What's New at Congress 2002
Crash wall
BIA offers a turnkey measurement system that helps quantify the structural integrity of vehicles in full-frontal, frontal-offset, and side-impact crash test conditions. The system consists of a load cell matrix of 64 independent tri-axial cells that is installed to a frontal barrier face (FMVSS 208) or movable barrier (FMVSS 214). The load cells are capable of impact forces of up to 400 kN (89,900 lb) in the x-axis and 150 kN (33,720 lb) each in the y- and z-axis, with a total accuracy of 0.5% across the measurement range. Test parameters such as load-cell range and auto or manual calibration are easily configured using a Windows-based PC. The data-acquisition system is installed on top or inside of the load-cell structure to minimize complex cabling and associated losses in accuracy. Communication with the control system is made via fiber-optic cable using IEEE or Ethernet communications protocol.
Sound and vibration testing
Brüel & Kjær's PULSE Production Test System is a turnkey QC system for measuring the sound and/or vibration of a product on a test stand. At the heart of the system is the PULSE Multi-Analyzer that performs a variety of analysis techniques simultaneously and in real time, thus keeping cycle time to a minimum. The production test advisor software provides pass or reject ID, stores the data in a database, and provides Pareto charts of the reject statistics. The system is designed to be configurable with a standard Windows interface for a range of applications, thus avoiding the need for custom software.
Isolated analog input
The CR9058E 50-V isolated analog input module from Campbell Scientific further extends the capability of the CR9000 measurement and control system. The module includes 10 differential or 20 single-ended channels (software selectable) with individual A/D converters on each channel for simultaneous sampling at up to 50 kHz. Input voltages can be as large as ±50 V dc, but with a 24-bit A/D converter, even a millivolt output of unconditioned thermocouples can be read within ±0.1°C. The module features easy-connect capability, which allows wiring to a separate connector that plugs into the module and frees the data-acquisition system to be moved to different test stations.
Optical sensor
The Correvit HS-CE optical sensor system from Corrsys-Datron Sensorsystems, Inc. simultaneously measures roll angle, pitch angle, longitudinal speed or vectoral velocity, transverse speed, and drift angle. The sensor is the first measurement device to incorporate the Correvit pupil-splitting technology that allows measurement of movement in three axes with a single optical path. This capability provides increased accuracy, a measurement field diameter of 30 mm (1.2 in), and a local resolution of up to 0.5 mm (0.02 in).
First-aid kits
First-aid and highway-emergency kits are an increasingly popular accessory for vehicles. DC Safety's first-aid kits contain an assortment of quality-tested and inspected medical and safety products housed in a functional and independently tested synthetic pouch that meets FDA Class 1 Medical Device Requirements. Every highway-emergency kit includes an array of practical products that may be required in case of a vehicle emergency. Customers may choose from a combination of triangular warning signs, thermal rescue blankets, tire pressure gauges, and jumper cables, among other items. Each pouch, whether containing first-aid or highway-emergency products, is designed to meet the customer's specific needs and is tested to meet all federal regulations.
Development tool
Dearborn Group's Hercules is a high-performance development tool that supports advanced CAN network analysis and interaction with in-vehicle network systems. Using the 32-bit Windows-based application in conjunction with the company's Gryphon hardware interface, users can monitor, receive, filter, transmit, and edit CAN frames over a variety of communication links. Other features include support of up to six CAN channels, support of Intel/Motorola/GM-Monarch data forms, real-time playback of captured buffer information, and the ability to transmit a frame table using 34 available hot keys.
