PRODUCTS & SERVICES
robots for safer testing
AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM // MARCH 2020 109
With an increasing number of channels required per test,
flight test engineers are looking for ways to handle new
points of interest without complicated cable runs or
mounting additional chassis.
The miniature SLICE6 AIR data acquisition unit (DAU)
from California-based Diversified Technical Systems (DTS)
is gaining attention as an all-in-one DAU that can be
mounted virtually anywhere on or in the aircraft. Especially
with modification and compatibility testing, it’s not
uncommon to need more channels after the main flight
test instrumentation is set-up.
“Customers can spend weeks or months preparing for
just one test. SLICE6 AIR enables the test engineers to
increase their measurement capabilities in a significantly
reduced time frame,” said Huy Nguyen, aerospace and
defense sales manager at DTS. “By combining the signal
conditioning, Ethernet switch, power module and memory
in SLICE6 AIR, users can now mount the DAU near the
sensors without having to run sensor cabling back to the
central FTI.”
The rugged enclosure is rated to -40°C to +80°C and
meets MIL-STD-810G and 461G for flight test applications.
With universal analog sensor signal conditioning, SLICE6
AIR supports full and half-bridge, IEPE, thermocouples,
RTD and voltage inputs. In addition to being a quick
install DAU, SLICE6 AIR is suitable for UAV/UAS, ISR pod,
ordnance and helicopter rotor applications without
altering test dynamics. \\
Testing an aircraft component
always goes hand in hand with
high pressures, hot temperatures,
dangerous rotation or enormous
noise levels. In the last decades
testing has become more and
more automated and the risks for
operators have diminished
significantly. However, sometimes
a test procedure requires the
adjustment of a screw or a lever
during a test to accomplish
reliable results. In that case, the
operator is exposed to a certain
risk of being injured.
To reduce these risks and save
precious testing time by avoiding
interruptions, Test-Fuchs has
developed a new system where a
robotic arm can perform the
necessary adjustments in the
course of the test procedure. The
sequences of the robotic arm can
be integrated into the automatic
test program of the test stand and
the required test is carried out in
less time. A technical operator is
still required, but he just has to
adapt the UUT (unit under test) on
the test stand, start a previously
programmed test sequence and
monitor the correct performance of
the test stand.
Forward looking engineers have
integrated a storage of different
tool kits. The robot can easily
change tools by itself to perform
different tasks. As an example, first
the robot adjusts a screw, changes
its tool and pushes a button during
one test cycle.
Wherever it is required, one
operator can monitor multiple test
stands at the same time, saving
time and costs for operators,while
enhancing the quality of the test. \\
small data acquisition
units make it easy to
add sensor channels
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test-fuchs
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