Test Benches
THE IOT ADVANTAGE
The key to high quality Internet of Things applications for test-systems
is the integration of the IoT-development process into the
engineering process
// RAINER MÜLLER
The Internet of Things (IoT) is still an
emerging market and it will continue
to deliver innovation opportunities for
the next decade. Nearly every domain in
our life is affected, such as health care,
home automation, automotive industry and
also aviation.
For a successful Internet of Things (IoT)
project, it is essential to understand that
IoT is not only about collecting or sending
data. In fact, it is all about the use cases
behind, that finally generate a benefit
for the customer. Therefore, the most
important thing is to identify the
problems and needs that can be eased
using IoT mechanisms.
At Test-Fuchs we believe that innovation
and IoT can act as catalysts for completely
new use cases that are not viable in a
conventional way. Decades of domain
knowledge and experience in the
engineering of test benches and test
equipment, enables Test-Fuchs to
identify and deploy such new use cases,
perfectly matching the needs of the
aviation industry.
FUNCTIONALITY
A quick overview of some use cases may
give a better impression of the resulting
benefits for our customers. The entire
functionality described below is accessible
by using your web browser from your
workspace or anywhere else with a device
with internet connection.
Information generated by sensors and
process data can be visualized, similar to a
Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
What is the test-bench’s utilization? Which
test programs are installed on the testbench?
Is the test-bench running right
now? What was the oil temperature 10
days ago at 3pm? How many test runs were
operated successfully within the last
month? What are the test reports for tests
with program X on February 2019? Does
the test-bench’s monitoring system show
any warnings or error messages? When are
the next maintenance and calibration
dates? Which maintenance tasks were
operated on the test-bench and when?
What is the location of my portable Test-
Fuchs product? The answer to all these
questions needs just a few clicks.
USER FRIENDLY
It is also possible to receive a mail
notification when a certain event occurs or
to integrate data sources into customer
systems. Access to this information may
148 SHOWCASE 2020 \\ AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM
1 // IoT can make it
easier for engineers to
manage tests with
automatic notifications
from equipment
1
help to optimize test cycle times and to
improve the overall equipment
effectiveness (OEE). IoT functionality is not
limited to observing information. It is even
possible to interact with IoT capable
devices. Test programs can be managed
and distributed worldwide from a central
point. New test programs can be deployed
and are available immediately. Permissions
to run a specific test program can be
granted or withdrawn from a test-bench.
Test Fuchs support can also help remotely
by connecting to the test-bench once the
customer gives permission.
The visual front-end provided by the
Data Solutions webserver, allows the
customer to log-in and view data or
interact with the IoT device. By using webtechnologies,
there is no need to install an
application. Instead, a standard web
browser is sufficient. A corresponding link
on the Test Fuchs website directs
customers to the graphical user interface
for their Test-Fuchs products. The design of
the user interface is specifically adapted
for each product, providing a maximum of
functionality with a minimum of
complexity. Once the user is logged in,
there are different pages like a “Condition
Monitoring” page or a page to view live and
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