m be certain. MTS Model 793.10 MultiPurpose TestWare® and Series 793 Application Software User Information and Software Reference for Model 793.10 MultiPurpose TestWare and the following: - Model 793.11 Profile Editor™ - Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring - Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring - Model 793.71 Time History Playout - Model 793.
Copyright information Trademark information © 2011 MTS Systems Corporation. All rights reserved. MTS, FlexTest, RPC, Temposonics, and TestWare are registered trademarks of MTS Systems Corporation; MPT, Station Builder, Station Manager, and TestStar are trademarks of MTS Systems Corporation within the United States. These trademarks may be protected in other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Technical Support 7 Preface 13 Conventions 14 Chapter 5 About MultiPurpose TestWare 17 Application Overview 18 The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Procedure Editor 21 36 Chapter 6 Performing Common Tasks 43 Chapter 7 MPT Options Editor 61 Chapter 8 Working with MPT Processes 83 Chapter 9 Working with MPT Variables 105 Variable Editor Chapter 10 115 Working with MPT Specimens 125 MPT Specimen File Types 134 MPT Specimen Loading Examples MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® 143 Contents 3
Chapter 11 Creating a Practice Test Procedure 153 Chapter 12 Command Processes 179 Segment Command Process 181 Cyclic Command Process 186 Dwell Command Process 195 Profile Process 198 External Command Process 211 Sweep Command Process 220 Signal Based Command Process Profile with ALC Process 233 Cyclic with ALC Process 241 226 Model 793.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Program Event Process 373 Periodic Time Event Process Failure Detector Process Chapter 15 364 377 382 External Control Process Descriptions 387 Digital Output Process 388 Temperature Control Process Chapter 16 393 Other Process Descriptions 399 Program Control Process Group Process 400 405 MPT Calculation Process 408 Operator Information Process Start Application Process Send Mail Process 410 420 426 Set Controller Value Process Auto Offset Process
How to Play Out Profiles 519 Profile Editor Controls and Displays 521 Appendix 19 Default Templates 553 Appendix 20 Excel File Converter 557 Appendix 21 MPT Shortcuts 561 Index 567 6 MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Technical Support How to Get Technical Support Start with your manuals The manuals supplied by MTS provide most of the information you need to use and maintain your equipment. If your equipment includes software, look for online help and README files that contain additional product information. If you cannot find answers to your technical questions from these sources, you can use the internet, e-mail, telephone, or fax to contact MTS for assistance.
Before You Contact MTS MTS can help you more efficiently if you have the following information available when you contact us for support. Know your site number and system number The site number contains your company number and identifies your equipment type (such as material testing or simulation). The number is typically written on a label on your equipment before the system leaves MTS. If you do not know your MTS site number, contact your sales engineer.
Know relevant computer information Know relevant software information For a computer problem, have the following information available: • Manufacturer’s name and model number • Operating software type and service patch information • Amount of system memory • Amount of free space on the hard drive where the application resides • Current status of hard-drive fragmentation • Connection status to a corporate network For software application problems, have the following information available: • Th
Identify system type Be prepared to troubleshoot Write down relevant information After you call To enable the Call Center agent to connect you with the most qualified technical support specialist available, identify your system as one of the following types: • Electromechanical material test system • Hydromechanical material test system • Vehicle test system • Vehicle component test system • Aero test system Prepare to perform troubleshooting while on the phone: • Call from a telephone close
Access the Problem Submittal Form: MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® • In the back of many MTS manuals (postage paid form to be mailed to MTS) • www.mts.
Technical Support MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Preface Before You Begin Safety first! Other MTS manuals Before you use your MTS product or system, read and understand the Safety manual and any other safety information provided with your system. Improper installation, operation, or maintenance can result in hazardous conditions that can cause severe personal injury or death, or damage to your equipment and specimen. Again, read and understand the safety information provided with your system before you continue.
Conventions Conventions Documentation Conventions The following paragraphs describe some of the conventions that are used in your MTS manuals. Hazard conventions Hazard notices may be embedded in this manual. These notices contain safety information that is specific to the activity to be performed. Hazard notices immediately precede the step or procedure that may lead to an associated hazard. Read all hazard notices carefully and follow all directions and recommendations.
Conventions Illustrations Electronic manual conventions Hypertext links MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Illustrations appear in this manual to clarify text. They are examples only and do not necessarily represent your actual system configuration, test application, or software. This manual is available as an electronic document in the Portable Document File (PDF) format. It can be viewed on any computer that has Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
Conventions 16 Preface MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Chapter 5 About MultiPurpose TestWare Contents About MTS MultiPurpose TestWare (MPT) About MPT Test Procedures About MPT Processes 18 19 Default Test Procedure Locations Test Procedures in Projects 20 21 About the MPT Control Panel 25 MPT Control Panel Toolbar MPT Test Progress Panel MPT Power Panel 26 28 29 31 MPT Channel Counters Panel 32 MPT Sequence Counters Panel About Process Specific Panels MPT Run/Stop/Hold Panel 33 34 35 About the MPT Procedure Editor MPT Procedure Editor Menu Gro
Application Overview Application Overview About MTS MultiPurpose TestWare (MPT) MTS Model 793.10 MultiPurpose TestWare is an advanced test design application available to MTS 793 Controllers. With MultiPurpose TestWare, you can: • Create complex test designs that include command, data acquisition, event detection, and external control instructions. • Generate programs based on profiles created with a text editor application, a spreadsheet application, or the Model 793.11 Profile Editor application.
Application Overview About MPT Processes When you create tests with the MPT application, you use MPT processes like building blocks to define test actions such as sending command signals, performing data acquisition, and responding to test events. A complete MPT test normally consists of a number of MPT processes linked together and saved as an MPT procedure.
Application Overview Test Procedures in Projects A Project is a folder that contains or references files that are used and generated by MTS 793 applications. When you start Station Manager, you select a Project. MultiPurpose TestWare inherits the Project selected for Station Manager. The current Project determines the location of MultiPurposeTestWare test procedures. By default, Projects contain test procedures in the Procedures subfolder.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface About the MPT User Interface When you have an existing station configuration open with the Station Manager application, then select MultiPurpose TestWare from the Applications menu, the display changes and appears as shown. • The MPT control panel provides access to all the functions needed to create, edit, and run procedures for the current station configuration. • The run, stop, and hold controls pertain to procedures.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT control panel The MPT control panel appears in the application area of Station Manager, as shown. MPT Procedure Editor button Station Controls Displays the Procedure Editor and Process Palette, as shown on the next page. You run MPT procedures with the run, stop, and hold controls. MPT toolbar MPT application button When you launch MPT this button appears in the applications control panel.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface Procedure Editor The Procedure Editor contains a table on which you build MPT test procedures by selecting, assigning parameters to, and sequencing individual test processes. Test processes represent individual test activities. The contents of the currently selected nesting level is displayed in the procedure table pane. If a nested group process is selected, the general parameters for the group are shown in the active process parameters pane.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface Process Palette The processes available are displayed on the Process Palette. Individual processes are arranged on the palette by type. You can double-click a process on the Process Palette to copy an instance of it to the procedure table, or you can use the drag-and-drop method. Process Pallete Individual processes are arranged on the palette by type.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface About the MPT Control Panel With the MPT control panel you can: • Access common controls from the toolbar (including the MPT Procedure Editor, the place where you build procedures) • Monitor the test’s status and counter information (channel, sequence, and run time counters) • Create and rename MPT specimens The MPT control panel includes a toolbar that performs actions (like unlocking procedures) and provides access to editors (like the MPT Procedure Editor and th
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Control Panel Toolbar The buttons that comprise the MPT control panel toolbar provide quick access to common commands and windows. MPT Control Panel Toolbar (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Displays the Open Procedure window, saves the current procedure, or displays the Save Procedure As window. You can use the Open Procedure window functions to navigate to, select, and open an existing procedure.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Control Panel Toolbar (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Changes between edit and execute test modes. To change (toggle between) modes, click the edit /execute mode button. Edit mode You must be in edit mode to create or make changes to your procedure. Note You cannot switch to edit mode if the procedure is running or holding. You must be in the execute mode to run your test.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Test Progress Panel The Test Progress panel displays the elapsed run time of the test that is in progress and indicates if the test is currently paused. MPT Test Progress Panel ITEM DESCRIPTION Run Time Displays the elapsed time of the current test (the elapsed run time does not include time spent in hold or stop states). You can turn the Run Time display on-and-off and select a display format using the Control Panel tab of the MPT Options Editor.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Specimen Panel The Specimen panel displays the current MPT specimen selection and the Procedure Name and Procedure State associated with the selected specimen. In addition, you can use this panel to navigate to other MPT specimens displayed in the Specimen list. MPT Specimen Panel (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Specimen Displays the MPT specimen that is linked to the procedure.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Specimen Panel (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Procedure Name Displays the name of the current procedure selection. The procedure name is established when you save the procedure. Procedure State Displays the current state of the procedure, which may be one of the following: • Reset—The test is at the beginning but has not been started. • In Progress—The test has started but is not yet completed. • Done—The test has been completed.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Power Panel The Power panel displays the hydraulic supply pressure required to run the selected test. MPT Power Panel ITEM DESCRIPTION To Run Displays the hydraulic pressure required to run the control channels in the current procedure (hydraulic pressure options are High, High/Low, Off/ Interlocked, or Off). Note Power status applies only to control channels. If a procedure does not contain control channels, the power status has no effect on the procedure.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Channel Counters Panel The Channel Counters panel displays the running total of completed command channel cycles or segments during test execution. MPT Channel Counters Panel ITEM DESCRIPTION Channel Counters Displays a running total of the cycles or segments that have been run during the test for each command channel specified in the procedure. The Channel Counters panel displays all channels that are selected for use during a test.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Sequence Counters Panel The Sequence Counters panel displays process counters for each specified counter using the selected process counter format. MPT Sequence Counters Panel ITEM DESCRIPTION Sequence Counters Displays individual process counters. You can specify the counter type using the General tab of each process parameters window.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface About Process Specific Panels Process specific panels display only when certain processes are selected from the Process Palette and are configured specifically to display at or during run time. Examples of some of these displays are shown below. Profile Counter Panel Note Applies to Time History Output, Time History Input, and Road Surface Output processes only.
The MultiPurpose TestWare Interface MPT Run/Stop/Hold Panel The run/stop/hold panel controls run, stop, and hold test activities for the current application. When you select MultiPurpose TestWare from the Applications menu, it becomes the controlling application and “MPT” appears on this panel. MPT Run/Stop/Hold Panel ITEM DESCRIPTION Starts the procedure. When you click this button, the run indicator blinks while the procedure transitions from the current state to the “run” state.
MPT Procedure Editor MPT Procedure Editor About the MPT Procedure Editor The MPT Procedure Editor is where you create procedures by combining and defining the parameters of individual test processes available on the Process Palette. To display the MPT Procedure Editor, click on the icon in the MPT toolbar. The MPT Procedure Editor includes the menu, toolbar, procedure table, navigation pane, and active process parameter information pane.
MPT Procedure Editor MPT Procedure Editor Menu The following menus are available on the MPT Procedure Editor window: • Group Menu • Display Menu • Tools Menu • MPT Procedure Editor Toolbar Note When viewing the output files generated by the Print Procedure, Print Preview, and Print to File selections, items preceded by an asterisk (*) have been changed since the procedure was last opened or saved.
MPT Procedure Editor Tools Menu Use the Tools menu commands to display various editors used to customize the MPT environment and/or the current procedure. Tools Menu ITEM DESCRIPTION Specimen Editor Displays the MPT Specimen Editor. Unit Set Editor Displays the Unit Set Editor. Options Editor Displays the Options Editor. MPT Procedure Editor Toolbar The buttons that comprise the MPT Procedure Editor toolbar provide quick access to common commands and windows.
MPT Procedure Editor MPT Procedure Editor Toolbar (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Displays the MPT Specimen Log for the current MPT specimen. Changes between edit and execute test modes. To change (toggle between) modes, click the edit /execute mode button. Edit mode You must be in edit mode to create or make changes to your procedure. Note Execute mode You cannot switch to edit mode if the procedure is running or holding. You must be in execute mode to run your test.
MPT Procedure Editor Procedure Table You use this pane to organize and synchronize the processes that make up your test.
MPT Procedure Editor Procedure Table ITEM DESCRIPTION Process indicators Indicate the status of the adjacent process. Indicators have the following meanings: The process is enabled and active. The process has been disabled. The process is enabled, but configured to run zero times. Type Displays the individual process icons that you have selected. You can doubleclick an icon to open the associated process parameters window.
MPT Procedure Editor Process Palette Use the Process Palette to select test processes by using their representative icons. Access From the MPT Procedure Editor window, the access paths are: Display > Process Palette Or: Note Some processes are optional and appear on the Process Palette only when purchased separately. The Process Palette contains the icons of processes that you can add to the procedure table to build a procedure.
Chapter 6 Performing Common Tasks Contents How to Start MultiPurpose TestWare 44 How to Display the MPT Procedure Editor How to Create a New Procedure 44 44 Considerations for Test Design and Execution How to Open a Procedure 47 How to Save a Procedure 47 How to Preview a Procedure How to Print a Procedure 47 How to Run a Procedure 48 About Counters 45 47 49 Types of Counters 49 How to Display Counters and Status Panels About the Clear Counters on Reset Function 51 53 About Working wi
How to Start MultiPurpose TestWare How to Start MultiPurpose TestWare From Station Manager To start the MultiPurpose TestWare application, you must first start the Station Manager application and open a station configuration. Once the configuration file is open, on the Station Manager Applications menu, click MultiPurpose TestWare to display the MPT control panel. You can run existing procedures from the MPT control panel.
Considerations for Test Design and Execution Considerations for Test Design and Execution Undesirable latencies in test procedures One consideration of test procedure design is the potential for undesirable latencies between test activities. There is, of course, a certain amount of latency between test activities due to intra-system communication which cannot be avoided.
Considerations for Test Design and Execution Design elements that may lock up your system You can inadvertently design an MPT procedure that can lock up your system. The cause is generally from: • Requesting too much data acquisition or command generation, or • Setting up a group process to repeat continuously when it does not contain command or data acquisition processes.
How to Open a Procedure How to Open a Procedure 1. From the MPT control panel (or from the MPT Procedure Editor), click the Open Procedure icon. Alternately, from the MPT Procedure Editor, click the File menu, then click Open Procedure to display the Open Procedure window. 2. Double-click the desired procedure, or click the desired procedure once, then click the Open button.
How to Run a Procedure How to Run a Procedure Running a procedure begins with station preparation and physical specimen installation, both tasks that you accomplish with the Station Manager application.
About Counters 2. Start your test. On the Station Controls panel click the run button to start the test. Look at and listen to your test station after you start the test. If everything seems normal, you can let your test run to completion. Note After the completion of a test you have to press the reset button or create a new MPT specimen to run subsequent tests. About Counters When you create a procedure with MPT, you define the parameters of each process in the procedure, including counter parameters.
Types of Counters Run time counter The Run Time counter displays the elapsed time of the current test since the last time it was reset. Channel counters Channel Counters display a cumulative count of segments or cycles that have been applied to a specific channel since the start of the test. Sequence counters Sequence Counters display the progress of individual processes within the test.
How to Display Counters and Status Panels Status counters display Elapsed Time (or Distance) and Total Time (or Total Distance) counters, and a Percent Completed status bar. • Elapsed Time displays the time since the process started. Distance displays the distance traveled since the process started, which is calculated from the Vehicle Speed entry on the process’ Status tab.
How to Display Counters and Status Panels 2. Check the Show Status Panel at Run Time box as desired. By default status panels are not displayed. Note If you enable the Show Status Panel at Run Time box, you have the option of having the status panel display the distance traveled by the vehicle, for which you type a nominal vehicle speed for the distance calculations.
About the Clear Counters on Reset Function About the Clear Counters on Reset Function With the Clear Counters on Reset check box (found on the Specimen tab of the MPT Options Editor), you can choose whether run time, channel counters, and profile counters: • Clear when you reset the test (default setting), or • Continue to increment after reset Note Reset counters manually Use the right-mouse menu for run time counters MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Sequence Counters are always cleared on reset as this
About the Clear Counters on Reset Function Use the right-mouse menu for channel counters On the MPT control panel, position the cursor in the channel counter panel (ensuring the procedure is locked and reset) and click the right mouse button. The Reset menu appears, which includes Reset Counters and Set Counters... selections. With the Reset Counters selection you can manually reset the channel counters to zero. With the Set Counters... window you can manually set counter values.
About Working with Unit Assignment Set Editor About Working with Unit Assignment Set Editor Use the Unit Assignment Set Editor to create and modify unit assignment sets (UAS). Unit assignment sets define the units of measurement that are available for each dimension used in procedures. Access From the MPT Procedure Editor windows the access path is: Tools > Unit Set Editor Note To use a UAS other than the default UAS, use the Unit Selection Tab of the MPT Options Editor.
About Working with Unit Assignment Set Editor Unit Assignment Set Editor (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Comment Displays a comment about the selected UAS. We recommend you describe the characteristics of the unit set you create. Dimension and Units Displays the dimensions and corresponding units used by the system software. When you click a dimension name, the units assigned to the current set are highlighted. To change a setting, click the dimension, and then click the desired units.
About the MPT Specimen Log About the MPT Specimen Log Use the MPT Specimen Log to display a record of test events in the Message Logs window. Access From the MPT Procedure Editor window, the access paths are: Display > Specimen Log Or: MPT control panel > The MPT Specimen Log records selected station and test events as they occur. Note The MPT Specimen Log is displayed on the Message Logs window, which can also display Station Log information (by selecting Station Log in the Log list).
About the MPT Specimen Log Archived log files are named specimen000.log, specimen001.log, specimen002.log, and so forth, up to specimen500.log. Note The maximum number of log files that can be saved for a particular test is 500. Once you reach 500 log files, additional log files overwrite the oldest log files in order (typically archiving restarts at specimen 000.log). When a log file is saved (either manually or automatically), a log entry is made noting the archival.
About the MPT Specimen Log Message Logs Window (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Closes the selected MPT Specimen Log and removes the log from the Log list. Opens the Message Log Print window. With the Message Log Print window you can set certain print parameters (such as Print Range and Print Filters), access the Print Setup window, and initiate printing of the selected message log. Displays the Message Log Print To File window. With the Message Log Print To File window you can save your log as a text (.
About the MPT Specimen Log Message Logs Window (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Scroll to new entry Disables or enables the MPT Specimen Log scrolling function. This function allows the message log to automatically shift (scroll) to display new entries as they occur. Note By default, the Scroll to new entry box is enabled. If you select Scroll to new entry, new log entries appear at the bottom of the log as they occur. The log scrolls down automatically to ensure that the latest entry is displayed.
Chapter 7 MPT Options Editor Contents About the MPT Options Editor 62 MPT Options Editor Execution Tab 62 About Setpoint Use with MPT Test Procedures About Command Hold and Stop Behaviors 66 67 About Data Acquisition Resulting From Command Stop Behavior 68 About Command Stop Behaviors and Automatic Setpoint Adjustments 69 About Transition States 70 MPT Options Editor Specimen Tab 73 MPT Options Editor Recovery Tab 74 About Test Recovery 75 MPT Options Editor Specimen Log Tab 77 MPT Opti
About the MPT Options Editor About the MPT Options Editor Use the MPT Options Editor to set preferences that are saved with the procedure. Saving option preferences For more information When you create a new procedure, it contains default settings for all of the controls in the Options Editor, such as preferences for the data file format, command hold behavior, unit assignment set, and so forth. You can change these default settings by modifying the “default.000” file.
MPT Options Editor Execution Tab Options that are controlled from the Execution tab include: • How the system responds when Hold is selected on the run, stop, hold panel. • Whether or not a test can be resumed if it has been stopped, but it has not completed. • Whether or not the Station Manager Span and Setpoint controls can affect your procedure. • What hydraulic state is required for the control channels in the procedure to run.
MPT Options Editor Execution Tab Execution Tab (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Required Power Specifies the hydraulic pressure setting required by the control channels in a procedure to start and continue running. Note Power status applies only to control channels. If a procedure does not contain control channels, the power status has no effect on the procedure.
MPT Options Editor Execution Tab Execution Tab (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Span Enables or disables the Station Manager application’s Span slider on the Setpoint and Span window and the Master Span slider on the Station Controls panel. Enable—Allows the Span and Master Span sliders to affect the test procedure command. Note The Disable and Reset option does not apply to the External Command process.
About Setpoint Use with MPT Test Procedures About Setpoint Use with MPT Test Procedures General considerations There are many reasons that you may or may not want the operator to have the ability to change the Station Manager application’s setpoint control while the test procedure is running. In general, you typically want to prevent the operator from changing the setpoint when performing tests that include control mode switches.
About Command Hold and Stop Behaviors If you want to run your test procedure on a station that has a dual compensation control mode in which the compensation type is Mean and Amplitude Control, you may disable the setpoint without any adverse effect. For more information about how the setpoint control is affected by dual compensation control modes, see the 793 Control Software manual (PN 100-147130).
About Data Acquisition Resulting From Command About Data Acquisition Resulting From Command Stop Behavior When a test is stopped by an operator, MPT continues to acquire data through all subsequent transition periods. Example Suppose you are running a procedure with a cyclic waveform, and wish to acquire data on all the command cycles. The procedure requires 100 command cycles and 100 data acquisition cycles, where 1 cycle=1 second.
About Command Stop Behaviors and Automatic About Command Stop Behaviors and Automatic Setpoint Adjustments Note When you enable Setpoint, the Return to Zero and Taper to Zero functions operate relative to the Setpoint, not to absolute zero. If you enable Setpoint and Span and set Command Stop Behavior to Stay at Level, you may find that Setpoint increases unexpectedly if you stop, unlock, reset, and restart the test. This also applies if remove and then turn hydraulics on.
About Transition States About Transition States Of the seven test states in MPT, there are four Entering and Exiting states: Entering Stopped, Exiting Stopped, Entering Hold, and Exiting Hold. These states could be described as “transition states”; that is, when MPT is leaving one state and entering another, such as changing from a Running state to a Holding state. Sometimes these transitions are instantaneous, but they still exist.
About Transition States The amount of time the test remains in a state also results from the time you have specified on the Station Manager Command Options tab: • If you select a Ramp option for Command Hold Behavior or Command Stop Behavior in MPT, the Ramp Times you specify in Station Manager Command Options are used. When you click Hold or Stop while a test is running, the test assumes a transition state during the ramp.
About Transition States Click Run Program States Click Run Click Hold Click Run Click Stop Click Run User Actions For more information 72 MPT Options Editor See “About Command Hold and Stop Behaviors” on page 67 for more information.
MPT Options Editor Specimen Tab MPT Options Editor Specimen Tab Use the Specimen tab to determine the storage mode and format of the data that is written to MPT specimens when you run procedures.
MPT Options Editor Recovery Tab Specimen Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Specimen Log Append—Causes new messages to be added to the end of the MPT Specimen Log file. Overwrite—Clears the MPT Specimen Log when you start a new test (that is, when you click Run after the test has been reset), which causes new messages to write over existing messages in the MPT Specimen Log file.
About Test Recovery The snapshots of the test state and status can be used to restart a test that was interrupted by an event (for example, a power failure or interlock). Recovery Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Recovery Settings Enable saving recovery status—Enables the recovery feature and specifies how the progression of the test state and status is saved. Note MTS recommends you leave this feature enabled unless you have strong reasons to disable it.
About Test Recovery What is not saved When you recover a test, the test status is restored to the point where the last snapshot was taken. • If the test is stopped by an uncontrolled event (such as power failure or application failure), any data not saved to disk at the point of the shutdown is lost. • If data was being transferred from the data buffer to the computer, data that had not been transferred is lost. DIO settings are not restored during the MPT recovery process.
MPT Options Editor Specimen Log Tab MPT Options Editor Specimen Log Tab Use the Specimen Log tab on the MPT Options Editor to filter the messages written to the MPT Specimen Log. You can also specify what items are displayed in the Message Logs window.
MPT Options Editor Specimen Log Tab Specimen Log Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION • Fatal Error—Writes only Fatal Error messages; does not write Diagnostic, Information, Warning, and Error messages. Source—Selects the information source from which the log is built. Archive Auto Deletion • This Application Only—Records messages from the MPT application only. • All Applications—Records messages from other sources, such as the Station Manager application.
MPT Options Editor Control Panel Tab MPT Options Editor Control Panel Tab Use the Control Panel tab to specify what information is displayed on the MPT control panel.
MPT Options Editor Properties Tab Control Panel Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Station Status Enables and disables the Power panel on the MPT control panel. If Power is disabled, the Power panel does not appear on the MPT control panel. Enables and disables the Channel Counters and Sequence Counters. In addition, it controls the counter display format.
MPT Options Editor Unit Selection Tab You can type a process summary, identify the procedure, describe the test, or write instructions to the test operator. This information appears in the Print Preview window. Properties Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION File Name Displays the name and path of the current procedure selection. Description Type a description or other information about the procedure here. Author Type the author’s name here.
MPT Options Editor Unit Selection Tab Unit Selection Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Use Station Unit Assignment Set Note By default, this control is enabled in the default template. To disable this control for new procedures, you must disable it in the default template. When enabled for existing procedures: Causes the procedure to acquire the current default UAS selection.
Chapter 8 Working with MPT Processes Contents About MPT Processes Process Palette 84 84 How to Add Processes to the Procedure Table 85 How to Select Processes in Procedure Tables 86 How to Delete Processes from the Procedure Window About Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Processes 86 87 How to Cut/Copy, and Paste a Process or Group of Processes 87 How to Quick Copy and Paste Selected Processes in the Same Window 87 About Sequencing Processes About “Buffer Full” Signals About “Trigger” Signals 87
About MPT Processes About MPT Processes When you create tests with the MPT application, you use MPT processes like building blocks to define test actions such as sending command signals, performing data acquisition, and responding to test events. A complete MPT test normally consists of a number of MPT processes linked together and saved as an MPT procedure. Process Palette Your MPT process icons are displayed on the Process Palette.
How to Add Processes to the Procedure Table How to Add Processes to the Procedure Table The first and most basic step you must perform to create a test procedure is to add processes to your procedure table. There are three ways to add a process to the procedure table: 1. Click the desired process icon on the Process Palette, and then click Add Process on the Edit menu of the MPT Procedure Editor. By default, the process icon is inserted below any existing process icons in the table.
How to Select Processes in Procedure Tables How to Select Processes in Procedure Tables You may want to select process icons in your procedure table to copy or delete them. You can select process icons the same way you would select files in Windows operating system software. Select a single process icon Left-click a process on a procedure table to select it. Select multiple process icons individually Hold down the Ctrl key, and then left-click each icon you want to select.
About Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Processes About Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Processes You can cut, copy, and paste processes on the same procedure table, or from one procedure table to another. Note When you copy a process icon, or a group of process icons, the parameters of the original processes are retained, but the sequencing information may not be. You may have to reassign Start and Interrupt signals. How to Cut/Copy, and Paste a Process or Group of Processes 1.
About Sequencing Processes In your procedure or group table: Procedure start and interrupt signals • Use the trigger signals available in the Start control to determine when each process starts. • Use the trigger signals available in the Interrupt control if you want to specify a test event that interrupts the process. • Use the trigger signals available in the Procedure (or Group) is done when control to determine when the procedure ends.
About “Buffer Full” Signals Conversely, you can use the , or a single done, buffer full, or trigger signal to start, interrupt, or end several other processes. This is referred to as a “fan-out” process. Note How to end a procedure There is a slight time delay between processes that start with a common trigger signal (for example, two processes using the trigger signal). The process positioned the highest on the Procedure or Group table starts first.
About “Trigger” Signals When buffer full signals are sent If you do not specify the number of samples to acquire for the acquisition process, the process continuously samples and generates a buffer full signal every time the buffer fills, until the process ends. If you specify the number of samples to acquire, the process sends a buffer full signal every time the buffer fills until the requested number of samples are acquired.
About “Trigger” Signals Trigger signal example The following sample procedure makes use of a trigger signal. In this example: • The Peak/Valley Change Detector process (labeled Detect P/V) is set to trigger continuously. (It generates a trigger signal whenever it detects a peak or a valley outside the specified tolerance band.) • The Detect P/V.Trigger is used to start the peak/valley acquisition process (labeled Kathy’s DAQ), which acquires a specified amount of peak/valley data and then stops.
About “Trigger” Signals Procedure diagram The diagram below illustrates the connections between the processes used in the trigger signal example. The diagram illustrates how the trigger signal is used. Start Detect P/V Detect P/V.Trigger Start .Start Detect P/V.Done .Interrupt Kathy’s Fatigue.Done Kathy’s DAQ.Done .Start Kathy’s Fatigue.Done .Interrupt Interrupt Interrupt Kathy’s Fatigue.Done Kathy’s Fatigue.Done Detect P/V.Done Kathy’s DAQ.
Process Sequence Example Process Sequence Example Assume when you start your test you want the program to ramp up, cycle for some time, ramp down, and then end. You would sequence your processes to run in the following order: • The “Ramp Up” Segment process should start when the procedure starts. • The “Cycle” Cyclic process should start when the “Ramp Up” process is done. • The “Ramp Down” Segment process should start when the “Cycle” Cyclic process is done.
About Editing Trigger Signals About Editing Trigger Signals Procedure and group tables that are populated with processes contain three areas where you can edit trigger signals: • The Start box • The Interrupt box • The Procedure (or Group) is done when box. MPT selects default trigger signals for the Start box. The Interrupt and Procedure (or Group) is done when boxes are blank by default. Display a trigger list Even if it is blank, each box contains a hidden trigger signal list.
How to Set/Edit the Interrupt Signal How to Set/Edit the Interrupt Signal 1. To specify the interrupt signal(s), double-click the Interrupt list box to display the signal list. 2. In the signal list, hold the Ctrl key and click each signal you want to interrupt the procedure. (If you select multiple signals, the procedure interrupts when any of the selected signals are received.) 3. Press Enter. If you want to clear your interrupt signal selections: 1.
Example of Sequencing a Single Process Example of Sequencing a Single Process The procedure shown contains one Segment Command process named “Cheryl’s Ramp.” The diagram that follows illustrates the signals available to start and interrupt Cheryl’s Ramp. Window with Segment process named “Cheryl’s Ramp” Interrupt list Start list Signals received by and sent from “Cheryl’s Ramp” To start Cheryl’s Ramp, you select a signal in the Start list.
Example of Sequencing Multiple Processes Example of Sequencing Multiple Processes The window below contains three processes. The diagram that follows illustrates the signals selected and available for each process. Window with Three Processes Signals received by and sent from processes Kathy’s DAQ Start Kathy’s Ramp.Done .Start .Interrupt Kathy’s Ramp Start Kathy’s Fatigue.Done Interrupt .Start Kathy’s Fatigue.Done .Interrupt Kathy’s Ramp.
About Sequencing Group Processes About Sequencing Group Processes A Group process is basically a sub-procedure that runs within your main MPT procedure (or within another Group process). You sequence a group process to run the same way you sequence other processes in your procedure table. The navigation pane displays nested group processes in a tree view. Set the Group process’ Start and Interrupt signals in the procedure table.
How to Open the Group Table How to Open the Group Table Method 1 Click the Group process icon in your procedure table, then click on the MPT toolbar. Method 2 Right-click on the Group process icon and select Open Table from the menu. To return to the previous procedure (or group) table, click . Group Process Naming Conventions You can add a Group process to the main procedure table or to another Group processes (making a group within a group).
About Group Process Interrupts We named the second Group process “Group2.” About Group Process Interrupts Normal interrupt Group processes have an interrupt terminal. By default, all of the processes inside a Group process are interrupted when the Group process is interrupted, and the Group process generates a done signal immediately. You can change this behavior by creating a user-defined interrupt.
About Group Process Interrupts If neither the Cyclic or Segment processes have an interrupt selected, the following things occur when the Group is interrupted: • The Cyclic process ends immediately. • The Segment process ends immediately. • The Group process ends immediately. Trigger Normal Interrupt to a Group Process Group Process Segment Cyclic Start Done When the Group process is interrupted, the the Group ends immediately.
About Group Process Interrupts In this case, when the Group is interrupted, the following things happen: • The Cyclic process ends immediately. • The Segment process runs normally. • When the Segment process is done, the Group process ends. Trigger User-Defined Interrupt to a Group Process Group Process Segment Cyclic Done Start When the Group process is interrupted, the Cyclic process ends immediately, but the Segment process runs normally.
How to Disable Processes How to Disable Processes You can disable a process in the following ways: 1. On the General tab in the process Parameters window, clear Process Enabled. This prevents the process from starting and generating any signals used to start or interrupt another process. If you disable a command process this way, all subsequent command processes are disabled. When you do this, the process appear swith a red “X” in the left margin of the Procedure (or Group) table. 2.
How to Disable Processes 104 Working with MPT Processes MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Chapter 9 Working with MPT Variables Contents About MPT Variables 106 About Variable Operation 107 About Creating Variables with Multiple Associated Parameters About Variables and the Operator Information Process About Calculated Variables 109 112 Test Design Considerations for Adding Calculations to Variables About Control-Mode Variables About the Variable Editor 108 113 114 115 About Calculations and the Variables Editor About Creating and Editing Variables 118 119 How to Create, Edit, As
About MPT Variables About MPT Variables The MPT Variables feature is a keyed option that equips the MultiPurpose TestWare software with the following: Benefits of using the variables feature • A Variables Editor on the MPT Procedure Editor toolbar • A Variable View selection in the Diaplay menu of the MPT Procedure Editor menu • An MPT Calculation process in the MPT Process Palette • An enhanced Operator Information process in the MPT Process Palette With MPT variables, you can select individual
About Variable Operation About Variable Operation “Fixed” parameters Normally, when a procedure is running, you must stop the test and unlock the test procedure before you can change any of the values in its processes. In this sense, the parameter value is “fixed.” For example, suppose you add a Cyclic Command process to a test procedure and select a Segment Shape of Sine with a frequency of 10Hz.
About Creating Variables with Multiple Associated About Creating Variables with Multiple Associated Parameters The value of the variables feature is best illustrated when you control multiple associated parameters with a single variable. An example of using the Variable Editor For example, suppose you create a test procedure that includes several command processes that all use the same frequency.
About Variables and the Operator Information About Variables and the Operator Information Process By adding an Operator Information process to a test procedure, you can change selected variable values while the test is running. When the test procedure is running and the Operator Information process is triggered, it displays a run-time window. This window may require the operator to verify or change the information specified by the test designer and click OK to continue the test.
About Variables and the Operator Information When you run the test, a run-time window that allows the operator to enter a frequency will appear each time the Operator Information process is triggered. This allows the operator to change the variable value without stopping or unlocking the test procedure. In this example, the Operator Information process labeled “Frequency Query” allows the operator to assign a unique frequency to the other command processes without stopping the test.
About Variables and the Operator Information You use the Variable Editor to associate parameters to variables. In this example, the frequency parameter is associated to a variable whose initial value is set to 10Hz. You set the variable value to be editable in the Variable tab of the Operator Information process window (not shown).
About Calculated Variables About Calculated Variables You can modify the value of any numeric variable with a calculation. For example, suppose you have a two channel system in which: • Channel 1 load is associated with the variable “VarLoad 1,” which you have intialized to a value of 10kN. • Channel 2 is associated the calculated variable “VarLoad 2,” which you have defined as “VarLoad 2 = VarLoad 1 x 2”. This defines Channel 2 load as two times the value of Channel 1 load.
Test Design Considerations for Adding Calculations Test Design Considerations for Adding Calculations to Variables The method you use to add a given calculation to a variable has test design implications.
About Control-Mode Variables About Control-Mode Variables A control-mode variable is an enumeration variable that can be used to change the control-mode parameter in multiple processes. After a control-mode variable is assigned to a process’s control-mode parameter, any change to that variable changes that process’s control mode. This variable selection is manually set using the list in the Variable View window or the Variables Editor when the test is not running.
About the Variable Editor Variable Editor About the Variable Editor You use the Variable Editor to create, modify, delete, and organize variables. Variable categories. Organizes variables according to your preference. You can rename categories as desired. Variable parameter assignment. Displays the parameters with which the variable is associated. Variable type. You select the variable type when you create the variable.The variable type pertains to the associated data. Variable name.
About the Variable Editor Variable types Make tool Default variable naming conventions The variable type determines the type of data associated with the variable. You must select the appropriate data type when you create a variable, as follows: TYPE DESCRIPTION Real Variables associated with real numbers. Examples: frequency, end level, segment count. Integer Variables associated with integers. Example: number of times a process runs. Enumeration Variables associated with lists.
About the Variable Editor Example of variables in the Variable Editor In this example, “category 1” is renamed “Command”, and include four variables; two Enumeration (list) type variables, and two Real (number) type variables. By default, variables are named “variable 1”, “variable 2,” and so forth. The default Enumeration variable names have been renamed “Segment Shape” (for the selection of segment shape) and “Adaptive Compensators” (for the selection of adaptive compensators).
About Calculations and the Variables Editor About Calculations and the Variables Editor “Calculated” checkbox and the Expression Editor You can use the Variable Editor to make a calculated variable by selecting the “Calculated” checkbox. When you do this, the initial value or currently applied calculation appears in the calculation pane. To build or modify an expression, click on the Build Expression icon to display the Expression Editor window.
About Creating and Editing Variables About Creating and Editing Variables To create and edit variables, you must use the Variable Editor. You can access the Variable Editor directly from the MPT toolbar, or from a menu you can access by right-clicking on process parameter fields. When you right-click a parameter field... ...a menu appears that allows you to create, assign, unassign, and edit variables.
How to Create, Edit, Assign, and Unassign How to Create, Edit, Assign, and Unassign Variables with the Right-Click Method How to create variables 4. Open the desired process window. Note If the Variable menu does not appear when you right-click a parameter box, variables are not available for that parameter. 5. Right-click the desired parameter box to display the Variable menu. 6. Select Make variable in, then select the desired category.
How to Create a Variable with the Make Tool How to Create a Variable with the Make Tool 1. Open the desired process window and the Variable Editor window. Position the windows so you can see both. 2. Click the Make Tool on the Variable Editor window. 3. Drag the Make Tool to the desired parameter in the process window. If the parameter is valid, the Make Tool pointer displays a square within the pointer. If the selection is not valid, the Make Tool pointer displays a circle with a slash.
How to Add a Calculation to a Variable with the How to Add a Calculation to a Variable with the Variable Editor 1. From the MPT Tools menu, click Variable Editor. 2. In the tree view, expand the category icons as required and click (highlight) the desired variable. Note Calculations can be applied only to Real and Integer type variables. 3. Select the Calculations checkbox. 4. Click the calculations icon to display the Expression Editor.
How to Add a Calculation to a Variable with the How to Add a Calculation to a Variable with the Calculation Process 1. If necessary, click the MPT Procedure Editor icon to display the Procedure Editor. Note The Calculation process is available only if your system is equipped with the optional MPT Variables feature. 2. Drag a Calculation process from the Process Palette to the Procedure Editor table. 3. Click the Calculation process on the Procedure Editor table to display Calculation Process parameters.
How to Add a Calculation to a Variable with the 124 Working with MPT Variables MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Chapter 10 Working with MPT Specimens Contents About MPT Specimens 127 About Assigning MPT Specimens 127 About Creating and Linking MPT Specimens 127 How to Create and Link a New MPT Specimen with the Control Panel 128 How to Create and Link a New MPT Specimen with the Specimen Editor 129 How to Link an Existing MPT Specimen to a Different Procedure About Runing Multiple Tests Against the Same MPT Specimen MPT Specimen Editor About MPT Files 129 130 131 134 About Specimen.
Procedure Has Been Modified and Run Against the MPT Specimen Without Being Saved 149 Procedure Has Been Modified, Run Against the MPT Specimen, and Saved 151 126 Working with MPT Specimens MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
About MPT Specimens About MPT Specimens An MPT specimen contains a number of files associated with the execution of a specific procedure. The default location for your MPT specimen files is: • C:\MTS 793\Projects\Project Name\MPT\Specimens During the test, the MPT application writes test-generated data files to the selected MPT specimen. These files include log files, data acquisition files, test recovery files, and so forth.
How to Create and Link a New MPT Specimen with MPT specimens are automatically linked to the current procedure when you click Run. Using the Specimen Editor The MPT Specimen Editor is designed for preparing a batch of MPT specimens and linking them with one or more procedures for future testing. The MPT Specimen Editor is especially useful for test administrators who want to predefine a number of MPT specimens for a test operator so he or she can run a succession of tests.
How to Create and Link a New MPT Specimen with How to Create and Link a New MPT Specimen with the Specimen Editor To create an MPT specimen with the MPT Specimen Editor: 1. Click New on the MPT Specimen Editor. An MPT specimen is added to the MPT specimen list. 2. In the box above the MPT specimen list, rename the new MPT specimen as desired and press the Enter key on the keyboard. To link the MPT specimen to a procedure file: 1. Click Procedure Path/File Name. 2.
About Runing Multiple Tests Against the Same MPT 5. In the Load Specimen window, click Procedure assigned to the Specimen. For more information For more information on loading procedures, see “About Loading MPT Specimens” on page 140. About Runing Multiple Tests Against the Same MPT Specimen You may want to run a procedure against an MPT specimen more than once, or you may want to run different tests against the same MPT specimen.
MPT Specimen Editor MPT Specimen Editor Use the MPT Specimen Editor to create, edit, and delete MPT specimens. Access From the MPT control panel and the MPT Procedure Editor, the access path is: Or: Tools > Specimen Editor MPT specimens store a number of files associated with running a procedure. Before you can run your procedure, you must specify a new or existing MPT specimen for the test.
MPT Specimen Editor MPT Specimen Editor (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Procedure Path/ File Name Displays the procedure associated with the selected MPT specimen. To choose a new procedure: • Type the path to the desired procedure followed by the procedure name, or • Click the Procedure Path/File Name button and use the Select Procedure File window to link a different procedure to your current MPT specimen.
MPT Specimen Editor MPT Specimen Editor (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Specimen Directory Path Specifies the directory where your MPT specimens are saved for the current MPT session. To choose a new directory, click the Specimen Directory Path button and use the MPT Specimen Directory Path window to select a new directory. Changes made to the MPT Specimen Directory Path window apply only to the current MPT session. The directory path reverts to the default directory path when MPT is reloaded.
MPT Specimen File Types MPT Specimen File Types About MPT Files The number of files (and the content of each file) in an MPT specimen depends on several things, including: • The number of times a test was run against the MPT specimen • The runtime state of the procedure when the test was closed • Whether or not you have specified user-defined data files • The processes in the procedure In most cases, after you run a test, a typical MPT specimen contains the following files: For more information •
About Specimen.dat Files See “About Specimen.mps Files” on page 139. See “About Specimen.prm Files” on page 139. About Specimen.dat Files The Specimen.dat file contains data acquired by the data acquisition processes in your procedure. Each time you run a procedure against an MPT specimen (that is, each time you press run after pressing reset), newly acquired data overwrites or is appended to the current data in the Specimen.dat file.
About Specimen.dat Files How to format the data in the MPT specimen data file You can configure the MPT application to format the data written to the Specimen.dat file in one of three ways: • Plain—test data is space-delimited. This option provides the most useful output when viewing the test data in an application such as Notepad or Microsoft Word. • Lotus—test data is comma-delimited, with text strings enclosed in quotation marks (this is sometimes referred to as the CSV format).
How to Create User-Specified.dat Files For more information For more information, see “How to Create User-Specified.dat Files” on page 137. For more information, see “MPT Specimen Panel” on page 29. For more information, see Appendix 20, “Excel File Converter”. How to Create User-Specified.dat Files You can isolate the data acquired by any specific data acquisition process (or a set of processes) by configuring the process to write to the data file that you specify rather than the default Specimen.
About Specimen.log Files About Specimen.log Files The Specimen.log file contains the contents of the MPT Specimen Log. This file is generated during the test, and it includes logged file events, station state changes (Run/Hold/Stop), program state changes (Starting, Running, and so on) and MPT counter values. By default, this file is cumulative; that is, new information is added when you perform new tests against the same MPT specimen. Changing the data acquired in the specimen.
About Specimen.mps Files About Specimen.mps Files The Specimen.mps file is a recovery file used to restore an interrupted test at (or close to) the point it was at when it was interrupted. This way, if your test is interrupted before it completes (due to a power outage, interlock, or accidental stop) you can resume the test from where it was interrupted rather than restarting from the beginning of the test. The MPT application updates this file according to the settings on the MPT Options Editor.
About Loading MPT Specimens About Loading MPT Specimens If you select an MPT specimen that MPT has associated with a procedure with more than one version (where the snapshot in the MPT specimen is different than the version saved by the user), MPT displays the Load Specimen window. Note If you load an MPT specimen that has not been run and you have not linked a procedure to it (via the MPT Specimen Editor), then the MPT Load Specimen window will not appear.
About the Load Procedure Selections To see how these selections are used in specific situations, see “MPT Specimen Loading Examples” on page 143. For more information, see “About the Load Procedure Selections” on page 141. About the Load Procedure Selections The following sections describe the options available in the Load Specimen window: Currently loaded procedure This option uses the procedure currently open in the MPT Procedure Editor.
About the Restore Procedure State Selections See “About the Restore Procedure State Selections” on page 142. About the Restore Procedure State Selections If test recovery is enabled, the MPT application records the state and run-time status of the test as specified on the Recovery tab of the MPT Options Editor. This data is recorded in the mps recovery file in the MPT specimen.
MPT Specimen Loading Examples MPT Specimen Loading Examples The following examples are provided to help you choose the right procedure when you load an existing MPT specimen on the MPT control panel.
Procedure Has Not Been Run Against the MPT Procedure Has Not Been Run Against the MPT Specimen Suppose you use the MPT Specimen Editor to create a new MPT specimen named Sample 1 and link it to procedure “def.000.” Then you open procedure “abc.000” from the File menu and select MPT specimen Sample 1 on the MPT control panel.
Procedure Has Been Run Against the MPT Procedure Has Been Run Against the MPT Specimen Suppose you load procedure “def.000” into memory, and run it unmodified on MPT specimen Specimen 1. Then you load procedure “abc.000” from the File menu, and select MPT specimen Specimen 1 from the MPT control panel. When you do this, a dialog appears with the following selections: MPT Load Specimen dialog for specimen Sample 1 DIALOG ITEM DEFAULT Which procedure do you wish to select? Currently loaded procedure: (abc.
Procedure Has Been Run Against the MPT Example Suppose that in this scenario the test was interrupted while it was being run. In this case the Saved state selection would display In progress instead of Done. The State state: In progress status shows the procedure was run against the MPT specimen, but was stopped before the test was complete. When a procedure is stopped in progress, MPT saves the state of the procedure when it was stopped in the mps file.
Procedure Has Been Run Against the MPT The MPT specimen now contains information (test data, log entries, and so on) from two different procedures (“def.000” and “abc.000”). Choosing this selection prevents you from recovering status information stored in the specimen about the execution of “def.000.” Procedure assigned to the MPT specimen If you choose this and then run the test, MPT unlinks the MPT specimen from the procedure that it was last run against, “def.000,” and link it to procedure “ghi.000.
Procedure Has Been Run Against the MPT Procedure Has Been Run Against the MPT Specimen, Modified, and Saved Suppose you load procedure “def.000” into memory, and run it unmodified on MPT specimen Sample 1. Next, you modify this procedure and save your changes. Then you load procedure “abc.000” from the File menu, and select Sample 1 in the MPT control panel.
Procedure Has Been Modified and Run Against the Restore procedure state to Since the MPT specimen was last run against the modified version of “def.000,” you can choose the state to which it restores. In this case the saved state is Done, so selecting the saved state restores the procedure to its done state, and includes information such as counter values as they were when the test was complete. Selecting Reset restores the procedure to its starting point, with counters set to zero.
Procedure Has Been Modified and Run Against the Currently loaded procedure MPT unlinks the MPT specimen from procedure “def.000” and link it to procedure “abc.000.” If you do this and run the test, the MPT specimen contains information (test data, log entries, and so on) from different procedures (“abc.000” and “def.000”). Also, choosing this selection prevents you from recovering status information stored in the specimen about the execution of “def.000”.
Procedure Has Been Modified, Run Against the MPT Procedure Has Been Modified, Run Against the MPT Specimen, and Saved Suppose you load procedure “def.000” into memory, modify it without saving your changes, then run it against MPT specimen Sample 1. Then, after you have run, you save the modified procedure. Next, you load procedure “abc.000” from the File menu, and select Sample 1 in the MPT control panel.
Procedure Has Been Modified, Run Against the This version of procedure “def.000” includes the modifications present when it was last run against the MPT specimen. A copy of the modified procedure was automatically saved to the mpp file when the test was last run. The “modified” flag means MPT noted a difference between the version of the procedure saved by the operator and the version MPT saved to the mpp file when the test was run.
Chapter 11 Creating a Practice Test Procedure This section describes how to create a practice test procedure. Performing this exercise familiarizes you with the MultiPurpose TestWare application environment. By the time you are finished you should have a good sense of how the various elements of a test procedure fit together.
Plan Your Test Plan Your Test To plan your test, you should: • Identify test objectives and significant test information. • Review the test environment. The following sample test objectives are used throughout this section to show how they affect the selection, triggering, and definition of individual processes in the sample test. 1. Identify the test objectives. For this sample test, we want to: A. Ramp to 3000 N in force control. B.
Plan Your Test C. Monitor the physical specimen’s internal breakwire for continuity, and stop the test if it severs, or if the detected error level indicates imminent failure of the specimen. The sample test design as it may be sketched out. 2. Review the test environment. The test environment includes the physical specimen, test frame, and sensors. Their dimensions and capacities are important considerations in the test setup. The test environment for the sample test is as shown.
Determine Which Processes Are Needed Determine Which Processes Are Needed A process is a “mini-program” that performs a specific test activity. You use processes like building blocks to construct a procedure. To complete this task, you must determine which processes on the Process Palette are needed to accomplish the test objectives. 1. Determine which processes are needed to ramp and fatigue the physical specimen.
Determine Which Processes Are Needed How these processes work The following illustrates Steps 1 - 3. The Cyclic Command process cycles the physical specimen to fatigue it. The first Segment Command process applies a mean force to the physical specimen. The second Segment Command process returns the applied force to zero. Time The Peak/Valley Data Acquisition process acquires peak/valley data while the physical specimen is being fatigued.
Determine Which Processes Are Needed Example of a group process at work The following illustrates Step 4. The Group process holds the individual processes used to control the cooling fan. 1 2 3 Off On 75° 4 50° 1. The first Data Limit process detects when the physical specimen’s temperature reaches 75°C. Put it all together 158 2. The first Digital Output 3. The second Data 4.
Determine Which Processes Are Needed Note The process diagram below shows the procedure as a function of time (from left to right), because it is easy to visualize that way. On the MPT Procedure Editor you assign the order in which processes run by assigning start and interrupt triggers to each process. Because of this, the order of the processes on the MPT Procedure Editor, which are arranged in a single column, may not determine the order in which they run.
Determine Which Processes Are Needed An alternate method— building and testing functional layers An alternative method for building test procedures involves separating the test procedure into functional layers and adding, sequencing, and setting the parameters for all of the processes within each layer before building the next layer. As an exercise, you could build the sample procedure this way.
Add Processes to the Procedure Table Otherwise, you can still benefit by reading about how to create the practice test procedure without performing the activities on your workstation. Add Processes to the Procedure Table To complete this task, perform the following: • Select MultiPurpose TestWare and display the MPT Procedure Editor. • Add processes to the procedure table. • Add processes to the group table. 1. Access MultiPurpose TestWare. A.
Add Processes to the Procedure Table 3. Add the remaining processes to the procedure table. This step adds the remaining processes to the procedure table. A. Add a Cyclic Command process to the procedure table and name it Fatigue Part. B. Add a Segment Command process to the procedure table and name it Return to Zero. C. Add a Peak/Valley Acquisition process and name it Acquire Peak/ Valley Data. D. Add a Digital Input Detector process and name it Monitor Continuity. E.
Sequence Your Processes E. Add a Data Limit Detector process and name it Trigger at 50C. F. Add a Digital Output process and name it Switch Fan Off. Sequence Your Processes To complete this task, perform the following: • Select Start and Interrupt triggers for each process on the procedure and group table. • Select a Procedure is done when trigger for the procedure table. • Select a Group is done when trigger for the group table. This task determines the sequence in which the processes run.
Sequence Your Processes B. Observe that the Start trigger for the Ramp to Mean process is .Start. This is the default start trigger, which causes this process to start when the procedure starts. C. Set the Start trigger for the Fatigue Part process to Ramp to Mean.Done. This is the default. D. Set the Start trigger for the Return to Zero process to Fatigue Part.Done. This is the default. E. Change the Start trigger for the Acquire Peak/Valley Data process to Ramp to Mean.Done.
Sequence Your Processes 3. Specify a “Procedure is done when” trigger. Set the Procedure is done when trigger to Return to Zero.Done. This ends the procedure when the Return to Zero process ends. This is the Procedure is done when control. When the trigger we select for this control is received, the procedure terminates. In this case, we are choosing the Return to Zero.Done trigger. This means the procedure terminates when the Return to Zero process generates a done trigger.
Set Process Parameters in the Procedure Table Note For more information This Group is done when trigger selection ends Group process activity, but may leave the fan in a running condition at the end of test. There are a number of ways to design the procedure to ensure that the fan stops when the test stops, but to minimize complexity they are not included in this example.
Set Process Parameters in the Procedure Table 2. Define the Cyclic Command (Fatigue Part) process. Cyclic Command (Fatigue Part) MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® A. In the procedure table, click the Cyclic Command (Fatigue Part) process icon. B. In the Cyclic Command parameters pane, click the Channels tab. Move all the channels you want to generate the command on to the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. C. Click the Command tab.
Set Process Parameters in the Procedure Table 3. Define the second Segment Command process (Return to Zero). Segment Command (Return to Zero) 168 A. In the procedure table, click the Segment Command (Return to Zero) process icon. B. In the Segment Command parameters pane, click the Channels tab. Move all the channels you want to generate the command on to the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. C. Click the Command tab.
Set Process Parameters in the Procedure Table 4. Define the Peak/Valley Data Acquisition process (Acquire Peak/Valley). Peak/Valley Acquisition (Acquire Peak/Valley) MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® A. In the procedure table, click the Peak/Valley Acquisition (Acquire Peak/Valley Data) process icon. B. In the Peak/Valley Acquisition parameters pane, click the Signals tab. Move all the signals you want to take data on to the Included list.
Set Process Parameters in the Procedure Table 5. Define the Digital Input process (Monitor Continuity). Digital Input Detector (Monitor Continuity) 170 A. In the procedure table, click the Digital Input Detector (Monitor Continuity) process icon. B. In the Digital Input Detector parameters pane, click the Inputs tab. This process monitors the digital input channel (Continuity Monitor). C. Move the Continuity Monitor to the Included list and ensure that all other resources are in the Available list.
Set Process Parameters in the Procedure Table 6. Define the Group (Fan Control) process. Group (Fan Control) A. In the MPT Procedure Editor, click the Group (Fan Control) process icon. B. Click the General tab.
Set Process Parameters in the Group Table Set Process Parameters in the Group Table 1. Display the procedure table that pertains to the group process. A. Click the Group process icon B. Click on the MPT procedure table. on the MPT Procedure Editor toolbar. 2. Define the Data Limit Detector process (Trigger at 75C). Data Limit Detect (Trigger at 75C) 172 A. In the group table, click the Data Limit Detector (Trigger at 75C) process icon. B. Click the Signals tab.
Set Process Parameters in the Group Table 3. Define the Digital Output (Switch Fan On) process. Digital Output (Switch Fan On) MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® A. In the group table, click the Digital Output (Switch Fan On) process icon. B. Click the Outputs tab and move the Fan Switch resource to the Included list. C. Click the Output Table tab. In our sample test scenario, the cooling fan power supply is controlled by a microswitch.
Set Process Parameters in the Group Table 4. Define the second Data Limit Detector process (Trigger at 50C). Data Limit Detector (Trigger at 50C) 174 A. In the group table, click the Data Limit Detector (Trigger at 50C) process icon. B. Click the Signals tab and move the Temperature Monitor resource to the Included list, as shown below. C. Click the Limits tab. Type and select the parameters needed for the test, as follows: • Signals: Temperature Monitor. • Upper Limit (enabled): 50 degrees C.
Set Process Parameters in the Group Table 5. Define the second Digital Output process (Switch Fan Off). Digital Output (Switch Fan Off) A. In the group table, click the Digital Output (Switch Fan Off) process icon. B. Click the Outputs tab. Move the Fan Switch resource to the Included list. C. Click the Output Table tab. In our test, the cooling fan power supply is controlled by a microswitch.
Select Procedure Options Select Procedure Options You can use the MPT Options Editor to set MPT preferences. The settings are saved with the procedure. For our test, we need to specify the following application preferences: • The counter display on the MPT control panel • The hydraulic state required to run tests • The file format for data files generated by the MPT application • A description of the procedure 1. On the MPT toolbar, select the Options Editor icon. 2.
Select Procedure Options B. Type text as desired in the Description box to describe the procedure. 6. If desired, run the procedure in the simulation mode. As stated at the beginning of the exercise, the benefit of creating this sample procedure was to gain familiarity with the MultiPurpose TestWare application environment. If you desire, you can run your procedure in the simulation mode to gain experience with executing procedures.
Select Procedure Options 178 Creating a Practice Test Procedure MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Chapter 12 Command Processes Command Process Types ICON PROCESS NAME DESCRIPTION Segment Command Process Produces a monotonic command signal. Cyclic Command Process Produces a cyclic command signal. Dwell Command Process Produces a dwell command signal. Profile Process Produces a command signal based on the contents of a “profile” created with a text editor or the Profile Editor application. External Command Process Enables a command signal from an external program source.
Note 180 Command Processes If a command process includes both normal (high-rate) and low rate channels, the channels will start and stop together. However, they may not stop at the same level. They may be off in phase as much as one low-rate tick.
Segment Command Process Segment Command Process About the Segment Command Process The Segment Command process defines a monotonic function that begins at the current level and moves to the end level you specify. Note This process supports relative end levels and absolute end levels.
Segment Command Process Segment Command Parameter Descriptions Command tab Command Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Segment Shape Specifies the segment shape. Time/Frequency/Rate Specifies how fast the segment runs. The following methods are supported: • Time specifies the time to run one segment. • Frequency specifies the time to run a two-segment cycle (even though a single segment runs). • Rate specifies a constant rate between the starting level and the end level.
Segment Command Process Command Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Control Mode Specifies the control mode or control-mode variable. Absolute End Level/ Relative End Level Defines the segment end level: Channels tab • Absolute End Level is relative to setpoint. • Relative End Level is relative to the starting command value (the value when the process begins). Displays the channels available to this process. Use the arrow keys to move desired channels from the Available list to the Included list.
Segment Command Process How to Define a Segment Command Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Channels tab. 4. Move the channels that you want to use to generate the command onto the Included list. Move all other channels to the Available list. 5. Click the Command tab. 6. In the Segment Shape list, click the segment shape. 7.
Segment Command Process 20. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 21. Set the desired Start and Interrupt triggers for the process in the procedure table.
Cyclic Command Process Cyclic Command Process About the Cyclic Command Process The Cyclic Command process defines a cyclic command by assembling two single segments and repeating them continuously for a specified number of cycles. When a cyclic command starts, it always moves first to End Level 1, and then to End Level 2.
Cyclic Command Process Cycles and segments You can repeat cycles or segments. Two segments create one cycle. Repeating a full cycle first goes to End Level 1 and ends at End Level 2. Repeating a segment can end at End Level 1 or End Level 2 (depending on whether the count value is odd or even). The conventional way to define the duration of a cyclic command is by frequency or time. End level Frequency = 5Hz Start level Time = 0.
Cyclic Command Process Example Assume a cyclic command completes its process at End Level 2 (in this case, +2 cm). The next Cyclic Command process is defined as End Level 1 = –1 cm and End Level 2 = +1 cm. The transition segment bridges the two commands from the +2 cm level to the –1 cm level at the time, rate, or frequency of the second process.
Cyclic Command Process Tapered wave shapes You specify the beginning and ending taper times on the Command Options tab in the Station Manager’s Channel Options window before you run the profile. The Begin time formats the leading edge and the End time formats the trailing edge. Square tapered This square wave tapers from 0% to 100% amplitude at the beginning of its execution, and from 100% to 0% at the ending of its execution. L1 4.0000 2.0000 L2 0.0000 2.0000 4.
Cyclic Command Process True sine tapered This true sine wave tapers from 0% to 100% amplitude at the beginning of its execution, and from 100% to 0% at the ending of its execution. L1 4.0000 2.0000 L2 0.0000 2.0000 4.
Cyclic Command Process Cyclic Command Parameter Descriptions Command tab Command Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Segment Shape Specifies the segment shape. Time, Frequency, Rate Specifies how fast each segment runs. The following methods are supported: Count • Time specifies the time to run one segment. • Frequency specifies the time to run a two-segment cycle. • Rate specifies a constant rate between the starting level and the end levels.
Cyclic Command Process Command Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Absolute End Level 1/ Relative End Level 1 Defines the end level value for the first segment. Absolute End Level 2/ Relative End Level 2 Defines the end level value for the second segment. Phase Lag Specifies the phase relationship of the waveform generated by this process from channel to channel. Phase Lag is disabled if Rate is specified for the process.
Cyclic Command Process How to Define a Cyclic Command Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your group or procedure table, or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Channels tab. 4. Move all the channels you want to generate the command on to the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. 5. Click the Command tab. 6. In the Segment Shape list, click the segment shape. 7.
Cyclic Command Process 17. Click the General tab. 18. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 19. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 20. In the Execute Process box, type number of times you want the process to run. 21. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 22. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 23.
Dwell Command Process Dwell Command Process About the Dwell Command Process The Dwell Command process is a single segment designed to hold your command at a static level for a specified amount of time. When you define a Dwell Command process you must specify the duration of the command as a time or a frequency: • Time specifies the amount of time to run the single dwell command segment. • Frequency specifies the frequency of a command cycle (two-segments).
Dwell Command Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Dwell Command Process How to Define a Dwell Command Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your group or procedure table, or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Channels tab. 4. Move the channels that you want to use to generate the command onto the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. 5. Click the Command tab. 6. Select Time or Frequency, set the units of measurement, then type a value. 7.
Profile Process Profile Process About the Profile Process The Profile process generates a command based on a profile file (or just profile for short) created with a text editor, spreadsheet application, or the MTS Profile Editor application. The MPT application supports Block-Arbitrary and Phase profile formats. A profile is basically a spreadsheet that defines a particular command segment (or a series of segments) in each row.
Profile Process About Working with Dimensions When you use the Profile Editor application to assign dimensions (force, displacement, and so forth) to the end levels in a profile, you should be aware that they must map to the dimensions of the control modes included in the station configuration on which you wish to play out the profile.
Profile Process Next, select the Multipurpose TestWare application, then open the MPT Procedure Editor (it will appear with a blank procedure table displayed). You can create a new test procedure or open an existing procedure. The procedure must contain the Profile Command process. Once the procedure is loaded, you then select the profile file you created. This is done by double clicking the Profile Command processes icon on the procedure table. The Profile Command Parameters window will appear.
Profile Process Using the same profile, suppose you change the Control Mode selection to force, and type a Level Multiplier value of 100 N. This will cause all of the end levels in the profile to be converted to force values. In this case, MPT will play out 10 volts as 100 N. So if the first end level values in the profile are 2 volts and 9 volts, they will be played out as 20 N and 90 N. Full-scale values of normalized dimensions DIMENSION FULL-SCALE VALUE Ratio 1:1 Percentage 100% Unitless 1.
Profile Process Profile Command Parameter Descriptions Command tab Command Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Profile Path/File Specifies the profile file to be used. You may type a placeholder and file name, or type a full path. You may also use the browser. Total Passes Specifies how many times the profile will be played out. Note If you clear the Total Passes box, the waveform will repeat indefinitely. Frequency Multiplier Scales the segment rate type (time/rate/frequency) specified in the profile.
Profile Process When defining these processes, you must specify the desired external program file in the process’ Command tab. To do this you may: About placeholders • Use the browser to locate the file • Type a placeholder and file name, or • Type a full path The placeholder for profile, time history, and road surface files is “”. By default, the placeholder “” specifies the path: C:\MTS 793\Projects\current Project\Profiles.
Profile Process For more information about editing Project Settings files, see the MTS 793 Control Software manual (PN 100-147-130). Compatibility between version 4.0 and earlier versions In MTS 793 software version 3.5x and earlier, the default location of profile, time history, and road surface files is: C:\MTS software product name\profiles. In MTS 793 software version 4.
Profile Process Mapping tab Mapping Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Channel Displays all station control channels. Profile Channel Selects the profile channel that will be played out on this station channel. You must map the logical channels in your profile to the control channels in your station configuration. You can arbitrarily map any profile channel to any station channel, or you can map a single profile channel to multiple station channels.
Profile Process Actions tab Action Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Displays the name of the action in the profile. Action Displays the action, as defined by the Station Manager’s Event-Action editor, to be triggered when the associated action name (for example, and ) is encountered by the profile. File Summary tab File Summary Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Profile Channel Displays all available profile channels. Units Displays the unit of measurement for the end level dimension.
Profile Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Profile Process How to Define a Profile Command Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your group or procedure table, or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Command tab. 4. Click the Profile Path/File button to open the Select profile file window. Click the desired profile, and then click Open.
Profile Process Note The Execute Process value multiplies the Total Passes in the Command parameters. If the Execute Process parameter is set to 10 and the Total Passes is set to 5, a total of 50 passes will occur. 17. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 18. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 19. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the group or procedure table. 20.
Profile Process Setpoint and Span sliders appear in the manual compensation panel when you lock the test procedure. You can adjust the values when the Profile process is active. You can adjust slider parameters by doubleclicking the Setpoint and Span labels on the manual compensation panel. Note Only one Profile process with manual compensation may run at a time. Note Setpoint and Span controls (defined in the MPT Options Editor) must be disabled while the manual compensation feature is running.
External Command Process External Command Process About the External Command Process The External Command process accommodates program inputs from an external programmer or controller. Before you can use an External Command process, you must: • Connect the external command source to your controller. • Use Station Builder to allocate an analog input resource (for the command input signal). • Adjust the command input signals with the Station Manager application.
External Command Process About Starting External Commands If the external command is not running when MPT starts the External Command process, your test will stop responding. To ensure that your external program is running when it is needed, do one of the following: Considerations for using the External Command process • Start your external program source before you start your MPT procedure.
External Command Process and when the MPT Setpoint option (MPT Options Editor > Execution > Setpoint) is set to Disable and Reset. (This will not occur if the MPT Setpoint option is set to Enable.) About Stopping External Command Processes Typically, you will use an MPT Data Limit Detector Process or Digital Input Detector Process to end the External Command process.
External Command Process About Setpoint/Span Settings You can also define a different setpoint and span to be used while the external command process plays out. You should understand how setpoint and span settings on the different Station Manager and MPT windows affect one another. • Scaling tab External Command Parameters window, MPT application. The Change Setpoints and Change Spans check boxes let you override the system setpoint and span values while the process is being run.
External Command Process About Overriding System Setpoint and Span With the External Command process, you can temporarily override the default system span and setpoint values, even if you select Disable and Reset for the Span and Setpoint controls on the Execution tab of the MPT Options Editor. To do this, enable the Change Setpoints and/or Change Spans check boxes in the Scaling tab of the External Command Parameters window, and type span and setpoint values in the associated entry boxes.
External Command Process External Command Parameter Descriptions Scaling tab Scaling Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Enable Ramp If selected, the process will ramp to the specified setpoint before beginning to taper to the specified amplitude. If not selected, the process will begin to taper to the specified amplitude from the current level.
External Command Process Scaling Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Setpoint Defines the setpoint value for the selected channel. The value entered in the setpoint box will overwrite the system setpoint value when the process becomes active. Defines the span value for the selected channel. Span The value entered in the Span box will overwrite the system span value when the process becomes active.
External Command Process How to Define an External Command Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your group or procedure table, or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Channels tab. 4. Move the channels that you want to use to generate the command onto the Included list. Move all other channels to the Available list. 5. Click the Scaling tab. 6. If desired, select Enable Ramp.
External Command Process 19. In the Execute Process box, type the number of times you want the process to run. 20. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 21. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 22. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the group or procedure table.
Sweep Command Process Sweep Command Process About the Sweep Activity With the Sweep activity you can sweep a command waveform between two frequency values in a linear or logarithmic progression at a constant amplitude. Example: Frequency sweep from 0.5 Hz to 15 Hz at sweep rate of 5 Hz/ sec. Sweep Activity When a sweep command starts, it always moves first to End Level 1, and then to End Level 2.
Sweep Command Process Cycles and segments You can repeat cycles or segments. Two segments create one cycle. Repeating a full cycle first goes to end level 1 and ends at end level 2. Repeating a segment can end at end level 1 or end level 2 (depending on whether the count value is odd or even). The conventional way to define the duration of a cyclic command is by frequency or time. End level Frequency = 5Hz Start level Time = 0.
Sweep Command Process Sweep Command Parameter Descriptions Command tab Command Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Segment Shape Specifies the segment shape. Sweep Type Specifies how the sweep progresses: • Linear—steps the sweep linearly by the Sweep Rate between Frequency 1 and Frequency 2. • Logarithmic—steps the sweep logarithmically by the Sweep Rate between Frequency 1 and Frequency 2. Sweep Rate Specifies the rate at which the sweep progresses.
Sweep Command Process Command Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Absolute End Level 2/Relative End Level 2 Phase Lag Defines the second end level value for the second segment in the channel. Specifies the phase relationship of the waveform generated by this process from channel to channel. Phase Lag is disabled if Rate is specified for the process. Note Phase Lag is relative to the channel that has the smallest degree of phase.
Sweep Command Process How to Define a Sweep Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your group or procedure table, or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Channels tab. 4. Move all the channels you want to generate the command on to the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. 5. Click the Command tab. 6. In the Segment Shape list, click the desired segment shape. 7.
Sweep Command Process 17. Click the General tab. 18. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 19. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 20. In the Execute Process box, type the number of times you want the process to run. 21. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 22. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 23.
Signal Based Command Process Signal Based Command Process About the Signal Based Command (SBC) Process This process uses a user-defined lookup table to generate a channel command based on the value of a lookup signal. Lookup tables are defined in a tab-, comma-, or space-delimited text file that lists the command values for specific lookup-signal values.
Signal Based Command Process Signal Based Command (SBC) Process Example In the example below, the SBC lookup table defines the load command for various landing gear angles. As the landing gear angle (lookup signal) changes, the SBC process locates that lookup-signal value in the lookup table and applies the command defined for that lookup-signal value.
Signal Based Command Process Signal Based Command (SBC) Lookup-Table File Requirements File format The SBC process supports tab-, comma-, and space-delimited text files that contain lookup tables. The lookup-table file must follow the format shown below. • The file can contain any number of lookup tables. • Each table can contain up to 257 rows (two rows minimum). • The header information, column layout, and keyword spelling must exactly match the example shown below. No additional text is allowed.
Signal Based Command Process Signal Based Command (SBC) Process Parameter Descriptions Note The SBC process does not support compensation. CAUTION A high-speed transition time can result in an unwanted spike (or bump) in the command signal. Unwanted command-signal spikes can damage the test specimen. To avoid spikes in the command signal, use a transition time that smoothly transitions the channel commands to the initial SBC command level.
Signal Based Command Process Mapping tab The Mapping tab allows you to specify SBC parameters for each control channel. Mapping Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Lookup Table Use the Lookup Table list to specify the lookup table that will supply the command for that channel. The names that appear in the Lookup Table list are defined in the Table(x)=table name heading associated with each lookup table.
Signal Based Command Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Signal Based Command Process 5. Click the Command tab. A. Click Lookup Table Path/File to define the file path for the text file that includes the lookup tables for the SBC process. B. Enter the Transition Time (the time it takes to ramp the command to the current SBC command level). CAUTION A high-speed transition time can result in an unwanted spike (or bump) in the command signal. Unwanted command-signal spikes can damage the test specimen.
Profile with ALC Process Profile with ALC Process About the Profile with ALC Process The Profile with ALC process works the same as the Profile process. You must use the Profile with ALC process if you want to play out a profile and use ALC (arbitrary end-level compensation). Note About ALC compensation The Profile with ALC process is optional. You must type a special key code during installation to enable this process.
Profile with ALC Process Command tab Command Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Profile Path/File Specifies the profile file to be used. You may type a placeholder and file name, or type a full path. You may also use the browser. Total Passes Specifies how many times the profile will be played out. Note If you clear the Total Passes box, the waveform will repeat indefinitely. Frequency Multiplier Scales the segment rate type (time/rate/frequency) specified in the profile.
Profile with ALC Process Mapping tab Mapping Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Channel Displays all station control channels. Profile Channel Selects the profile channel that will be played out on this station channel. You must map the logical channels in your profile to the control channels in your station configuration. You can arbitrarily map any profile channel to any station channel, or you can map a single profile channel to multiple station channels.
Profile with ALC Process Actions tab Action Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Displays the name of the action in the profile. Action Displays the action, as defined by the Station Manager’s Event-Action editor, to be triggered when the associated action name (for example, and ) is encountered by the profile. File summary tab File Summary Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Profile Channel Displays all available profile channels. Units Displays the unit of measurement for the end level dimension.
Profile with ALC Process Matrix tab Note This tab is enabled only if ALC has been selected as the Adaptive Compensator on the Command tab. Matrix Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Compensation Matrix Name Names the matrix used by the ALC compensator. ALC matrix files are saved in the Specimen directory. The default ALC matrix file is default.mat.
Profile with ALC Process Matrix Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Verify Loaded Matrix Parameters Specifies whether you want the application to compare the matrix parameters entered on this Matrix window with the parameters currently loaded in the controller’s real-time. If you choose “No, Use Loaded Parameters.” the application will disregard any file saved on disk that matches the entered name and use the matrix parameters currently loaded in the controller’s real-time.
Profile with ALC Process Tracking tab Tracking Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Channel Lists the channel(s) to which the ALC compensation will apply. Missed Peak Reference Specifies the difference between the commanded peak and the actual peak achieved that you want the application to detect. Missed Peaks Displays the total number of missed peaks (also stored in the log file). This value is saved as part of the run-time state of the process (in the mps file), and can be restored accordingly.
Profile with ALC Process 9. For each station channel, select a Control Mode and optionally, a Level Multiplier, and Level Reference. 10. Click the Command tab. 11. In the Adaptive Compensators list, select the ALC compensator. 12. Optional—click the Actions tab, and map station actions to profile actions. 13. Click the File Summary tab and verify your channel settings. 14. Click the Matrix tab and type a Compensation Matrix Name. 15. Optional—Select the Enable Frequency Compensation check box. 16.
Cyclic with ALC Process Cyclic with ALC Process About the Cyclic with ALC Process The Cyclic with ALC process works the same as the Cyclic process. You must use the Cyclic with ALC process if you want to program a cyclic command and use ALC (arbitrary end-level compensation). Note About ALC compensation The Cyclic with ALC process is optional. You must type a special key code during installation to enable this process.
Cyclic with ALC Process Command tab Command Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Profile Path/File Specifies the profile file to be used. You may type a placeholder and file name, or type a full path. You may also use the browser. Total Passes Specifies how many times the profile will be played out. Note If you clear the Total Passes box, the waveform will repeat indefinitely. Frequency Multiplier Scales the segment rate type (time/rate/frequency) specified in the profile.
Cyclic with ALC Process Matrix tab Matrix Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Compensation Matrix Name Names the matrix used by the ALC compensator. ALC matrix files are saved in the Specimen directory. The default ALC matrix file is default.mat. If you want to use an existing matrix, copy the mat file into the Specimen directory, and then type the matrix file name in the Compensation Matrix Name box. Initial Gain Specifies the amount of initial gain applied to the signal.
Cyclic with ALC Process Matrix Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Number of Cells Specifies the number of cells in each axis of the matrix (16, 32, or 64), which determines the resolution of the correction (the higher the number, the greater the resolution). Channel Selects the channel to which the compensation ranges apply. Compensation ranges must be entered for each channel used by the profile.
Cyclic with ALC Process How to Define a Cyclic with ALC Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your group or procedure table, or navigation pane. 3. Click the Channels tab. 4. Move the channels that you want to use to generate the cyclic command onto the Included list. Move the other channels to the Available list. 5. Click the Command tab. 6. In the Segment Shape list, click the segment shape. 7.
Cyclic with ALC Process 20. Under Matrix Parameters, configure your ALC matrix. 21. Optional—If you want the matrix to be saved, select the Time Between Matrix Saves check box, and then type a save interval. 22. Click the Tracking tab and type a Missed Peak Reference amount and corresponding units. 23. Click the General tab. 24. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 25. Select the Process Enabled check box.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process About the Time History Output Process Note This process will not operate properly on a station configuration that uses the decimal clock mode in its associated hardware interface file. For proper operation, this process requires a station configuration that uses a binary clock mode. For more information, see the MTS 793 Software Utility manual (PN 100147132). The Model 793.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process 5. Select one of the following from the dropdown menu: Follow Input The response file format will follow the drive time history file. Float The response file will be written in floating point data format. Short Integer The response file will be written in short integer data format.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Time History Output Status Window Note This panel appears only if the user enables the Show Status Panel at Runtime option on the Status tab. During a test, the Time History Output (or Input) Status panel displays on the MPT control panel. The status panel appears when you lock the procedure.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Time History Output Parameter Descriptions Command tab Command Tab (part 1 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Drive File Selects an RPC II, RPC III, or RPC Pro drive file (drv or seq) to play out to the station. When you have selected a file, the application: • Verifies that it is a file that it can read (RPC format). • Reads in the file header. • Ensures that the number of channels in the file is not greater than the number of channels in the station.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Command Tab (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION You may make limited changes to the contents of an RPC time history file between the time its name is entered here and when it is actually used during the execution of a procedure. MPT will compare the file header at execution time to its contents during the definition phase.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Command Tab (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Drive has an offset When enabled and relative mode is not selected, the process will start by ramping to the first command point in the time history, and end at the last command point in the time history, without returning to zero.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Mapping tab Important If you map an RPC Pro drive file (.seq) channel to a station channel that supports mode switching, and the drive file units for that channel are "%" (indicating normalized units), the file will not play out. Mapping Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION File Channel/ Descriptor/Full Scale File Channel selects the file channel’s number.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Mapping Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Enable AIC Compensators Enables the Adaptive Inverse Control (AIC) compensation method for all control channels that will support it. This box is available when the file has been entered, a valid channel map exists, and at least one of the selected channels supports AIC Compensation (which is done in Station Builder—see the Edit Control Channels section for Station Builder in the MTS 793 Control Software manual).
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Actions tab Action Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Displays the names of the time triggers in the time history file. Each time trigger name references a specific identification number (multiple triggers can reference the same identification number). The identification number locates a particular point in the data at which an associated system action should occur.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Acquisition tab Note This tab appears only if you have purchased the data acquisition option of the Time History Output process (Model 793.72). Acquisition Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Number of Channels Specifies the number of channels on which data is acquired and formatted. The default number is zero. Directory Specifies the directory in which the response file (.rsp) will be saved.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process Trend tab Note This tab appears only if you have purchased the data acquisition option of the Time History Output process (Model 793.72). Trend Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Support Trend Response Files Enables MPT to acquire and store trend response data. This data can be used by the RPC III application to show changes that occurred in the specimen over the course of the test.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process 9. Use the File Channel and Station Channel lists to map the drive file channels to the appropriate station channels. Set the Control Mode and Channel Units as needed. 10. Optional—Select Enable AIC Compensators. Note The Acquisition and Trend tabs apply only if you have the data acquisition option for the Time History Output process. 11. Click the Status tab. 12.
Model 793.71/72 Time History Output Process 23. Optional—Map station actions to drive file sequences. 24. Click the General tab. 25. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 26. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 27. In the Execute Process box, type the number of times you want the process to run. 28. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 29.
Road Surface Output Process Road Surface Output Process About the Road Surface Output Process Note This process will not operate properly on a station configuration that uses the decimal clock mode in its associated hardware interface file. For proper operation, this process requires a station configuration that uses a binary clock mode. For more information, see the MTS Series 793 Software Utility manual (part number 100-147-132).
Road Surface Output Process With RSURF you can nest files up to four levels. The following diagram shows two levels of nesting. Files A, B, and C make up a Road Surface file named “ROAD1.DRVRS.” The level 2 drive Road Surface file, “NESTEDROADS.DRVRS”, contains four passes of ROAD1.DRVRS. . ROAD1.DRVRS Road Surface file is played out four times Pass 1 of Road Surface file Pass 2 of Road Surface file Pass 3 of Road Surface file AABBCC AABBCC AABBCC Pass 4 of Road Surface file AABBCC NESTEDROADS.
Road Surface Output Process Road Surface Output Parameter Descriptions Command tab Command Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Road Surface File Note Playout of RPC drive files at 128 Hz requires a system rate of 1024 Hz. Note For controllers equipped with MTS Series 494 hardware, playout of RPC drive files at 409.6 Hz requires a system rate of 2048 Hz or 4096 Hz. Controllers equipped with MTS Series 494 hardware do not support playout of RPC drive files as 409.6 Hz with a system rate of 1024 Hz.
Road Surface Output Process Command Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Relative Time Signal If selected, the process reads the current command value on each channel when the process runs. These commands are added to each point in the time history as it is read from its file. and the modified command is played out. With this feature you can preload a channel and then play out the time history relative to that preloaded value. If not checked, the time history will be played out as stored in the disk file.
Road Surface Output Process Mapping tab Mapping Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION File Channel/ Descriptor/Full Scale File Channel selects the file channel’s number. The Descriptor and Full Scale values are updated with the file header values for the selected file channel. The values are updated as you change the selected file channel.
Road Surface Output Process Mapping Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Enable AIC Compensators Enables the Adaptive Inverse Control (AIC) compensation method for all control channels that will support it. This box is available when the file has been entered, a valid channel map exists, and at least one of the selected channels supports AIC Compensation (which is done in Station Builder—see the Edit Control Channels section for Station Builder in the MTS 793 Control Software manual).
Road Surface Output Process Actions tab Action Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Displays the names of the time triggers in the time history file. Each time trigger name references a specific identification number (multiple triggers can reference the same identification number). The identification number locates a particular point in the data at which an associated system action should occur.
Road Surface Output Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Road Surface Output Process 9. Use the File Channel and Station Channel lists to map the drive file channels to the appropriate station channels. Set the Control Mode and Channel Units as needed. 10. Optional—Select Enable AIC Compensators. 11. Click the Actions tab. 12. Optional—Map station actions to drive file sequences. 13. Click on the Status tab. 14. Optional—Select Show Status Panel at Run Time if you want the Road Surface Output Status Panel to display when this process is active. 15.
Road Surface Output Process 270 Command Processes MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Chapter 13 Data Acquisition Process Descriptions Use data acquisition processes to acquire sensor data from the physical specimen during testing. You must sequence this process in parallel with command processes. Meaningful data cannot be acquired unless the command process is performing an action that can be measured. Data Acquisition Process Types ICON PROCESS NAME DESCRIPTION Peak/Valley Acquisition Process Records the peak/valley data for each cycle execution.
Note There is a slight time delay between processes that start with a common trigger (for example, two processes using the .Start trigger). The process positioned the highest on the Procedure or Group table starts first. When using data acquisition and command processes in parallel, position the data acquisition process higher on the table than the associated command process.
Data File Header The first line of the data file includes information like the decimal separator, column separator, time formats, date formats, and so forth. A typical header looks like this: MTS793|MPT|ENU|1|0|.
How to Trigger a Process When the Buffer Is Full By using the trigger or buffer full signal from one data acquisition process to start another data acquisition process, you can acquire test data in very selective ways. Example Suppose you want to create a procedure that will acquire 10 points of peak/valley data every 100 cycles and store the data in a separate file in the Specimen.
When you run this test, the Peak/Valley Data Acquisition process will be triggered by the Count Cycles.Buffer Full signal generated by the Level Crossing Data Acquisition process every 100 cycles, and will acquire 10 points of peak/ valley data. The data will be stored to the file (in the Specimen) entered in the User Data File box on the Destination tab of the Peak/Valley Data Acquisition Parameters window. Data Destination You set how your acquired data is saved on the Destination tab.
About Station Signals The following signals are available to the MultiPurpose TestWare acquisition processes. Note All time related signals (Time, Rollover Time, Running Time, and Rollover Running Time) start from zero when you press the Run control to start the test. Station Signals (part 1 of 2) ITEMITEM DESCRIDESCRIPTIONPTION Time Records the time reference signal derived from the controller’s internal clock which increments continually.
Station Signals (part 2 of 2) ITEMITEM DESCRIDESCRIPTIONPTION Interlock, Run/Stop, Hold, Program Interlock, HSM On, HSM High Records the binary state of the control, in which 1 = on, and 0 = off (in the case of Run/Stop, 1 = Run and 0 = Stop). (channel) Integer Count Records the number of segments played out in the selected channel. The value reveals the state of the associated control when data is acquired.
Time and Rollover Time signals Time and Running Time signals are useful for recording the duration of tests. They may also be useful for providing a time reference for data acquisition for tests of short duration. However, as the length of a test increases, their suitability as a time reference for data acquisition decreases. This is because Time and Running Time are floating point numbers, and their resolution decreases as they increase in value.
Peak/Valley Acquisition Process Peak/Valley Acquisition Process About Peak/Valley Process The Peak/Valley Acquisition process records the output of all selected signals when the software detects a peak or valley in the master signal you specify. When you define a Peak/Valley Acquisition process, you must define the master signal, the sensitivity, the signals you will record data on, the data destination, the buffer type, and the output units.
Peak/Valley Acquisition Process Peak/Valley Acquisition Parameter Descriptions Acquisition tab Acquisition Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Master Signal Specifies the signal that is monitored by the peak/valley detector. Sensitivity Defines how much the signal must change before a level is considered a peak or valley. Total Samples Specifies the number of samples the process will acquire before it completes. Note If disabled, samples will be taken as long as the process is active.
Peak/Valley Acquisition Process List Filter With the List Filter, you can pare the list of Available signals according to text you type in the entry box. Type text that describes the signal(s) you wish to display. For example, typing force displays all signals that include “force” in their labels. You can also type a part of a signal description to display a signal type. For example, to display displacement signals, you can type disp rather than “displacement”.
Peak/Valley Acquisition Process Output units tab Output Units Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION UAS Specifies the unit assignment set that will be applied to acquired data. Select Other Displays other existing unit assignment sets from which you can choose a UAS. This button is enabled only when you select the Other Unit Assignment Set option. Edit Opens the Unit Assignment Set Editor so you can modify a unit assignment set. For more information See “About Buffers” on page 272.
Peak/Valley Acquisition Process 11. In the Destination list, click the destination for the acquired data. (If you click User-specified data file, type a file name in the User Data File box.) 12. In the Buffer Type list, click the buffer type. 13. Optional—If desired, enable Write First Data Header Only checkbox. This feature aids data sorting and analysis. 14. Optional—Click the Output Units tab. Change the unit assignment set if you want.
Timed Acquisition Process Timed Acquisition Process About the Timed Acquisition Process The Timed Acquisition process records the output of all selected signals at the specified time interval or sample rate. When you define a Timed Acquisition process, you can define the time between samples (shown below) or type a sample rate frequency.
Timed Acquisition Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Timed Acquisition Process Destination tab Destination Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Buffer Size Specifies the maximum number of data elements the buffer will store before data is written to the disk. Data Header Includes a label that describes the data on each buffer that is written to a file. Destination Specifies where data is saved: Specimen data file—the process writes buffers of data to the MPT specimen.dat file in the Specimen.
Timed Acquisition Process See “About Station Signals” on page 276. How to Define a Timed Acquisition Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in the procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. In the parameters window, click the Acquisition tab. 4. Set the timed data acquisition interval and units using Time Between Points or type a Sample Rate frequency.
Timed Acquisition Process 11. In the Buffer Type list, click the buffer type. 12. Optional—If desired, enable Write First Data Header Only checkbox. This feature aids data sorting and analysis. 13. Optional—Click the Output Units tab. Change the unit assignment set if you want. Each data acquisition process can use a different unit assignment set. 14. Click the General tab. 15. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 16.
Max/Min Acquisition Process Max/Min Acquisition Process About the Max/Min Acquisition Process The Max/Min Acquisition process records the maximum and minimum values of selected signals during a test. You can configure this process to monitor selected signals for their maximum and minimum values. When the maximum and minimum values are detected, they are compared to the maximum and minimum values currently stored for the associated signals.
Max/Min Acquisition Process Max/Min Acquisition Parameter Descriptions Acquisition tab Acquisition Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Master Signal Specifies the signals that are monitored by the max/min detector. When you select All Included Signals (default), the process monitors all included signals for their maximum and minimum values (as selected). When detected, the process compares them to the maximum and minimum values currently stored. If the new values exceed the stored values, they take their place.
Max/Min Acquisition Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Max/Min Acquisition Process Destination tab Destination Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Buffer Size Specifies the maximum number of data elements the buffer will store before data is written to the disk. Data Header Includes a label that describes the data on each buffer that is written to a file. Destination Specifies where data is saved: Specimen data file—the process writes buffers of data to the MPT specimen.dat file in the Specimen.
Max/Min Acquisition Process For more information See “About Buffers” on page 272. See “About Station Signals” on page 276. More About the Max/Min Acquisition Process The data recorded by the Max/Min Acquisition process is the minimum and maximum values detected since the process was first activated, no matter how many times the test is stopped.
Max/Min Acquisition Process A Program Event process (within the Group process) monitors the test for a Stop event. A Max/Min Acquisition process (within the Group process) will record max/min values detected from the time you click Run until you press Stop, or until the test is completed. The Group process will be done when the Program Event process signals that it has detected a Stop.
Max/Min Acquisition Process 10. Optional—Click the Output Units tab. Change the unit assignment set if you want. Each data acquisition process can use a different unit assignment set. 11. Click the General tab. 12. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 13. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 14. In the Execute Process box, type the number of times you want the process to run. 15.
Level Crossing Acquisition Process Level Crossing Acquisition Process About the Level Crossing Acquisition Process The Level Crossing Acquisition process records data each time the selected master signal changes by a specific amount. When you define a Level Crossing Acquisition process, you must define the level increment at which data is collected.
Level Crossing Acquisition Process Level Crossing Acquisition Parameter Descriptions Acquisition tab Acquisition Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Master Signal Selects a signal that determines when data is acquired. Level Increment Defines how much the signal must change before acquiring data. Total Samples Specifies the number of samples the process will acquire before it completes. Note If disabled, samples will be taken as long as the process is active.
Level Crossing Acquisition Process For example, typing force displays all signals that include “force” in their labels. You can also type a part of a signal description to display a signal type. For example, to display displacement signals, you can type disp rather than “displacement”. Destination tab Destination Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Buffer Size Specifies the maximum number of data elements the buffer will store before data is written to the disk.
Level Crossing Acquisition Process Output units tab Output Units Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION UAS Specifies the unit assignment set that will be applied to acquired data. Select Other Displays other existing unit assignment sets from which you can choose a UAS. This button is enabled only when you select the Other Unit Assignment Set option. Edit Opens the Unit Assignment Set Editor so you can modify a unit assignment set. For more information See “About Buffers” on page 272.
Level Crossing Acquisition Process 10. Type the Buffer Size and type a description of the data file in the Data Header box. 11. In the Destination list, click the destination for the acquired data. (If you click User-specified data file, type a file name in the User Data File box.) 12. In the Buffer Type list, click the buffer type. 13. Optional—If desired, enable Write First Data Header Only checkbox. This feature aids data sorting and analysis. 14. Optional—Click the Output Units tab.
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process High Speed Timed Acquisition Process About the High Speed Timed Acquisition Process The High Speed Timed Acquisition process records short bursts of conditioned sensor data. This process is typically used in tests where it is triggered and then quickly interrupted by other processes, so that it is only active for short periods of time.
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process Keep in mind that the actual sample duration (and number of points acquired) is limited by the processor speed, the number of signals being sampled, the number and type of other processes running concurrently, and so forth. If MPT cannot store data as fast as it is acquired, an acquisition overrun will occur, and the test will stop (data acquired up to that point will be saved).
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process 494 hardware sample rates The following sample rates apply to series 494 hardware (models 494.25, 494.26, and 494.16):1 • 6144 System Rate: MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGNALS 6144 29 12288 14 24576 7 30720 5 61440 2 • 4096 System Rate: MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGNALS 4096 44 8192 22 12288 14 20480 8 24576 7 40960 4 61440 2 • 3072 System Rate: 1.
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGNALS 3072 59 6144 29 12288 14 15360 11 24576 7 30720 5 • 2048 System Rate: MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGNALS 2048 89 4096 44 6144 29 8192 22 10240 17 12288 14 15360 11 20480 8 24576 7 30720 5 • 304 1024 System Rate: Data Acquisition Process Descriptions MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGNALS 1024 179 2048 89 3072 59 4096 44 5120 35 6144 29 8192 22 10240 17 12288 14 15360 11 MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Data Acquisition Process Descriptions 305
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process High Speed Timed Acquisition Parameter Descriptions Acquisition tab Acquisition Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Time Between Points Specifies the time interval between which the process acquires data. Sample Rate Specifies the rate at which the process acquires data. The maximum sample rate depends on the system rate, the number of signals that you are sampling, and the type of hardware used to condition the signal.
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process Note If the Time signal is selected, data is generated, not sampled. The Time signal value always starts at zero. Destination tab Destination Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Buffer Size Specifies the maximum number of data elements the buffer will store before data is written to the disk. Data Header Includes a label that describes the data on each buffer that is written to a file.
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process Note Discard Data options are not available for the High Speed Acquisition process. Note The default buffer size is 16384, the range is from 1024 - 16384. General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run.
High Speed Timed Acquisition Process 5. In the Sample Duration box, specify the length of time you wish the system to acquire data. Or, select Total Samples, and specify the number of samples you wish the system to acquire. 6. Click the Signals tab. 7. Move all the signals you want to monitor to the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. Note The order of the signals in the Included list determines the order of the columns of data in your data file. 8. Click the Destination tab. 9.
Cyclic Acquisition Process Cyclic Acquisition Process About the Cyclic Acquisition Process The Cyclic Acquisition process acquires timed, level crossing, interleaved timed and level crossing, or peak/valley data from cyclic feedback. You can specify the segments or cycles from which the process acquires data arbitrarily, or in linear or logarithmic progressions. The Cyclic Acquisition process monitors sensor feedback that results from cyclic command.
Cyclic Acquisition Process In this case, the cyclic acquisition process will not trigger until after cycle 100. So if you specified a logarithmic progression of 1, 2, 5, 10, and so on, the cyclic acquisition process would skip all of the cycles performed during preconditioning (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100), and begin acquiring data at cycle 200. If you had enabled the Relative Cycle (or Segment) Counts, the process would trigger at cycle 101 of the test.
Cyclic Acquisition Process Cyclic Acquisition Parameter Descriptions Data Storage tab Data Storage Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Master Channel Specifies the channel whose segment/cycle counter determines when data is acquired. Note Data Storage Pattern Relative Cycle or Segment Counts Master Channel is not related to the signal used for level crossing or peak/valley acquisition within the cycle. Specifies the pattern at which data is collected.
Cyclic Acquisition Process Data Storage Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Store Data At Displays which cycles or segments the process collects data on. Note The entire list of cycle numbers may not be displayed. If the Data Storage Pattern is User Defined, you must type the cycles or segments you want to collect data on. Segments must be defined as a list of positive integers. Cycles can be defined as a list of positive integers or integers and half cycles (1.5).
Cyclic Acquisition Process Acquisition Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Peak/Valley Signal Selects the signal the process monitors for peak and valley levels. Peak/Valley Sensitivity Defines how much the signal must change before a level is considered a peak or valley. Signals tab Selects signals from which this process acquires data. Use the left and right arrows to move desired signals from the Available list to the Included list.
Cyclic Acquisition Process Destination Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Buffer Type Specifies the buffer type. Write First Data Header Only Specifies if the data header is written for each buffer or suppressed after the first header is written. If disabled (unchecked), a data header is written for each buffer. Note Note This feature is not recommended for procedures with multiple data acquisition processes writing data to the same data file.
Cyclic Acquisition Process General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test. Counter Label Names the counter. When you run the test, this name appears under Sequence Counters on the MPT control panel. Note For more information If this box is blank, the process name is used as the counter label. See “About Buffers” on page 272.
Cyclic Acquisition Process How to Define a Cyclic Acquisition Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in the procedure table or the navigation pane. 3. In the parameters window, click the Data Storage tab. 4. In the Master Channel list, click the channel you want to monitor with this process. 5. Choose a Data Storage Pattern, and then type a value in the Maximum Cycle Stored box.
Cyclic Acquisition Process Note The order of the signals in the Included list determines the order of the columns of data in your data file. 12. Click the Destination tab. 13. Type a description of the data file in the Data Header box. 14. In the Destination list, click the destination for the acquired data. (If you click User-specified data file, type a file name in the User Data File box.) 15. Optional—If desired, enable Write First Data Header Only checkbox. This feature aids data sorting and analysis.
Fatigue Process Fatigue Process About the Fatigue Process The Fatigue process accumulates cycles in a histogram and calculates a damage number (in the form of a statistical value) based on the histogram content. Note The MPT Fatigue process calculates damage numbers using the same algorithms as the Advanced Editing and Analysis feature of the MTS RPC III™ product.
Fatigue Process About Rainflow Counting and Histograms Rainflow counting Rainflow counting is a method of concisely representing the cyclic content of a signal. It is used to reduce large amounts of data to a more usable form by creating one-pass histograms from drive or response signals. Strain ranges for closed stress-strain hysteresis loops are recorded, and then fatigue life predictions can be made using the strain range and the associated number of closed cycles.
Fatigue Process RangeMean histogram The RangeMean histogram identifies the range and the mean of each cycle identified by the rainflow-counting method. The following example illustrates the method for creating a RangeMean histogram.
Fatigue Process MinMax histogram The MinMax histogram identifies the rainflow-counted cycles by the identified maximum/minimum value. The following example illustrates the method for creating a MinMax histogram.
Fatigue Process Range histogram This method identifies cycles only by the cycle range.
Fatigue Process Number of bins For more information The number of bins specifies the number of bins between the upper and lower range. For more information about histograms, rainflow-counting, and bins, see the RPC III Reference Manual. Fatigue Process Parameter Descriptions Fatigue tab Fatigue Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Range Specifies the type of histogram data desired. Data File Name Names the file where the fatigue data will be stored. The data file is saved in the MPT specimen, with a “.
Fatigue Process Signals tab Signals Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Signals Displays the signals which can monitored by the Fatigue process. Units Displays the signal units. Sensitivity Defines the Sensitivity for the peak/valley detector. Note The units are the same as the full scale units. Lower Range Specifies the lower boundary of the histogram. Upper Range Specifies the upper boundary of the histogram. Bin Size Specifies the distance between each histogram bin boundary for the selected channel.
Fatigue Process Monitoring tab Monitoring Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Time Interval (secs) Specifies the time interval between data transfers (which occur once every pass). Data is acquired from each included signal (the signals checked in the “Signals tab”). The acquired data is peak-picked and sent to the Rainflow counter. At the end of a pass, the acquired damage numbers are stored to the data file and transmitted to the Fatigue Monitoring application.
Fatigue Process Settings tab Settings Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Material Library Specifies a materials library file, which defines the materials available to each channel. The default is the RPC III materials library supplied with the Fatigue process. Damage Model Selects the damage model you will use for all fatigue processes. RPC III provides both strain life and generic stress life damage models.
Fatigue Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Fatigue Process Note You can use the Trend process in parallel with the Fatigue process to acquire trend data. How to Define a Fatigue Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the Fatigue process icon in the procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. In the parameters window, click the Fatigue tab. 4. Choose a Range, and type a Data File Name.
Fatigue Process 16. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the procedure table. Important tips If your procedure will run for a long time, make sure the Windows virtual memory paging file is large enough (MTS recommends 250 MB). To access the Windows paging file: Start > Settings > Control Panels > System. In the Fatigue Process Parameters window, make sure the Fatigue process is enabled and the Execute Process value is set to one (on the General tab).
Time History Input Process Time History Input Process About the Time History Input Process The Time History Input process acquires and digitizes multiple channels of analog test response data in the RPC III file format. MTS Series 793 Software supports both short integer and floating point time history files. To change these settings: 1. Open the Project Manager application. 2. Click Tools > Project Settings. 3. Select MultiPurpose TestWare in the category pane. 4.
Time History Input Process Time History Input Parameter Descriptions File tab File Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Show Status Panel at Run Time Displays the Time History Input Status panel during the test. Create Trend Response File Enables MPT to acquire and store trend response data. This data can be used by the RPC application to show changes that occurred in the specimen over the course of the test. Directory Specifies the directory in which the response file (.rsp) will be saved.
Time History Input Process Channels tab Channels Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Number of Channels Selects the number of channels on which data is acquired and formatted. Output File Channel Switches between Output File Channels. Station Signal Defines the station signal associated with the selected output file channel. Channel Descriptor Specifies the Output File Channel descriptor used in the response file header. Note The default name is the Station Signal name.
Time History Input Process How to Define a Time History Input Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in the procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. In the parameters window, click the Channels tab. 4. In the Number of Channels list, type the number of channels you want to take data on and press Enter. 5. In the Output File list, click the first channel. 6. In the Channel 1 Signal list, click the signal to be monitored.
Time History Input Process 18. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 19. In the Execute Process box, type number of times you want the process to run. 20. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 21. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 22. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the procedure table. For more information MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® See “Data Destination” on page 275.
Trend Process Trend Process About the Trend Process The Trend process collects signal data and calculates five statistical trend values: Minimum, Maximum, Mean, RMS, and Standard Deviation. Periodically, the trend values are saved to disk, and sent to the Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application via a proprietary data exchange protocol. With the Trend Monitoring application, you can monitor the trend data in a realtime, graphical format.
Trend Process Example You could monitor strain levels in a critical component of the physical specimen. You could also monitor shock absorber temperatures to ensure that the shock absorbers do not overheat during a drive test. You can monitor statistical trends to determine if the response signal matches your expectations. The data on the selected signal channels are acquired independently on each channel, and five statistical values (Minimum, Maximum, Mean, RMS, Standard Deviation) are calculated.
Trend Process Trend Parameter Descriptions Trend tab Trend Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Data File Name Names the file where the trend data is stored. Note Trend files are stored in your MPT specimen with a “.dat” extension. Limit Unit Selection Specifies the units for the trend data limits. Use Smart Limits Automatically calculates limits during the procedure based on the first pass of acquired data.
Trend Process Signals tab Signals Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Signal Names Displays the available channels which can be monitored by the Trend process. Select the box next to the signal name if you want the Trend process to monitor it, and then type the upper and lower limits for the five statistical values. Note Min/Max/Mean/RMS/ STD Low, Up, Action The upper limit, lower limit, and limit action boxes are disabled if you selected Use Smart Limits on the Trend tab.
Trend Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Trend Process Note If desired, you can use the Fatigue process in parallel with the Trend process to acquire fatigue data. How to Define a Trend Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure or group table. 2. Click the process icon in the procedure or group table, or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Trend tab. Type a Data File Name, select the Limits Units and, if you want, enable the Smart Limits. 4. Click the Signals tab. 5.
Trend Process Important hints • If your procedure runs for a long time, make sure the Windows virtual memory paging file is large enough (MTS recommends 250 MB). To access the Windows paging file controls: Start > Settings > Control Panels > System • On the General tab, make sure the Trend process is enabled and the Execute Process value is set to one. Because the Trend process parallels a command process, it will run as long as the command process is executing.
Trend Process To achieve this, use a Group process with a repeat count of 20. (If you want to repeat a Trend process, you must put it into a Group process paralleled by a command process, or use the Timed Mode. Inside the Group process, you will have the Cyclic command process (in this case, a sine wave running for 1,000 cycles) and the Trend process running in parallel. The Start signal for both processes should be Group.Start. The Group is Done signal should be Trend.
Trend Process 344 Data Acquisition Process Descriptions MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Chapter 14 Event Process Descriptions You use event processes to monitor test signals and issue event signals when conditions you specify are met. Event Process Types ICON PROCESS NAME DESCRIPTION Data Limit Detector Process Monitors one or more signals for sensor limits you specify. Digital Input Detector Process Detects digital transition states from external devices. Operator Event Process Enables operator interaction during the test.
Data Limit Detector Process Data Limit Detector Process About Data Limit Detector Process The Data Limit Detector process monitors signals for the limits you specify. When any (or all) of the monitored signals exceed their limits, the process ends and generates a done signal. The done signal from this process is often used to trigger other processes. You can configure the Data Limit Detector process to respond to a specific segment count, amount of time, or sensor signal value.
Data Limit Detector Process About Limit Modes This process supports relative limits (starting when the process begins) and absolute limits (from a zero reference). Example Assume the test command ramps from 1 cm to 4 cm. An absolute limit value of 2 cm ends the process at 2 cm. A relative limit ends the process at 3 cm (2 cm relative to 1 cm).
Data Limit Detector Process Data Limit Detector Parameter Descriptions Limits tab Limits Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Signal Displays the signals that may be monitored for limit detection. Only signals moved to the Included column on the Signals tab appear in this list. Upper/Lower Limit Enables the upper and lower limit controls, which allow you to specify associated limit detector values.
Data Limit Detector Process Settings Tab (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Log Message As Assigns a severity level to the message (in ascending levels of severity: Diagnostic, Information, Warning, or Error) and makes the message available to the MPT Specimen Log. If the Station Manager Station Log and the Basic TestWare Test Log are configured to accept messages from all sources, then MPT makes the message available to them also.
Data Limit Detector Process Settings Tab (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Action Specifies the action that occurs when the process completes. None The process ends without generating a message or performing an action. Station Power Off The process removes hydraulic power from the station. The test can be resumed after you reset interlocks and reapply hydraulic power to the station. Interlock The process triggers a hydraulic interlock and shuts down the hydraulic power supply.
Data Limit Detector Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Data Limit Detector Process 7. Click the Settings tab. 8. Under Limit Mode, set the limit mode. 9. Under Process completes when, set when the process ends. 10. Optional—Enable (check) the Log Message As control and select the type of message you wish to generate. 11. Optional—Select an action. 12. Click the Limit Table tab. 13. Verify and, if needed, edit limit values on this tab. 14. Click the General tab. 15. In the Name box, type a name for this process.
Digital Input Detector Process Digital Input Detector Process About the Digital Input Detector Process The Digital Input Detector process monitors digital input signals. When any (or all) of the monitored signals are received, the process ends and generates a done signal. The done signal from this process is used to trigger other processes.
Digital Input Detector Process Design considerations If the signal is high when the process begins: • The High/Low selection will cause the process to trigger when the signal becomes low. • The Low/High selection will cause the process to trigger when the signal becomes low, then transitions to high. • The Either selection will cause the process to trigger when the signal becomes low. • The Channel Low selection will cause the process to trigger when the signal becomes low.
Digital Input Detector Process Settings tab Settings Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Trigger Mode Trigger Once causes the process to generate a trigger and a done signal when the specified digital event occurs. Trigger Continuously causes the process to generate a trigger signal when the specified digital event occurs. When you make this selection, the process will only terminate upon an interrupt or when its parent group or procedure ends.
Digital Input Detector Process Settings Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Action Specifies one of the following detector actions: None The process ends without generating a message or performing an action. Station Power Off The process removes hydraulic power from the station. The test can be resumed after you reset interlocks and reapply hydraulic power to the station. Interlock The process triggers a hydraulic interlock and shuts down the hydraulic power supply.
Digital Input Detector Process For more information about triggers, see “About Sequencing Processes” on page 87. For more information on Actions, see “How to Use Actions with Processes” on page 347 How to Define a Digital Input Detector Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Inputs tab. 4. Move all the signals you want to monitor to the Included list.
Digital Input Detector Process 18. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the procedure table.
Operator Event Process Operator Event Process About the Operator Event Process The Operator Event process allows the operator to affect test progress through the use of custom buttons on a special control panel. It is useful for reminding the operator of particular test events or hazards. Sample uses include: • Prompting the operator before the test begins. • Prompting the operator to perform an action before continuing the test. • Triggering the beginning of a data acquisition process.
Operator Event Process Operator Event Parameter Descriptions Settings tab Settings Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Button ID Selects one of four operator event buttons. Button Label Assigns a label to the button that appears on the MPT control panel (10character maximum). Description Assigns the operator event message that is displayed next to the operator event button on the MPT control panel.
Operator Event Process Options tab Options Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Trigger Mode Trigger Once causes the process to generate a trigger and a done signal when the specified operator event occurs. Trigger Continuously causes the process to generate a trigger signal when the specified operator event occurs. When you make this selection, the process will only terminate upon an interrupt or when its parent group or procedure ends.
Operator Event Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Operator Event Process How to Define an Operator Event Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table or the navigation pane. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Settings tab. 4. In the Button ID list, click the button you want to use. 5. In the Button Label box, type in the button label that appears on the MPT control panel. 6. In the Description box, type the message you want to display on the MPT control panel. 7.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Peak/Valley Change Detector Process About the Peak/Valley Change Detector Process The Peak/Valley Change Detector process monitors signals for peak and valley changes. In its default state, this process begins by detecting the amplitudes of the first peak and valley, which it uses as reference levels to establish the tolerance band.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Sensitivity A sensitivity value specifies how much the signal must change to detect a peak or valley. It can be used to keep the process from seeing signal noise as a new peak or valley. • Setting the sensitivity too low may cause signal noise to be recognized as peaks and valleys. • Setting the sensitivity too high may cause low amplitude signals to be missed. Detected Peaks Determines when a peak or valley is detected.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process If you do not use Channel Reference, the process will begin counting cycles immediately after the number of cycles you specify. For instance, if you specify 6 cycles, and the waveform begins with a taper that includes 2 cycles, the process will begin monitoring for peaks and valleys on cycle 7. In either case, if you press stop and then run on the Station Controls panel, the process will begin the count over.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Example Suppose you want to acquire a cycle of data each time the peaks or valleys of an input signal change by a specified amount. Further, suppose you define a Peak/ Valley Change Detector process with the following parameters: • Trigger continuously • Tolerance: ±50 lbs • Sensitivity: 5 lbs Strain Command Force Signal 100 lbs (±50 lbs) Bands Trigger Data Acquisition Processes The test command cycles between ±0.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Peak/Valley Change Detector Parameter Descriptions Settings tab Settings Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Signal Selects the signal you will monitor with the Peak/Valley Change Detector process. Sensitivity Defines how much the signal must change before it is considered a peak or valley. Tolerance Defines a tolerance band for the peaks and valleys. If a peak or valley occurs outside the tolerance band, the process triggers.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Options Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Log Message As Assigns a severity level to the message (in ascending levels of severity: Diagnostic, Information, Warning, or Error) and makes the message available to the MPT Specimen Log. If the Station Manager Station Log and the Basic TestWare Test Log are configured to accept messages from all sources, then MPT makes the message available to them also.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process Command tab Command Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Channel Reference Selects the command channel associated with the feedback signal that you want to monitor. If you select None, which is the default, the Cycle Time Out control is disabled. Use this feature if your procedure includes tapered waveforms. With the command channel, MPT can identify and avoid monitoring the transitions that occur during tapered cycles.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test. Counter Label Names the counter. When you run the test, this name appears under Sequence Counters on the MPT control panel. Note For more information If this box is blank, the process name is used as the counter label.
Peak/Valley Change Detector Process 12. Optional—Click the Command tab, click a Channel Reference signal and type a Cycle Time Out value. 13. Click the General tab. 14. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 15. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 16. In the Execute Process box, type number of times you want the process to run.
Program Event Process Program Event Process About the Program Event Process The Program Event process is typically used to trigger other processes in response to a change in the test state. There are seven test states that can generate a trigger and/or done signal in the Program Event process: • Running—the state in which the procedure is controlling the machine and playing out a waveform. • Entering Hold—the transition state between Running and Holding.
Program Event Process How to detect transitions after a Done Interrupt For more information When a procedure or group process is done, MPT sends out an Interrupt signal to all of the active child processes. Program Event processes cannot detect Entering Stopped and Stopped transitions that occur after a Done Interrupt. See “About Transition States” on page 70.
Program Event Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Program Event Process How to Define a Program Event Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Settings tab. 4. Hold the Ctrl key and click the program events you want to monitor. 5. Under Trigger Mode, set the trigger mode. 6. Click the General tab. 7. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 8.
Periodic Time Event Process Periodic Time Event Process About the Periodic Time Event Process With the Periodic Time Event process, you can schedule arbitrary and repetitive times at which the process will produce a trigger, or a series of triggers. You can use these time based triggers to invoke an event, such as triggering another process, actuating an external device, and so forth.
Periodic Time Event Process Periodic Time Event Parameter Descriptions Settings tab You may type in any of the entry boxes or choose from the selection list. To display the selection list of an entry box, double-click on the box, or position the cursor in the edit field of the desired box and press the up or down arrow keys. Each box may be empty (meaning any value), may contain a single value, or may contain a list of values separated by commas.
Periodic Time Event Process Options tab Options Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Trigger Mode Trigger Once causes the process to generate a trigger and a done signal when the specified event occurs. Trigger Continuously causes the process to generate a trigger signal when the specified event occurs. When you make this selection, the process will only terminate upon an interrupt or when its parent group or procedure ends.
Periodic Time Event Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Periodic Time Event Process How to Define a Periodic Time Event Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Settings tab. Note Double-clicking an entry box displays its selection list. 4. Type or select desired values in the Minute, Hour, Day of Week, Day of Month, and Month of Year entry boxes. 5. Click the Options tab. 6. Under Trigger Mode, set the trigger mode.
Failure Detector Process Failure Detector Process About the Failure Detector Process The Failure Detector process is a detector process which monitors signals for occurrence failure events (peak or valley values), determines whether the failure events meet the criteria for specimen failure, and if so, completes the process.
Failure Detector Process Options tab Options Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Log Message As Assigns a severity level to the message (in ascending levels of severity: Diagnostic, Information, Warning, or Error) and makes the message available to the MPT Specimen Log. If the Station Manager Station Log and the Basic TestWare Test Log are configured to accept messages from all sources, then MPT makes the message available to them also.
Failure Detector Process Options Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Action Specifies the action that occurs when the process completes. None The process ends without generating a message or performing an action. Station Power Off The process removes hydraulic power from the station. The test can be resumed after you reset interlocks and reapply hydraulic power to the station. Interlock The process triggers a hydraulic interlock and shuts down the hydraulic power supply.
Failure Detector Process Data Destination You set how your acquired data is saved on the Destination tab. The options are: • Specimen data file Acquired data is written to the specimen.dat file saved in your MPT specimen. MPT specimens are located in your MPT Specimens folder (MPT > Specimens > spec01, spec02, and so forth). • User-specified data file Acquired data is written to the data file you specify (filename.dat) in the MPT specimen.
Failure Detector Process 11. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 12. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 13. In the Execute Process box, type number of times you want the process to run. 14. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 15. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 16.
Chapter 15 External Control Process Descriptions You use external control processes to send signals to external controllers or logic devices. External Control Process Types ICON PROCESS NAME DESCRIPTION Digital Output Process Controls digital outputs. Temperature Control Process Programs and/or controls an external temperature controller.
Digital Output Process Digital Output Process About the Digital Output Process The Digital Output process invokes the controller to issue digital signals that can be sent to external switches and logic devices. Note Before you configure a Digital Output process to signal an external device, ensure that the signal values listed below are compatible with the device.
Digital Output Process Keep in mind When you are configuring a Digital Output process for use in your procedure, keep in mind: • You must allocate a digital output resource in the station configuration file that can be controlled by the Digital Output process. For more information, see the MTS 793 Control Software manual (PN 100-147-130). • You should choose an output signal option that is compatible with the external device connected.
Digital Output Process Digital Output Parameter Descriptions Output table tab Output Table Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Digital Outputs Lists the digital outputs included on the Outputs tab. Options Defines the type of digital signal that will be sent to the external device: • None–The process does not send a digital signal, but the done signal can still be used to start and interrupt other processes. • Set–The process generates a logic high signal (+12 V DC).
Digital Output Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Digital Output Process How to Define a Digital Output Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Outputs tab. 4. Move all the signals you want to send digital signals to the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. 5. Click the Output Table tab. 6. Select an option for each digital output signal listed.
Temperature Control Process Temperature Control Process About the Temperature Control Process The Temperature Control process provides setpoint programming to external temperature controllers cabled to your test system. Depending on how your hardware is configured, you may be able to: • Use temperature feedback from a single thermocouple to maintain a specified temperature tolerance for a specified amount of time.
Temperature Control Process Controller options with your controller Depending on the type of external controller you are programming, the Temperature Control process may be configured differently. See the following sections for special considerations. Eurotherm controllers Some controllers support a special cabling configuration for Eurotherm temperature controllers.
Temperature Control Process Temperature Control Parameter Descriptions Command tab Command Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Rate Type Specifies the method with which the controller ramps the temperature to the specified end level. The following rate types are supported: • Time specifies the time to run one segment. • Frequency specifies the time to run a two-segment cycle (even though a single segment runs). • Rate specifies a constant rate between the starting level and the end level.
Temperature Control Process Command Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Monitor Signal Specifies the temperature feedback signal associated with the monitor feature. This feedback comes from a second temperature sensor in the enclosure, which is conditioned by its own conditioner. This feedback is independent of the feedback used by the external temperature controller to achieve closed-loop control.
Temperature Control Process How to Define a Temperature Control Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Channels tab. 4. Move all the channels you want to program with this process to the Included list. Move all the others to the Available list. 5. Click the Command tab. 6. Set the rate type (Time, Rate, or Frequency), set the units of measurement, and then type a value. 7.
Temperature Control Process 20. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the procedure table.
Chapter 16 Other Process Descriptions You use other processes to perform a variety of miscellaneous functions. Other Process Types ICON PROCESS NAME DESCRIPTION Program Control Process Performs user-defined program actions such as Program Hold, Program Resume, Interlock, and user defined actions. Group Process Defines a process sub-group that may contain one or more other processes. MPT Calculation Process Modifies the value of numeric variables through the use of mathematical expressions.
Program Control Process Program Control Process About the Program Control Process The Program Control process can be used to generate a message and/or perform a specified action. Once the process performs the specified action, the process ends. Note Logging Program Control messages Program Control process example Generally, you use a detector process to start a Program Control process. If desired, you can save generated messages to the message logs.
Program Control Process Program Control Parameter Descriptions Action tab Action Tab (part 1 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Action Specifies the action that occurs when the process completes. None The process ends without generating a message or performing an action. Message Only The process writes a message to the MPT Specimen Log. (You define the content of the message in the Message box.) Program Hold The process suspends the test until you click the Run button on the Station Controls panel.
Program Control Process Action Tab (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Log Message As Assigns a severity level to the message (in ascending levels of severity: Diagnostic, Information, Warning, or Error) and makes the message available to the MPT Specimen Log. If the Station Manager Station Log and the Basic TestWare Test Log are configured to accept messages from all sources, then MPT makes the message available to them also.
Program Control Process Action Tab (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Message Defines the content of the message written to the log. Include Counters* Includes counter information with the message written to the message log. Note * This option can be used to periodically log counter information. If the Program Control process is configured to include counters and log on a transition state change, your log will contain two similar messages each time the state changes.
Program Control Process How to Define a Program Control Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your procedure table or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Action tab. 4. In the Action list, click the action for this process. 5. Optional—If you want to write a message to the log when this process triggers, select the Log Message As check box and click Diagnostic, Information, Warning, or Error in the list. 6.
Group Process Group Process About the Group Process The Group process is basically a sub-procedure that runs within your main procedure (or within another group process). On the procedure table, you can double-click the Group process icon to display the Group Parameters window. The Group table looks similar to the procedure table. You add processes to it in the same manner. For more information For information on sequencing Group processes, see “About Sequencing Processes” on page 87.
Group Process Group Process Parameter Descriptions General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active.
Group Process How to Define a Group Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the Group process icon in your group or procedure table, and then click on the MPT Procedure Editor. 3. Add processes to your Group table. Make sure to set the parameters for each process included in your group. 4. Set Start and Interrupt signals for each process in your group. Also, set the Group is done when signal. 5.
MPT Calculation Process MPT Calculation Process About the MPT Calculations Process Note The MPT Calculation process is available only if the controller is equipped with the Variables feature (keyed option). Note The MPT Calculation process does not pertain to calculated station signals, or to the Calculation Editor in the Station Manager application. The MPT Calculation process pertains only to variable parameters in MultiPurpose TestWare.
MPT Calculation Process How to Define the MPT Calculation Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your Group or Procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your Group or Procedure table. 3. Click the Variables tab, select the variables you wish to apply calculations to in the Available list, then click > to move the selected variables to the Included list. 4. Click the Calculation tab. 5.
Operator Information Process Operator Information Process About the Operator Information Process The Operator Information process requires the operator to type and enter information at a specific time during the test. The information can be archived along with other data during the test. Some examples of the types of things a test designer can do with the Operator Information process include: • Control the test flow by prompting the operator for information at any time during the test.
Operator Information Process Operator Information process example Suppose you want to define an Operator Information process that requires the operator to type information about the physical specimen condition before the data acquisition phase of the test starts. You also want to save this information to a data file labeled “Surface Condition.” Perform the following steps to define the Operator Information process: 1. On the Parameters tab, click the Add button to create Item1 in the Items list.
Operator Information Process Operator Information Parameter Descriptions The Variables tab is available only if the controller is equipped with the variable feature (keyed option). The Upgrade to Variables control on the Parameters tab is available only if the configuration includes parameters that have not been converted to variables. Variables tab Variables Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Show Parameters Page Displays or hides the Parameters page.
Operator Information Process Variables Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Available/Included The Available list displays the variable parameters that you can assign to the Operator Information process. The Included list displays the variable parameters that can be used by the Operator Information process. Editable Note Enabling the Editable control does not automatically make all the variables in the included list editable.
Operator Information Process Parameters Tab (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Delete selection Move selection up Move selection down Label Deletes the selected item. Moves the selected item up one position. Moves the selected item down one position. Specifies the item label at run time. When you select an item, its label appears in the Label box. To rename an item, type the new name and then press Enter.
Operator Information Process Parameters Tab (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Type Specifies the type of information that will be displayed in the Operator Information window: String—Can be any arbitrary text string. Real—Can be any real number (includes decimal expressions, such as 1.2) within the defined range. If you select Real, the dimension boxes are enabled (see below). Integer—Can be any number (zero, 1, 2, and so on) within the defined range.
Operator Information Process Destination tab Destination Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Buffer Size Specifies the maximum number of data elements the buffer will store before data is written to the disk. Data Header Includes a label that describes the data on each buffer that is written to a file. Destination Specifies where data is saved: Specimen data file—the process writes buffers of data to the MPT specimen.dat file in the Specimen.
Operator Information Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Operator Information Process 10. Repeat steps 3 - 9 for each item you want to define. 11. Click the Destination tab. 12. Type a description of the data file in the Data Header box. 13. In the Destination list, click the destination for the acquired data. (If you click User-specified data file, type a file name in the User Data File box.) 14. Click the General tab. 15. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 16.
Operator Information Process 5. If available, click the Parameters tab and define parameters as desired. 6. Click the Destination tab. 7. Type a description of the data file in the Data Header box. 8. In the Destination list, click the destination for the acquired data. (If you click User-specified data file, type a file name in the User Data File box.) 9. Click the General tab. 10. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the Procedure table.) 11.
Start Application Process Start Application Process About the Start Application Process With the Start Application process, you can launch another application with arguments when the Start Application process is triggered. Start Application Example Suppose you want to create a test in which the procedure automatically displays data when the test is complete.
Start Application Process Start Application Parameter Descriptions Settings tab Settings Tab (part 1 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Application to Run Specifies the application that the process will launch. Arguments • To run an application registered by Microsoft or available in the system path, you do not have to specify a full path. For example, if you want to select Microsoft Excel, you can simply type “excel”.
Start Application Process Settings Tab (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Arguments (continued) Argument Syntax Requirements: When you type arguments directly, you must observe standard command line syntax. Variable Name • You must type a space between multiple arguments. For example, if you enter two arguments such as: “ ” you must add a space must between the two arguments. • If path placeholder results in path with spaces, you must add quotes to the argument.
Start Application Process Settings Tab (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Wait for application to complete When enabled, the process will wait until the application has completed before completing (before it sends out its “done” trigger). When disabled, the process will complete immediately after starting the specified application. Resume Options Defines how the process will resume when the procedure has been stopped and unlocked while waiting for the selected application to complete.
Start Application Process Start Application Process Example To display the contents of the “specimen.dat” file in the current MPT specimen directory: 1. Type “notepad” in the Application to Run text box. 2. Define the argument: “\specimen.dat” in the Arguments text box. A. In the Arguments list, click MPT Specimen.(MPT Specimen will appear between angle brackets in the entry box). B. Add a back slash character followed by the file name: “specimen.dat”.
Start Application Process How to Define the Start Application Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your group or procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your group or procedure table, or in the navigation pane. 3. Click the Settings tab. 4. Select the Application to Run, Argument, and Default Path as desired. 5.
Send Mail Process Send Mail Process About the Send Mail Process The Send Mail process allows you to send e-mail with a predefined message and recent log entries attached. You can configure this process to send e-mail notifications as desired processes complete to monitor the progress of a test procedure. An application called mtssendmail.exe runs in the background to send the e-mail messages.
Send Mail Process Servers tab Configure server settings on this tab. You may need to contact your network administrator or IT department to configure this tab. Servers Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Maximum Wait Time Define the maximum time the process will wait for the server to respond without producing an error (maximum of 60 seconds). Server Name Select a server from the list. You can also edit the server display name in this field. Add Click to add a new server.
Send Mail Process How to Define the Send Mail Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your Group or Procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your Group or Procedure table. 3. Click the Servers tab. 4. Enter the amount of time (up to 60 seconds) that the process will wait for the e-mail to send in the Maximum Wait Time field. 5. Select the name of the server that the process will access to send the e-mail in the Server Name field.
Send Mail Process 18. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 19. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 20. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the Group or Procedure table.
Set Controller Value Process Set Controller Value Process About the Set Controller Value Process This process can change calculation parameter and calculation variable values defined in the Station Manager application. You set initial calculation parameter and calculation variable values with the Calculation Editor.
Set Controller Value Process Process execution When the process is triggered, the calculation parameter and variable values you set within the process override their associated values defined in the Station Manager application. After the process runs: • Calculation parameter values in the Station Manager application will remain at the current value and are saved with the parameter set unless you choose not to save changes when you exit Station Manager.
Set Controller Value Process Set Controller Value Process Parameter Descriptions Calc Parameters and Calc Variables tabs Calc Parameters and Calc Variables Tabs ITEM DESCRIPTION Available/Selected The Parameters page lists all the calculation parameters defined in the Station Manager application. The Variables page lists all the calculation variables defined in the Station Manager application. Use the arrow keys to move the desired items from the Available to the Selected list.
Set Controller Value Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed in the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Set Controller Value Process 3. Set the desired Start and Interrupt signals for the process in the Group or Procedure table. 4. Click the General tab. A. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the Procedure table.) B. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) C. In the Execute Process box, type the number of times you want the process to run. D. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. E.
Set Controller Value Process 8. Optional—If an MPT variable is assigned in the Value to Set text box, use one of the following methods to change the value of a variable: For more information • Use an Operator Information process where an operator can redefine a variable based on test or specimen requirements. • Use a calculation to define the variable. Calculations can be added to a variable using the Variable Editor or a Calculation Process.
Auto Offset Process Auto Offset Process About the Auto Offset Process The Auto Offset process allows you to zero input signals that are not being used for the active control mode. The process completes after all selected signals have been zeroed. If a selected signal is active when the process is triggered, an error will be logged. Auto Offset process example Suppose you want to run a sweep test on a pliable specimen in force control.
Auto Offset Process About Feedback Signal Offset The Auto Offset control in the Station Manager application zeros the output of the conditioner without shifting the electrical zero reference of the conditioner. An auto offset can be applied to the current control feedback with station pressure applied. For example, suppose your LVDT output is 1 cm when the actuator is at its null, midstroke position. You can compensate for this positive LVDT output by offsetting the feedback signal –1 cm.
Auto Offset Process Auto Offset Parameter Descriptions Signals tab Settings tab Displays the channels available to this process. Use the arrow keys to move channels from the Available list to the Included list. Allows you to select how the process will respond to an error. Stop the test and report the error is selected by default. You can change it to Log the error and continue the test.
Auto Offset Process How to Define the Auto Offset Process 1. Drag the icon from the Process Palette to your Group or Procedure table. 2. Click the process icon in your Group or Procedure table. 3. Click the Signals tab. 4. Move all signals which you want to apply the offset from the Available list to the Included list. Note Applying an offset to an active signal will generate an error. Depending on the error handling method you select, the process can stop, or continue by skipping the signal. 5.
Data Display Process Data Display Process About the Data Display Process The Data Display process acquires data on the signals you specify, and then plots the data on-screen during the test. With this process, you can view events as they occur on multiple data channels. This process acquires data each time a selected signal changes a specified amount. This process must run in parallel with a command process; it cannot acquire data unless the command process is performing an action that it can measure.
Data Display Process Data Display Parameter Descriptions Plots tab This window lets you create, delete, and rearrange plots using its toolbar icons. Note To save the position of the plot window(s), you must save the procedure (’position’ refers to the location of the plot on your PC monitor). If you move the plot window from its default position and close the procedure without saving, the plot window will appear in its default (or last saved) position.
Data Display Process Click each tab to access a different set of plot parameters. Plot Setup Tab (part 1 of 7) ITEM DESCRIPTION Plot Specifies the plot being configured. X-Axis Subtab Determines settings for the horizontal or x-axis. Signal Specifies the signal for the x-axis of the plot. Show Values Displays the selected signal values in a table in the Plots window. Zero Offset Note This control is most useful for continuously increasing signals, such as time, segment count, and so forth.
Data Display Process Plot Setup Tab (part 2 of 7) ITEM DESCRIPTION Signals of Dimension/ Included on Plot Displays signals on the plot with unit dimensions matching the current List Filter selection. Use the > to move individual signals, or the >> to move all signals, from the Signals of Dimension list to the Included on Plot list as desired. Note Signal Only signals with the same dimension can be plotted on the same axis. Displays the signals that were added to the Included on Plot list.
Data Display Process Plot Setup Tab (part 3 of 7) ITEM DESCRIPTION Options Subtab Lets you define visual characteristics of the plot and buffer size, and choose which data is displayed. Show Grid Hides or displays the grid in the plot window. Show Legend Hides or displays the legend in the plot window. Transpose X/Y Axis Transposes the X and Y1 axes. Buffer Size Sets the size of the display buffer, which ranges between 4096 and 16,384.
Data Display Process Plot Setup Tab (part 4 of 7) ITEM DESCRIPTION Decimation Option Decimation refers to discarding a portion of the data in the display buffer when it fills. Each option controls the flow of data through the display buffer in a unique way, and creates a corresponding type of display on the plot.
Data Display Process Plot Setup Tab (part 5 of 7) ITEM DESCRIPTION Reduced Rate—This option causes the buffer to accept acquired data until it fills, perform a decimation of every other point, shift data, accept new data at one-half the rate used on the previous pass (every point on the first pass, every second point on the second pass, every fourth point on the third pass, and so forth), and repeat.
Data Display Process Plot Setup Tab (part 6 of 7) ITEM DESCRIPTION Discard Oldest Points—This option causes the buffer to accept acquired data until it fills, perform a decimation that discards the oldest points in the buffer, shift data, and repeat. If the selected signal is something that is always increasing such as time, the result is a scrolling effect. This method of discarding points prevents the plot from redrawing on any given update cycle if the number of points acquired is relatively small.
Data Display Process Plot Setup Tab (part 7 of 7) ITEM DESCRIPTION Keep 10 Points Per Decade—This option causes the buffer to accept acquired data until it fills, perform a decimation that retains ten points per decade of data, shift the data, and repeat. Unlike the other decimation options, this method does not discard points retained from previous passes, and is especially suited to viewing trends in peak/valley data. First pass: Suppose the buffer initially fills with 4096 points of data.
Data Display Process Acquisition tab This window lets you select the method with which the process acquires data to plot. Acquisition Tab (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Acquisition Method: Peak/Valley The Peak/Valley Acquisition Method acquires data on dependent signals when the software detects a peak or valley in the specified master signal.
Data Display Process Acquisition Tab (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Acquisition Method: Level Crossing The Level Crossing Acquisition Method acquires data each time the selected master signal changes by a specific amount. Data Points Level Increments Data Points Data is acquired each time the signal moves by the specified level increment When you define a Level Crossing Acquisition Method, you must select the master signal and define the level increment at which data is acquired.
Data Display Process General tab General Tab ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Specifies the process name displayed on the Procedure or Group process window. Process Enabled Enables the process. (Clear this box to disable the process.) Execute Process Specifies the number of times the process will be run. Counter Type Enables a process counter. Options are None, Transient, or Fixed. Transient counters are displayed only when the process is active. Fixed counters are displayed throughout the test.
Data Display Process Additional Plot Properties Accessing the Properties and Print menu When you right-click on the plot a menu will appear with two selections, Properties and Print, as shown below. If you select Print, the Page Setup window will appear (you can also access this window by selecting Print from the Options menu). Complete the desired selections and click OK. The plot will be sent to the printer. If you choose Properties, the Chart Properties window will appear.
Data Display Process How to Work with the Data Display Process Data Display characteristics This process is used to view data. The data will not be saved to disk. • Plots can be enabled and/or disabled. • Plot settings can be saved. • The plot will appear when the procedure is locked. Likewise, it will disappear when the procedure is unlocked. Note To save the position of the plot window(s), you must save the procedure (’position’ refers to the location of the plot on your PC monitor).
Data Display Process B. Select a Units type for the Level Increment. C. Type the desired value for the Level Increment. 10. Click the Plot Setup tab. 11. Click the X-Axis tab. 12. Select the desired Signal. 13. Check the Show Values check box if you want the values to be displayed on the plot. 14. Select the desired Zero Offset setting. 15. Select the desired Units. 16. Type the desired Initial Minimum and Initial Maximum values. 17. Click the Y1-Axis tab. 18.
Data Display Process 32. In the Name box, type a name for this process. (You can also name the process in the procedure table.) 33. Select the Process Enabled check box. (If this box is cleared, the process will not run.) 34. In the Execute Process box, type number of times you want the process to run. 35. Optional—In the Counter Type list, click a counter type. 36. Optional—If you enabled a counter, type a Counter Label. 37.
Data Display Process 456 Other Process Descriptions MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Chapter 17 Trend and Fatigue Monitoring Applications Contents Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Model 793.
Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Contents About the Trend Monitoring Application Trend Monitoring Control Panel Trend Monitoring Window Limit Settings Window Numerical Data Window 458 459 460 463 464 About the Trend Monitoring Application The Trend Monitoring application plots trend data (received from an MPT Trend process) in real-time. While the Trend process is running, you can use the Trend Monitoring application to adjust limits in real-time.
Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Trend Monitoring Control Panel With the Trend Monitoring Control Panel, you can choose which procedure for which to display trend information. It also includes a toolbar with which you can open trend data files and quit the Trend Monitoring application. Trend Monitoring Control Panel ITEM DESCRIPTION Displays the Open Trend Data File window: You use this window to open an existing trend data file and display its contents.
Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Trend Monitoring Window The Trend Monitoring window consists of your trend plot, a channel selection box, and a toolbar. If you are running a new procedure, the Procedure File View displays. If you open an existing data file, the Data File View displays. The current statistical values and the actual limit settings are displayed on the data plot.
Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Controls The Trend Monitoring main window controls are described in the following table. Trend Monitoring Window ITEM DESCRIPTION Displays the Numerical Display window. Displays the Limit Settings window. Shows or hides the channel selection information. Active Process Selects the process or file to view. You can have multiple processes or multiple files per window. Channel Selection Specifies the statistical value plotted for that signal.
Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Context menu Other commands are available on the Trend Monitoring application context menu. To access the menu, right-click the trend plot. Trend Monitoring Context Menu Item DESCRIPTION Set Marker Reset Marker(s) Places a graphic marker on your plot window. After you enable the Set Marker control, click on the desired location of the desired trace to place the marker at that location. Reset Zoom Returns a zoomed plot to the default view.
Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Limit Settings Window All limit adjustments are made within this window. For each channel, you can select Lower Limit, Upper Limit, and Limit Action. Example of signals displayed in the Limit Settings window. Limit Settings Window ITEM DESCRIPTION Prints the current limit settings in a tabular form. Applies the selected action to all channels, and redisplays the Trend Monitoring window. Active Process Selects the desired process or file.
Model 793.12 Trend Monitoring Application Numerical Data Window This Numerical Data window shows the current or past values for all statistical data for one pass. This view is updated with the data of a new pass only when the last pass is displayed. If you use the pass slider to look at a previous pass, this view will not change when new pass data is received. You can use the slider again or click on the pass number field to display the latest pass.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Contents About the Fatigue Monitoring Application Fatigue Monitoring Control Panel Fatigue Monitoring Window Limit Settings Window 465 467 463 About Best Case/Worst Case Numerical Data Window 465 471 464 About the Fatigue Monitoring Application The Fatigue Monitoring application plots fatigue data (received from an MPT Fatigue process) in real-time.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Fatigue Monitoring Control Panel ITEM DESCRIPTION Opens the Open Fatigue Data File window. You use this window to open an existing fatigue data file and display its contents. If a data file has been opened before, the display will be updated to show the new fatigue data. Quits the Fatigue Monitoring application. Note Active Procedures 466 If data has already been received, a message will prompt you to confirm the Exit command.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Fatigue Monitoring Window The Fatigue Monitoring window consists of your fatigue plot, a channel selection box, and a toolbar. If you are running a new procedure, the Procedure File View displays. If you open an existing data file, the Data File View displays. The current damage values and limit settings are displayed on the data plot. If you are creating a new process, the system will plot only the first channel in the list by default.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Controls The Fatigue Monitoring main window controls are described in the following table. Fatigue Monitoring Window ITEM DESCRIPTION Displays the Numerical Display window. Displays the Limit Settings window. Shows or hides the channel value information. Active Process Selects the process or file to view. You can have multiple processes or multiple files per window. Lifetime Data Displays “percentage of lifetime” instead of damage number.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Context menu Other commands are available on the Fatigue Monitoring application context menu. To access the menu, right-click the fatigue plot. Fatigue Monitoring Context Menu Item DESCRIPTION Set Marker Reset Marker(s) Places a graphic marker on your plot window. After you enable the Set Marker control, click on the desired location of the desired trace to place the marker at that location. Reset Zoom Returns a zoomed plot to the default view.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Limit Settings Window All limit adjustments are made within this window. You can select a best case (BC) and worst case (WC) for each signal as follows: • Upper Limit (Pass) • Lower Limit (Pass) • Limit Action (Pass) • Upper Limit (Accumulated) • Limit Action (Accumulated) Example of signals displayed in the Limit Settings window. Limit Settings Window (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Prints the current limit settings in a tabular form.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Limit Settings Window (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Limit Action For a data file: Displays the action settings. For a procedure file: Displays editable action settings. To change a setting, double-click it. A list appears with the following options: None—Limit is disabled. Warning—A warning message is issued and a message is written to the MPT Specimen Log. Stop—The process stops and a message is written in the MPT Specimen Log.
Model 793.14 Fatigue Monitoring Application Numerical Data Window The Numerical Data window displays the current or past values for all damage data for one pass. This view is updated with the data of a new pass only when the last pass is displayed. If you use the pass slider to look at a previous pass, this view will not change when new pass data is received. You can use the slider again or click on the pass number field to display the latest pass.
Chapter 18 Model 793.
Block-Arbitrary Profile Example 503 Graphical Preview Channel 1 504 Graphical Preview Channel 2 504 Phase Profile Example 505 Graphical Preview Channels 1 and 2 About Cycle and Segment Behavior About Working with Dimensions 506 506 508 About Using Normalized Dimensions 510 Using Normalized Dimensions to Define Control Modes How to Preview Profiles 513 About Adding Transitions 514 About Generating Transitions 514 About Working with Automatic Transitions About Working with Manual Transition
Actions Window Channel Menu Tools Menu 541 542 542 About Graphical Preview Window 543 Options Editor – Graphical Preview Tab Analyze Window Window Menu Help Menu MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® 543 548 550 551 Model 793.
Profile Editor Profile Editor About the Profile Editor With the Profile Editor application you can create and edit files that contain specifications for custom and/or arbitrary waveforms. These files are called profiles. This chapter describes the basic concepts and key features of the MTS Profile Editor application. It also describes how the Profile Editor application is used with the other MTS software applications. The Profile Editor application is equipped with a graphical previewing tool.
Profile Editor Note The Profile Editor’s graphical display will not display the tapered waveforms. To view tapered wave shapes, use the Scope in the Station Manager application. Note how the Channel 2 plot stretches to achieve the desired phase relationships between each row of channel data. For instance, the Phase Lag of Row 2 of Channel 1 is 0 degrees, while the Phase Lag for the same row on Channel 2 is 180 degrees.
Profile Editor Row 0 2 3 4 5 6 1 Row 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 This is the plot of the sample profile. (The row and segment numbers have been added to show how they relate to the profile. The vertical gray bar denotes where one row stops and the next row begins.) The Graphical Preview window appears when you select Show Graph on the Tools menu, or when you click the For more information button on the toolbar. See “About Graphical Preview Window” on page 543.
Profile Editor A single profile can (and often does) contain the command content of an entire procedure. Sample Profile Grid Profile output example This example is based on the Sample Profile Grid. • Row 0 specifies a ramp waveform shape, 3 segments, 3 seconds per segment, Level 1 of -10 mm, and Level 2 of 7 mm. • Row 1 specifies a ramp waveform shape, 3 segments, 4 seconds per segment, Level 1 of 3 mm, and Level 2 of 6 mm.
Profile Editor The file is read in sequence (row by row) to produce a waveform: Row 0 Row 1 Seg. 1 3 Seg. 2 3 Seg. 3 3 sec. sec. sec. Transition segment from zero to Row 0, Level 1 Seg. 1 4 sec. Seg. 2 4 sec. Transition segment from Row 0 end level to Row 1, Level 1 Note Row 2 Seg. 3 4 sec. Seg. 1 5 sec. Seg. 2 5 sec. Seg. 3 5 sec.
Profile Editor About Playing Out Profiles To play out a profile, you must first import it into the Profile process of an MPT test procedure. Then you run the test procedure with the run, stop, and hold controls on the Station Manager’s Station Controls panel. For more information For more information about how to run test procedures, see “About MPT Test Procedures” on page 18. Default Profile Locations In MTS 793 software version 3.
Profile Editor Profiles are saved in the ASCII format. You can also specify how you want the profile to be viewed and stored by selecting preferences in the Options Editor window. Channel grids You create profiles by selecting properties or typing values for each cell in a channel grid. When the profile is played out, this information is read in sequence to produce a waveform.
Profile Editor About Profile Types You can create two types of profiles with the Profile Editor: • Block-Arbitrary • Phase (for multichannel systems only) Both types use the same basic structure. However, in addition to the properties contained in block-arbitrary profiles, with phase profiles you can change the phase relationship between channels. Block-Arbitrary Profiles A block-arbitrary profile can control multiple channels, with each channel running independently.
Profile Editor About segments The first segment in a row begins at the current level and travels to level 1. Subsequent segments in the row travel from one level to the next. 2 3 4 1 Row 0 Row 1 2 3 1 About cycles The first cycle in a row begins at the current level, travels to level 1, then travels back to level 2. Subsequent cycles in the row travel from level 2 to level 1 and back to level 2. If a row has a cycle count of 0.5, the cycle begins at the current level and travels just to level 1.
Profile Editor With a phase profile, you do not specify the timing of channels independently. Instead of specifying frequency and count for each channel, you specify them only for the first channel. Then you specify the relationships of the other channels to the first channel with a phase parameter. Two-channel Phase Profile Plot About Profile Properties When using the Channel Setup window, you can select properties for each channel grid in your profile.
Profile Editor Assign Profile constants You can set parameters of each channel grid to be constant for each row in that channel. When you assign a parameter as a constant you enter a set value for all rows of a channel grid. Any parameter you select as a constant will be hidden from view on the channel grid. About Profile Constants When using the Channel Constants window, you can assign certain parameters to be constant for each row in the channel grid.
Creating Profiles Creating Profiles How to Start the Profile Editor From the desktop From MTS applications From the desktop: Start > Programs > MTS controller product name (for example, “MTS FlexTest GT”) > Applications > Profile Editor • On the Project Manager tool bar, click the Profile Editor icon, or from the Applications menu, click Profile Editor. • From the Station Manager Applications menu, click Profile Editor.
Creating Profiles Using Shortcuts You can use a shortcut to automatically load a specific profile when you start the Profile Editor application. Shortcut command line To create a shortcut, first specify the application (profedit), then the desired options. To view a list of available Profile Editor command-line options, type profedit / Help from the command line. These options are also described in the following table. Note If the parameter name contains spaces (for example, test 257.
Creating Profiles 4. On the Edit menu, select Constants and define the Channel Constants window for each channel grid. 5. Type channel and row properties in each cell of each channel grid. 6. On the Tools menu, select Options Editor. Click the Graphical Preview tab and select preferences as desired. 7. On the Tools menu, select Show Graph to display your profile. 8. On the Tools menu, select Analyze. The application will scan your profile for potential errors and display the results. 9.
Creating Profiles How to Create Block Arbitrary Profiles This section contains step-by-step instructions for creating a simple two-channel block-arbitrary profile. 1. Start the Profile Editor. Path: Start > Programs > FlexTest (or TestStar) > Applications > Profile Editor The Profile Editor main window and New Profile Settings window will appear. 2. Select the profile type and display a channel grid. A. Type a name for the profile in the File Name box. B. Select BlockArbitrary as the file type. C.
Creating Profiles See “How to Preview Profiles” on page 513. See “How to Analyze Profiles” on page 494. How to Create Phase Profiles This section contains step-by-step instructions for creating a simple two-channel Phase-type profile (this applies only to multichannel systems). You will: • Select channel properties and constants. • Define channel levels by typing data into channel grids. • View the profile plot using the Show Graph feature. 1.
Creating Profiles Note When you type a value into a cell, it will take effect when you press the Enter or Tab keys, click on another cell, or bring focus to another window (such as another channel grid). 7. Preview the profile. 8. Analyze the profile. For more information See , “How to Assign Profile Constants,” on page 492. See , “How to Assign Profile Properties,” on page 492. See, “How to Analyze Profiles,” on page 494. See, “How to Preview Profiles,” on page 513. How to Assign Profile Properties 1.
Creating Profiles How to Assign Actions Define actions 1. On the Edit menu, select Actions. 2. On the Actions window, add the actions and/or counters required for your profile. You can type the name of a predefined action, either user-defined or system actions, such as those displayed in the Station Manager Event-Action Editor Action Lists. Be sure to type the exact name of the action and that delimiters mark each entry (for example, ). These action entries are not case-sensitive.
Creating Profiles How to Analyze Profiles 1. On the Tools menu, select Analyze. 2. The Profile Editor application will scan the profile and discover flat spots in the channel data. If any flat spots exist, a message will appear. 494 Model 793.
Creating Profiles Design Considerations Profile Design Considerations There are several design considerations you need to keep in mind when creating a profile file: • The selected resources The Station Manager application and the MultiPurpose TestWare application must be opened with a configuration file that is compatible with the profile file.
Creating Profiles A phase profile can define several channels of data. Each row of segment data can have Phase Lag defined for it. The Phase Lag of each channel is referenced to the lowest Phase Lag defined in a channel. For more information See “Block-Arbitrary Profile Example” on page 503. See “Phase Profile Example” on page 505.
Creating Profiles Header Data Syntax The following is an example of proper header data syntax: FileType= Block-Arbitrary Date= Fri Aug 12 07:55:44 2000 Description= this is a sample test profile ActionList= , , counter1, “counter 2” Channels= 1 KEYWORD SUGGESTIONS COMMENTS FileType= Block-Arbitrary or Phase This required entry must be first. Date= Last modified date and time This optional entry can be in any form. It can be omitted.
Creating Profiles Action and Counter Syntax Observe the following syntax requirements when adding actions or counters to a profile file. Example with counters and actions • Actions and counters are defined by the keyword Action. This attribute may be a constant value or a column of values. • If the Action column is the last column in the file, the action value may be left blank.
Creating Profiles Level1 Action mm 5.0000 -5.0000 “Counter 1” 8.0000 -8.0000 2.000 Counter2 -2.000 5.0000 -5.0000 1.0000 -1.0000 Channel Header Syntax Following the header data definition, you must define the first control channel. After the channel definition, you must define the channel data for that channel.
Creating Profiles Channel Data Syntax Following the channel definition, you must define the command data for that channel. Channel data attributes can be entered two ways—as constants or as individual values. Constants are declared before any individual parameters are listed, and they require the equal sign (=) to be appended to the end of its keyword. Any keyword can be defined as a constant. The following is one example of the command data syntax where one keyword is defined as a constant.
Creating Profiles Channel Data Syntax KEYWORD RANGE COMMENTS Frequency, Time, or Rate* Undetermined This entry is required. Only one of these three can be specified. Rate must reflect the rate of change of the Level dimension. Count Greater than 0 This optional entry specifies the number of repeats. The units can be segments or cycles, and the value must be greater than 0. If this option is omitted, the command will run once.
Creating Profiles Count The count lets you repeat a cyclic waveform a specific number of times. The COUNT keyword can repeat segments or cycles. • 1 cycle = 2 segments • A cycle count of 0.5 is the same as a single segment. • Repeating a segment an even number of times ends at Level 2. • Repeating a segment an odd number of times ends at Level 1. The count can be set to a constant such as COUNT= 1 SEGMENTS. This runs each Level 1 parameter once.
Creating Profiles See “Shape” on page 502. See “Level data” on page 502. See “Phase lag” on page 502.
Creating Profiles Graphical Preview Channel 1 Graphical Preview Channel 2 504 Model 793.
Creating Profiles Phase Profile Example Header data FileType= Phase Date= 10-Dec-00 Channels= 2 Channel 1 header Channel(1)= Left Front Frequency= 1 Hz Shape= Sine PhaseLag= 0 deg Channel 1 data Channel 2 header Count Level1 Level2 segments mm mm 4 5 -5 4 8 -8 4 5 -5 4 2 -2 Channel(2)= Right Front Channel 2 data MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Level1 Level2 PhaseLag mm mm deg 2 -2 0 5 -5 90 2 -2 180 8 -8 90 Model 793.
Creating Profiles Graphical Preview Channels 1 and 2 About Cycle and Segment Behavior Cycle behavior The first cycle in a row begins at the current level, travels to level 1, then travels to level 2. Subsequent cycles in the row travel from level 2 to level 1 and back to level 2. If a row has a cycle count of 0.5, the cycle begins at the current level and travels just to level 1. Row 0 1 0.5 506 Model 793.
Creating Profiles Segment behavior The first segment in a row begins at the current level and travels to Level 1. Subsequent segments in the row travel from one level to the next. Row 0 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 Row 1 Segment behavior with Segment Count of 1 MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® The first segment assigned to each row is always a “transition” segment from the end level in the previous row to the Level 1 value in the current row.
Creating Profiles The illustration shows that since the first segment in each row is a transition from one row to the next with a count of one segment, Level 2 values are ignored. Because only one segment has been assigned to each row, that segment is used to transition between rows. For more information See “Level data” on page 502. For a more detailed discussion of segment behavior, see page “Profile output example” on page 479.
Creating Profiles Because of this, it is good practice to be aware of all of the instances in which dimension selections affect your ability to play out profiles, such as: • You use the Profile Editor application to create command files (profiles) by typing the end-level values you desire the actuator to achieve during the course of the profile. To make end-level values meaningful, you must specify dimension and unit types (for example, displacement and centimeters).
Creating Profiles Next, select the Multipurpose TestWare application, then open the MPT Procedure Editor (it will appear with a blank procedure table displayed). You can create a new test procedure or open an existing procedure. The procedure must contain the Profile Command process. Once the procedure is loaded, you then select the profile file you created. This is done by double clicking the Profile Command processes icon on the procedure table. The Profile Command Parameters window will appear.
Creating Profiles Using the same profile, suppose you change the Control Mode selection to force, and type a Level Multiplier value of 100 N. This will cause all of the end levels in the profile to be converted to force values. In this case, MPT will play out 10 volts as 100 N. So if the first end level values in the profile are 2 volts and 9 volts, they will be played out as 20 N and 90 N. Full-scale values of normalized dimensions DIMENSION FULL-SCALE VALUE Ratio 1:1 Percentage 100% Unitless 1.
Creating Profiles Using Normalized Dimensions to Define Control Modes CAUTION In the Level Units list, selecting the scientific notation can affect test integrity. Selecting the scientific notation display feature can result in the loss of original level values. The Profile Editor can display only five significant digits to the left of the decimal point and only four significant digits to the right of the decimal point for level values.
Creating Profiles How to Preview Profiles On the Tools menu, select Show Graph. This displays the plot of your profile. Note If a profile has an extremely high number of channels, rows of data, or counts, the system may take a few minutes longer to plot and display the graph. MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Model 793.
Creating Profiles Transitions About Adding Transitions The first segment (or the first half of the first cycle) in a row travels from the current level to level 1. It has special significance because it is the portion of the waveform that makes the transition between the rows of the channel grid. It is useful to understand how the Profile Editor application displays transitions, and how to add segments to modify the behavior of transitions. 1 2 Row 0 0.
Creating Profiles This MTS Profile Editor example shows how MPT automatically generates the transition segments between the rows of the sample profile (Row 0, Segment 1 and Row 1, Segment 1). 2 3 4 5 6 1 Row 0 2 1 MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® 3 4 5 6 Row 1 Model 793.
Creating Profiles About Working with Automatic Transitions The following example shows how the Profile Editor application automatically displays the transition segments in the sample profile (row 0, segment 1 and row 1, segment 1). 2 3 4 5 6 1 Row 0 2 1 516 Model 793.
Creating Profiles About Working with Manual Transitions Sometimes you may want to change the characteristics of row transitions without affecting the rest of the profile. To do this, you must manually add transition segments to replace automatically generated transition segments. This profile is similar to the automatic transition profile, but two rows have been added to create two “editable” transition segments.
Creating Profiles The plot shows the new frequencies of the added transition segments. 1 Row 0 2 3 4 5 Row 1 1 1 518 Model 793.
How to Play Out Profiles How to Play Out Profiles About Using Profile Editor You are not required to open any other MTS control software applications (System Loader, Station Manager, or MultiPurpose TestWare) to use the Profile Editor application to create and view profiles. You can, however, use the Station Manager and MultiPurpose TestWare applications to play out profiles created in the Profile Editor application. You must have prior knowledge of what profile files are and how to create profiles.
How to Play Out Profiles About Setting Up Profiles in MPT MPT Profile Command process The Profile Command process is an MPT command process that controls actuator movement. The Profile Command process generates commands based on the contents of an imported file, such as profiles created by the Profile Editor application (though you can create profiles with other applications, such as a text editor or a spreadsheet application).
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Profile Editor Controls and Displays About Profile Editor Main Window When you open the Profile Editor application in the New Profile Settings Window will appear, with a blank channel grid in the background. Menu Bar Toolbar Channel Grid Example of a Phase Channel Grid.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Menu Bar New Profile Open Profile Save Profile Save Profile As Print Print Preview Print Graph Printer Setup Summary Exit Setup Constants Actions Cut Copy Paste Insert Rows Delete Rows 793 Application Software Additional Documentation About Cascade Tile Arrange Icons Toolbar Status Bar Show Graph Options Editor Analyze Add Remove Show The Menu Bar has commands for managing the Station Manager application. The toolbar has some of the more frequently used commands.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Toolbar View Print Profile Save Profile Options Editor New Profile Show Graph Open Profile Help The toolbar buttons provide quick access to common commands and windows. Profile Editor Window Toolbar ITEM DESCRIPTION Open Profile Displays the Open Profile window. Note You can select the default directory in which the Profile Editor looks for profiles with the Project Manager application. See the MTS 793 Control Software manual (PN 100-147-130).
Profile Editor Controls and Displays File Menu File Menu ITEM DESCRIPTION New Profile Displays the New Profiles window. Open Profile Displays the Open Profiles window, which allows you to open existing profiles. Save Profile Saves the current profile file. If you are saving for the first time, the Save Profile As window appears, which you use to name your profile file and set its path. Save Profile As Displays the Save Profile As window. Print Prints a hard copy of the current profile.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays New Profile Settings Window Path File > New Profile... Use the New Profile Settings window to name the file and specify a profile type. The information in this window can be viewed in the Profile Summary window. New Profile Settings Window ITEM DESCRIPTION File Name Names the profile file. File Type Specifies if the profile is a block-arbitrary or a phase type.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Note If you type values that will result in flat spots or discontinuities in the profile, you will be warned about it when you select Analyze on the Tools menu. Channel Grid (part 1 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Frequency/Time/Rate Specifies the amount of time that will elapse between each segment or cycle. This may be specified as frequency (Hz), time (seconds), or rate (units/sec). Rate is not available for phase profiles.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Grid (part 2 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION Level1 (L1) For the first segment in a row, level 1 specifies the first target of the actuator. Subsequent segments travel from one level to the next. Level2 (L2) Rows with even segment counts always end at level 2. Rows with odd segment counts always end at level 1. For the first cycle in a row, level 1 specifies the midpoint of the cycle, and the actuator continues to level 2 to complete the cycle.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Grid (part 3 of 3) ITEM DESCRIPTION PhaseLag Determines the phase of the slave channel to the master channel in degrees. This value is relative to the value entered for the master channel. For instance, if the master channel has a phase value of 10 degrees and the slave channel has a phase value of 45 degrees, the phase between the two channels is 35 degrees.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays See “How to Define Taper Times” on page 532. See “How to Assign Actions” on page 493. About Wave Shapes The Profile Editor application supports various program wave shapes. Wave shapes dictate the way the actuator makes transitions between end levels. The waveforms created by the shape selections are as follows. Each example uses the following parameters: Frequency (Hz) 1; Count (segments) 6; Level 1 (mm) 2; Level 2 (mm) 4.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Sine—Creates sine waves that travel between end levels L1 and L2. L2 4.0000 L1 2.0000 0.0000 0.3000 0.9000 1.5000 2.1000 2.7000 3.3000 Time (sec) True Sine—Creates sine waves that travel between the mean of the end levels L1 and L2. L1 4.0000 L2 2.0000 0.0000 0.3000 0.9000 1.5000 2.1000 2.7000 3.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Ramp Tapered—Creates triangle waves that travel at 100% amplitude between end levels (L1 and L2).Beginning at its mean, the waveform tapers from 0% to 100% amplitude at the beginning of its execution, and from 100% to 0% at the ending of its execution. L1 4.0000 2.0000 L2 0.0000 2.0000 4.0000 Time (sec) Sine Tapered—Creates sine waves that travel at 100% amplitude between end levels (L1 and L2).
Profile Editor Controls and Displays True Sine Tapered—Creates sine waves that travel at 100% amplitude between the mean of the end levels (L1 and L2). Beginning at its mean, the waveform tapers from 0% to 100% amplitude at the beginning of its execution, and from 100% to 0% at the ending of its execution. L1 4.0000 2.0000 L2 0.0000 2.0000 4.0000 Time (sec) For more information See “How to Define Taper Times” on page 532.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Print Preview Window Access Toolbar > Print Preview Icon This window displays an on-screen preview of the profile printout. A toolbar facilitates access and display of profile changes. Asterisks (*) identify items that have been changed since the profile was opened. In addition, you can highlight these changes by selecting Enable Change Highlighting on the Print Preview toolbar.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Profile Summary Window Access File > Summary... Use the Profile Summary window to view information about the current profile, and to edit the profile description. The information in this window is a summary of the information entered in the New Profile Settings window. Profile Summary Window ITEM DESCRIPTION File Name Shows the name of the profile. Last Modified Displays the last date the profile was changed.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Edit Menu With the Edit menu you can define the characteristics of each channel, which includes defining constants and the units for each channel property; and adding/ deleting actions or counters. You can also cut, copy, paste, and delete cells or rows of cells in the channel grid. In addition, you can insert one new row of cells at a time. Edit Menu ITEM DESCRIPTION Setup Displays the Channel Setup window. Constants Displays the Channel Constants window.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Setup Window Access Edit > Setup... Use the Channel Setup window to name the channel, specify the timing type and dimension of each channel, and assign units to each profile property. Note The default set of units is selected on the Unit Selection tab of the Station Options in the Station Manager application, or with the Project Manager application. Channel Setup Window (part 1 of 4) ITEM DESCRIPTION Name Names the channel.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Setup Window (part 2 of 4) ITEM Level Units DESCRIPTION Displays the unit of measurement for the selected dimension, such as: • in MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® • lbf • kN • deg_C Model 793.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Setup Window (part 3 of 4) ITEM DESCRIPTION Count Units Assigns Cycles or Segments as the cyclic units. One cycle equals two segments. Cycles The first cycle in a row begins at the current level, travels to level 1, then travels back to level 2. Subsequent whole cycles in the row travel from level 2 to level 1 and back to level 2. If a row has a cycle count of 0.5, the cycle begins at the current level and travels to level 1.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Setup Window (part 4 of 4) ITEM DESCRIPTION 2 Row 0 3 4 1 2 Segment Example For more information 1 3 Row 1 For more information, see “Design Considerations” on page 495. For more information see, “About Using Normalized Dimensions” on page 510. Channel Constants Window Access Edit > Constants... Use the Channel Constants window to define parameters as constants.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Constants Window (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Timing Defines a constant time base for the execution of each end level. This may be a rate, frequency, or a time, depending on the selection in the Channel Setup window. Count Specifies how many times levels 1 and 2 are repeated before moving on to the next profile entry. Shape Assigns an element shape for the entire profile.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Constants Window (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Action Assigns an action or counter as a constant for all rows of a channel grid. PhaseLag Assigns the channel to a constant phase lag. This is available only if Phase is selected in the New Profile Settings window. For more information See “Channel Setup Window” on page 536. See “How to Define Taper Times” on page 532 for more information.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Channel Menu With the Channel menu you can add and remove channels from the profile. You can also select which channel will “have focus.” Channel Menu ITEM DESCRIPTION Add Adds a channel to the profile. Remove Deletes a channel from the profile. Note Show The master channel of a phase file cannot be removed. Brings focus to one of the channel windows (making it the “active” window).
Profile Editor Controls and Displays About Graphical Preview Window Access Tools > Show Graph The Graphical Preview window displays an x-y plot of the current profile. You can examine the waveform defined by your profile before you save it or run a test with it. Note When using the Graphical Preview window be aware that the display will not automatically be updated when you make changes to the profile. Click the Graphical Preview button to update the graphic with the changes made to the profile.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Graphical Preview Tab Window (part 2 of 5) ITEM DESCRIPTION Single Plot example Multiple Plot example 544 Model 793.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Graphical Preview Tab Window (part 3 of 5) ITEM DESCRIPTION X Axis Defines the characteristics of the x axis (the bottom of the graph). The x axis displays time. X Auto Scale Enables the x axis to automatically change its maximum or minimum setting to accommodate channel data. Min/Max Specifies the scale of the x axis. Any part of the plot that exceeds the scale is not shown.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Graphical Preview Tab Window (part 4 of 5) ITEM DESCRIPTION Right Y Axis Defines the characteristics of the right y axis (the right side of the graph). The application displays the right y axis when you display multiple channels with different dimensions on the same plot, as shown in the example below (N on the right y axis, and mm on the left y axis), or the same dimension with different units. 546 • The left axis displays a channel-level unit.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Graphical Preview Tab Window (part 5 of 5) ITEM DESCRIPTION Grid Lines When selected, displays grid lines on the graph. Refresh Updates the plot in the Graphical Preview window to reflect current profile values and current selections on the Graphical Preview tab in the Options Editor window. MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Model 793.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Analyze Window Access Tools > Analyze Use the Profile Messages window to determine if there are flat spots in the profile and their locations. Analyze Description (part 1 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION Analyze Causes the application to check the profile for potential design errors. If the application detects an error, it displays a message detailing problems that you should be aware of before you save the profile.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Analyze Description (part 2 of 2) ITEM DESCRIPTION The application would detect that the Level 1 values in Rows 0 and 1 were equal, as are the Level 1 values in Rows 2 and 3. This would cause flat spots in the profile, as shown on the plot. Flat spots may be undesirable. As a result, the application would display information in the Profile Messages window. MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Model 793.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Window Menu Use the Window menu commands to change the appearance of the application on your desktop. Window Menu ITEM DESCRIPTION Cascade Displays all the open Profile Editor windows so that they overlap one another in a diagonal pattern with their title bars showing. Tile Displays all the open Profile Editor windows side-by-side, with each taking up the same amount of space.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays Help Menu With the Help menu you can display version information about the Profile Editor application and online documentation. Help Menu ITEM DESCRIPTION Series 793 MPT and Application Software Opens the MTS Series 793 MPT and Application Software manual in the Portable Document File (PDF) format. Additional Documentation About Profile Editor MTS MultiPurpose TestWare® Displays version information about the Profile Editor application Model 793.
Profile Editor Controls and Displays 552 Model 793.
About Default Templates Appendix 19 Default Templates About Default Templates When you create a new test procedure with the MPT application, it inherits the process layout and MPT Options Editor settings defined by the default procedure template (default.000). Note As shipped from MTS, the default procedure template does not include process information, that is, the default procedure table is blank. In some instances, you may want to change the default template to suit your particular test environment.
How to Use Multiple Default Templates 7. From the MPT file icon pull-down menu, click Save Procedure to save the customized default template. This new customized template will be used when creating any new procedures. 8. Close the file. 9. From the MPT file icon pull-down menu, click Open Procedure. 10. In the Open Procedure window, right-click the default.000 file, and then click Properties. 11. In the Properties window, select the Read Only check box, and then click OK.
Template Error Messages When you start MPT The following message is displayed when you start the MPT application and MPT cannot find a default.000 file: The default template file File 'Name.000' does not exist. MPT will use its built-in template. When you click OK, MPT will use its own built-in template to open a test procedure.
Template Error Messages 556 Default Templates MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
About The MTS Excel File Converter Appendix 20 Excel File Converter About The MTS Excel File Converter The MTS Excel File Converter is a utility that optimizes MPT data files for viewing with Microsoft® Excel. When this utility is installed and enabled, Microsoft Excel can interpret MultiPurpose TestWare (and Basic TestWare) data files more intelligently than it normally interprets text files.
How to Install the Excel File Converter How to Install the Excel File Converter The Excel File Converter is included with the Model 793.00 System Software. During the system software installation, you will asked if you want to install the MTS Excel File Converter. If you did not install it during the main software installation, insert the Model 793.00 System Software disc into your CD-ROM drive and follow these steps: 1.
How to Use the Excel File Converter Note Smart processing will recognize German or French equivalents, based on the regional settings of your Windows operating system setting. One Test Per Sheet—If this box is enabled, each time the File Converter detects a new test within a data file, it will cause that test data to start filling a new Excel sheet. How to Use the Excel File Converter 1. On the Microsoft Excel File menu, click Open. 2. In the Files of type list, click MTS Data Files (*.dat; *.t31; *.
Excel File Converter Troubleshooting 560 Excel File Converter MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Appendix 21 MPT Shortcuts You can use an MPT shortcut to perform a number of tasks automatically when you start the MPT application.
Shortcut Command Line Shortcut Command Line Note The syntax of the shortcut command lines are critical. If you do not use a supported shortcut command line, the shortcut will not work. Parameter and prefix descriptions are listed as follows: PARAMETER PREFIX EXAMPLE Load a Procedure file /Procedure*, or /P /P default.
Shortcut Command Line About the /EditOnly command About the /Editor [...] command The /EditOnly option will launch MPT as an editor only. When you use this option, the MPT Specimen Log and Edit/Execute toolbar buttons will be disabled. MultiPurpose TestWare is not embedded in Station Manager in this mode. Since it is not embedded, it can be run on a different PC or as a second copy of MPT, and so forth. The /Editor [...
How to Create an MPT Shortcut Likewise, if you inadvertently type negative values for width or height, MPT will use the default (positive) values for width and height instead of the negative values. How to Create an MPT Shortcut Before you can edit the shortcut command line, you need to create a MPT procedure shortcut. 1. Start Windows Explorer. 2. Open the folder where your system software is installed. 3. Open the ntbin folder. 4. Right-click the mpt.exe icon, and then click Create Shortcut.
How to Edit the Shortcut Command Line How to Edit the Shortcut Command Line Edit the shortcut command line to define your desired procedure parameters. 1. Right-click the shortcut icon you created on your desktop, and then click Properties. 2. In the Properties window, click the Shortcut tab. 3. In the Target box, type your command line. Note There must be a space between mpt.exe and your command line addition. 4. Click OK. Type your command line here. Be sure to put a space between mpt.
How to Edit the Shortcut Command Line 566 MPT Shortcuts MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
Index Symbols "Make" tool 115 block-arbitrary profiles 495 example 503 buffer full signals 88 how to trigger a process with a buffer full signal 274 buffers, about 272 A C Absolute Error signal in DAQ processes 277 action channel grid 527 action constants 493 actions 541 assigning 493 selecting 493 activities Cyclic Command 186 Sweep 220 Add and Delete variable controls 115 Adding Calculations to Variables 113 ALC Profile with ALC process 233 ALC compensation 233 Analyze option example 548 profiles 476
Control Panel 22, 23 control panel 23 controller rates supported by the Time History Output process 248 control-mode variables 114 count channel grid 526 unit types 538 Count signal in DAQ processes 277 counter syntax in profiles 498 creating Block-Arbitrary profile 490 Phase profile 491 creating a profile using a normalized dimension 200, 510 creating actions when MPT is running 347 cycle and segment description 538 cycle behavior in profiles 506 cycles - working with 484 cycles vs.
Group process 405 about interrupts 100 how to move between the group and the main procedure windows 405 start and interrupt signals 88 H Help menu 38 High Speed Timed Acquisition process parameter descriptions 306 histogram types 320 histograms MinMax 322 range 323 rangemean 321 histograms, about 320 Hold button 35 enabling and disabling 63 Hold signal in DAQ processes 277 how to add a channel 490, 542 analyze profiles 494, 548 assign an action 493 assign profile constants 492 assign profile properties 492
Numerical Data window 464, 472 O offset considerations 437 open existing profiles 489 Operator Event process 359 how to define 363, 381, 385 parameter descriptions 360 Operator Information process how to define 409, 417, 418 parameter descriptions 412 Options Editor 153 Preview tab Auto Scale 545 Available Channels 543 Channel Display 543 Channels to Plot 543 description 543 grid lines 547 Left Y-Axis 545 Max/Min 545 Multiple Plots 543 Refresh button 547 Right Y Axis 546 Single Plot 543 X Axis 545 Output s
Preview tab Auto Scale 545 Available Channels 543 Channel Display 543 Channels to Plot 543 description 543 grid lines 547 Left Y-Axis 545 Max/Min 545 Multiple Plots 543 Options Editor 543 Refresh button 547 Right Y Axis 546 Single Plot 543 X Axis 545 print preview toolbar 533 Print Preview toolbar 533 Procedure is done when (control) 41 procedure template customizing 553 procedures done signals 88 specifying the end 89 start and interrupt signals 88 process indicators (procedure window) 41 Process Types Pal
Send Mail Now button 426 Send Mail process 426 Sensor signals 277 Sequence Counters 22 sequencing processes example 93 Set Controller Value process 430 set profile preferences 489 set taper times 532 setpoint external command process 214 overriding 215 shapes 540 shortcut command line 562 shortcuts, MPT 561 Signal Based Command process about 226 signal based command process creating 231 example 227 lookup table file 228 parameters 229 signals buffer full 88 done 88 start and interrupt 88 trigger 88 sine cha
Trend process about data handling 336 about RMS, variance, and asymmetric full scales 343 about smart limits 342 how to define 341 parameter descriptions 338 setting up a test to acquire trend data 340 trigger signals 88 using (example) 91 true sine command 186 true sine tapered wave shape 190, 222 true sine wave shape 526 true sine wave shapes 540 true sine waveform 540 working with cycles 484 dimensions 199, 508 segments 484 transitions 514 U Y UAS Editor 153 Unit Assignment Set Editor 153 unit sets,
Index MTS MultiPurpose TestWare®
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