Production Test

The control and measurement capabilities of AIS's SFW package provide an excellent basis for on-line production test systems. AIS develops specific dialogs to cover product definition, test sequence and GO/NO GO criteria. Systems include the ability to link to the main process or manufacturing plant in order to co-ordinate activity and communicate test results.

Testing fridge/freezer cabinets

When General Domestic Appliances upgraded its production facilities at their plant in Peterborough, it decided to introduce a fully automatic test for its new range of fridge freezer cabinets. After working with GDA on a consultancy basis on two separate measurement trials, AIS was chosen as the system vendor. This meant the supply of 28 test stations across three production lines.

The system is based on infrared temperature and power measurements. Cabinets arrive at the AIS test stations automatically via the production line control system. The test system switches the power and then scans the condenser using the infrared thermometers while concurrently measuring power. Each cabinet is tested in accordance with a pre-defined test sequence and the system provides a GO/NO GO indication and a report for each one.

Key facts:

• Complete hardware and software package, with the design derived from the results of pre-project measurement trials
• Dedicated sequence builder provided to GDA to provide a simple and effective means of generating and modifying tests

Testing solenoid actuators

As suppliers to the car industry, BLP has to meet stringent quality standards for its products. One such product is a seat belt actuator that is operated by an electrical solenoid. The mechanical characteristics of every solenoid have to be checked.

AIS provided a system that uses a fast displacement measurement laser (20KHz). The laser is used to measure the position of the arm as the solenoid opens. The system ensures that the 'bounce' that occurs is within acceptable limits. A graph is displayed showing the position of the arm during the milliseconds after the current is switched off.

Additionally, the system logs all of the data which is then made available to an SPC package for further analysis.

Key facts:

• The test system uses a specialist laser and high speed data acquisition
• Export of data for Statistical Process Control (SPC) analysis