Tag Archive for: iTestSystem

Engineering on the fringe of big data

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As test engineers, we are driven by data. It motivates everything we do. The faster we can gather, manage and analyze vast amounts of data, the more effective and efficient we become at understanding the stresses that tax modern machinery.

That is why I’m excited to share some of the recent advances Integrated Test & Measurement (ITM) has made as it relates to our large channel synchronized count monitoring systems.

In many ways, we are hitting the extreme fringes in terms of gathering big data, and these developments have all been made possible by our proprietary iTestSystem software.

(Download a free version of our base software.)

Test Engineering Extremes using iTestSystem and NI cDAQ

  • Collecting and managing terabytes of data during month’s long test
  • Synchronizing 25 NI 9188 cDAQ chassis to collect more than a thousand (1000) channels of strain, acceleration, temperature, voltage and current data
  • Gathering data from on-board systems such as CAN, CCP and customized machine PLC protocols in the same data file as analog data
  • Collecting high voltage and contact temperature data using isolated amplifiers at one megahertz (1MHz)

Train_500Driven by the opportunity to engineer tests for both the rail industry and heavy machinery manufacturers, our team has been able to collect, manage and monitor terabytes of synchronized data during month’s long tests.

The process includes designing and installing data acquisition (DAQ) systems to gather more than a thousand channels of strain, acceleration, temperature, voltage and current data — all at once. Where before we had gathered a couple hundred channels of synced data, we’ve now passed the thousand-count mark. (Incidentally, the manufacturer of our cDAQ hardware platform informed us that our high-channel-count tests are more than double any other application of which they are aware.)

Beyond the volume of channels, we’ve also been able to harvest data from high voltage sources at extreme data rates. One of our colleagues even used iTestSystem to collect 16 channels of data from high voltage sources at 500kHz.

In addition, our engineers have been able to run these tests while at the same time gathering data from on-board systems such as CAN, CCP and customized machine PLC protocols — an advance that allows our clients to gain an even more complete picture of the precise environment at work in their machinery.

iTestSystem: TestView Plus

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Watch this video to learn how to plot data in TestView Plus.  TestView Plus is the tdms data graphing and analysis application for iTestSystem.

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iTestSystem: Running MultiDAQ

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Watch this video to learn how to collect data, configure real-time data graphs, and view sensor data in the iTestSystem MultiDAQ application.

MultiDAQ is the configurable iTestSystem data acquisition and logging application.  Users can start and stop data collecting manually or with sensor threshold triggering. All data collected with MultiDAQ is saved in standard tdms file format.

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iTestSystem: MultiDAQ Configuration

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Watch this video to learn how to configure MultiDAQ!

MultiDAQ is the configurable iTestSystem data acquisition and logging application.  Users can start and stop data collecting manually or with sensor threshold triggering. All data collected with MultiDAQ is saved in standard tdms file format.

Download iTestSystem

iTestSystem: Update Service

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Watch this video to learn how to use the iTestSystem Update Service. The Update Service application is used to retrieve program and application updates from the iTestSystem Cloud Server.
For more information about the Update Service or iTestSystem, contact Chase Petzinger via email: chase.petzinger@itestsystem.com or phone: (844) 837-8797 x704

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iTestSystem: Registration

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Check out this video that shows how to register the free version of iTestSystem.  Fill out a form with you name and email address and then receive a registration for the free version of iTestSystem.

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ITM Offers Free Version of iTestSystem Software

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Integrated Test & Measurement has an exciting announcement. As of now, you can download a free version of our proprietary iTestSystem software. Anyone can download it and begin using it at no charge from our website.

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iTestSystem is a software platform that enables test engineers to organize, acquire and view important engineering data using National Instruments (NI) C-Series hardware.  iTestsystem was specifically designed for use with National Instruments (NI) cDAQ hardware.

The new free version offers the following new options:

  • Online Software Registration
  • Modern Software Interface Console
  • More cDAQ module choices
  • Customizable Real Time Data Views (Plots)
  • Updated data viewer (TestView +)

Download your copy now, and be sure to reach out and let us know how we can further assist you with this exciting new tool.

ITM’s Custom Kits Simplify Vibration Testing

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Whether you are diagnosing a mechanical failure in anything from trucks to trains or elevators to excavators, it seems vibration is often the key to tracking down the root cause.

At ITM, we have customized a Vibration Test Kit that is helping our clients isolate vibration levels no matter if they are collecting data for operating deflection shapes (ODS) or measuring overall vibration levels for ISO standards.

Depending on your needs, our rugged and portable Vibration Test Packages will be built with as few as 4 channels or as many as 32 channels and include National Instruments cDAQ chassis combined with NI-9234 accelerometer input cards, power supply, and industrial accelerometers.

In addition, you can use ITM’s iTestSystem software to stream the vibration and rotational speed data from the cDAQ chassis directly to your laptop.

Find out more about our Vibration Test Kit options, and let us know if we can assist your next project.

— ITM President Tim Carlier

Explore ITM’s Rugged Data Acquisition Systems for Rent

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If the right tool doesn’t exist, build it.

For years that has been the approach ITM engineers have taken when it comes to gathering data and building tests for clients. And after decades of performing structural testing in aerospace, off-highway, automotive, industrial and many other environments, we’ve built up an impressive line of custom Rugged Data Acquisition (RAC) Systems that are now available for rent.

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Our RAC systems integrate NI hardware solutions with our proprietary iTestSystem data acquisition software, so you can be sure these units are technically sound.

At ITM we believe that our ability to make tough measurements for clients is often only limited by the availability of the ideal tool for gathering the right data. In other words, necessity really is the mother of invention.

So whether you need to do some long-term, high-speed in-vehicle data logging or you need a portable and rugged system that can withstand harsh environments while gathering high channel counts, our RAC systems will do the job — or we will customize one that will.

Check out our lineup of Rugged Data Acquisition Systems.

— ITM President Tim Carlier

We Make Tough Measurements

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When I think through the ways in which ITM sets itself apart as an engineering firm, there is one simple phrase that always comes to mind: “We make tough measurements.”

What do I mean by that? Quite simply, our engineers are adept at finding creative solutions for gathering data in the field and often despite adverse conditions.

So when a client contacts us looking for solutions to an equipment failure or hoping to validate a new design, our goal is to get to them quickly — generally in a matter of days — and begin instrumenting the equipment in the environment for which it needs to perform.

Plenty of companies can apply strain gauge in a climate-controlled lab or return with a customer’s part for testing in their shop, but we pride ourselves on our field installation. Considering that strain gauges are applied to measure stress at known hot spots during operation, we take every step possible to test in actual operating environments. And when it comes to the instrumentation itself, we thrive when a job requires strain gauges to be applied in challenging locations (either on the equipment or geographically speaking) and in extreme climate conditions.

Rosette strain gauge

Once we begin gathering data, our team will ensure the integrity of the test, whether it spans hours or we need to remain on site for months, and ultimately provide a complete turnkey solution to collect and analyze the data.

Bottom line. We make tough measurements.

— ITM President Tim Carlier