The doors of delivery vans are required to work perfectly thousands of times over. In long-term testing carried out by DaimlerChrysler to ensure that the doors on its vans achieve this requirement, supervisory control and data acquisition (scada) software from Festo ensures a seamless supply of data and test results.
Numerous test rigs are used to carry out endurance testing lasting more than a year on hinged and sliding doors, engine hoods, rear doors, fuel flaps and hinged windows fitted to models like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Vito. The test rigs used by DaimlerChrysler engineers are entirely assembled from servo-pneumatic and electrical servo-motor axes supplied by Festo, complete with control cabinets with Festo controllers and an FED-90 human machine interface.
Testing lasts more than a year on hinged and sliding doors, engine hoods, rear doors, fuel flaps and hinged windows fitted to models like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Vito
This FED (front-end display) is used to initialise, start and stop the rigs, and for troubleshooting. At the planning stage, the DaimlerChrysler development engineers relied on Festo to provide expert advice and supply complete systems. All the test rigs are networked via Ethernet to one another and also to the master controller level, using scada software from Festo for the integration.
Test rigs used by DaimlerChrysler engineers for long-term endurance testing on car doors are entirely assembled from servo-pneumatic and electrical servo-motor axes supplied by Festo
This system provides a seamless supply of data and test results. "Previously we had to acquire data ourselves in laborious random sample testing and enter this manually into Excel tables," says Michael Klebsattel, the R&D engineer responsible for the long-term testing of doors. "Now we have access to seamless data series, which will become increasingly more important in an age where product liability responsibilities are constantly growing."
A central user interface allows each test rig to be viewed, with displays of actual values for operating hours, numbers of actuations and error status. Loadcells fitted to the actuators measure the forces required to open and close the door. A simple trend display can be used to gain a rapid visual overview at any time of the values for the preceding hour. Data on load cycles, forces and electrical current can be made available in neatly edited bar diagrams. The measured values are archived at regular intervals, and also whenever threshold values are exceeded, to allow long-term studies. Numbers of load cycles, threshold values and time cycles can be used as archiving parameters.
The scada package is designed to present all data relating to the process in a clear and understandable form, in realtime. This allows managers to monitor the entire process, and react quickly to any unscheduled events. The test rig data is fed via a web-server to the DaimlerChrysler Intranet for easy browsing access. If a test rig ceases to operate, an alarm is transmitted via SMS to the relevant service team.
Overall, Festo plays a significant role in the efficient functioning of this part of the DaimlerChrysler R&D facility, ensuring that the company maintains world-class quality standards across its product range.
For more information contact Joanne Dix, Festo, +27 (0) 11 971 5560, [email protected]
Oil monitoring solution drives performance gains for paper mill SKF South Africa
Other technologies
By integrating real-time monitoring with precise flow control, SKF’s Flowline oil monitor meters have significantly improved the flow rate control and performance of oil circulation lubrication systems installed on a paper mill.
Read more...Ultra-compact industrial PCs exploit advances in CPU technology Beckhoff Automation
Other technologies
Beckhoff’s C60xx scalable series of ultra-compact industrial PCs combines high computing power in an extremely compact format with a wide range of options for installation in the control cabinet.
Read more...OMRON simplifies safety verification for SA manufacturers Omron Electronics
Other technologies
OMRON’s NX Safety platform, Online Safety Functional Test Verification is a feature built into the Sysmac Studio engineering environment. This intuitive tool allows safety verification to be carried out digitally, with step-by-step guidance and full traceability, all from a single workstation.
Read more...Condition monitoring in hazardous areas SKF South Africa
Other technologies
SKF is further strengthening its condition monitoring offer portfolio by a newly developed hazardous area version of its Microlog Analyzer dBX portable vibration analyser.
Read more...Why AI will never truly understand machines
Other technologies
Cutting-edge technology and solutions powered by AI are embraced by specialist condition monitoring company, WearCheck, where the extreme accuracy of data used to assess and diagnose machine health is paramount.
Read more...A technological leap with the proportional valve terminal Festo South Africa
Editor's Choice
Festo continually makes bold technological leaps to keep pace with global advancements. Controlled Pneumatics is redefining the boundaries of compressed air technology to meet the demands of today’s most advanced applications.
Read more...Robotic filling systems for the pharmaceutical industry Horne Technologies
Other technologies
Pharma Integration, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, aims to replace traditional mechanical filling lines with compact, fully automated systems that are 100% robot-driven using machines known as Azzurra. Their integrated Faulhaber drives play a crucial role in the fill-finish process, ensuring the highest precision and safety across multiple production steps.
Read more...World first simulation of error-correctable quantum computers
Other technologies
Quantum computers still face a major hurdle on their pathway to practical use cases, their limited ability to correct the arising computational errors. In a world first, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have unveiled a method for simulating specific types of error-corrected quantum computations.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version