Friday 28 October 2016

Package Drop Test - Application 162

Application Summary
Drop testing packaging is a novel way of testing the viability of various packaging processes to ensure that packaged products arrive at their destination safely. To accomplish this, a system is designed to drop packages from varying heights onto a platform that rests upon load cells placed beneath the platform. The load cells output the force of the impact of the packaging. In addition, by making the platform removable, different platforms can be constructed to test different drops, such as dropping down stairs.

Products in Use
FUTEK’s Pancake Load Cells (LCF Series) coupled with USB530 High Speed, USB Data Acquisition Kit. View Product Details

How it Works
  1. Four LCF series pancake load cells are mount on the four corners of the drop test machine base. The test platform is then bolted over the four load cells.
  2. When a package is dropped, the load cells in each corner measure and send load data to the USB530 data acquisition unit.
  3. The data collected is displayed, logged, and graphed via SENSIT on a PC.
  4. By changing out the test platform, different drop scenarios can be simulated and recorded for study and compliance with testing standards such as ASTM D5276 and ISTA 1a, 2a, and 3a.
If you like further information on any of the Futek's Applications and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  
For outside this area, contact FUTEK directly on +949 465 0900


PC104P-MA4 Multi Channel Interface card for Commercial or Rugged Embedded Applications

Alta's hardware and software package provides increased system performance and reduces integration time. The First Card in the Industry to Offer Advanced Test Functions of Signal Generation and A/D Signal Capture.

Alta Data Technologies’ PC104P-MA interface module is a multi-channel, multi-protocol 1553 and ARINC PC104-Plus interface card supported by the latest software technologies.  The PC104P-MA4 card is based in the industry’s most advanced 32-bit protocol engine, AltaCore, and by a feature rich application programming interface, AltaAPI, which is a multi-layer ANSI C and Windows .NET (MSVS 2005/08/10 C++, C#, VB .NET) architecture. The hardware and software package provides increased performance and reduces integration time.
The AltaCore protocol engine  is guaranteed 1553B Notice II & IV and ARINC compliant and all cards are manufactured to the highest IPC-610 Class standards and ISO 9001:2008 processes.  Cards are available in 1553 dual function (BC/Mon or multi-RT/Mon or full function (BC/mRT/Mon) configurations.  Playback and signal generation are part of the BC or ARINC TX.  This card is the industry’s ONLY card that incorporates signal capture on the first 1553 channel and first 2 ARINC RX channels, and supports signal generation for waveform testing.

Features Include:
·         1 or 2 Dual Redundant 1553/1553B channels
·         8 ARINC Channels: 4 Shared RX/TX & 4 RX
·         Ideal for Advanced Test or Embedded Applications
·         Commercial & Extended Temp/Rugged
·         **Signal Capture on First Channels - STANDARD**

·         One MBYTE, 32-BIT RAM per 1533/ARINC Device
For further information on the Alta Data products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  
Outside this area, please contact Alta Data directly on alta.sales@altadt.com or +1 505 994 3111

Propulsion Pressure Monitoring - Application 502

Application Summary
Pressure monitoring is a critical feature in the design, testing, and operation of Hybrid Rocket Engines. With gaseous or liquid components, rapid pressure spikes in the system can cause catastrophic failure. With monitoring systems in place, complex actions can be taken before failure or activation of pressure relief systems, preserving the system and the mission. Additionally, pressure monitoring can provide feedback on the performance of the system, allowing for system optimisation. Typical pressure sensors on the market are limited to a 1kHz natural frequency, whereas the PFT510 series features natural frequencies between 6 kHz and 100 kHz.

Products in Use
FUTEK’s Miniature Flush Mount Pressure Sensor (PFT Series) coupled with high bandwidth, high-frequency instrumentation (IAA300 and USB530)View Product Details


How it Works
  1. A PFT Series pressure sensor is threaded in and mounted flush with the inner walls of the oxidizer tank.
  2. During operation, tank pressure is measured by the pressure sensor.
  3. Output can also be streamed and logged via the USB530 to a PC running SENSIT or connected to a PLC or DAQ with the IAA300.
If you like further information on any of the Futek PFT510 Miniature Pressure Sensor and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

High-Density Signal Conditioning Modules Offer Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Configuration of I/O Ranges and Alarms

A full line of microBlox™isolated signal conditioning modules are now available from Acromag. 

Offering over 175 models, microBlox uB modules can safely interface a wide variety of voltage, current, temperature, frequency, and other field signals with a ±5V or 0-5V DC output to host measurement & control systems. Users can select modules with fixed ranges or wireless configuration via Bluetooth wireless technology on an Android™ or iOS® mobile device.
For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au 

Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on +1 248-295-0310 or solutions@acromag.com

Digitally Programmable Amplifier

At FUTEK, their engineers are dedicated to being on the forefront of technology. They also understand the importance of developing high quality sensors and instruments that seamlessly fit into their customer’s applications. They're excited to announce their latest product: the IDA100 Digitally Configurable Strain Gauge Amplifier.

The IDA100 is a one of a kind amplifier that provides both analogue and digital output via USB. The Analogue output can be used to send information directly to a PLC while the USB output can be used to simultaneously verify that the system is functioning correctly.

Manual adjustments can cause unnecessary interruptions. The IDA100 eliminates the need for manual adjustment via dip switches and potentiometers. So micro adjustments and calibrations can all be done electronically. 


If you like further information on any of the Futek  IDA 100 Digital Strain Gauge Amplifier and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

For outside this area, contact FUTEK directly on +949 465 0900

Tuesday 18 October 2016

Jim on Engineering, Episode 85, MIL-STD-810 Method 519 Gunfire Shock



Gunfire shock tests are performed to provide a degree of confidence that materiel can structurally and functionally withstand the shock input encountered in operational environments during the firing of guns. 

In Episode 85, Jim Shaw, Crystal Group’s EVP of Engineering explains how tests examine exposure to a gunfire shock environment.


For further information on the Crystal Group Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Crystal directly on +1 877 279 7863

Jim on Engineering, Episode 84, MIL-STD-810 Method 516.6 Shock

Method 516 Shock is one of the more complicated standards in the MIL-STD 810 series. This method is used to evaluate the physical and functional performance of materiel likely to be exposed to mechanically induced shocks in its lifetime. 

In Episode 84, Jim Shaw, Crystal Group’s EVP of Engineering explains how the standard is comprised of 8 different tests that are performed to determine the materiel’s fragility level and the strength of devices that attach materiel to platforms that crash.


For further information on the Crystal Group Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Crystal directly on +1 877 279 7863

Jim on Engineering, Episode 83, MIL-STD-810 Method 515.6 Acoustic Noise

The Method 515 acoustic noise test is designed to test the adequacy of materiel to resist the specified acoustic environment without unacceptable degradation of its functional performance and/or structural integrity. In Episode 83, Jim Shaw, Crystal Group’s EVP of Engineering explains how the test applies to systems, sub-systems and units that must function and survive in a severe acoustic environment.


For further information on the Crystal Group Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Crystal directly on +1 877 279 7863

Jim on Engineering, Episode 82 - System Architects

System architecture is the organisation of a system, its components, and their relationship to each other and the environment. In Episode 82, Jim Shaw, Crystal Group’s EVP of Engineering explains how System Architects understand these concepts and work with customer requirements to create solutions that can lead to a long system life cycle.



For further information on the Crystal Group Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Crystal directly on +1 877 279 7863

New Rugged, Small Form Factor (SFF) Embedded System

High-Performance Processing in a Compact Package Rugged Design with Versatile I/O Options
 Xpand 6052 



X-ES have recently released their newest Small Form Factor (SFF) rugged embedded system the XPand6052. This small system combines the computing power of the Intel® Corei7 processor-based XPedite7450 COM Express® mezzanine module with the high-performance networking and communications capabilities of the XPedite5205 XMC/PMC Embedded Services Router (ESR).


The conduction-cooled XPand6052 combines the XPedite5205 high-performance router and the XPedite7450 Intel® Corei7 quad-core general-purpose processor in a compact, SFF system with plenty of computing power for a diverse array of embedded and commercial applications.

The XPand6052 is the second generation of X-ES' popular XPand6000 Series of SFF chassis. While maintaining the compact design of its first- generation XPand6000 legacy, the XPand6052 improves modularity, thus providing a flexible basis for derivative designs, while reducing assembly complexity. The XPand6052 further enhances the EMI and environmental performance of this diminutive chassis.


To ensure the highest calibre of performance and reliability under duress and adverse conditions, the XP and 6052 COTS system has been comprehensively designed to meet or exceed the demanding military specifications of MIL-STD-810 and DO-160.  The XPand6052 has been tested against the rigorous environmental requirements of MIL-STD-810 for vibration, shock, humidity, contamination by fluids, storage and operating temperature, altitude, temperature variation, and the EMI requirements of MIL-STD-461G.

With its separate XPedite5205 routing and XPedite7450 processing elements, the XPand6052 provides integration versatility for system designers.

The XPand6052 provides an abundance of XPedite7450 processor I/O, including two USB 2.0 ports, two configurable RS-232/422/485 serial ports, Display Port and VGA graphics ports, and two 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet ports. The XPedite5205 router adds four 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet ports, along with two RS-232 serial ports, and also provides up to 64 GB of internal SATA-accessed storage.

As a flight-qualified system, XPand6052 supports a MIL-STD-704A-F 28 VDC power input that is ideal for use on many types of aircraft. In addition to its airborne- optimised feature set, XPand6052 is suitable for many other applications, including harsh ground conditions and in-vehicle use.


XPedite5205 | Embedded Services Router (ESR) with Cisco IOS® on an XMC/PMC Mezzanine Module

The XPedite5205 is an XMC/PMC-based Embedded Services Router (ESR) that runs Cisco IOS® Software with Cisco Mobile Ready Net capabilities, providing highly secure data, voice, and video communications to stationary and mobile network nodes across wired and wireless links.

The router offers high performance, four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, and a rich Cisco IO Software feature set, suitable for the most Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP)-constrained applications. Meeting the demands of mobile and embedded networking applications, the XPedite5205 ESR provides onboard hardware encryption to off-load encryption processing, radio aware routing (RAR) with support for the latest Dynamic Link Exchange Protocol (DLEP), support for IPv6, integrated threat control with integrated Cisco IOfirewalls and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), and Quality of Service (QoS).


XPedite7450 | Intel® Core™ i7 Processor-Based Rugged Basic COM Express® Mezzanine Module

The XPedite7450 is an enhanced, COM Express® Type 6 module based on the 2nd or 3rd generation Intel® Corei7 processor and Intel® QM67 chipset. It is ideal for the high-bandwidth and processing-intensive requirements for commercial, industrial, and military applications, and its small footprint and standards- based form factor make the XPedite7450 perfect for portable and rugged environments. It accommodates up to 16 GB of DDR3-1600 ECC SDRAM in two channels to support memory-intensive applications, and also hosts numerous I/O ports and interfaces, including graphics, PCI Express, SATA, USB 2.0, HD audio, and serial.

If you like further information on any of the X-ES Single Board Computer or Embedded Computing range and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au   For outside this area, please contact X-ES directly on +1 608 833 1155 or sales@xes-inc.com