Webinar Video: ITM Shares MultiDAQ Configuration Tips

Our second monthly Webinar at ITM focused specifically on how to configure the MultiDAQ plugin for our iTestSystem software. Two of our engineers — Chase Petzinger, a software developer, and Todd Holtkamp, a field test engineer, hosted the free online demo on Oct. 2, 2014, to walk users through exactly how to configure ITM’s custom product when using National Instruments MAX hardware.

As you can see in the archived video, they also covered how to create a MultiDAQ session, how to create a task, how to enable synchronization, how to select specific hardware and channels to record data and, finally, they gave some tips for setting up file settings. As usual, we finished off the Webinar by allowing those who joined the GOTO Meeting session to pose specific questions.

Stay tuned for news of our next Webinar so you can join us live.

— ITM President Tim Carlier

ITM Uses 3D Printing to Improve Wireless Torque Measurement Designs

3D Collar Drill Press

One of the ways ITM sets itself apart is that our engineers don’t flinch when it comes to finding creative ways to make tough measurements.

For example, as you can see in this video, we have begun using our in-house 3D printer to customize plastic collars — embedded with sensors and transmitters — which allow us to wirelessly measure torque on rotating machinery.

In this example, we’re recording a signal as the drill bit enters the wood, but the same solution allows us to model and print a larger fixture to measure the stresses on an industrial drive shaft or other piece of rotating equipment.

Where once we might have turned to an area machine shop to mill a similar type collar, we can now model an even more precise tool and print it out overnight — saving valuable time and at a fraction of the cost.

3D Printing is just one more example of how ITM uses cutting-edge tools and new technology to solve problems.

— ITM President Tim Carlier

Wireless Strain Based Silo Monitoring

Silo Level Monitoring Video

Keeping up with more than a million pounds of plastic pellets a year would seem a near impossible task.

But at ITM, we’ve developed a wireless strain based monitoring solution to help manufacturers — particularly those in the injection mold business — easily alter existing storage silos to keep a more accurate eye on the levels of dry goods contained in them.

Industry partners report the difficulty of keeping exact measurements of the amount of ever-changing raw materials they have stored in on-site silos. With our solution, however, we’ve removed the guesswork with a system that won’t require manufacturers to go through costly structural modifications.

As we demonstrate in this video, we are able to build a measurement system that will report silo levels by using strain gauge sensors, a wireless signal transmitter and a remote signal receiver. Notice in the lab test, as the valve is opened and the water begins to drain, the signals on the user interface respond accordingly as the values decrease. Though a seemingly simple test, I’m convinced the results hold important real-world implications.

Similarly, we think manufacturers will value being able to monitor multiple silos from a single customized interface and ultimately maintain efficiencies and keep their production lines humming.

— ITM President Tim Carlier