DMC developed an end-of-line test station for a manufacturer of frozen beverage machines. After successful implementation, DMC replicated the system for four additional production lines. The automated test stations replace a manual process that was difficult, time-consuming, and error-prone. The new turn-key system's design focus is speed, accuracy, and reliability. National Instruments CompactDAQ hardware is utilized for data acquisition and control. The software is coded in LabVIEW using DMC's widely successful multi-tasking state machine implementation.
A series of automated tests is performed on each frozen beverage machine, and data is collected and stored in a centralized database. For each test step, the system sends commands to the product's CPU through digital communication. The product's response to the command is measured and recorded using pressure, temperature, voltage, and current sensors. Each result is compared to allowable test limits, and a pass/fail determination is made. Upon test completion, a full report is automatically generated and sent to a network printer. A web-based reporting system allows supervisors to immediately view test status and results remotely and respond quickly to problems. Historical data is logged, providing a key tool for ongoing process improvements.
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