20mA.
Software technology
Operating system: MS Windows XP Supervisor programing: Graphical programation with LabVIEW of National Instruments Database: remote managed by WinDev Supervisor-remote database comunication: Citrix network via FTP gateway
How does it work?
The analysis of a gas is performed by a measuring instrument called analyzer. This analyzer detects only certain chemical compounds. Therefore, to test several gas, it takes several analyzers. The bench is composed nine analytical analyzers. To test the quality of a gas, it must send it to the analyzer which is sensitive to its characteristics. The gas analyzers are routed through a network of pipes. By actuating the valves manually or by the supervision software, it is possible to direct gas.
