DMC delivered software, based on the previous version as well as on the specifications provided by the client, which collects data on the performance of structural connectors. The software collects and processes loading data during an automated test, presenting the most critical data in an intuitive and highly visible way. This level of efficiency leaves operators available to conduct simultaneous tests or other lab tasks. Previous versions of the software used a DAQ unit that was obsolete and did not provide functionality supported out-of-the-box by National Instruments’ Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX). Replacing the DAQ unit with NI’s USB-6210 was a very simple and cost-effective way to access MAX’s features and make the most of the newest LabVIEW release. Lab operators can now set up multiple DAQ tasks in advance, with different custom calibrations, limits, channels, etc., and they can simply choose which task to use at runtime. After a test is complete, the data is written to a disk in their preferred custom format, but now includes several metadata fields important for accurately characterizing each test. All of these improvements have extended the life of the test-bench, and is a first step toward modernizing the lab and unifying the software on disparate test equipment.
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