SEDL / STP / STP1208-EB / STP19262S

Measurement, Control, and Data Processing Techniques in the Automation of Mechanical Testing

Mumford, PM
Director of Engineering, United Calibration Corporation, Huntington Beach, CA

Pages: 9    Published: Jan 1993

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Abstract

Automation of mechanical testing began about 20 years ago with the addition of computers to provide automatic data acquisition and reduction for tensile tests. This paper will review developments in automated testing, with attention to some particular areas of interest or concern.

The computer, as a testing system component, offers great utility in automation of the testing process. Not only does the computer handle data acquisition and reduction, but also performs data storage and testing machine control functions.

The interface devices that allow the computer to access force and extension measurements and to control the loading process have improved many fold, and some new measurement devices, such as electronic calipers and optical extensometers, have been introduced.

Much progress has been made in algorithms and mathematical models for analysis of the data collected during the test. Particular attention will be given to modeling the data storage.