Date of Award

2019

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

The VIBCO Engineering Test Bench was designed to be an all-inclusive, easy-to-use testing station for use by VIBCO’s engineering team. It features both loaded and unloaded testing areas, precision data acquisition instruments, and numerous sensors. The test bench was designed with convenience in mind. The main goal was to create an easy-to-use station where the majority of VIBCO’s small electric and pneumatic units can be quickly set up and tested with minimal user training.

The test bench is constructed almost fully out of steel. It utilizes 2”x2”x1/4” angle steel and 1/4” steel plates. The height and other dimensions were carefully selected for ease of operation. A portion of the bench is vibration isolated using four Firestone air mounts. The bench is relatively portable, with heavy-duty casters allowing it to be transported from one area of VIBCO’s shop to another.

Several modular mounting plates were designed to attach many different VIBCO models to the isolated portion of the test bench. These plates can accommodate over 60 different units each. They attach to mounting rails affixed the isolated bench top section using ¾”cap screws.

Using AstroNova’s DAXUS data acquisition system and associated software, various sensors were interfaced to collect the necessary data from VIBCO’s vibration units. A thermocouple measures temperature data. A current clamp measures current draw of electric units. A tri-axial accelerometer measures acceleration of the vibrating assembly, which is in turn used to calculate both vibration speed (VPM) and force outputted by the unit.

Comments

Sponsor: VIBCO

Sponsor Representatives: Claudia Brown, Greg Pickering

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