MTS TestSuite Multipurpose Elite User Guide 100-209-349 K be certain.
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Table of Contents Table of Contents Technical Support How to Get Technical Support.......................................................................................................................23 Before You Contact MTS...............................................................................................................................23 If You Contact MTS by Phone.......................................................................................................................
Table of Contents Version Information Overview.......................................................................................................................52 View Application Version Information..............................................................................................52 User and Role Management Managing Users..............................................................................................................................................54 User Management Overview..
Table of Contents Working with Resources Resources Overview.......................................................................................................................................88 Resources Tab.................................................................................................................................................89 Resources Tab Buttons...................................................................................................................................
Table of Contents Import Test Resources......................................................................................................................115 Domains.......................................................................................................................................................116 Use of Domains................................................................................................................................116 Selecting a Domain.........................
Table of Contents Compensator Overview....................................................................................................................133 Compensator Types..........................................................................................................................134 Compensator Availability.................................................................................................................134 Set Up and Use a Compensator..........................................
Table of Contents Array Variables Overview....................................................................................................168 Array Variable Uses.............................................................................................................169 How to Extract Data from Array Variables..........................................................................169 How to Save a Signal Value to a Variable............................................................................
Table of Contents Data Acquisition Variable Mapping.................................................................................................198 Map Variables Window........................................................................................................198 Map Signals to a Variable.................................................................................................................202 Variable Mapping Overview.................................................................
Table of Contents TestCreationDate..................................................................................................................222 TestCreationTime.................................................................................................................223 TestModificationDate...........................................................................................................223 TestModificationTime............................................................................
Table of Contents YpeStartIndex.......................................................................................................................245 Math Functions.................................................................................................................................246 abs (Absolute Value)............................................................................................................246 acos (Arc Cosine)..............................................................
Table of Contents truncate.................................................................................................................................258 XInterceptValue....................................................................................................................259 YInterceptValue....................................................................................................................260 Operator Functions.................................................................
Table of Contents Edit Python Functions......................................................................................................................282 Create Variables Used in Python Function Example........................................................................283 Python Overview..........................................................................................................................................284 Python Syntax Highlighting Legend.....................................
Table of Contents Use of Domains................................................................................................................................309 Selecting a Domain..........................................................................................................................309 Update All Overview.......................................................................................................................310 Update All Geometry-Specific Functions........................
Table of Contents Ramp Activity Properties.....................................................................................................350 Sweep...............................................................................................................................................352 Sweep Activity Overview....................................................................................................352 Sweep Activity Properties.............................................................
Table of Contents Cycle Change Detection Activity Properties........................................................................397 Digital Input.....................................................................................................................................398 Digital Input Activity Overview...........................................................................................398 Digital Input Activity Properties...................................................................
Table of Contents Set Span and Setpoint Activity Overview............................................................................424 Segment Generator Diagram................................................................................................425 Set Span and Setpoint Activity Properties...........................................................................426 Setting Initial (One Time) Span and Setpoint Values...........................................................
Table of Contents Wait for Operator Action..................................................................................................................456 Wait for Operator Action Activity Overview.......................................................................456 Wait for Operator Action Activity Properties......................................................................457 Program Actions Activities...........................................................................................
Table of Contents Write Variables to File Activity Properties..........................................................................480 Configuring the Write Variables to File Activity.................................................................481 Test-Run Displays Test-Run Display Tab...................................................................................................................................484 Scopes............................................................................
Table of Contents Variable Meter Properties.....................................................................................................544 Create a Variable Meter........................................................................................................547 Variable Value Scope........................................................................................................................547 About Variable Value Scopes..............................................................
Table of Contents Add a Label to a Test-Run Display......................................................................................595 Test Procedure..................................................................................................................................596 Test Procedure Test-Run Display.........................................................................................596 Test Procedure Properties..........................................................................
Table of Contents Exporting Raw Data.........................................................................................................................627 Appendix: Trend Monitoring About this Section........................................................................................................................................630 Trend Monitoring Overview.........................................................................................................................
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. Technical support methods MTS provides a full range of support services after your system is installed. If you have any questions about a system or product, contact Technical Support in one of the following ways.
Technical Support When you have more than one MTS system, the system job number identifies your system. You can find your job number in your order paperwork. Example system number: US1.
Technical Support — Messaging applications If You Contact MTS by Phone A Call Center agent registers your call before connecting you with a technical support specialist. The agent asks you for your: • Site number • Name • Company name • Company address • Phone number where you can be reached If your issue has a notification number, please provide that number. A new issue will be assigned a unique notification number.
Technical Support • Write down any specific instructions. After you call MTS logs and tracks all calls to ensure that you receive assistance for your problem or request. If you have questions about the status of your problem or have additional information to report, please contact Technical Support again and provide your original notification number.
Preface Before You Begin Safety first! Before you use your MTS product or system, read and understand the 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. It is very important that you remain aware of hazards that apply to your system.
Preface Warning: Warning notices indicate the presence of a hazard with a medium level of risk which, if ignored, can result in death, severe personal injury, or substantial property damage. Caution: Caution notices indicate the presence of a hazard with a low level of risk which, if ignored, could cause moderate or minor personal injury or equipment damage, or could endanger test integrity.
Preface Electronic manual conventions 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. Hypertext links The electronic document has many hypertext links displayed in a blue font. All blue words in the body text, along with all contents entries and index page numbers, are hypertext links. When you click a hypertext link, the application jumps to the corresponding topic.
Multipurpose Elite Overview Topics: • • • Introduction........................................................................................................................................32 Overview of MTS TestSuite File Structure.........................................................................................32 User Interface....................................................................................................................................
Multipurpose Elite Overview Introduction The Multipurpose Elite (MPE) application is a sophisticated, general purpose test design application that allows you to quickly and easily define and execute complex test designs. The role of either Administrator or Engineer is required to access full functionality of MPE. Operators are allowed to access MPE but with only the same rights they have in MPX. Note: MTS offers a companion application to MPE named Multipurpose Express (MPX).
Multipurpose Elite Overview Name Icon Description Analysis Definition The analysis definition is available in either the Fatigue Analyzer or Fracture Analyzer application as an overlay to the information that was gathered during a test run. You can customize the views and displays associated with an analysis definition to manipulate how the test run data is presented on the screen.
Multipurpose Elite Overview Test A Test is stored within a project folder, and contains the following components: • Test Definition—Contains the main components of the test, such as the procedure, variables, test-run display, resources, functions, and report templates. • Test Run(s)—Contains information that was gathered during the test run, such as variable values.
Multipurpose Elite Overview A Test Contains the Test Definition, Test Run(s), Analysis Definition(s), and Analysis Run(s) Test Definition The test definition is stored within the test. The test definition contains the following main components that define the test: • Procedure: A collection of test activities that are performed step-by-step when the test is run. • Resources: A collection of test resources mapped to the controller resources that will be used during the test.
Multipurpose Elite Overview of the test. After a test run is complete, values that are stored in variables can be changed using the Fatigue Analyzer and the Fracture Analyzer in order to simulate various "what if" scenarios. • Test-Run Display: A customizable user interface that shows data when the test is run. • Report Templates: A collection of Microsoft Excel Template files that define the layout of generated reports.
Multipurpose Elite Overview Components of a Test Run MTS TestSuite | 37
Multipurpose Elite Overview User Interface Multipurpose Elite Main Window The main window of the Multipurpose Elite application can be divided into the following sections: • The top section contains menu options and a toolbar, a system control panel, and test status information. • The middle section contains panels for procedure editing. • The bottom section contains the Error List and Application Log panels.
Multipurpose Elite Overview Item Item Description Note: When control is provided by a handset, the application controls will be locked and overlaid by the handset exclusive control icon: 3 Test Run Status panel Shows test run information, including name, status, and running time. 4 Explorer panel The Explorer panel shows a hierarchical view of all the information related to the test. The Toolbox panel contains components you can drag into procedures and displays.
Multipurpose Elite Overview Item Item Description 9 Application Log Shows status information about events, such as logging into the application, defining and setting up projects, and loading and running tests. The application stamps each message with the generation date and time. You can type notes into the Application Log. Messages persist from one session to another.
Multipurpose Elite Overview You can select a block of rows two ways: • Click in the column at the first row of the block, hold the mouse button down, roll over the block of rows, and release the mouse button. Right-click and select Copy. • Select the first row of the block, press and hold the Shift key, and select the last row of the block. Right-click and select Copy. To select multiple rows that are not in a block, hold the Ctrl key and click in the column at each row you want to select.
Multipurpose Elite Overview • Is case-sensitive. • Contains both alphabetical and numeric characters. • Can contain special characters, including spaces, apostrophes, quotes, or other special characters. • Can start with a number or special character. Project name The following guidelines apply for naming a project: • Must be unique among existing projects. • Is case-sensitive. • Must follow Microsoft file naming conventions and restrictions.
Multipurpose Elite Overview • Contains both alphabetical and numeric characters. • Can contain spaces, apostrophes, quotes, or other special characters. • Can start with a number or special character. Report template name The following guidelines apply for naming a report template: • Is case-sensitive. • Must follow Microsoft file naming conventions and restrictions. • Contains both alphabetical and numeric characters. • Can contain spaces, apostrophes, ‘-’, ‘_’, ‘.
Multipurpose Elite Overview The menu also provides a Custom filter. You can specify logical operators such as “Contains,” “Does not end with,” and “Matches Regular Expression” in the Operator column. “Matches Regular Expression” uses the .NET standard expression syntax. 2. Select a specific value to show all table entries that have the value or that meet the criteria.
Multipurpose Elite Overview 1. Click on the tab or title bar of the panel you want to undock. 2. Drag the view to where you want it. Arrows appear on the screen that indicate that you have undocked a panel. You do not have to use the arrow buttons to undock a panel. Undocking a Panel 3. Resize the panel as necessary. 4. Repeat the previous steps to undock other panels as necessary. Docking a Panel To dock a panel: 1. Drag any side or corner of the panel.
Multipurpose Elite Overview User-Supplied Help Overview Runtime help To assist the operator with tests you design, you can add a Help button to any part of the test-run display to provide access to help information for the test. When the operator clicks the Help button during a test run, the information from the specified source is shown in a separate window. You can provide a link to an Internet, intranet, or disk location that opens a file of any type supported on an operator workstation.
Licenses Topics: • • License Utility Overview....................................................................................................................48 Version Information Overview...........................................................................................................
Licenses License Utility Overview Access Programs > MTS TestSuite > License Administrator During installation, the Activation Wizard prompts you to activate the license for your MTS TestSuite software. The process for obtaining the license file depends on whether the PC was connected to the Internet. After installation, you can add and manage licenses at any time with the MTS TestSuite License Administrator utility.
Licenses Reference Activate a License with an Internet Connection If you have an activation key and the PC on which you are installing a license has an internet connection, perform the following steps to obtain, install, and activate a license. 1. Click Programs > MTS TestSuite > License Administrator. Open License Administrator 2. Click Activate. The TestSuite Activation wizard is launched. TestSuite Activation Wizard 3. Click I want to activate the software over the Internet panel and click Next.
Licenses Activation Wizard Activation Key A message indicates the license is being obtained from the server, and a progress bar is displayed. The Activation Wizard installs and activates the license. 5. When activation is complete, click Finish to exit the Activation Wizard. 6. Click Close to exit the MTS TestSuite License Administrator. For More Information Concept License Utility Overview (p.
Licenses Complete License Activation Window 5. To copy the License Request Contents, which is a PC-identifying string, click Copy to. 6. Paste the copied License Request into a text editor such as Notepad, and save the Request File to a USB drive. 7. Click Finish to exit the Activation Wizard. 8. Plug the USB drive into a PC that has Internet access. Go to the MTS Licensing Web site: www.mts.com/testsuite/licensing/ 9. Open the Request File on the USB drive. Select and copy the contents. 10.
Licenses 3. You are prompted to confirm removing the license. Click OK. 4. Click Close. For More Information Concept License Utility Overview (p. 48) Version Information Overview View Application Version Information To view the TW Elite application version information: 1. From the Help menu, click About. The MTS TestSuite window is displayed. 2. When you have finished viewing the information, click OK.
User and Role Management Topics: • • Managing Users................................................................................................................................54 Managing Roles.................................................................................................................................
User and Role Management Managing Users User Management Overview If your organization needs to manage multiple users of the MTS TestSuite application, you can manage users with or without their Windows user accounts. The default User Management option is none (the No User Management option), and users are not required to log in to the MTS TestSuite applications. Windows User Management automatically logs in users based on their Windows log in.
User and Role Management Manage User Accounts Window The Primary MTS TestSuite Administrator is displayed in blue. Manage User Accounts Window Description Section Description User Management options • No User Management—(Default) All users can access the application without having to log in if during installation, the Anyone who uses this computer (all users) option was selected. All users are automatically assigned an Administrator role.
User and Role Management Section Description Remove User button Removes the user selected in the Manage User Accounts window. Properties button Opens the Change User Properties window. You can change the name, password, and assigned roles. Manage Roles button Opens the Manage Roles window. You can view the privileges associated with the default roles, work with custom roles, and view all users currently assigned to a role. For More Information Concept User Management Overview (p.
User and Role Management Create New MTS TestSuite User Window 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Enter the User Name for the user. Enter a Password for the user and enter the password again in the Confirm Password box. (Optional) Enter a Complete Name and Description of the user. Select one or more Roles for the user. Click OK. Repeat this procedure for each user you need to add. For More Information Concept User Management Overview (p. 54) Reference Manage User Accounts Window (p.
User and Role Management Add MTS TestSuite Users Window 4. Select the role you want to assign to the new users. 5. To add a user: • To find Windows users you want to add, enter the network Domain name, and then in the Find Windows Users panel, click Find. When the search results return, select the user or users you want to add. Click the arrows to move the selected users from the Windows Users panel to the New MTS TestSuite Users panel.
User and Role Management Concept User Management Overview (p. 54) Reference Manage User Accounts Window (p. 54) Remove a User To remove a user: 1. Click Preferences > User Management > Manage User Accounts. The Manage User Accounts window appears. 2. Select the user in the Manage User Accounts window. 3. Click Remove User. You are prompted to confirm removing the user. 4. Click OK. For More Information Concept User Management Overview (p. 54) Reference Manage User Accounts Window (p.
User and Role Management Access 1. Click Preferences > User Management > Manage User Accounts. 2. Either the Local or Windows User Management option must be selected. 3. Click Manage Roles. Manage Roles Window For More Information Concept Managing Roles (p. 59) Task Create a Custom User Role (p. 60) Edit a Custom User Role (p. 64) View Users Assigned to a Role (p. 64) Remove a Custom User Role (p. 65) Create a Custom User Role To create a custom user role: 1.
User and Role Management Add Role Window 4. Enter a Name and Description for the new role. 5. Select the Privileges to assign to the role. 6. Click OK. For More Information Concept Managing Roles (p. 59) Reference Manage Roles Window (p. 59) Default Roles (p. 61) Privileges (p. 66) Default Roles Use default roles to assign standardized user privileges. Default roles are predefined categories of user privileges.
User and Role Management Note: The privileges that appear vary depending on the selected role. Only privileges for which you are licensed are shown. Default User Roles Default Role Name Privileges Administrator At least one Windows user account must be assigned to the Administrator role. Only the Administrator can add users and assign them roles. The Administrator can also change their own role or assign the Administrator role to another user.
User and Role Management Default Role Name Operator Privileges • Change Polarity • Create Diagnostic File • Delete Project • Delete Test • Delete Test Run • Edit Procedure • Express Editor • Launch Fatigue Analyzer • Launch Fracture Analyzer • Launch Reporter Add-In • Launch Multipurpose Elite • Launch Multipurpose Express • Tuning (MTS Acumen only) • Save Test as Template • View Reports Creates new projects or tests from templates and run those tests.
User and Role Management Task Create a Custom User Role (p. 60) Edit a Custom User Role (p. 64) View Users Assigned to a Role (p. 64) Remove a Custom User Role (p. 65) Edit a Custom User Role To edit a custom user role: 1. Click Preferences > User Management > Manage User Accounts. The Manage User Accounts window appears. 2. Click Manage Roles. The Manage Roles window appears. 3. To edit a user-defined role, select the role and click Edit Role.
User and Role Management User In Role Window 4. Click Close. For More Information Concept Managing Roles (p. 59) Reference Manage Roles Window (p. 59) Default Roles (p. 61) Privileges (p. 66) Remove a Custom User Role Note: You cannot remove a role if a user is assigned to the role. Assign the user to another role and then remove the custom role. 1. Click Preferences > User Management > Manage User Accounts. The Manage User Accounts window appears. 2. Click Manage Roles. The Manage Roles window appears.
User and Role Management Privileges Note: The privileges that appear vary depending on the selected role. Only privileges for which you are licensed are shown. Privileges Privilege Name Description Change Laboratory Preferences Allows you to configure default units and names within projects and tests. It enables: Change Polarity • Preferences > Configuration > Default Names • Preferences > Configuration > Unit Manager Allows you to change the signal sense of signals in the connected station.
User and Role Management Privilege Name Description Launch Fracture Analyzer Launches the Fracture Analyzer application. Launch Multipurpose Allows you to start the Multipurpose Elite Elite application. Launch Multipurpose Allows you to start the Multipurpose Express Express application. Launch Reporter Add-In Allows you to start the Reporter Add-in to the Microsoft Excel application. Save Test as Template Allows you to save a test as a template.
Preferences and Default Settings Topics: • • • • • • • Configuration Window.......................................................................................................................70 Project Management.........................................................................................................................72 Audit Trail...........................................................................................................................................75 E-Mail Overview....
Preferences and Default Settings Configuration Window Access Preferences > Configuration > Project tab Use the tabs in the Configuration window to select preferences and default settings. The window opens to the Project tab by default. Configuration Window Configuration Window Tabs Tab Description Project Modifies the settings file of the selected project. Project settings determine the organization and flow of data within a project. Project settings map data paths for the sub folders within projects.
Preferences and Default Settings Tab Description Opens the current test when the application starts. Allows you to define the Default Log Type (Basic or Audit Trail). Language Selects a language for the MTS TestSuite application. Email Sets up e-mail for the Run Report and Send E-mail activities. The From e-mail property sets the default for the From e-mail address property in the Run Report and Send E-Mail activities. The other settings are for specifying the e-mail server.
Preferences and Default Settings Project Management Working with Projects Access Preferences > Configuration > Projects tab Add a project To add a project, click the “+” button in the upper right side of the Projects list. The project is automatically created using the default naming convention specified in the Default Names tab. Delete a project To delete a project, select the Project you want to delete and click the “–” button in the upper right side of the Projects list.
Preferences and Default Settings Concept Configuration Window (p. 70) Task Project Tab Access Preferences > Configuration > Projects tab Use the Project tab to manage projects. With this tab, you can see all the projects, add and remove them, and see individual project settings. As you select projects in the Projects list, the settings for the selected project are shown to the right.
Preferences and Default Settings Setting Description Note: If tests are stored in a project directory (default), they are deleted if the project is deleted. Note: This field is read-only if there is a test open when the project settings view is shown. Custom Template Directory Specifies the directory in which the MTS TestSuite application looks for existing custom templates and stores new custom templates.
Preferences and Default Settings Task Audit Trail Access Explorer panel > Test Definition node > General Settings tab > Log Type When activated, the Audit Trail feature allows you to check the audit trail for a test. If the application detects any change, the files that do not match are listed in a message window. For More Information Concept Task Set the Log Type to Audit Trail for a Test (p. 75) Set the Default Log Type to Audit Trail (p. 75) Check the Test Audit Trail (p.
Preferences and Default Settings Reference Audit Trail (p. 75) Check the Test Audit Trail 1. Make sure that the Log Type for the test is set to Audit Trail. 2. Click File > Check Test Audit Trail. Files that do not match the audit trail are listed in a window. If verification is successful, a message states all files associated with the test have been verified. 3. Click OK. For More Information Reference Audit Trail (p.
Preferences and Default Settings b) Enter your Password. 7. Enter an e-mail address in the Send test e-mail to address field and click Send. • If successful, an e-mail sends the SMTP settings to the specified test e-mail address. A message window instructs you to check your Inbox. Click OK. • If the test e-mail is not successful, a message window instructs you to check the Application Log for details on the error message. Click OK. Correct the error and resend the test e-mail.
Preferences and Default Settings Setting Description window automatically populates the From address in the Properties panels of the Send E-Mail and Send Report to E-Mail of the Run Report activities. Server name The name of the SMTP server for your organization. SMTP port number The SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) port number is typically TCP Port 25. If the server is set up for SMTP, the port number is typically 465.
Preferences and Default Settings Control Panel Settings Access Preferences menu > Configuration > Control Panel tab Use the Control Panel tab to set up the operation of the Park and Unload buttons on the Application control panel. Note: When control is provided by a handset, the application controls will be locked and overlaid by the handset exclusive control icon: Control Panel Settings Item Description Station This is the station (station.cfg) to which the MTS TestSuite application is connected.
Preferences and Default Settings Item Description Enabled Enable or disable the park or unload function for the corresponding channel. End Level Set the target end level for the enabled channels when the Park or Unload button is clicked. Unit Display the default units for the channel’s End Level value.
Preferences and Default Settings Reference Predefined Unit Sets MTS TestSuite includes the following predefined unit sets: Predefined Unit Sets Unit Set Description cgs Centimeters-Grams-Seconds. Defines a set of units that is based upon centimeters, grams, and seconds. Force is expressed as “dyn.” mks Meters-Kilograms-Seconds. Defines a set of units that is based upon meters, kilograms, and seconds. Force is expressed as “N.” MTS 793 Millimeters-Kilograms-Seconds.
Preferences and Default Settings Concept Unit Set Overview (p. 80) Unit Set Manager Overview (p. 82) Add a Custom Unit Set (p. 84) Task Unit Set Manager Overview Access Preferences menu > Configuration > Unit Set Manager tab The Units Manager window enables you to assign unit sets, such as International System of Units (SI), United States Customary System of Units (US), or custom unit sets as your MTS TestSuite or project default.
Preferences and Default Settings Unit Set Manager Properties Unit Set Manager Item Description MTS TestSuite Default Shows the current default unit set for the applications. Click the list arrow to assign another predefined or custom unit set. Project Default for Shows the current assigned unit set for the project. Click the list arrow to assign another predefined or custom unit set. Name Shows the predefined unit sets and the custom unit sets.
Preferences and Default Settings Item Description Export Export a custom unit set to another project or analysis. Click the required custom unit set (.tsunitset) to export. Note: If your project uses a custom unit set, it also exports with the project. Import Import a custom unit set from another project or analysis. Click the required custom unit set to import (.tsunitset). Apply Save any changes and keep the Unit Set Manager window open.
Preferences and Default Settings Remote Server Settings Access Preferences menu > Configuration > Remote tab Use the Remote tab to enable and use remote extensions, if available. This tab is used to set up MTS TestSuite to communicate with MTS Echo. Remote Panel Settings Item Description Enable Remote Services Enables the use of remotes services with MTS TestSuite. Server URL If desired, enter the URL of a custom remote server. By default, the built-in remote server will be used.
Working with Resources Topics: • • • • • • Resources Overview.........................................................................................................................88 Resources Tab...................................................................................................................................89 Resources Tab Buttons.....................................................................................................................92 Access System Resources...............
Working with Resources Resources Overview Quick access: Explorer panel > Test name > Test Definition > Resources The Resources tab serves as a map between controller configuration resources and the test definition. The Resources tab allows you to define a test independently, away from the controller, and then map the resources to the controller before the test is loaded. The application stores the resources with the test definition.
Working with Resources Task Import Test Resources (p. 96) Access System Resources (p. 93) Reference Add Test Resources (p. 93) Resources Tab Buttons (p. 92) Resources Tab (p. 89) Resources Tab Quick access: Define tab > Resources tab Resources Tab Item Description Name Shows the names of the resources that are used in the test procedure activities. The Show Internal Names check box toggles internal or display names in the Name column. Typically, display names are used instead of internal names.
Working with Resources Item Description • Normal • Inverted Note: The Polarity setting is always available with MTS TestSuite TW software running on an Insight Controller. With a FlexTest controller, the setting appears only when a validation error occurs. After the error is resolved, the Polarity setting is not displayed for FlexTest (applicable to servohydraulic only) the next time the Resources panel is accessed. Use Count Track the use of the test resource by other parts of the test definition.
Working with Resources Item Description Controller Resource (when not connected to a controller) The list is empty because no controller is connected from which to query the valid resource names. The edit box shows the internal name. If you type a different name, it is stored as the internal and display name. There is no validation error since there are no controller resources to validate against.
Working with Resources Resources Tab Buttons Resources Tab Buttons Item Description Add Resource Add a resource to the table. Right-click the entries in the Name column for a menu that contains a variety of operations (add, delete, and rename) that are specific to each hierarchy entry. These operations are necessary if no controller or test resource information is available to import. Import Resources > Import all unused controller resources This function only works when connected to a controller.
Working with Resources For More Information Concept Resources Overview (p. 88) Task Import Test Resources (p. 96) Access System Resources (p. 93) Access System Resources Note: This procedure only applies to the MTS FlexTest controller. To access system resources: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Start the Series 793 Station Manager application. Select a project. Open a station. Start the MTS TestSuite application. Open or create a test. Expand the Resources menu to access the resources.
Working with Resources Import resources By default, the test resources shown on the Resource page for MTS-supplied templates are limited to only those used in the test. The controller typically includes additional unused resources that you can use to modify the test. To view all or a portion of the unused controller resources that are available, click Import Resources. The unused controller resources you specify are imported into your test and appear on the Resources page.
Working with Resources 4. In the Controller Resource Type column, select Calculation. 5. In the Controller Resource column, double-click the empty cell that contains a validation error to display the Calculation Editor window. 6. In the Calculation Editor window, in the Variables panel, select TimeLimit. 7. In the Calculation panel, observe the TimeLimit variable and add =7200 to define the maximum test time as 7200 seconds, or two hours. 8. In the Errors panel, note the “Validation successful” message.
Working with Resources Import Test Resources The procedure applies only to the Import Resources button on the Resources tab in the Explorer panel. You can only import test resources from the connected test station or another test in the same project. When you import an entire project, the test resources can be included for each test in the project.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Tests..................................................................................................................................................98 Test Runs.........................................................................................................................................102 Templates................................................................................................................................
Working with Multipurpose Elite Tests Tests Overview Note: You must have Engineer or Administrator privileges on an MPE system to create or modify a test. A Test is a file that contains the test procedure and test run data (if test runs were created). A test run is a single instance of running the test procedure. The data is stored in a test file with a copy of the test procedure or template. You can design your own test or create one from a template.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Flowchart View of Workflow Outline View of Workflow The Toolbox Panel for the test procedure shows the activities that are available. To construct a test procedure, drag an activity from the Toolbox Panel to the work area in the order in which they should occur. Test activities are shown in the workflow graphically for ease of design and editing. Settings and other properties for activities and displays are provided on the Properties panel.
Working with Multipurpose Elite • You can use one from a previous run of the same test. • You can import a test run (and its specimen definitions) from one that was exported from another test. The application can create a report for each test run (using the Run Report activity in the test procedure). Or the report content and appearance can be specified by the templates you create with the MTS TestSuite Reporter Add-In for Microsoft Excel. Reporter Add-In is a separately licensed product.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Saving Tests Overview The application saves test changes in two ways: • User-prompted saves • Automatic saves (background saves) User-prompted saves When you create tests, that is, while you are configuring tests on the Define tab, only user-prompted saves are performed. This allows you to make changes to your test design and then back out of those changes as long as you do not run the test.
Working with Multipurpose Elite 2. To close the test, select File > Close Test . 3. You are prompted to save the test if you have made changes to the test. For More Information Concept Tests Overview (p. 98) Creating Tests Overview (p. 100) Saving Tests Overview (p. 101) Reference Deleting a Test (p. 102) Deleting a Test Important: When you delete a test, all test definitions, test runs, test data, and reports are also deleted. Using MTS TestSuite software From the File menu, select Delete Test.
Working with Multipurpose Elite • A copy of the variable definitions at the time the test run is created • Variable values during the test run • Runtime progress (state) information • Results data Note: Information that is not saved with the test run includes runtime display monitor information and the test resource mapping. The test run does not reflect changes made after the run concludes.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Multiple instances of test runs To avoid possible resource conflicts, do not open multiple instances of the same test run. For More Information Task Create a New Test Run (p. 104) Reference Colors Indicating Test Run State (p. 104) Colors Indicating Test Run State The color of a test run entry indicates its run state. Colors of Test Run State Color Black Dark Blue Red Description The test run completed successfully. The test run initialized successfully but has not run.
Working with Multipurpose Elite An error indicator is shown next to any incorrect values. If you change a value, the change is validated after you click outside the cell. 4. Click Yes to save the test. For More Information Concept Test Runs Overview (p. 102) Reference Colors Indicating Test Run State (p. 104) Templates Templates Overview Quick access: C:\MTS TestSuite\Templates Templates eliminate the requirement to re-create existing information and provide an easy way to run standard tests.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Note: Although a template can include test resources, if the template is designed for a particular controller configuration, the resources may not map to (match) the test station resources in your system. Test definitions You can add a test definition to a test from a template. The source of the template can be any existing test or template that has tests.
Working with Multipurpose Elite For More Information Concept Templates Overview (p. 105) Reference Delete a Template (p. 107) Delete a Template Access C:\MTS TestSuite\Templates You must use Microsoft Windows Explorer to delete templates. Delete it as you would any other file. Template files have a .tstemplate extension. For More Information Concept Templates Overview (p. 105) Task Create a Template (p.
Working with Multipurpose Elite MTS TestSuite folders MTS TestSuite Folder Management File type Folder Extension From TestSuite Application From Windows Explorer Legacy MP Templates .Test* (v2.0 or earlier) New test from template, save as No file manipulation allowed except delete Note: .Project (v1.6 or Once a legacy template is earlier) converted, it has a .TSTemplate extension and can be managed like other templates. Project Directory Files .
Working with Multipurpose Elite File type File Extension From TestSuite Application From Windows Explorer Exported Tests .tsproj Import/export Copy, move, paste, delete, rename Exported Test Runs .tsproj Import/export Copy, move, paste, delete, rename Exported Geometries .tsgeom Import/export Copy, move, paste, delete, rename Exported Unit Sets .tsunitset Import/export Copy, move, paste, delete, rename Report Templates .
Working with Multipurpose Elite a) Make sure that the new directory is empty. b) Move the tests to the new directory. Note: When using the Windows XP OS, each test appears as a Test folder, such as TST1.Test, that is numbered in the order that it was created. The user-defined test names are only visible when the test directory is viewed through the TestSuite application. When using Windows 7 or Windows Vista, the user-defined test names appear in the OS. 4.
Working with Multipurpose Elite • Test Runs • Specimens The names you specify are assigned to the items when you first create them. You can change the name at any time. For More Information Concept Naming Conventions (p. 41) Task Concept Projects Overview (p. 110) Task File Locations Note: Do not rename, move, or change the contents of the Projects, Tests, Templates, or Report Templates folders. Projects Projects exist on disk as special file folders with a .Project file extension.
Working with Multipurpose Elite For More Information Concept Projects Overview (p. 110) Task Export and Import Test Information Export Overview When you export a test, MTS TestSuite combines the current test and its associated files into one compressed (and self-contained) file and assigns an extension of “tsproj”. Exported tests can be managed with the operating system. Unexported tests must be managed within the MTS TestSuite application. You can selectively export test and test run information.
Working with Multipurpose Elite • Test resources • Test runs from MTS Fatigue and Fracture (FnF) applications Test resources import Click the Import Resources button in the Resources window to import selected resources or all unused resources from the test station. You can also import resources from another test. Depending on the origin of the information, the imported resources may not map to the station resources of the control system networked with your station.
Working with Multipurpose Elite 1. Open the test with the test runs that you want to export. 2. Select File > Export > Test Run. 3. In the Export Test Run window, expand the export items hierarchy and select the check boxes for the test runs that you want to export. 4. Click Browse to open a browser window. 5. If you want to overwrite an existing test run export (.tsproj) file: a) Locate and click on the file name in the browser window. b) Click Save. c) Click Yes in the Save As window. 6.
Working with Multipurpose Elite 7. Select Save in the Specimen Geometry Export window. The application writes the selected items from the source project to the export file. 8. Click OK in the confirmation window when the export is complete. Import a Specimen Geometry To import a specimen geometry: 1. 2. 3. 4. Open the Specimen Geometry Manager window. Click Import. The Specimen Geometries Import window appears. Click Browse. In the browser window, locate and click the required specimen geometry import (.
Working with Multipurpose Elite a) Click Import resources from another test to overwrite the test resources with the imported resources. b) In the Import resources from another test window, select or browse to the source test, and then click OK. c) The table of test resources in the work area is updated and a message indicates that the import was successful. Click OK. For More Information Concept Resources Overview (p. 88) Reference Add Test Resources (p. 93) Resources Tab Buttons (p. 92) Resources Tab (p.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Concept Specimen Geometry Manager Overview (p. 307) Update All Overview (p. 310) Task Update All Geometry-Specific Functions (p. 311) Compatible Specimen Geometries in a Domain All of the specimen geometries in a domain must provide a common subset of variables and functions that the tests use. When adding a specimen geometry to an existing domain, you must implement similar variables and functions for the specimen geometry.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Create Diagnostic File Window Create Diagnostic File Window Properties Property Description File Name Required. Browse to the location where you want to save the diagnostic file and enter the File Name. Description Displays a description of the test. You can enter additional comments. Select Box Deselects or selects the logs, configuration, reports templates, and test runs.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Concept Diagnostic Files Overview (p. 117) Task Create a Diagnostic File (p. 119) Create a Diagnostic File A test must be open to create a diagnostic file. You cannot create one while a test is loaded. 1. In the Tools menu, click Create Diagnostic File. 2. Click Browse in the Create Diagnostic Package window. 3. Click File > Save As, select an existing diagnostic (.tsdiag) file to overwrite or enter a new diagnostic file name, and click Save. 4.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Logging Levels The Application Log warnings and errors pertain to loading or running the test. The following information can be displayed: • Errors—These messages show information about critical conditions that prevent a test run or stop a test in progress. • Warnings—These messages show information about conditions that may require attention, but do not prevent a test run or stop a test in progress.
Working with Multipurpose Elite • From Existing File—Opens a Windows Explorer window so that you can show a log (.log) file from a previous test session. Sorting log information To sort the contents of the log based on a particular column, click the column header. To reverse the sort order, click the column header again. To return the log to the standard sort order, click the Time column header. Filtering log information To filter the contents of the log, click the filter icon in the column heading.
Working with Multipurpose Elite If you double-click an item in the Error list, the view changes to show the location of the error. Error and warning icons are placed on or near the property, selection, or setting where the error exists so that you can quickly locate the source of the error. Meters Meters Overview The Meters tab contains meters that show various data retrieved from signals on your system.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Removing a Meter 1. Click the Meters tab. 2. Right-click the meter you want to remove. 3. Select Remove. Configuring Meters After you add a meter to the Meters tab, you can configure the meter type, units shown, number of decimal places shown, sensitivity, and font used in the meter. Changing the Meter Type 1. Click the Meters tab. 2. Right-click an existing meter. 3. Hover over Meter Type. 4. Select the desired meter type.
Working with Multipurpose Elite valley. When adjusting the sensitivity, keep in mind that setting the sensitivity too low may cause signal noise to be recognized as peaks and valleys, and setting the sensitivity too high may cause low amplitude signals to be missed. 1. 2. 3. 4. Click the Meters tab. Right-click the Peak, Valley, or Peak/Valley meter you want to adjust. Hover over Sensitivity. Select the desired sensitivity.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Conversions from Earlier Versions Conversion Wizard Overview The Conversion Wizard utility converts user-created test and template files from one application release to the next. MTS-supplied tests and templates are automatically converted when a new application release is installed. The Conversion Wizard applies to all MTS TestSuite applications. The single utility converts test and templates created in any of the applications.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Convert a Test or Template To convert a test or template: 1. 2. 3. 4. Open or import your test. The Conversion Wizard window welcomes you to the Conversion Wizard. Click Next. Select Yes or No. If you select Yes and want to change the location for the backup file, click Browse and navigate to your preferred file location. 5. Click Next. The Ready to Convert window opens. 6. Click Convert. The Conversion Wizard window informs you that the conversion is complete.
Working with Multipurpose Elite • JIC • KIC • LCF Legacy files Legacy files have a similar naming convention. File names are not case-sensitive: . Legacy File Names Item Description Name This is the user-supplied name. Data Type The data type is one of the four following types created for an archive: • BS—Batch-specimen data • PR—Procedure data • RD—Raw data • TR—Test results Important: You must select the RD file. Only the RD file is processed.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Import Legacy Data Properties Import Legacy Data Properties Item Description Template Show the name of the Legacy template for the test type, such as Legacy FCG. Files Show the name of the file you select to import, such as FCG_archiverd.FCG. Import Legacy Data To import legacy data: 1. Click File > Import > Legacy Data. 2. In the Import Legacy Data window, click Select, click on the Legacy template for the legacy test type, and click OK. 3.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Note: If you cannot see the Edit button, check your screen resolution. It may not be visible if your screen resolution is less than 1280 x 1024. (Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Settings). General Settings Properties General Settings Item Description Name Shows the name of the test. Creator (View-only) The user who created the test. Created (View-only) The date the test was created. Last Modified (View-only) The date the test was last changed.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Edit General Settings Note: If you cannot see the Edit button, check your screen resolution. The Edit control may not be visible if your screen resolution is less than 1280 x 1024. (Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Settings). Click the Edit button on the General Settings page. Changing the domain Note: It is important to select the appropriate domain for your test procedure before you begin testing.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Command Settings Tab Quick access: Explorer panel > Test Name > Test Definition > Command Settings tab Access Command Settings Tab To access the Command Settings tab: 1. Click the Explorer panel, and then click Test Definition. 2. Click the Command Settings tab. For More Information Reference Start/Stop and Hold/Resume Behavior Settings (p. 131) Setpoint and Span Behavior Settings (p. 132) Power Required to Run Settings (p.
Working with Multipurpose Elite Taper and ramp settings You set the taper times and ramp times in the Station Manager application. These settings are saved in the station configuration file. To access these setting from the Station Manager application, from the Tools menu, click Channel Options, and then click the Command Options tab. Note: The At Start/Stop setting does not apply to the initial instance in which an External Command activity is started.
Working with Multipurpose Elite 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. Power Required to Run Settings Item Description High This setting requires you to run tests with high hydraulic pressure applied to the station’s Hydraulic Service Manifolds (HSM). High or Low This setting requires you to run tests with high or low hydraulic pressure applied to the station’s HSM.
Working with Multipurpose Elite and automatically boosts subsequent commands to ensure that the LVDT feedback achieves the desired command. You can view the compensated command with the scope and meters. For More Information Task Reference Compensator Types (p. 134) Compensator Availability (p. 134) Set Up and Use a Compensator (p. 135) Compensator Types MTS offers a variety of compensators to optimize command levels. Certain compensators work more effectively than others for specific applications.
Working with Multipurpose Elite For More Information Concept Compensator Overview (p. 133) Task Set Up and Use a Compensator For information about compensators, see the “Channel Compensators” section in MTS Series 793 Control Software (PN 100-147-130). For systems equipped with MTS TestSuite and Series 793 software, this document is located at Start > Programs > MTS 793 Software > Electronic Documentation > 793 Control Software. For More Information Concept Compensator Overview (p.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Topics: • • • • Data Acquisition Overview...............................................................................................................138 Data Acquisition Setup....................................................................................................................138 Data Acquisition (DAQ) Settings.....................................................................................................142 Data Acquisition (DAQ) Activities.....................
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Data Acquisition Overview Data Acquisition (DAQ) activities accumulate user-defined data during portions of the test. The acquired data can be: • Saved to variables that can be used in calculations and test-run displays. • Saved to the test file for post-test analysis, reports, or exported for use in other applications. Data Acquisition Process Data Acquisition activities appear in a test as: • A standalone activity such as the DAQ activity.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Data Acquisition Activity Process MTS TestSuite | 139
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Comparison of DAQ Activity Settings Properties DAQ Cycle + DAQ Dwell + DAQ + Detection (TWE) Custom Waveform + DAQ Max/Min DAQ High-Speed DAQ (MPE only) Available Available GoTo + DAQ + Detection (TWE) 1) Select Signals Available What signals do I want to acquire? 2) Select Triggers Time and segment count signals are automatically acquired.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Properties DAQ Cycle + DAQ Dwell + DAQ + Detection (TWE) Custom Waveform + DAQ Max/Min DAQ High-Speed DAQ (MPE only) GoTo + DAQ + Detection (TWE) Counter Available Hardcoded to CycleCount Available system variable. What is the criteria to divide the data into blocks? Hardcoded to use the specified Counter variable Hardcoded to use the Segment Count signal.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Properties DAQ Cycle + DAQ Max/Min DAQ High-Speed DAQ (MPE only) Dwell + DAQ + Detection (TWE) Custom Waveform + DAQ Available N/A Available N/A Array functions Available Max, Min functions N/A Available N/A Available N/A Save Variables Available Available Available N/A 6) Save data to the file? Available N/A; hardcoded to save data Available Available Available Available Available Available GoTo + DAQ + Detection (TWE) Save Variables Available Availab
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Signal list Each DAQ activity includes a Signal list where you can select the signals that you want to acquire. When any of the triggers defined in the Trigger list occurs, the signal value for each of the signals is acquired and processed by the DAQ activity. Note: Some Data Acquisition activities, such as Cycle + DAQ and Custom Waveform + DAQ, automatically collect segment count and running time signals.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Task Reference Timed DAQ Trigger Properties (p. 144) Peak Valley DAQ Trigger Properties (p. 147) Timed DAQ Triggering Overview Timed data acquisition records the values of selected signals at a user-defined frequency (sample rate) for a specified duration. Timed DAQ Triggering For More Information Task Reference Timed DAQ Trigger Properties (p. 144) Peak Valley DAQ Trigger Properties (p.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) • Sample rate - (Default) Specify the frequency at which data is acquired. For example, with a sample rate of 1 Hz, the buffer acquires data points once each second. The sample rate must be a sub-multiple of the system rate: — If you are connected to a controller, the sample rate that you enter is automatically adjusted to be the closest multiple of the system rate.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Delta Level Triggering Example When a value outside of the delta value is detected, the trigger establishes a new reference level and monitors the reference signal for another delta value change from that reference level. This type of trigger is useful when the reference signal sometimes changes quickly, and at other times changes very little. It stores more data when the signal is changing and less when it is not changing.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Peak-Valley Triggering Example For More Information Task Reference Timed DAQ Trigger Properties (p. 144) Peak Valley DAQ Trigger Properties (p. 147) Peak Valley DAQ Trigger Properties DAQ Peak-Valley Trigger Properties Window Settings Reference Signal - Select the signal to monitor for triggering. Sensitivity - Defines how much the signal must change before the application detects a peak or valley data point. Signal changes that are less than the sensitivity do not acquire signals.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Task Configure Data Acquisition (DAQ) Buffers Data Acquisition (DAQ) Buffers Overview Each DAQ activity has its own buffer that is used to move the user-defined data samples from the controller to the application. The application then processes the data based on the Data Acquisition activity settings. The choice of buffer type (linear or circular) depends on the type of test and the type of data that you want to acquire.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Typically, set the buffer size so that there are one to five buffers per second. You can set the buffer size between 1 and 16,000 data samples. Note: When combining Peak-Valley triggering with a Timed trigger type, the buffer size must be large enough to accommodate the reordering of the peak data relative to the timed data when peaks and valleys are identified. DAQ rates and system performance Acquiring and saving data at fast rates can cause the computer to become slow.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Note: Make the buffer size large enough to store the data for the event that you want to capture. For More Information Task Configuring the Buffer Type (p. 150) Reference Configuring the Buffer Type To configure the buffer type: 1. Open the Properties panel for the DAQ activity. 2. Click the Advanced button. The Advanced Data Acquisition window appears. 3. For the Buffer Type property, select either Linear Buffer or Circular Buffer. 4.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Point-by-Point Data Processing Diagram When the data is put into variables, it is appended one data point at a time, and any Additional Variable Calculations specified in the Map Variables window are recalculated after each new piece of data. • You specify a variable for point-by-point data acquisition using the Save Variables panel of the Map Variables window. • Point-by-point values are available in the Array-Variable Chart and Variable Value Scope test-run displays.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Block Data Processing Diagram For More Information Task Reference Block or Cycle Decimation Filter Settings (p. 152) Block or Cycle Decimation Filter Settings Important: These settings do not affect data saved to variables. To configure a block or cycle decimation filter: 1. In the Properties panel for the DAQ activity, clink the Advanced button. The Advanced Data Acquisition window opens. 2.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Block Decimation Filter Selection Window Block/Cycle Decimation Filter Settings Setting Description Blocks/Cycles per Specify the increments at which cycles are stored per decade. Decade Cycle counts are divided into logarithmic decades, which are in factors of 10 (for (Logarithmic) example 10, 100, 1000, and so on).
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Setting Update Interval Description Note: Applicable to cycle decimation for test-run displays only. The speed at which data can be shown. This is useful for high-speed tests that would otherwise require too much CPU capacity to show all data points with high-frequency cycles. The default is 1.0 second. For More Information Concept Data Processing Options Overview (p. 150) Point-By-Point Data Processing (p. 150) Block Data Processing (p.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) • Using variables to define activity properties. Save Data to Variables Diagram For More Information Task Automatically Mapping Variables (p. 161) Manually Mapping Variables (p. 161) Reference Map Variables Window (p. 157) Save Data to Variables Properties (p. 155) Save Data to Variables Properties The Save Data to variables? property setting in the Data Acquisition window determines whether the acquired data is saved and mapped to variables.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Data Acquisition Window Signal-to-Variable Mapping Options Setting Description No The signal data is not saved to variables. Yes, automatically map variables The acquired signals are automatically mapped to variables of the same name with the word “Array” appended and illegal characters removed. For example, the signal with an internal name of “Axial Force” is mapped to the variable “AxialForceArray”. • Only signals whose mapping type is an Array are automatically mapped.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Setting Description the automatic settings and allows you to finish any mapping that the automatic setting did not map. Yes, manually map variables This selection allows you to manually map the signals and additional calculations by clicking the Configure button and using the Map Variables window. Click the Use Default Variable button to perform automatic mapping for the selected signals or use the drop-down list for each signal to assign variables.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Note: If you select Yes, automatically map variables, the Map Variables window opens in read-only mode. Map Variables Window Map Variables Window Properties No. Property Description 1 Before starting If you selected the Yes, manually map variables option for the Save Data to variables? property in the DAQ activity properties panel, a Before starting property appears in the Map Variables window.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) No. Property Description Important: If there are multiple DAQ activities in a test workflow, the Before starting setting for the first DAQ activity should be set to Discard Array Data, and for subsequent DAQ activities, set to Retain Array Data. Otherwise, block or cycle variables contain data acquired in preceding blocks. Note: The Before starting settings are not available for the Cycle + DAQ and the Custom Waveform + DAQ activities.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) No. Property Description • If the data is being processed block-by-block, all dependent calculations are added. To edit one of the Additional Variable Calculations, right-click on the variable and select Edit Variable. To add a variable, right-click and select Add Variable.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Automatically Mapping Variables Important: To simplify the mapping of variables, you can initially select Yes, automatically map variables to map the majority of the signals and populate the Additional Variables to Calculate list. You can then switch the setting to Yes, manually map variables. This retains the automatic settings and allows you to finish any mapping that the automatic setting did not map.
Data Acquisition (DAQ) • Use Default Variable button—In the Signal to Variable Mapping table, select a signal and click the Use Default Variable button to automatically map the selected signal(s) to a variable. 4. If necessary, edit the Additional Variables to Calculate list. 5. (Applicable to block processing only) If necessary, add any additional variables to the Save Variables list. The values for these variables are saved with the test run but do not show up in the raw data.
Working with Variables Topics: • • • • • • • Variable Basics................................................................................................................................164 Advanced Variable Information.......................................................................................................198 Calculated Variable Functions.........................................................................................................210 Functions Tab................................
Working with Variables Variable Basics Variables Overview A variable is a name associated with a data value. A variable stores one or more values and provides the ability to store and manipulate data in applications. Variables can represent numeric values, text strings, and the location of data in memory or on disk and provide test designers with the ability to write flexible test procedures.
Working with Variables Item Description Data Acquisition Activities Data acquisition activities can be configured to store signal data in variables. This process, called variable mapping, makes this data available for calculations, test-run displays, post-test analysis, and reports. Calculations You can create data acquisition activities that store signal data in array variables, and then create an array variable that performs calculations on the signal data and stores the result.
Working with Variables Item Description their current values is shown. The operator can edit the variable values as required. Note: Variables used with this activity must have the During Test availability property check box selected. Assign Variables test activity The Assign Variables test activity can calculate and assign values to one or more variables in the test. The calculation can be a simple value or a calculated value that references other variables.
Working with Variables • Calculated The desired use of the variable dictates the variable type (or combination of types) defined in the property settings for a variable. Other property settings define variable naming, default values, and so on. Some variables are fairly straightforward in their use, such as a numeric variable for an End Point level defined by an operator at the beginning of a test run.
Working with Variables Text Variables Overview To specify that a variable hold a string, select Text or Array of Text as the Type. In addition to using text variables to store text values, you can also include text variables in calculations that use text functions to parse and manipulate the text values. Text variables are also used in choice lists. A string variable can contain alphanumeric and space characters.
Working with Variables a[0], a[1], a[2], a[3], a[4], a[5], a[6], a[7], a[8], a[9] In the preceding example, a[4] refers to the fifth element of the array a. An array variable in MTS TestSuite holds multiple values of the same data type.
Working with Variables An index variable typically defines an Index (data point) value in an array variable – not an actual signal value (that is, load value). On the left side of the following figure, the Array Index is listed alongside each corresponding load value that was captured during data acquisition: Corresponding Array Index and Load Values Typical post-test analysis involves extracting or calculating values at a specified point in the test.
Working with Variables 5. In the Properties panel for the Assign Variables activity, click the green + sign to add the variable to the activity. 6. Select the variable on the Variable List and click the yellow … button to define a calculation. In this example, add the Signal("_Load") function. This function will capture and save the load signal value when the Assign Variables activity is executed.
Working with Variables Boolean Variable Properties Note: To specify that a Boolean variable hold a multiple-value array, select Array of Boolean as the Type. Boolean variables are especially useful for showing or hiding interactive test-run displays. For an example, see Example: Check Box-Enabled Input Variable Test-Run Display (p. 584). Calculated Variables Overview Most variable types allow you to define calculations that determine the value of the variable.
Working with Variables Note: If a calculation has been defined for the variable and you clear the Is Calculated check box, the panel clears and the equation is lost. If you later decide that you want to use the original equation, you must create the equation again. Example For example, you want to create several calculations that include velocity, which itself is a calculation.
Working with Variables Number Item Description Variable Actions Menu 2 Column Chooser Selects which columns you want to show in the variables table. Column Chooser 3 Filter and Sort Filters by your selected filter criteria and sorts in ascending or descending Icons for Columns order. If a filter for a column is currently active, the filter icon appears blue. Filter 4 Selected variable Shows the properties for the variable currently selected in the variables table.
Working with Variables Setting Variable Order Overview (p. 178) Task Selecting Columns Shown in the Variables Table (p. 175) Showing and Hiding Disabled Variables (p. 176) Showing and Hiding Read-Only Variables (p. 176) Setting Variable Order (p. 179) Delete a Variable (p. 179) Selecting Columns Shown in the Variables Table Access Define tab > Variables tab > Column Chooser button You can select which columns you want to show or hide in the Variables table.
Working with Variables For More Information Concept Viewing Variable Usage (p. 177) Setting Variable Order Overview (p. 178) Reference Variables Editor (p. 173) Showing and Hiding Disabled Variables By default, disabled variables are not shown in the Variables Editor. Note: MTS-supplied templates include pre-configured data acquisition activities and variables that save data for use in various charts and tables that appear in the test, report templates, and post-test analysis.
Working with Variables Viewing Variable Usage Access Define tab > Variables tab The Used By column in the Variables table indicates if and where a variable is used in the application. This column also shows any views in the application that use the variable. The table does not automatically show the Used By column. You must either right-click and select Update Used By or click the Variable Actions icon (next to the red minus sign) and select Update Used By.
Working with Variables Setting Variable Order (p. 179) Delete a Variable (p. 179) Reference Variables Editor (p. 173) Setting Variable Order Overview You can set the order of Pretest and Result variables. Pretest variables Select the Pretest variables from the list of available variables and define the order that they appear in the Setup Variables data entry window that is displayed at the beginning of a test run on the Monitor tab.
Working with Variables Setting Variable Order Note: The order defined here sets the order in which the variables appear in the Setup Variables window (Pretest) or the Results table in the Review tab (Result). To set variable order: 1. Navigate to the Define tab > Variables tab. 2. From the right-click menu, choose Set Variable Order. 3. Set the Pretest and Results variables. a) In the Variable Type list, click the variable type that you want to reorder (Pretest or Result).
Working with Variables Variable Categories Default variable categories include System variables, Specimen variables, and Variables (the default category for user-defined variables). You can also create custom variable categories to organize variables based on functionality. For More Information Task Create a Variable Category for a New Variable (p. 181) Create a Variable Category for Selected Variables (p. 182) Rename a Variable Category (p.
Working with Variables Create a Variable Category for Selected Variables (p. 182) Rename a Variable Category (p. 182) Reference Specimen Variables Category Important: To view Specimen variables, click the Variable Actions icon and choose the Show Read-Only Variables option. The variables that appear in the Specimen category correspond to the specimen parameters defined in the Specimen Editor (applicable to MPE only).
Working with Variables 2. Click the Add New Variable icon (+) and enter a new variable identifier. 3. In the Properties panel, click in the Category list. 4. Enter the variable category name. The new category is added to the Category list. For More Information Concept Variable Categories (p. 180) System Variables Category (p. 180) Specimen Variables Category (p. 181) Default Variables Category Overview (p.
Working with Variables 2. Select a variable in the list. The properties for the selected variable appear in the Properties panel. Editing Properties for Multiple Variables You can select multiple variables in the Variables tab and change a parameter for the selected variables. Only the changed parameter is applied to the selected variables. You cannot edit Calculations for multiple selected variables. To select multiple variable rows, use the far-left blank column.
Working with Variables Item Description characters. The name cannot begin with a number and must begin with an alphabetical character. They cannot contain spaces, periods, or other special characters. Display Name Provide a more operator-friendly way of identifying the same variable for use in displays and reports. The default display name is the same as the identifier. Naming convention—The display name must be a unique name; however, it can match its variable identifier.
Working with Variables Item Dimension Description • Boolean—The variable type holds a Boolean value of either True or False. • Number—(Default) The variable type holds numeric values. • Text—Specify that the variable holds alphanumeric text rather than numeric data. Selects the unit dimension. Dimension is used by the application to determine under which circumstances a variable can be used.
Working with Variables Item Description • Use Previous Test Run Value Variable Calculation Properties The Calculation panel in the variables Properties panel shows the defined calculation for a variable. Variable Calculation Properties Item Description Is Calculated If a calculation has been defined for the variable and you clear the Is Calculated check box, the calculation equation is cleared (erased). To create a calculation, click Is Calculated and click the ellipsis ....
Working with Variables Availability Window Variable Availability Properties Item Description Pretest Specify variable values from the Setup Variables window prior to test initialization. The Setup Variables window appears after the test run is created but before the test is initialized. During Test Specify variable values when prompted to do so by the procedure during a test run.
Working with Variables Format Properties Format Panel Use the Format panel on the Properties panel to format the display of a numeric variable value. Variable Information Item Description Rows Specify the number of rows to be in the meter display. Suppress label display Check the box to have labels not be shown on the meter display. Manual Sizing Check the box and the meter display box on the Designer panel becomes re-sizable using your cursor.
Working with Variables Range Panel Variable Range Properties Item Description Use Range When this option is selected, the application checks the value of the variable during the test to determine if the value is within the specified range. If the value of the variable is not within the range, the application adjusts the value to be within the range. If the value of the variable does fall inside the specified range, the value remains unchanged. Minimum Specifies the minimum value for the variable.
Working with Variables Item Description For example, if a value of -5 is entered and the range is Minimum 0 Exclusive, Maximum 10 Exclusive, and the Resolution is 1, the value will be set to 1. However, if a value of 1.75 is entered, the value will not be changed because it falls within the specified range. If .75 is entered, the value will be set to 1 because .75 is outside of the Minimum 0 Exclusive limit.
Working with Variables Creating Variables Overview You can create and define variables in the Define tab > Variables tab. The MTS TestSuite applications also provide shortcuts in various places (such as in a drop-down list) to allow you to conveniently create a new variable at the point of use. In the MPE application, you can create variables related to specimen geometries through the Specimen Geometry Editor window.
Working with Variables Toggle Button for Property Value 3. Open the list and click . You can also select an existing variable for the property value. New Variable For More Information Concept Creating Variables Overview (p. 191) Toggling a Test Activity Property to Variable Use (p. 191) Creating Array Variables (p. 194) Creating a Numeric Variable To create a numeric variable: 1. 2. 3. 4. Navigate to the Define tab > Variables tab. Click the Add New Variable (+) icon.
Working with Variables Creating a Text Variable To create a text variable: 1. 2. 3. 4. Navigate to the Define tab > Variables tab. Click the Add New Variable (+) icon. Enter a Variable Identifier and click OK. Indicate the desired general properties for the variable: a) If you do not want to accept the default, edit the Display Name. b) If you do not want to accept the default, select a Category for the new variable. c) By default, a variables is enabled when first created.
Working with Variables Creating Array Variables You can create array variables from the following locations: • Click the add new variable (+) icon in the Define tab > Variables tab. Select the desired type of array from the Type list. • Click Calculations in the properties panel of a Data Acquisition activity to open the Map Variables window. Click the drop-down button in the Variables field.
Working with Variables Example 2 You can create a wave shape variable with values of triangle, sine, and square as its values as another example. Global and local choice lists You can define choice lists for local use or global use. • Use a local choice list if you are using one instance of the variable that only contains those values. A local choice list has no name and is assigned only to one variable. A local choice list is defined directly in the properties panel of a text variable.
Working with Variables For More Information Concept Variable Choice Lists Overview (p. 194) Reference Define Global Choice List Window (p. 196) Editing a Global Choice List You can edit the name of a global choice list, or edit the items within a global choice list. 1. From the Tools menu, choose the Define Global Choice List option. The Define Global Choice List window opens. 2. Click a display name or a choice list item to select it. 3. Click Edit.
Working with Variables Define Global Choice List Window Define Global Choice List Window Item Description Display Name Displays the Name of the global choice list. You can select the name and click Edit or Remove. Click the up or down arrow in the Display Name heading row to sort the available lists alphabetically. Add Adds a global choice list. Edit Edits the selected global choice list. Remove Removes the selected global choice list.
Working with Variables Editing a Global Choice List (p. 196) Removing a Global Choice List (p. 196) Adding a Local Choice List (p. 198) Adding a Local Choice List Follow these steps to add a local choice list to a text variable. Unlike a global choice list, a local choice list is not available to other text variables in a test. 1. Navigate to the Define tab > Variables tab. 2. Click the text variable to which you want to define a local choice list. 3.
Working with Variables 3. In the Save data to variables? panel, select the Yes, automatically map variables or Yes, manually map variables option and click Configure. Note: If you select Yes, automatically map variables, the Map Variables window opens in read-only mode. Map Variables Window Map Variables Window Properties No.
Working with Variables No. Property Description This setting is useful when multiple DAQ activities write data to the same array at different points in the test. Important: If there are multiple DAQ activities in a test workflow, the Before starting setting for the first DAQ activity should be set to Discard Array Data, and for subsequent DAQ activities, set to Retain Array Data. Otherwise, block or cycle variables contain data acquired in preceding blocks.
Working with Variables No. Property Description • If the data is being processed in a point-by-point manner, only dependent array calculations are included. • If the data is being processed block-by-block, all dependent calculations are added. To edit one of the Additional Variable Calculations, right-click on the variable and select Edit Variable. To add a variable, right-click and select Add Variable.
Working with Variables Map Signals to a Variable Variable Mapping Overview Cycle, point-by-point, and group data acquisition activities require you to map variables to the signals you want to acquire. Perform this mapping in the Map Variables window (for more information about the Map Variables window, see Map Variables Window (p. 157)).
Working with Variables User variable mapping Alternatively, you can map a user-defined variable to any signal data calculation. The variable you map must have a dimension that matches the signal data. You cannot map a variable to a signal data calculation if the variable already contains a calculation. However, variables that contain a calculation may optionally be used in the Additional Variables to Calculate panel. For More Information Concept Variable Mapping Overview (p.
Working with Variables • Group data is stored at each boundary, such as a step or segment. • Noncyclic data is stored at the end of the data acquisition. The stored data lets you reset the value at each capture point of the acquisition. For More Information Concept Variable Mapping Overview (p. 202) Task Variables Calculations Calculation Editor Overview Access To open the Calculation Editor, click the Variables tab. Click the name of a variable that contains a calculation.
Working with Variables Note: Calculations are validated only on syntax and references to variables and functions, not expected results. Variables panel The Variables panel of the Calculation Editor lists all variables defined for the project. Double-click a variable or click a variable and click Insert to add the variable to the calculation. The cursor location in the Calculation panel shows the added variable.
Working with Variables Precedence Operator Function Direction () Function Call .
Working with Variables Precedence Operator Function Direction 12 || Logical OR Left-to-Right 13 = Assignment Right-to-Left 14 , Comma - List Separator Left-to-Right Variable-Specific Information You can reference variables with delimited notation. A dot separates the variable name from the specifier: . For example, the display name of a variable named PeakLoad is .
Working with Variables • Signal or test input In all cases, the argument type that is shown in the Calculation window must be replaced by a meaningful value. The meaningful value can be an actual value, a variable that contains a value that is of the correct type for the argument, or another function that produces a result that is of the correct type for the argument.
Working with Variables Expanded ChannelValue Function Modulus Calculation Functions Modulus is calculated from the slope of the Least Squares Fit calculation of the Stress and Strain arrays between the starting and ending indexes. Loading Modulus LoadingModulus(Stress, Strain[, startIndex, endIndex]) The loading modulus is the modulus of the portion of the curve where the load on the specimen increases.
Working with Variables 3. Expand the nominal end index away from the start index until the new modulus value differs from the nominal modulus by more than 2%. 4. The endIndex is set before the newly calculated modulus exceeds the nominal modulus. If variables represent this field in the function and the original value is -1, the variable contains the calculated index at the completion of the function.
Working with Variables Calculation Editor Window Parts of the Calculation Editor Window Number Item Description 1 Use the Calculation panel to build a variable calculation. You can edit text directly in the panel, or you can use the Variables and Functions panels to insert defined variable and functions. Note the following on the Calculation panel: Calculation panel • Variables can use reference signals, other variables, and calculation parameters. • Names are not case-sensitive.
Working with Variables Number Item Description interpreted as a single variable name. This is likely to result in a “...variable..., was not found” error message. 2 Errors panel The Errors panel continually evaluates the calculation as you build it. Note: Calculations are validated only on syntax and references to variables and functions, not expected results. 3 Variables tab The Variables panel lists all variables defined for the project.
Working with Variables Number Item Description Note: The variable parameters between the parentheses are not the identities of the variables. They indicate the type of variable that must be placed in the syntax. For More Information Concept Calculation Unit Conversion Issues (p. 213) Notation for Referencing Variables (p.
Working with Variables Task Reference Calculation Editor (p. 210) Notation for Referencing Variables You can reference variables with delimited notation. A dot separates the variable name from the specifier: . For example, the display name of a variable named PeakLoad is: . Specifiers Properties Item Description Display Name Shows the display name of the variable. Identifier Shows the internal name of the variable.
Working with Variables However, some operators like the Not (!), Ones Complement (~), and Subtraction when used as a Negate (-), operate on only one argument to the right. Functions requiring arguments In general syntax, functions that require arguments are written as a function name followed immediately by the required arguments enclosed in parenthesis. For example: cos(number) where “cos” is the function identifier and “(number)” is the required argument.
Working with Variables • A string value must be enclosed between double-quotes. For example: the function ToLower(string), can be replaced by ToLower(“This is a short sentence.”), but not by ToLower(This is a short sentence.). • A numeric value is typed without quotes. For example: the function cos(number) can be replaced by cos(30), but not by cos(“30”). Arguments can also be replaced with variables of the correct type.
Working with Variables Syntax NewArray(Size, DefaultValue) Parameters Size - The size of the new array. DefaultValue - The default value that will populate every index within the array. Unit Class N/A Example NewArray(5, 3) ArrayValueAtIndex The ArrayValueAtIndex function is used to return the value of an array at a specified index. Returns The value of an array at a specified index. Syntax ArrayValueAtIndex(Array, Index) Parameters Array - The name of the array you want to retrieve the index from.
Working with Variables Parameters ForceArray - The force array data. ComplianceCoefficients - The coefficient array generated during the compliance Test Run. Unit Class Extension Example ExtensionArray - Compliance(ForceArray, ComplianceCoefficients) CurveFitValue Returns The requested coefficient. Syntax CurveFitValue(Order, Coefficient, yArray, aArray, StartIndex, EndIndex) Parameters Order – The order of the polynomial fit to calculate using the yArray and xArray data.
Working with Variables Syntax Polynomial(X,Coefficients) Unit Class The units associated with the Y data used to calculated the coefficients. Example Polynomial(X, coefficients) This example returns the Y value calculated at the value X. PolynomialFit The PolynomialFit function fits a polynomial curve of the specified order to the data arrays. Returns The coefficients as an array. The number of array values returned is one plus the order specified.
Working with Variables Note: The TimePattern depends upon your Windows settings in the Format tab for regional areas. GetTransitionTime Returns Returns the time from the specified channel and transition time type. Syntax GetTransitionTime([ timePattern]) Parameters timePattern SetTransitionTime Returns Sets the time from the specified channel and transition time type. Syntax SetTransitionTime([ timePattern]) Parameters timePattern Signal Returns Current value from a signal.
Working with Variables Syntax SignalFullScale(SignalName) Parameters SignalName SystemRate Returns The maximum data rate for the controller. Syntax SystemRate() Trace Returns Gets the percentage complete of the current segment for a channel. Syntax Trace(ChannelName) Parameters ChannelName Cyclic Functions This section provides reference information for cyclic functions. AnalysisRun Returns Accesses the variable across analysis runs. Syntax AnalysisRun[Index].
Working with Variables Syntax Block[blockName, Index].variable Parameters blockName Cycle Returns Accesses the variable in cycles. Syntax Cycle[Index].variable TestRun Returns Accesses the variable across test runs. Syntax TestRun[Index].variable Date and Time Functions This section provides reference information for date and time functions. The DatePattern and TimePattern depend upon your Windows settings in the Format tab for your region. TestCreationDate Returns Returns the creation date of the test.
Working with Variables Examples TestCreationDate([ “d”]) Returns a test creation date in a short date format, assuming a United States English culture: 4/15/2012 TestCreationDate([ “D”]) Returns a test creation date in a long date format, assuming a United States English culture: Saturday, March 31, 2012 TestCreationTime Returns Returns the creation time of the test. Syntax TestCreationTime([ timePattern]) Parameters timePattern—Formats the time according to the specified pattern.
Working with Variables Parameters datePattern—Formats the date according to the specified pattern. For example, “d” is a short date pattern (MM/dd/yyyy); “D” is a long date pattern (dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy). Detailed date and time pattern format specifier information is available from the MSDN resources Web site.
Working with Variables TestRunCreationDate Note: This function replaces the SampleCreationDate function from the TW4 application. Returns Returns the creation date of the test run. Syntax TestRunCreationDate([ datePattern]) Parameters datePattern—Formats the date according to the specified pattern. For example, “d” is a short date pattern (MM/dd/yyyy); “D” is a long date pattern (dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy). Detailed date and time pattern format specifier information is available from the MSDN resources Web site.
Working with Variables Parameters timePattern—Formats the time according to the specified pattern. Set the time pattern to the exact format desired. For example, to obtain the pattern h-mm-ss for hours-minutes-seconds, the function should specify "hh-mm-ss". Detailed date and time pattern format specifier information is available from the MSDN resources Web site. Example TestRunCreationTime([ “hh:mm:ss tt”]) Displays the time as 10:04:01 PM.
Working with Variables CurrentTestRunDirectory Returns Returns the current test run directory. The directory is set in Preferences > Configuration > Project. Syntax CurrentTestRunDirectory() Unit Class String DataExportDirectory Returns Returns the directory for exported data. The directory is set in Preferences > Configuration > Project. Syntax DataExportDirectory() Unit Class String DefaultReportDirectory Returns Returns the default reports directory.
Working with Variables Unit Class String TestDirectory Returns Returns the directory for the test. The directory is set in Preferences > Configuration > Project. Syntax TestDirectory() Unit Class String Fatigue and Fracture Functions This section provides reference information about the functions used for Fatigue and Fracture applications. CalcInelStrain Calculated Inelastic Strain.
Working with Variables Syntax HysteresisArea(StressArray, StrainArray) Parameters StressArray StrainArray MeasInelasticStrainMax Measured Inelastic Strain Maximum. The measured inelastic strain range is specific to materials fatigue testing, especially Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF). The application calculates the mean stress from the stress and strain data that represents one cycle. The two points where the mean intersects the curve determines the strain values.
Working with Variables The StrainA function returns the value: ((StrainMax - StrainMin)/(StrainMax + StrainMin)) StrainR StrainR(StrainMax, StrainMin) The StrainR function returns the value: StrainMin/StrainMax StressA StressA(StressMax, StressMin) StressR StressR(StressMax, StressMin) The StressR function returns the value: StressMin/StressMax Index Functions This section contains reference information about index functions.
Working with Variables Starting Point of Region To determine the starting point of the analysis region, the algorithm will select the first point where the “min load” value is located in the y-channel. If the “min load” is not found, the algorithm will attempt to locate the point where “% strain point” is located in the x-channel. If this point cannot be determined, the first data point in the channel is used.
Working with Variables This formula: 1. Searches the _Load channel. 2. Looks for the _Load channel to drop 80% from its peak value. 80% is the value of the input BreakDrop. If PeakLoad = 100lbs, then the calculation returns the number of the data point when the load has dropped to 20lbs. If PeakLoad = 80lbs, then the calculation returns the number of the data point when the load has dropped to 16lbs.
Working with Variables 1. Searches the _Load channel and the PrimaryExtension channel. 2. Looks for the _Load channel to drop 80% from its peak value, and for the PrimaryExt channel to change by 0.1 in. If PeakLoad = 100lbs, then the calculation returns the number of the data point when the load has dropped to 20lbs and the PrimaryExt channel has changed by 0.1 in.
Working with Variables Returns The fracture index is where this line intersects the curve (Type I) or where it intersects a peak if it comes before this point (Type II or Type III). Fracture Index Examples Syntax FractureIndex(fracture percent, slack value, Load Channel, Primary Extension channel, slope 1 index, slope 2 index) Parameters Fracture percent - Determines the slope at which the fracture line is drawn. This slope is a percentage of the slope of the X-Y curve.
Working with Variables LowerYieldIndex This LowerYieldIndex function is used to calculate the first occurrence of a zero slope after the upper yield point. 1. The search for the Lower Yield Point begins after the upper yield index point. 2. The force must drop from the upper yield point by the listed tolerance before the lower yield index can be identified. 3.
Working with Variables Parameters y-channel - This argument is the channel that represents the Y-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Force units but it is not a requirement. The unit class of the min load and max load arguments must be the same as the unit class for this argument. x-channel – This argument is the channel that represents the X-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Strain units but it is not a requirement.
Working with Variables Parameters y-channel - This argument is the channel that represents the Y-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Force units but it is not a requirement. The unit class of the min load and max load arguments must be the same as the unit class for this argument. x-channel – This argument is the channel that represents the X-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Strain units but it is not a requirement.
Working with Variables Parameters y-channel - This argument is the channel that represents the Y-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Force units but it is not a requirement. The unit class of the min load and max load arguments must be the same as the unit class for this argument. x-channel – This argument is the channel that represents the X-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Strain units but it is not a requirement.
Working with Variables Parameters y-channel - This argument is the channel that represents the Y-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Force units but it is not a requirement. The unit class of the min load and max load arguments must be the same as the unit class for this argument. x-channel – This argument is the channel that represents the X-axis for the Least Squares fit. The units for this channel are normally in Strain units but it is not a requirement.
Working with Variables Offset - The offset from the modulus line to use in the calculation. EndIndex - An optional end index that is used to limit the search region. If this parameter is missing, the last data point in the array is used as the end. Unit Class Integer PeakIndex The PeakIndex function locates the index of the maximum value in the array. Returns The index of the array associated with the maximum value of the array.
Working with Variables EndIndex - The optional end index of the region. If this parameter is missing, the end is associated with the end of the array data. Tolerance - The percentage of the slope used to optimize the maximum slope region. The region can be optimized by reducing the region and rechecking the slope. The optimization step will be terminated if the new slope is outside of the tolerance band of the original peak slope.
Working with Variables YieldIndexByZeroSlope The YieldIndexByZeroSlope function determines the yield index by searching the curve in segments until the angle of the curve decreases to the specified angle. Returns The function returns the index associated with the Yield point. Syntax YieldIndexByZeroSlope(y-axis, x-axis, angle, segmentLength[, threshold, startIndex, endIndex) Parameters y-axis - The Y axis data array used in the calculation of the yield index.
Working with Variables Returns The function returns the index associated with the end of the Yield Point Elongation region. Syntax YpeEndIndexByIncreasingLoad(ForceArray, YPEStartIndex, Tolerance) Parameters ForceArray - The force array used to determine end of the Yield Point Elongation region. YPEStartIndex - The index associated with the start of the Yield Point Elongation region. Tolerance - The percentage difference in force at the YPE start index used to detect the YPE end index.
Working with Variables Parameters ForceArray - The force array used to determine end of the Yield Point Elongation region. DisplacementArray - The displacement array used to determine end of the Yield Point Elongation region. YPEStartIndex - The index associated with the start of the Yield Point Elongation region. PeakTolerance - The percentage drop from the of the peak force that must occur before starting the search for the zero slope region of the curve.
Working with Variables Note: This value can never be lower than the zero slope index. Zero Slope Index YPE End Index YpeStartIndex The YpeStartIndex function finds the start of the Yield Point Elongation region by locating the point after Yield where the slope of the curve exceeds the specified angle.
Working with Variables Returns The function returns the index associated with the start of the Yield Point Elongation region. Syntax YpeStartIndex(ForceArray, DisplacementArray, Angle, SegmentLength, YieldIndex) Parameters ForceArray - The force array being analyzed for the Yield Point Elongation region. DisplacementArray - The displacement array being analyzed for the Yield Point Elongation region. Angle - The angle which must be exceeded.
Working with Variables Important: This function is only used for integer numbers. Syntax abs(number) acos (Arc Cosine) Syntax acos(number) This function is used to calculate the arc cosine of the number specified. Returns Angle with a cosine equal to the specified number. asin (Arc Sine) Syntax asin(number) This function is used to calculate the arc sine of the number specified. Returns Angle with a sine equal to the specified number.
Working with Variables avg Syntax: avg(number1, number2,[numberN]) Returns the average of a series of numbers. Ceiling This function is used to round the specified number up to the nearest whole number. Syntax Ceiling(number) The smallest integer greater than or equal to the specified number. Examples The following formula returns the value 6: ceiling(5.4) The following formula returns the value 7: ceiling(6.
Working with Variables Example ChannelValue(Extension, Load, PeakLoad) This example returns the Extension value associated with the PeakLoad value located in the Load array. cos (Cosine) Syntax cos(number) This function is used to calculate the cosine of the number specified. Cosine of the specified angle cosh (Hyperbolic cosine) Syntax cosh(number) Hyperbolic cosine of the specified angle.
Working with Variables Example 1 CurveArea (_Load, SlackExt, 0 , SizeOfArray(_Load)-1) This formula calculates the area under the entire Load versus Extension curve. Example 2 CurveArea (_Load, SlackExt, 0, Peak) This formula calculates the area under the Load versus Extension curve up to the peak load. ElasticStrainValue The ElasticStrainValue function is used to calculate the portion of strain in a specimen that is recoverable, or elastic.
Working with Variables Note: Unlike plastic strain, there is no flag to set whether the specified load point should be found after the peak or before. This is because the Elastic Strain value would be the same in either case. Elastic Strain Value EnergyValue The EnergyValue function calculates the area under the curve defined by the Y and X axis data. If using the Force and Extension data, this function returns the amount of energy absorbed by the specimen during the test.
Working with Variables Exp This function is used to calculate the value of e (2.71828...) raised to the power specified by the exponent. Syntax exp(number) Returns A value “e” raised to the specified power. FindNearestValue Locate the closest value in an array to the search value. Syntax FindNearestValue(array, searchValue[, startIndex, endIndex]) FindNearestValueIndex Locate the index of the closest value in an array to the search value.
Working with Variables IsInvalidNumber Syntax IsInvalidNumber(number) Checks the validity of the supplied value. Returns This function returns 1 if the value being tested is invalid; otherwise, 0 (zero) is returned. Example IsInvalidNumber(PeakLoad) Where PeakLoad is a non-array variable. IsValidNumber Returns “1” if the number is valid. Otherwise, it returns “0”. Syntax IsValidNumber(number) Example IsValidNumber(PeakLoad) Where PeakLoad is a non-array variable.
Working with Variables Units Y-Axis unit / X-Axis Unit Example LeastSquaresFit(Force, Extension, Slope1, Slope2) This formula returns the slope of the line between the two indexes of Slope1 and Slope2. log(number) Syntax log(number) The natural log of a specified number. log10(number) The base-10 logarithm of a specified number. max Syntax max(number1, number2[, numberN]) Returns The maximum of a series of numbers. MaxDouble() Syntax MaxDouble() Returns Returns the maximum value for the type of number.
Working with Variables min The minimum of a series of numbers. Syntax min(number1, number2[, numberN]) MinDouble() Returns the minimum value for the type of number. Syntax MinDouble() MinLong() Returns the minimum value for the type of number. Syntax MinLong() NaN() Returns an invalid value for the type of number, which is Not a Number. Syntax NaN() PI() Value of Pi.
Working with Variables Parameters ForceArray – The array containing force data. StrainArray – The array containing Strain data. StartIndex – The start index of the modulus region. EndIndex – The end index of the modulus region Tolerance – The percentage of the peak force used to locate the transition point. AfterPeakFlag – An optional flag to specify looking for transition point after the peak load.
Working with Variables Syntax pow(base, exponent) Example 1 Pow(2, 3) This formula returns the value 8 (2^3, or 2*2*2) Example 2 Pow(5, 2) This formula returns the value 25 (5^2, or 5*5) rem(dividend, divisor) The remainder (modulo) from the division of two numbers. Syntax rem(dividend, divisor) round(number) Rounds a value to the nearest integer. Syntax round(number) sign(number) Value that indicates the sign of a number.
Working with Variables sin(number) Returns Sine of the specified angle. Syntax sin(number) sinh(number) Hyperbolic sine of the specified number. Syntax sinh(number) sqrt(number) The square root of a number. Syntax sqrt(number) tan(number) Tangent of the angle. Syntax tan(number) tanh(number) Hyperbolic tangent of the angle. Syntax tanh(number) truncate Rounds a value to the nearest integer towards zero. Returns The X-Intercept from the least squares fit line.
Working with Variables Parameter number – The number to be truncated. Unit Class Same the number. Example truncate(4.5) = 4 XInterceptValue The XInterceptValue function returns X-Intercept of the least squares fit line calculated over the specified region. Returns The X-Intercept from the least squares fit line. Syntax XInterceptValue (y-axis, x-axis, slope1Index, slope2Index) Parameters y-axis – Y-Axis data array. x-axis – X-Axis data array. Slope1Index – The start index of the region.
Working with Variables XInterceptValue YInterceptValue The YInterceptValue returns the point where the line determined by the index values crosses the Y-Axis. Returns The index in to the arrays where the Y-intercept occurs. Syntax YInterceptValue(y-axis, x-axis, slope1Index, slope2Index) Parameters y-axis – The Y-Axis data array being analyzed. x-axis – The X-Axis data array being analyzed. Slope1Index – The starting index of the region used to calculate the straight line.
Working with Variables YInterceptValue Operator Functions This section describes Operator functions and precedence. Operators and Precedence The following table shows all the recognized operators organized by group and listed in order of precedence. Within a group, all operators have the same precedence. Note: Some programming languages use a semicolon as a list separator instead of a comma. If you are using one of those languages, the last operator of the table would be replaced with a semicolon.
Working with Variables Precedence Operator Function Direction .
Working with Variables Precedence Operator Function Direction 13 = Assignment Right-to-Left 14 , Comma - List Separator Left-to-Right Choose Returns Returns a value based on the evaluation of the first argument. Syntax Choose(Expression, EvaluatedZero,EvaluatedOne[, EvaluatedN]) Parameters Expression—The Expression must evaluate to an integer. EvaluatedZero—If the Expression evaluates to a 0 (zero), the EvaluatedZero value is returned.
Working with Variables Parameters VarArray - The data array to be analyzed. PeakCriterion - A percentage of the peak magnitude used to detect when peaks occur. NumberOfPeaks - The number of minimum peaks to include in the calculations. StartIndex - The optional index into the array used as the starting location for the calculation. EndIndex - The optional index into the array used as the ending location for the calculation.
Working with Variables Unit Class Same as the array data. Example AveragePeaks(_Load, LoadPeakCriteria, 0, SizeOfArray(_Load)-1) This formula: 1. Searches the _Load channel. 2. Looks for drops in the value of _Load channel that correspond to the input LoadPeakCriteria. 3. Searches between the first data point and the last data point. AverageValleys The AverageValleys function returns the average of all the valleys determined using the peak criteria. Returns The average valley calculated.
Working with Variables Returns The average array value. Syntax AverageValue(VarArray, startIndex, endIndex) Parameters VarArray - The variable being analyzed. StartIndex - The start index of the region being analyzed. EndIndex - The end index of the region being analyzed. Unit Class Same as the array data. Example AverageValue(_Load, Peak, SizeOfArray(_Load)-1) This formula calculates the average value of the _Load channel between the Peak load point and the end of the test.
Working with Variables 2. Checks to see if the value of the Strain channel has exceeded the value of the RemovalPoint input. 3. Reports the value of the Extension channel when the Strain channel has exceeded the value of RemovalPoint. CombinedStrain The CombinedStrain function returns the strain value calculated from either the extensometer or the crosshead/actuator based on the value of the removal point.
Working with Variables endIndex - The optional end index of the region. The search ends at the last data point if this parameter is missing. Threshold - The optional threshold that must be exceeded before searching for peaks. Unit Class Same as the array data. Example AveragePeaks(_Load, LoadPeakCriteria, 0, SizeOfArray(_Load) - 1, MinimumLoad) This formula: 1. Searches the _Load channel. 2. Looks for drops in the value of _Load channel that correspond to the input LoadPeakCriteria. 3.
Working with Variables 3. Searches between the peak load's point and the last data point. 4. Finds the next peak and returns its array index. 5. Only calculates the result if the _LoadArray data becomes greater than the value of the input MinimumLoad. NextValley The NextValley function searches the data array specified in array and returns the next valley's index as defined by the valley criteria, after the data point specified by the start index. The values within square braces, [], are optional.
Working with Variables Syntax NumberOfPeaks(VarArray, peakCriterion[, startIndex, endIndex, threshold]) Parameters VarArray - The array data being analyzed for peaks. peakCriterion - The percentage change from the peak that signifies a peak. startIndex - The optional start index of the region. The search starts at the first data point if this parameter is missing. endIndex - The optional end index of the region. The search ends at the last data point if this parameter is missing.
Working with Variables This formula calculates the standard deviation between given by the variables Slope1 and Slope2. TearIndex Locates the index of the tear value in an array. Syntax TearIndex(VarArray, TearCriteria[, startIndex, endIndex, Threshold]) Parameters VarArray - The array data being analyzed. Tear Criteria StartIndex - The start index of the region being analyzed. EndIndex - The end index of the region being analyzed. Threshold Unit Class Same as array data specified.
Working with Variables CalibrationDueDate Returns Returns the calibration due date of the sensor attached to a signal. Syntax CalibrationDueDate(SignalName) Parameter Signal Name—The “SignalName” in signal functions is the internal name of the signal and must be quoted or passed in as a string variable. To determine the internal name of a signal, select the Show Internal Names check box in the Resources tab. The Name column shows the internal names.
Working with Variables Syntax SerialNumber(SignalName) Parameter Signal Name—The “SignalName” in signal functions is the internal name of the signal and must be quoted or passed in as a string variable. To determine the internal name of a signal, select the Show Internal Names check box in the Resources tab. The Name column shows the internal names. Example SerialNumber(“_Load”) Unit Class String String Functions This section provides basic reference information about the available string functions.
Working with Variables Parameter substring string startIndex Unit Class String left Returns Extracts a substring from the left side of a string. Syntax left(string, length) Parameters string length Unit Class String mid Returns Extracts a substring from the middle of a string.
Working with Variables NumberToString Returns Creates a string from the specified number with the optionally specified digits. Syntax NumberToString(number[, digits]) Parameters number digits Unit Class String right Returns Extracts a substring from the right side of a string. Syntax Right(string, start) Parameters string start Unit Class String StringLength Returns The length of the specified string.
Working with Variables Unit Class String StringToInteger Returns Converts a string to an integer number. Syntax StringToIntger(string) Parameters string Unit Class String StringToNumber Returns Converts a string to a floating-point number. Syntax StringToNumber(string) Parameters string Unit Class String tolower Returns Converts a string to all lower case.
Working with Variables Unit Class String toupper Returns Converts a string to all uppercase. Syntax toupper(string) Parameters string Unit Class String TrimStringEnd Returns Removes whitespace (spaces, tabs, and new lines) from the end of a string. Syntax TrimStringStart(string) Parameters string Unit Class String TrimStringStart Returns Removes whitespace (spaces, tabs, and new lines) from the start of a string.
Working with Variables Unit Class String varIdentifier.DisplayValue This construct is implicit in the MTS TestSuite application. Use this syntax in a calculation to return a string representation of a string variable; including its name, value, and units. Returns Returns the string representation of the variable in display units. Syntax variableStringName.displayvalue Replace variableStringName with the actual name of the string variable.
Working with Variables Functions Tab Properties Item Description Function Name Displays the function name. The name cannot contain spaces, begin with a number, or contain special characters. Arguments Displays the arguments of the function. All user-defined functions must follow Python naming rules. Category Show the user-defined type of functions. Functions created in the Function Editor are in the Test Definition category. Description (Optional) Displays a description of the function.
Working with Variables • Enter If statements, Loop statements, and other statements as supported in Python for more complex calculations. • Assign multiple variables to a function. • Interact with other external sources. • Validate statement syntax. The validation section provides the result of the syntax check. The validation does not check for variable scope or interaction with other functions and calculations.
Working with Variables Edit Function Window Properties Item Description Function name Shows the function name. A name that is unique within the test is prefilled in the Function Name field. When you enter a function name in the work area, the new name shows in this field. The name is case-sensitive, and must not contain spaces. Category Shows the function category. If you create the function from the Test Definition, the category is Test Definition.
Working with Variables The above syntax is the function variable code to get the value of the array variable.
Working with Variables For More Information Reference Functions Tab (p. 278) Edit Function Window Overview (p. 279) Edit Function Window Properties (p. 280) Function Usage and Syntax Guidelines (p. 281) Create Variables Used in Python Function Example To create variables used in the Python function example: 1. Create four test variables.
Working with Variables Python Overview Python is an interpreted, general purpose, high-level programming language with an extensive resource library. You can use Python to extend the functionality of the MTS TestSuite applications. For instance, you can use Python for reading and writing to files, dynamic mathematical calculations, and manipulating MTS TestSuite variables. Python Syntax Highlighting Legend Python uses color to make it easier to read code.
Working with Variables Import IronPython Libraries To import an IronPython library for use in a custom function, you must explicitly include the path to your IronPython installation. To do this (assuming your IronPython installation is located at C:\Program Files (x86)\IronPython 2.7, perform the following: #Import the “random” python library import sys sys.path.append(r"C:\Program Files (x86)\IronPython 2.7\Lib") import random Import .NET Libraries To import a .
Working with Variables Method Example (using variable num) Description ValueToString NUM.ValueToString Get the value of NUM as text Text Variables Description of Text Variables Method Example (using variable txt) Description Value TXT.Value.ValueAsString Get the text value of TXT SetValue TXT.SetValue(value) Set the text value of TXT Text Variables: Choice Lists Description of Text Variables: Choice Lists Method Example (using variable txt) Description Value TXT.Value.
Working with Variables Array of Text Description of Text Arrays Method Example (using variable txtArray) Description Length TXTArray. Length Get the number of values stored in TXTArray Add TXTArray. Add(value) Add a number to TXTArray ArrayValue TXTArray.ArrayValue(index).ValueAsString Get the number stored at a specific index in TXTArray ArrayValue TXTArray.
Working with Variables Define the custom function Note: The MTS TestSuite custom function editor does NOT include Python libraries. • Import the resources you will be referencing within your custom function using the sys.path.append(resourcePath) method: import sys sys.path.append(r"C:\Program Files (x86)\IronPython 2.7\Lib") import random • Define the function: def customFunction(v1, v2, v3): return [v1, v2, v3, random.
Working with Variables # these variables, it is recommended that you simulate their # existence here by initializing them with some valid default # values.
Working with Variables print "Failed to write array to " + str(file) # Clear tsVarArray to demonstrate readFileAsArray tsVarArray = [] print "\ntsVarArray is now empty: " print tsVarArray tsVarArray = readFileAsArray(file) print "\ntsVarArray after readFileAsAraay: " print tsVarArray raw_input() Store Ending Path Value Variables Store Ending Path Value Variables Overview You can create a Store Ending Path Value variable to store which path in a Parallel Paths or Composite activity ends the parallel path.
Working with Variables Compare Tool TestSuite Compare Tool Overview Access Tool menu > Compare > Variable or Function Compare Variables or Functions The Compare tool shows differences of variable properties or function properties between the currently opened test or template and other test definitions, test runs, analysis definitions, and analysis runs. You can identify design differences and build on test definitions when you compare definitions and runs.
Working with Variables Note: The Count column shows the number of variables or functions in each selected item. 3. Repeat until you have selected what you want to compare. 4. Click OK. The Comparison window opens to show all the variables or functions in the tests and indicates mismatches in red. 5. To view only the differences, select the Show Only Differences check box. 6. Click the plus icon to expand the window and view the properties for the variable or function.
Working with Specimens Topics: • • • • • Specimens.......................................................................................................................................294 Specimen Parameters.....................................................................................................................297 Specimen Geometries.....................................................................................................................300 Specimen Geometry Manager.................
Working with Specimens Specimens Specimen Editor Overview Access Tools menu > Specimen Editor A specimen is the physical object to be tested. Examples of specimens may include: "dog bones" used in tensile testing, springs or shock absorbers used in compression testing, tires used in tire tests, or even complex bio-mechanical joints or other components used in testing limb replacements. The Specimen Editor lists defined specimens and their characteristics.
Working with Specimens Note: Before you can access the Specimen Editor, you must first define a test. The test does not have to be complete, but a test must exist before you can access the Specimen Editor. Specimen Editor You can add any number of specimens to a test. Specimens are listed in the top panel of the Specimen Editor. Details are shown below the specimen list. To sort the list, click in the column header.
Working with Specimens Parameter Description Area Displays the calculated area when you specify the parameters in the Detail for Selected Specimen panel. Specify the reduced cross-section area on the specimen. For a specimen with an Irregular Geometry, you must specify the area. For all other specimen geometries, the area is calculated when related parameters are specified (or changed). • For a specimen with a Square Geometry, the area is calculated when the Width and Thickness are specified.
Working with Specimens Parameter Description Unit Click the list arrow to select a different measurement unit. Description Describe the parameter. Plus (+) icon Add a new specimen definition. The application automatically names the new specimen and assigns it default values. You can change the name and the specimen values. Minus(-) icon Delete the selected specimen from the specimen library. You cannot delete a specimen that is already assigned to a test run.
Working with Specimens Parameter Description Inner Diameter Hollow round specimens Specify the inner diameter of the reduced cross-sectional area on the specimen. Inner Diameter is a specimen variable that other variables may use in a calculation. Width - Rectangular Specify the width of the reduced cross-sectional specimens area on the specimen. Width is a specimen variable that other variables may use in a calculation.
Working with Specimens Parameter Description Crack Plane Orientation Specify an identification of the plane and direction of a fracture in relation to the product configuration. COD Distance from Load Line Shows the distance between the displacement measurement points and load points (center of pin holes). COD Half-Gage Length Shows one half the distance between the displacement measurement points (COD attachment edges). It is used by the application for compliance crack length calculations.
Working with Specimens Parameter Description Pin Center from Crack Plane Half-span of load points. Polarity Used in calculations to present appropriately signed data (SE(B) polarity = -1). Span (S) Shows the distance between the two supports on the same side of the specimen. Test Temperature Shows the test temperature. Thickness (B) Shows the total thickness of the specimen. Ultimate Tensile Strength The maximum tensile stress that a material can sustain.
Working with Specimens M(T) Specimen Overview The M(T) specimen is the middle tension specimen. It is the symmetrical, center-crack specimen used for Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) testing. M(T) Specimen M(T) Speciment Description Item Definition a Crack length B Specimen W Specimen length y Half gage length For More Information Concept Specimen Geometry Overview (p. 300) FFC(T) Specimen Overview (p. 302) FFC(T) Specimen DCPD Overview (p.
Working with Specimens LLC(T) Specimen Overview (p. 304) SE(B) Specimen Overview (p. 305) Task FFC(T) Specimen Overview The FFC(T) specimen is the front-face compact tension specimen.
Working with Specimens Task Reference M(T) Specimen Overview (p. 301) FFC(T) Specimen DCPD Overview The FFC(T) DCPD specimen is the front-face compact tension specimen. The specimen geometry illustrations shown below shows the active PD and current lead placement for the different calculation methods that can be selected for the FFC(T) DCPD specimen geometry.
Working with Specimens FFC(T) Specimen DCPD (Johnson) For More Information Task Reference M(T) Specimen Overview (p. 301) LLC(T) Specimen Overview The LLC(T) specimen is the load-line compact tension specimen. It is used for J-Integral Characterization of Fracture Toughness (JIC) tension and Crack-Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) materials testing.
Working with Specimens LLC(T) Specimen LLC(T) Specimen Description Item Description a Crack length ao Original crack length B Specimen thickness Bn Net specimen thickness h Notch height W Specimen width For More Information Task Reference M(T) Specimen Overview (p. 301) SE(B) Specimen Overview The SE(B) specimen is the single-edge bend specimen.
Working with Specimens Rectangular SE(B) Specimen Rectangular SE(B)Specimen Description Item Description a Crack length ao Original crack length B Specimen thickness h Notch height S Specimen span W Specimen width For More Information Task Reference M(T) Specimen Overview (p.
Working with Specimens Specimen Geometry Manager Specimen Geometry Manager Overview The Specimen Geometry Manager window lists the geometries that are available. Several commonly-used and predefined specimen geometries are supplied with the application. Use the Specimen Geometry Manager to add new specimen geometries, edit existing specimen geometries, import and export specimen geometries, copy existing specimen geometries, and delete specimen geometries.
Working with Specimens Reference Specimen Geometry Manager Properties (p. 308) Use of Domains (p. 116) Selecting a Domain (p. 116) Specimen Geometry Manager Properties Specimen Geometry Manager Properties Item Description Geometry Name Displays the name of the specimen geometry. Custom A check mark in this column means that a user has created the specimen geometry and it can be edited. Specimen geometries without a check mark in this column can only be viewed.
Working with Specimens Item Description Export Transfers specimen geometry definitions between workstations. Import Imports specimen geometry definitions from previously exported files. Close Closes the Specimen Geometry Manager window. For More Information Concept Specimen Geometry Manager Overview (p. 307) Update All Overview (p. 310) Task Update All Geometry-Specific Functions (p. 311) Use of Domains Domains categorize specimen geometries and tests.
Working with Specimens Update All Overview (p. 310) Task Update All Geometry-Specific Functions (p. 311) Update All Overview The Update All button synchronizes the common functions in the test or analysis definition with all geometries of the same domain as the test domain. A common function is a function that has one name but has different geometry-specific calculations. Placeholders for the common functions are added to the test, if any are not already there.
Working with Specimens Selecting a Domain (p. 116) Update All Geometry-Specific Functions To update all geometry-specific functions: 1. Click the Functions tab. 2. Click Update All. A message prompts you to confirm the update. 3. Click OK. For More Information Concept Specimen Geometry Manager Overview (p. 307) Update All Overview (p. 310) Reference Specimen Geometry Manager Properties (p. 308) Use of Domains (p. 116) Selecting a Domain (p.
Working with Specimens Specimen Geometry Editor Properties Specimen geometry properties can only be changed for user-defined specimen geometries. User-defined specimen geometries are those that were added or copied in the Specimen Geometry Manager window. Specimen geometries that were supplied with the application have read-only properties, and they cannot be changed.
Working with Specimens Item Description Variable Rules Open the Rules for Variable “[Variable Name]” window to define rules to restrict the values that can be assigned to the selected variable. Variable Rules Overview Variable rules are used for specimen geometry variables to define the allowable value for a variable. A variable rule can have multiple statements to make the allowable value more specific. For example, NetThickness > 0 allows NetThickness values greater than 0.
Working with Specimens 2. Select the specimen geometry for which you want to delete the variable rule, and click Copy. Predefined geometries are read-only. To edit the geometry, you must first make a copy of the geometry. The Specimen Geometry Editor window opens. 3. Select the variable for which you want to delete a rule and click Variable Rules. The Rules for Variable “[Variable Name]” opens. Current rules appear in the Rule panel. 4.
Test Activities Topics: • • • • • • • • Overview..........................................................................................................................................316 Command Activities.........................................................................................................................317 Data Acquisition (DAQ) Activities....................................................................................................371 Event Detection Activities...............
Test Activities Overview Test Procedures A test procedure includes the system actions you want the application to perform during a test. The procedure is made up of activities arranged in a graphical flowchart. Each test has a single procedure that is stored with the test definition. The procedure is included when you create test templates. You can define the procedure while connected to hardware resources or while working offline with the resources stored with the test from an earlier connection.
Test Activities • Interacting with the test-run display • Running reports Activity properties Most activities require you to specify properties to fully define how the activity should perform. When you add an activity that has parameters you are required to specify, the activity in the procedure includes an error icon. The Properties tab identifies the parameters, and the Error list describes the problem. You must correct all errors in the test before you can initialize and run the test.
Test Activities When the durations of multiple signals differ, the signals with the shorter duration hold at the last end level until all signals on the waveform definition are complete. The Number of Cycles box determines how many times the entire custom waveform is generated. Segment Type The Ramp Segment Type produces a command similar to the standard Ramp or Go To command, except that each Ramp can have a different Duration and End Level. The shape of the ramp segment is linear.
Test Activities Custom Waveform Activity Properties Custom Waveform + DAQ Properties Item Description Number of Cycles Specify the number of times to perform the waveform defined. Click the toggle button to specify a numeric value and unit of measure or variable. Compensator Select a compensator to improve the tracking and accuracy of the control loop for the selected channel. For more information about compensators, see Compensator Overview (p. 133).
Test Activities Item Description Select an Interrupt behavior: • Interrupt Immediately—End the branch or loop immediately at the current level. • Interrupt at End of Cycle—Complete the current cycle before ending the branch or loop. Relative End Levels—Select to specify that the values of the end levels are relative to the value of the control mode command signal at the time the activity begins executing. When not checked, end levels are relative to setpoint.
Test Activities Test Sequence 1. Add the Custom Waveform activity to your test. 2. In the Custom Waveform properties, select the Use Variables to Specify Arrays of End Levels and Durations check box. 3. Create the array variables that define the duration values for the custom waveform. a. On the Duration Array list, click . • The New Numeric Variable properties window is automatically populated with the correct settings for the duration array variable. b. Click OK. c.
Test Activities b. Use the Variables Selection window to add the EndLevelsArray and DurationsArray variables (that you created earlier) to the Selected Variables list and click OK. c. On the Variable list, click the EndLevelsArray variable and click the [...] button to display the Calculation Editor window. d. Add the NewArray(x,y) function to the calculation. • Use this function to define the number of end levels (x) and their default values (y) that will be added to the array variable.
Test Activities Important: This composite activity includes hard-coded settings that simplify the setup of data acquisition for cyclic testing. Custom Waveform + DAQ Activity Properties Custom Waveform + DAQ Properties Item Description Number of Cycles Specify the number of times to perform the waveform defined. Click the toggle button to specify a numeric value and unit of measure or variable.
Test Activities Item Description • Interrupt Immediately—Complete immediately at the current level. • Interrupt at End of Cycle—Complete the current cycle before ending the branch or loop. Relative End Levels—Select to specify that the values of the end levels are relative to the value of the control mode command signal at the time the activity begins executing. When not checked, end levels are relative to setpoint.
Test Activities Data Acquisition Window Note: This activity is hardcoded to always process data in blocks. Data Acquisition Window Properties Item Description Trigger List Select and configure the trigger(s) used for this activity. For more information about triggers, see Data Acquisition (DAQ) Triggers Overview (p. 143). Save data to variables? No—The signal data is not put into variables.
Test Activities Item Description Starting Cycles Specify how many cycles to store when the test starts or restarts. Note: The cycles specified here are in addition to those specified by the “Select Cycles” filter. For example, you specify 10 and the test is 50 cycles long. An operator stops and restarts the test at 30 cycles. The application saves data from cycles 1 to 10 and 31 to 40. Final Cycles Specify the number of cycles to store before the test stops, whether at the end or during the test.
Test Activities Item Description Select Cycles Opens the Cycle Decimation Filter Selection window to further specify which cycles to acquire. The raw data is saved for the acquired cycles. Note: The cycle decimation filter settings do not affect data that is saved to a variable.
Test Activities Ramp Activity The following example shows similar Ramp commands as a sine wave. Ramp Activity as a Sine Wave Signal compensation You can apply a compensator to enhance performance. Compensators are control techniques that improve the tracking and accuracy of your controller and optimize system response. Only one compensator can be applied. Compensators are set up with the Station Manager application.
Test Activities • Interrupt at End of Cycle—Complete the current cycle before ending the branch or loop. Phase lag You can specify the phase relationship of the waveform generated by this activity from channel to channel. You specify Phase Lag relative to the channel with the smallest degree of phase. The phase lag of each channel is referenced to the lowest phase lag defined in the channels.
Test Activities Note: Specify these settings for each channel.
Test Activities Cycle Activity Properties Item Description Timing Type Specifies how the timing property is expressed. You can select one of the following: Frequency, Time, Rate • Frequency • Time • Rate Specifies how fast each segment runs. The following methods are supported: • Frequency specifies the time to run a two-segment cycle. • Time specifies the time to run one segment. • Rate specifies a constant rate between the starting level and the end levels.
Test Activities Item Description • kHz—kiloHertz; 1 kHz equals 1000 Hz Number of Cycles Specify the number of end levels. Click the toggle button to specify a numeric value and unit of measure or variable. When using the numeric mode, the resulting number of end levels can be specified by the number of Segments or by the number of Cycles. A segment has one end level and a cycle has two end levels.
Test Activities Item Description Suppress Cycle Counter—Select to prevent the channel counter from being incremented when this activity is executed. When not checked, the channel counter is incremented. Channel List Click the green plus sign to open the Select Channels window, and select the channel or multiple channels to use for the activity. Control Mode Select the type of feedback to use in the control loop for the selected channel. Specify this for each channel you select.
Test Activities Behavior Description Interrupt Immediately—Complete immediately at current level. Interrupt at End of Cycle—Complete the current cycle before ending the branch. For example, when a crack limit is detected, the cycle can be finished rather than immediately stopped to obtain accurate test results. Stop Stay immediately at current level. The Stop At button causes a stop at the end of the current cycle. Hold Hold at the end of the current cycle.
Test Activities DAQ activity Use the DAQ activity to define the data to collect and how to collect it. You must add at least one DAQ activity, and you can add multiple DAQ activities. Each DAQ activity must have a unique name and trigger type and a number of cycles to monitor. For multichannel testing, the most lagging channel is used to count cycles during data acquisition. For More Information Task Reference Cycle + DAQ Activity Properties (p.
Test Activities Cycle + DAQ Properties Item Description Timing Type Specifies how the timing property is expressed. You can select one of the following: • • • Frequency, Time, Rate Frequency Time Rate Specifies how fast each segment runs. The following methods are supported: • Frequency specifies the time to run a two-segment cycle. • Time specifies the time to run one segment. • Rate specifies a constant rate between the starting level and the end levels.
Test Activities Item Description • Interrupt at End of Cycle—Complete the current cycle before ending the branch or loop. Relative End Levels—Select to specify that the values of the end levels are relative to the value of the control mode command signal at the time the activity begins executing. When not checked, end levels are relative to setpoint. Suppress Cycle Counter—Select to prevent the channel counter from being incremented when this activity is executed.
Test Activities Item Description Control Mode Select the type of feedback to use in the control loop for the selected channel. Specify this for each channel you select. Note: For MTS Criterion and MTS Insight systems, load and strain modes are available only if you have purchased the Advanced Rate Control license. Absolute End Level 1 Specify two end levels that the command signal cycles between for the selected control mode.
Test Activities Data Acquisition Window Note: This activity is hardcoded to always process data in blocks. Data Acquisition Window Item Description Trigger List Select and configure the trigger(s) used for this activity. Save data to variables? No—The signal data is not put into variables. Yes, automatically map variables—(Default for TWE) The signals being acquired are automatically mapped to variables of the same name with the word “Array” appended and illegal characters removed.
Test Activities Item Description Starting Cycles Specify how many cycles to store when the test starts or restarts. Note: The cycles specified here are in addition to those specified by the “Select Cycles” filter. For example, you specify 10 and the test is 50 cycles long. An operator stops and restarts the test at 30 cycles. The application saves data from cycles 1 to 10 and 31 to 40. Final Cycles Specify the number of cycles to store before the test stops, whether at the end or during the test.
Test Activities Values are collected for all cycles while the test runs. However, values are saved only for the cycles selected in the Select Cycles window and the Starting Cycles and Final Cycles settings in the Data Acquisition properties. The cycle number for each table entry is shown in the Variable Summary column of the test results table. For More Information Task Reference Cycle + DAQ Activity Properties (p.
Test Activities Dwell Activity Properties Dwell Activity Properties Item Description Display Name Name that is shown on the Dwell activity icon in the workflow on the Procedure tab. Enable Select to enable this command; clear selection box to disable this command. Description Description of this command that is shown when you hover your cursor over the Dwell activity icon on the Procedure tab. Progress Table Visibility: Indicate whether you want to view the progress table during runtime.
Test Activities Item Description Note: You add the Progress table as a Test-Run Display activity. Termination Indicate the duration of the Dwell command activity in either time or frequency. • • • • Dwell at Current Value Duration: Enter the time and unit of measurement. Signal: Click the ellipsis to open the Select a Signal window where you select a signal. Comparison: Select from the drop-down menu when the Dwell activity will end.
Test Activities External Command External Command Activity Overview External Command Activity Icon The External Command activity enables your test to accept program inputs from an external program or controller. Before you can use the External Command activity, 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 using the Station Manager application.
Test Activities External Command Activity Properties External Command Activity Properties External Command Activity Properties Item Description Display Name Name that is shown for the activity in the application. Enable Select to enable the activity. Clear to disable the activity. Description Text that is shown for the activity when you hover your cursor over the activity icon in the workflow on the Procedure tab. Progress Table Specify whether you want to view the Progress Table during a test.
Test Activities Item Description • Enable Ramp activity status disappears from the table, regardless of whether the test is done. Never—(Default) Omits the activity from the Test Progress Table. Click to enable, clear to disable. 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.
Test Activities Profile Profile Activity Overview Profile Activity Icon Important: Working with profiles requires using the Station Manager application. Only expert users that are familiar with the Station Manager application should work with profiles. For assistance with creating and modifying profiles, contact MTS Technical Support. The Profile activity generates a command based on a profile file. A profile is a document that defines a custom waveform using special formatting and syntax.
Test Activities Ramp Activity Ramp Activity Callouts Callout Description A Cyclic activity B Ramp activity C Command signal At the start of the following waveform example, a similar Ramp command occurs but as a sine wave shape.
Test Activities Callout Description C Command signal Signal compensation You can apply a compensator to enhance performance. Compensators are control techniques that improve the tracking and accuracy of your controller and optimize system response. Only one compensator can be applied. Compensators are set up with the Station Manager application. The settings and properties are found on the Compensators tab in the Channel Status window.
Test Activities • Use Ignore Program State only to return the load to zero when the test shuts down. Ramp Activity Properties Ramp Activity Properties Item Description Timing Type Specify how the timing property is expressed. You can select one of the following: Ramp Shape • Time (sec) • Frequency (Hz) • Rate (units/sec) Select a shape for the ramp command signal. The shape determines the rate at which the end level command is applied during the time duration.
Test Activities Item Description • Ramp • Sine • True Square • True Ramp • True Sine Duration Specify the duration of time that the ramp should take to achieve its end level. Click the toggle button to specify a numeric value and unit of measure or a variable. Compensator Select a compensator to improve the tracking and accuracy of the control loop for the selected channel.
Test Activities Item Description Absolute End Level Specify the end level for the control mode. Click the toggle button to specify a numeric value or a variable. Specify the end level for each channel. Sweep Sweep Activity Overview Sweep Activity Icon Note: The Sweep activity is only available for use with the MTS FlexTest controller. With the Sweep activity, you can sweep a command waveform between two frequency values in a linear or logarithmic progression at a constant amplitude.
Test Activities Caution: A high-speed transition segment can result in an unwanted spike (or bump) in your command signal. Unwanted command-signal spikes can damage the physical test specimen. To avoid spikes in the command signal, use a Ramp activity to bridge where end levels and start levels differ greatly.
Test Activities Sweep Activity Properties Sweep Activity Properties Item Description Display Name Name shown in the procedure. A default name is in the text box or you can type a new name. Enable Select the checkbox to enable the command; remove selection to disable command. The command becomes grayed out in the procedure. Description Type a description that will appear in a when you hover the cursor over the command in the procedure. Wave Shape Select the shape of the signal.
Test Activities Item Description is a constant linear rate (as with a ramp shape) or a varying rate (as with a sine shape). The choices are: Sweep Type • Square • Ramp • Sine • Square Tapered • Ramp Tapered • Sine Tapered 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.
Test Activities Item Description Control Mode Specifies the control mode. 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 second end level value for the second segment. Phase Lag Specifies the phase relationship of the waveform generated by this activity from channel to channel. Note: Phase Lag is relative to the channel that has the smallest degree of phase.
Test Activities Changing files RPC III or RPC Pro drive files (drv or tim) are used to play out to the station. When you have selected a file, the application performs a series of activities. If any of these steps fail, a message displays the problem. If no problem exists, the application attempts to map the file channels to the station channels. Next, the application checks for channel conflicts.
Test Activities Hz system rate, the function generator and RPC data acquisition may not stay synchronized after a hold and resume. There can be an additional phase shift between the drive and response after each hold and resume. The up-sampling filters are designed to begin cutting off the signal at 35% of the sampling rate and to be 60 dB down at 65% of that rate. When a time history is entered into this activity, the application checks the signal sampling rate and determines whether it can be supported.
Test Activities Time History Output Properties MTS TestSuite | 359
Test Activities Note: If you are executing a Time History Output activity that includes data acquisition, and you hold and resume a test, there are slight differences between the digitized response and the response you would have seen if the test had run without holding. These differences should not be statistically significant. Time History Output Properties Item Description File The name of the time history output file. Click the ellipsis to browse to the file.
Test Activities Item Description current properties, such as the addition or deletion of a channel of data or changing the units of the data, validation errors may occur, which the user will need to fix manually. Total Passes Specifies the number of passes the drive file will play out each time the activity executes. Relative Time Signal If selected, the activity reads the current command value on each channel when the activity runs.
Test Activities Item Description Control Mode Selects the control mode associated with the selected station channel. By default, for each file channel the application selects the first available control mode that supports the unit specified in the file for the channel. This defines the dimension of the signal. By default, the units for the selected control mode signal will be the calibrated units defined in Station Manager.
Test Activities Item Description Unit Set Specifies the engineering units to be used when writing the data to the response file. Select a Unit Set or a variable. Response Channels Specifies the output file channels. Signal Specifies the station signal associated with the selected output file channel. Descriptor Specifies a descriptor for the selected output file channel that will be stored in the file header. The default entry is the signal name.
Test Activities Task Time History Sequence Output Time History Sequence Output Activity Overview Time History Sequence Output Icon The Time History Sequence Output is an optional activity. You must type a special key code during installation to enable this activity. Note: This activity will not operate properly on a station configuration that uses the decimal clock mode in its associated hardware interface file.
Test Activities Road Surface Files Nesting road surface files 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. RSURF Road Surface Files You can nest a Road Surface file inside three other Road Surface files to produce a complex Road Surface file of drive files.
Test Activities Time History Sequence Output (THSO) Files Overview Note: Playout of RPC drive files at 128 Hz requires a system rate of 1024 Hz. 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. Select an RPC III or RPC Pro Road Surface file to play out.
Test Activities Task Time History Sequence Output Properties Time History Sequence Output Properties Item Description Progress Table > Enabling the Show Distance Traveled check box Show Distance causes the current state and target state columns in Traveled the Progress Table to show distance values at runtime.
Test Activities Item Description state shows distance traveled, and the target state shows target distance. Disabling this check box causes the current state and target state to show time values. Selecting either Fixed or Transient for Visibility enables the Show Distance Traveled check box. Progress Table > Sets the speed the vehicle runs at during the test. Vehicle Speed Click the toggle button to specify a numeric value or a variable.
Test Activities Item Description between files in the sequence, but transitions directly between the last command point of one drive file and the first command point of the following drive file. Compensator Enables the Adaptive Inverse Control (AIC) compensation method for all control channels that support it.
Test Activities Item Description channel’s unit descriptor matches one of the units available for that dimension, the application selects those units. Channel Unit Selects the units associated with the selected file channel. Actions 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).
Test Activities Task Data Acquisition (DAQ) Activities DAQ Activity DAQ Activity Overview DAQ Activity Icon The DAQ activity is a standalone activity that collects data using a variety of triggers independently of any Command activity. The DAQ activity is typically placed in a parallel path with a Command activity. The DAQ activity can write data into a variable or a file using block or point-by-point processing. It can also perform calculations on the data put into variables.
Test Activities Basic DAQ Activity Properties A DAQ activity requires at least one trigger and one signal. You can also specify multiple triggers. Basic DAQ Properties Description Item Description Display Name Name of the activity shown in Procedure tab. Enable check box Enables or disables this command activity. Description Description shown when cursor is hovered over activity icon in Procedure tab.
Test Activities Concept DAQ Activity Overview (p. 371) Task Acquiring Data While Holding (p. 375) Collecting a Last Data Point (p. 375) Concept Select Signals (p. 142) Save Data to Variables Overview (p. 154) Data Acquisition (DAQ) Triggers Overview (p. 143) Task Advanced Data Acquisition Properties Some activities have an Advanced button in the Properties panel, which you can click to access the Advanced Data Acquisition window, and make additional configuration entries.
Test Activities Item Description This type of buffering processes data when the test is stopped, when the activity reaches its preset count, or when the activity ends. Buffer Size Note: This property is not applicable to the Max/Min DAQ activity. The buffer size specifies the maximum number of data points the buffer stores before processing data. Acquire data while holding Provides the ability to continue or stop acquiring data when a test has been temporarily paused.
Test Activities Item Description Display Name Specify the name of the block that is shown in variable chart views that shows boundaries of data, such as the history view or hysteresis view. Select Blocks Opens the Block Decimation Filter Selection window in which you can specify the frequency of downsampling. For More Information Concept DAQ Activity Overview (p. 371) Task Acquiring Data While Holding (p. 375) Collecting a Last Data Point (p.
Test Activities 793 Controller Signals Overview The following signals are available to the acquisition processes for systems that run on the 793 platform. Note: All time related signals (Time, Rollover Time, Running Time, and Rollover Running Time) start from zero when the procedure is started. They can be reset during the test using the Auto Offset activity.
Test Activities Signal Description Interlock, HSM On, HSM High The value reveals the state of the associated control when data is acquired. In the case of Run/Stop and Hold signals, the values may not change state since acquisition occurs only while the program is being run. These signals may be useful in calculated signals. (channel) Integer Count Records the number of segments executed in the selected channel.
Test Activities seconds). This maintains a high resolution with respect to typical data acquisition rates. However, because Rollover Time and Running Rollover Time reset to zero every hour, they lose reference to where they occur within the test. It is possible to obtain a composite time reference that has the desirable characteristics of both Time and RolloverTime.
Test Activities Sensor signals Sensor signals for this activity are only available from the following conditioners: Models 493.21B and 493.25 conditioners and Models 494.25, 494.26, and 494.16 conditioners whose HWI settings are configured for high-speed data. Important: When designing a test procedure, do not try to collect data on the same signal with more than one High-Speed DAQ activity at the same time. Concurrent High-Speed DAQ activities that collect data on the same signal will not operate properly.
Test Activities For More Information Task Reference Sample Rates for 493 Hardware (p. 380) Sample Rates for 494 Hardware (p. 381) High-Speed DAQ Properties (p. 383) Sample Rates for 493 Hardware The following tables show the relationship between the number of signals you can select and the maximum potential sample rate at which the High Speed DAQ activity can acquire data. The following sample rates apply to series 493 hardware (models 493.21B and 493.
Test Activities Task Sample Rates for 494 Hardware The following tables show the relationship between the number of signals you can select and the maximum potential sample rate at which the High Speed DAQ activity can acquire data. The following sample rates apply to series 494 hardware (models 494.25, 494.26, and 494.16): Note: To make signals available, each Series 494 conditioner’s Analog Input HWI Editor properties must have the High Speed Data setting set to True.
Test Activities System Rate 3072 Maximum Sample rate Maximum Number of Signals 3072 59 6144 29 12288 14 15360 11 24576 7 30720 5 System Rate 2048 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 System Rate 1024 Maximum Sample rate Maximum Number of Signals 1024 179 382 | MTS TestSuite
Test Activities Maximum Sample rate Maximum Number of Signals 2048 89 3072 59 4096 44 5120 35 6144 29 8192 22 10240 17 12288 14 15360 11 For More Information Concept High-Speed DAQ Activity Overview (p. 378) Task High-Speed DAQ Properties High-speed DAQ properties comprises data for Sample Selection, Time Between Points, Sample Duration, and Duration.
Test Activities High-Speed DAQ Properties Item Description Sample Selection Specifies the type of sample selection. Available options include: Frequency or Time Between Points Sample Duration • Sample Rate—Specifies the rate at which the activity 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.
Test Activities Item Description Sensors signals for this activity are only available from the following conditioners: Models 493.21B and 493.25 conditioners and Models 494.25, 494.26, and 494.16 conditioners whose HWI settings are configured for high-speed data. Note: If the Time signal is selected, data is generated, not sampled. The Time signal value always starts at zero. For More Information Concept High-Speed DAQ Activity Overview (p.
Test Activities All included signals When you select All Included Signals (default), the activity monitors all the signals in the Signal list for their maximum and minimum values. The data that is written to disk are absolute maximum and minimum values for each of the signals in the Signal list.
Test Activities Max/Min DAQ Activity Properties Item Description Signal List Selects signals from which this process acquires data. Use the left and right arrows to move desired signals from the Available list to the Selected list. Reference Signal Select the appropriate reference signal option. Maximum Values Monitors the Reference signal for the maximum values when selected. Minimum Values Monitors the Reference signal for the minimum values when selected.
Test Activities Item Description calculations by clicking the Configure button and using the Map Variables window. Configure button Opens the Map Variables window where you can map signal data into variables that can be used to perform calculations on signal data, perform logical condition checks, and acquire signal data for test-run displays. For More Information Concept Max/Min DAQ Activity Overview (p.
Test Activities Item Description continuously processed until the activity ends or is interrupted. When the activity ends, any data in the buffer is processed. Circular Buffer—Records data continuously. When the buffer is full, new data overwrites the oldest data. This type of buffering processes data when the test is stopped, when the activity reaches its preset count, or when the activity ends. Buffer Size Note: This property is not applicable to the Max/Min DAQ activity.
Test Activities Item Description For more information about block data processing, see Block Data Processing (p. 151). Counter Specify the count variable that is going to be the index or boundary identifier that defines the block. Identifier Specify the name of the block. The identifier is used by the Block function. For example, if the identifier is “JICStep”, it could be used as Block(“JICStep”,...
Test Activities Time History Input Activity Properties Time History Input Activity Properties Item Description Sampling Rate Specifies the rate at which the controller samples response feedback. Points per Frame Specifies the number of data points the controller samples per subdivision of the digitized data. Frames to Sample Specifies the number of subdivisions of the digitized data from which the controller samples.
Test Activities Item Description automatically based on the Trend File Root Name plus an index provided by the application. Trend File Root Name Specifies the directory in which the response file (.rsp) is saved. Response Channels Selects channels to be written to the Response or Trend files. Trend Monitoring Trend Monitoring Activity Overview Trend Monitoring Activity Icon Note: The Trend Monitoring option is a separately licensed product and requires a license key for installation.
Test Activities Trend Monitoring Activity Properties Trend Monitoring Properties Trend Monitoring Activity Properties Item Description Data Sample Rate Specify a rate and unit of measure or variable. Pass Duration Specify a time and unit of measure or a variable. Signal List Click the green plus sign to open the Select Signals window and move the desired signals from the Available window to the Selected window.
Test Activities Item Description Statistics List Click the green plus sign to open the Select Statistics window and move the desired statistics on which to gather data from the Available window to the Selected window. Save data to variables? Configure button Click to open the Map Variables window.
Test Activities Event Detection Activities Break Detection Break Detection Activity Overview Break Detection Activity Icon The Break Detection activity monitors signals for occurrence failure events (peak or valley values), and determines whether the failure events meet the criteria for specimen failure. Break Detection Activity Properties Break Detection Activity Properties Item Description Signal Selects the signal you wish to monitor with the Break Detection activity.
Test Activities Item Description Reference Selects the type of event the activity looks for in the selected signal. Options are: Percent Change Threshold • Peak • Valley Specifies the percentage of the monitored signal’s maximum or minimum value that represents a specimen failure. The signal must exceed this threshold before starting break detection action. Sensitivity Specifies how much the monitored signal must change before a level is considered a peak or valley.
Test Activities Cycle Change Detection Activity Properties Cycle Change Detection Activity Properties Cycle Change Detection Properties Item Description Difference Allowed Select a variable that specifies the amount of difference allowed between the Reference Value and Formula. When the difference allowed is exceeded, the cycle count number is recorded in the Result Cycle variable. Reference Cycle Specify the cycle at which the comparison begins.
Test Activities Digital Input Digital Input Activity Overview Digital Input Activity Icon The Digital Input activity monitors and responds to digital input states, such as when the signal is high (1) or low (0), or when it transitions from one state to another. With a single activity, you can monitor one or more inputs and specify whether the activity performs a specified action when any of the monitored signal states occur or only when all of the monitored states occur.
Test Activities Item Trigger When Action Description • One Time—(Default) Performs one check of the inputs. The action is triggered only if the conditions are detected by the one-time check. • Continuous—Performs a continuous check of the inputs. The action is triggered if any of the checks detects that the conditions are met. Specifies when to perform the associated action. • Any Digital Event Occurs—(Default) Any one of the monitored events can trigger the action if the signal conditions are met.
Test Activities No Action No controller action is taken. The test continues to run. Indicate A message is generated and shown to the operator. The test continues to run. Station Power Off Testing stops. Power is removed from the station. Interlock An interlock is generated and testing stops. Power is removed from the station. Program Stop Interlock The program (test) stops and an interlock is generated. The station still has power but the Run button cannot be pressed.
Test Activities Adding a Digital Input Activity To add a Digital Input activity: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Add a Digital Input activity to the desired location in the test workflow. From the Monitor list, select either the One Time or Continuous option. Select a Trigger When option. Select any controller action to take from the Action list. Select any logging action to take from the Log list.
Test Activities Limit Detection Activity Properties Limit Detection Activity Properties Item Description Completion Select Any Limit to cause the Limit Detection to trigger based on any single monitored item reaching its limit. Select All Limits to cause the Limit Detection to trigger only if all monitored items reach their limits. Log Select whether the limit event is logged as Informational, Warning, or Error. You can also choose None if you do not want to log the event.
Test Activities Item Description Comparison Mode Select Absolute to set a defined value for a variable limit. If you set an absolute value at 10 kN, the limit is triggered at 10 kN. Select Relative to set the limit relative to the value of the variable when the activity starts. If you set a relative value of 10 kN, the limit is triggered at 10 kN above the value when the activity starts—if the value is 5 kN when the activity starts, the limit triggers at 15 kN.
Test Activities Sensitivity A sensitivity value specifies how much the signal must change to detect a peak or valley. It can be used to keep the activity 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.
Test Activities Callout Description B Valley C Tolerance Bands D Detector Triggers Enable after You can use the Enable after command to specify how many feedback cycles occur before the activity begins to monitor the selected signal. This allows the signal to stabilize before it is monitored. If you select a channel for the Channel Reference, the activity begins counting cycles after the tapering is complete.
Test Activities • Trigger continuously • Tolerance: ±50 lbs • Sensitivity: 5 lbs Peak-Valley Change Detector Activity Example Example Properties Callout Description Strain Command A Force Signal B 100 lbs (±50 lbs) Bands C Trigger Data Acquisition Activities D The test command cycles between ±0.0001 strain and you are monitoring a force signal. Once a peak or valley on the force signal changes more than ± 50 lbs, the activity generates a trigger signal that starts a Data Acquisition activity.
Test Activities Task Peak-Valley Change Detector Activity Properties Peak-Valley Change Detector Activity Properties Item Description Signal Selects the signal to monitor with the Peak-Valley Change Detector activity. Sensitivity Defines how much the signal must change before it is considered a peak or valley. Toggles between direct numeric entry and a variable selection.
Test Activities Item Description Tolerance Defines a tolerance band for the peaks and valleys. If a peak or valley occurs outside the tolerance band, the activity triggers. Toggles between direct numeric entry and a variable selection. Enable After Specifies how many segments or cycles occur before the activity begins to monitor the selected signal. Toggles between direct numeric entry and a variable selection.
Test Activities Item Description Note: This feature is available only if you select a Channel Reference. Cycles Counts cycles from the beginning of the activity, including cycles in tapers. If the activity does not detect a peak or valley during the specified number of cycles (or segments), it issues a trigger. If you type a zero, the activity issues a trigger immediately. Toggles between direct numeric entry and a variable selection.
Test Activities Template.LCF-ElevatedTemp, Template.Trapezoidal-ElevatedTemp, Template.TMF, Template.Transitional, Template.Transitional-ElevatedTemp. To purchase one of these licenses and begin using this test activity, contact your MTS sales engineer. Stable Cycle Detection Activity Properties Stable Cycle Detection Activity Properties Item Description Percent Change Specify the percentage of change allowable between the Formula minimum and Formula maximum.
Test Activities Item Description Stable Cycle You can assign the stable cycle value to any variable that has been defined to have a dimension of count. State Change Detection State Change Detection Activity Overview State Change Detection Activity Icon The State Change Detection activity checks for a specific program state. The activity typically occurs in parallel with other activities to limit them or provide a path if an activity fails.
Test Activities To purchase one of these licenses and begin using this test activity, contact your MTS sales engineer. State Change Detection Activity Properties State Change Detection Activity Properties Item Description Running The procedure is controlling the machine and playing out a waveform. This state is sometimes referred to as “Run” in log messages. Stopped The procedure and controller actuators are fully stopped. This state is sometimes referred to as “Stop” in log messages.
Test Activities Wait for Event Wait for Event Activity Overview Wait for Event Activity Icon Use the Wait for Event activity to indicate when the test flow should wait for a condition to be true. The Wait for Event is a blocking activity that ends when the condition is met, allowing activities after it to execute. The condition you define is an expression that uses the variables, functions, and operators available in the Calculation Editor window.
Test Activities ControlParallelPath>10 This condition indicates that when the value of this variable becomes greater than 10, activities in the parallel path are stopped and the procedure continues with the next activity. f) Click OK. 4. Add a Parallel activity. a) Right-click on the Parallel activity and click Add Branch. b) Add an Input Variables activity to the parallel activity to the right of the Wait for Event activity. 5. Set up a test-run display button that when clicked, stops the procedure.
Test Activities Wait for Event Activity Properties Item Description Condition Define a condition that when met indicates that the activity should stop and the procedure should continue with the next activity. Click the ellipsis to open the Calculation Editor. Control Settings Activities Auto Offset Auto Offset Activity Overview Auto Offset Activity Icon Use the Automatic Offset activity to apply an automatic offset for a group of selected feedback signals.
Test Activities Auto Offset Activity Properties Item Description Display Name Specifies the name shown in the activity icon in the Procedure tab. Enable Enables the activity. Clear this box to disable the activity. Description Specifies what is shown when you hover your cursor over the activity icon in the Procedure tab. Progress Table Specifies whether you can view the progress table during runtime. • • • Fixed—The table is always available for viewing.
Test Activities Reset Cycle Count Reset Cycle Count Activity Overview Important: The Reset Cycle Count activity is not associated with the Cycle Counter available in the Test-Run Display Toolbox panel. The Cycle Counter test-run display uses a predefined cycle count variable in conjunction with a Cycle + DAQ activity or Custom Waveform + DAQ activity. Reset Cycle Count Icon The Reset Cycle Count activity resets the cycle counter for the selected channel to zero while the test is in progress.
Test Activities Reset Cycle Count Activity Properties Property Description Channel The selected channel on which to reset the cycle (segment) count. The channels that appear in the list are test resources that are available in the Resources tab. Required. For More Information Concept Reset Cycle Count Activity Overview (p. 417) Task Configuring a Reset Cycle Count Activity (p. 418) Configuring a Reset Cycle Count Activity 1.
Test Activities The Set Calculation Parameter activity changes the value of a controller calculation parameter. This activity provides support for calculated signal and output processing. For example, the following calculation computes stress: stress = force / area Typically, the controller can measure force but the area must be specified by the user. A calculation parameter is a mechanism by which that value can be sent to the controller.
Test Activities Change Detection activity to determine if the change has occurred before continuing with subsequent activities. For example, if you use the Set Control Event activity to trigger a Program Hold action, you can use the State Change Detection activity to determine if the controller is in a hold state before continuing.
Test Activities Interlock An interlock is generated and testing stops. Power is removed from the station. Program Stop Interlock The program (test) stops and an interlock is generated. The station still has power but the Run button cannot be pressed. Program Hold Interlock The program (test) holds and an interlock is generated. The station still has power but the Run button cannot be pressed. The test can be resumed after the interlock is reset.
Test Activities Effects of Controller Actions Action Selected Test State Power No Action Run Unchanged Unaffected by the tripped limit Unaffected by the tripped limit Indicate Run Unchanged Unaffected by the tripped limit Unaffected by the tripped limit Station Power Stop Off Off Holds at the location where the limit tripped Holds at the current position of the Command signal Interlock Off Holds at the location where the limit tripped Holds at the current position of the Command signal Pro
Test Activities Set Digital Output Set Digital Output Activity Overview Set Digital Output Activity Icon The Set Digital Output activity specifies how the digital output is set. State can be Off or On. Toggle will set the digital output to the state it is not currently in. Pulse will set the digital output to the state it is not currently in, wait the amount of time indicated in the Pulse Width column, and then set the output back to the state it was in when the activity started.
Test Activities Digital Output If you want an operator to interactively monitor digital output during a test run, you can configure a Digital IO test-run display. Set Span and Setpoint Set Span and Setpoint Activity Overview Note: The Set Span and Setpoint activity is applicable only to MTS FlexTest controllers. Set Span and Setpoint Activity Icon The Set Span and Setpoint activity sets new values for the span and setpoint controls in the FlexTest controller.
Test Activities Monitor Continuous Continuous monitor watches specified variables for span and setpoint values and sets them in the controller whenever the variable values change. The activity runs until the parallel activity in which it is contained is closed from another branch. For example, use the Continuous monitor option in fatigue crack growth applications. Crack length updates with each cycle.
Test Activities Segment Generator Callouts No. Description 1 Segment Queue 2 Segment Generator 3 Span 4 Setpoint 5 Command Signal eu Engineering Units For More Information Concept Set Span and Setpoint Activity Overview (p. 424) Task Setting Initial (One Time) Span and Setpoint Values (p. 428) Setting Continuous Span and Setpoint Values (p. 429) Maintaining Command to Prevent Movement (p.
Test Activities Set Span and Setpoint Activity Properties Property Description Maintain command to prevent movement Prevents the actuator from moving while adjusting the span and setpoint values. Use this feature to safely return to zero force. Important: Do not place the Set Span and Setpoint activity with the Maintain command enabled in a parallel path with another command activity, since doing so results in a runtime error. Selecting the Maintain command check box disables the Monitor property.
Test Activities Property Description message is logged in both the Test Run Log and the Application Log. Span Multiplier adjustment on the command waveform. Span defaults to 100%. Select a value and unit for Span. Note: If you are using the Continuous Monitor option, you must define Span as a variable. Setpoint Offset adjustment on the command waveform. Setpoint defaults to zero (0). Note: If you are using the Continuous Monitor option, you must define Setpoint as a variable.
Test Activities Concept Set Span and Setpoint Activity Overview (p. 424) Reference Segment Generator Diagram (p. 425) Set Span and Setpoint Activity Properties (p. 426) Example: Setting Span and Setpoint (p. 430) Example: Maintain Command Test Design (p. 431) Setting Continuous Span and Setpoint Values Follow these steps to add a Span and Setpoint activity with the Continuous Monitor option. Typically, this is added to a test workflow in a parallel path in conjunction with another command activity. 1. 2.
Test Activities Reference Segment Generator Diagram (p. 425) Set Span and Setpoint Activity Properties (p. 426) Example: Setting Span and Setpoint (p. 430) Example: Maintain Command Test Design (p. 431) Example: Setting Span and Setpoint Use the Maintain command option in a test design when operators need to initialize or reset setpoint and span values. The sequence of activities in this example accommodates both normal shutdown and abnormal resume scenarios.
Test Activities Concept Set Span and Setpoint Activity Overview (p. 424) Task Setting Initial (One Time) Span and Setpoint Values (p. 428) Setting Continuous Span and Setpoint Values (p. 429) Maintaining Command to Prevent Movement (p. 429) Example: Maintain Command Test Design Set Span and Setpoint Activity Test Design Maintain Command Example Test Number Description 1 Add Ramp activity to ramp from zero.
Test Activities Number Description 2 3 • Compensator: No Compensator • Channel List: Axial selected • Control Mode: Displacement • Absolute End Level: 0 mm Add a Set Span and Setpoint activity configured for maintaining command: • Maintain command to prevent movement: Enabled • Channel: Axial • Control Mode: Displacement • Span; Setpoint: Defined as calculated variables available During Test. Refer to item number 5 for more information.
Test Activities Number Description 5 6 • DAQ List: Data Acquisition 1 • Trigger 1: Timed • Buffer Size: 1 count • Save data to variables: Yes, automatically map variables (signal-dependent variables) Configure the Set Span and Setpoint activity: • Maintain command: Disabled • Monitor: Continuous • Channel: Axial • Control Mode: Displacement • Span; Setpoint: Defined as calculated variable values as shown below.
Test Activities Number Description • Time: 5 seconds • Ramp Shape: Ramp • Compensator: No Compensator • Advanced Ramp: • Allow activity to execute when the test is stopped or held: Enabled • Suppress Cycle Counter: Enabled • Channel List: Axial • Control Mode: Displacement • Absolute End Level: 0 mm For More Information Concept Set Span and Setpoint Activity Overview (p. 424) Task Setting Initial (One Time) Span and Setpoint Values (p. 428) Setting Continuous Span and Setpoint Values (p.
Test Activities End Test End Test Activity Overview End Test Activity Icon The End Test activity lets you force the test run to end before completing all stages of the activity. When the test procedure reaches the End Test activity, workflow activities that follow and are parallel to the End Test activity do not execute, and the procedure immediately proceeds to the end of the test. A message is written to the test run log indicating that the test run was stopped due to the End Test activity.
Test Activities If-Else Condition Activity Properties If-Else Condition Activity Properties Item Description Condition Specifies the conditional expression that evaluates to True or False. Click the ellipsis to open the Calculation Editor. If true, then follow Specifies which path to follow if the expression is true. Parallel Paths Parallel Paths Activity Overview Parallel Paths Activity Icon The Parallel Paths activity enables you to use alternate and parallel paths within a test procedure.
Test Activities Note: When designing procedures, do not use activities in parallel paths within the same parallel activity that operate on the same control channel. Resource conflicts of this sort are not reported during test design, but do generate an error during test execution. Two parallel paths (branches) are automatically created when the Parallel Paths activity is added to the test procedure. Within the activity, you can add activities and other parallel paths. Each path has its own display name.
Test Activities Periodic Time Event Periodic Time Event Activity Overview Periodic Time Event Activity Icon Important: To produce a trigger, the Periodic Time Event activity must be active at the time you want the trigger event to occur. The Periodic Time Event activity is used to schedule arbitrary and repetitive times at which the activity produces a trigger or a series of triggers.
Test Activities Concept Periodic Time Event Activity Overview (p. 438) Task Periodic Time Event Properties Periodic Time Event Activity Properties Item Description Visibility Select to view the progress table during runtime. • Fixed—The table is always available for viewing. • Transient—The table is available for viewing during the test only. • Never—The table is not visible during the test. Note: You add the Progress table as a Runtime activity.
Test Activities Item Description End of Recurrence Select when the event should quit occurring. • No End Time—Select to have the event ongoing with no elected conclusion time or day. • End After N Occurrences—Select to set a certain number of occurrences before the event quits. You may also select a variable. • End After Interval—Select to have the event stop after a specific amount of time. You may also select a variable.
Test Activities In contrast to the While Loop activity, the Repeat Loop activity uses an explicit loop counter. For those who are familiar with programming languages, the Repeat Loop is analogous to a For loop in C, Java, and several other languages; and to a DO loop in legacy languages such as FORTRAN. Note: If you need to configure an infinite loop, use the While Loop activity.
Test Activities Property Description the loop counter variable to zero before entering the repeat loop. Loop Index Variable Defining this property exposes the internal iteration counter for the loop. Create a Loop Index Variable if you want to be aware of the current index value. After each iteration through a loop, the Loop Index Variable is incremented by the step by value of 1. The default starting point is zero (zero-based). Optional.
Test Activities Example: Nested Repeat Loops (p. 444) Creating a Repeat Loop that uses a Loop Index Variable Follow these steps to configure a Repeat Loop activity that uses a Loop Index variable. 1. Click and drag a Repeat Loop activity to the desired location in the test workflow. 2. Enter the number of times you want to repeat the loop in the Total Count box. You can enter a constant value or select a variable. 3.
Test Activities Simple Repeat Loop Icon For More Information Concept Repeat Loop Activity Overview Task Creating a Simple Repeat Loop (p. 442) Creating a Repeat Loop that uses a Loop Index Variable (p. 443) Example: Nested Repeat Loops The Repeat Loop activity can be nested within a test workflow; however, each Repeat Loop must have its own unique Loop Index variable defined if that property is being used. The innermost (child) loops are processed before the outermost (parent) loop.
Test Activities Nested Repeat Loops Icon The associated test-run display in the Test-Run Display tab has variable meters configured to display counts tracked by the Loop Index variables, which are LoopIndex01 and LoopIndex02 for the outer and inner loops (respectively) in the following figure: Nested Repeat Loops Meter MTS TestSuite | 445
Test Activities For More Information Concept Repeat Loop Activity Overview Task Creating a Simple Repeat Loop (p. 442) Creating a Repeat Loop that uses a Loop Index Variable (p. 443) While Loop While Loop Activity Overview While Loop Activity Icon The While Loop activity repeatedly runs the activities defined within it as long as a defined condition evaluates to True. If the defined condition is False at the start or at the repeat of the loop, the While Loop activity does not run.
Test Activities Note: The Condition must evaluate to True or False. Use logical operators such as “==”, rather than assignment operators such as “=”. The Calculation Editor provides a list of available variables, operators, and functions. While Loop Activity Properties While Loop Activity Properties Item Description Progress Table > Visibility Specifies whether test activity is visible in the Test Progress Table test-run display tool.
Test Activities Operator Entry Activities Custom Message Window Custom Message Window Activity Overview Custom Message Window Activity Icon The Custom Message Window activity shows messages to an operator and records the response from an operator. User input The Custom Message window captures the name of the button you use to acknowledge the message window and assigns it to a specified variable.
Test Activities Note: If you change the variable identifier name, you must manually change the name in the Custom Message Editor; otherwise, a warning indicates the test cannot run. For More Information Task Reference Custom Message Window Activity Properties (p. 449) Custom Message Editor Properties (p.
Test Activities Item Description Preview Click to see the message as it appears to the operator during test execution. Note: Variables in the message are not resolved until the test is executed, so the preview shows only the variable reference, not its current value. Buttons Custom button options include No Buttons, Yes, No, OK, and Cancel in several combinations. You can also create one or more custom buttons with labels that you specify.
Test Activities Item Description Add Separator Add a separator line between groups of buttons. The buttons align vertically with a separator between each group. Up Arrow Move the selected entry toward the top of the list. The entry at the top of the list appears as the left-most button in the message window. Click Preview to see the current button arrangement. Down Arrow Move the selected entry toward the bottom of the list.
Test Activities Note: The editor does not support dynamic content or images stored on a web server. It also does not support scripting extensions, such as JavaScript. If you import or paste content with unsupported content, it generates error messages when you try to preview the message. Custom Message Editor Properties Item Description Preview Click to see the message as it appears to the operator during test execution.
Test Activities The variable reference has the following keyword options. You can use any combination of these options with multiple options separated by a comma: • Description—Describes the variable. • Name—Specifies the display name of the variable. • Value—Specifies the value of the variable. • Unit—Specifies the unit of the variable. • Instance Number—Specifies one of several uses of the same keyword variable. For example, $cvar_somecycle[value, 1] where 1 is the instance number.
Test Activities Input Variables Input Variables Activity Overview Input Variables Icon Use the Input Variables activity to assign values to one or more variables. When the Input Variables activity becomes active in the test workflow, a list of selected variables and their current values is shown to an operator. An operator can edit the variable values as required. Edit Variable Values Window The Input Variables activity accepts simple values only.
Test Activities Reference Input Variables Properties (p. 455) Input Variables Properties Input Variables Properties Window Input Variables Activity Properties property Description Message Shows instructions or prompts for an operator in the Message box. Variable List Selects one or more variables that an operator can change. Configure at least one variable; otherwise, a validation warning appears in the Error list. Click the green plus sign to open the Variables Selection window.
Test Activities property Description Rules Define any additional rules for the variable. Click the ellipsis to open the Rules for Variable window (you must have selected a variable in the Variable List). Add Cancel Button Adds a Cancel button to the Input Variables window. Selecting the Add Cancel Button check box enables the Result Variable list. For More Information Concept Input Variables Activity Overview (p. 454) Task Add an Input Variables Activity (p.
Test Activities When used as a separate branch in a parallel path, this activity adds an operator button on the Test-Run Display tab that when clicked ends the parallel path. This activity is typically used to force the test to the next test segment. For example, a test may include a parallel path with a long ramp that the operator may want to end to allow the test to continue.
Test Activities Property Description Display Text Enter the text that you want to display next to the button. Important: To use this activity to terminate a Parallel Paths activity, you must select the Parallel Paths activity and select the Terminal Paths check box for the Wait for Operator Action path.
Test Activities Edit Variable. The Edit Variable window opens. In the Availability panel, select the During-Test checkbox. Assign Variables Activity Properties Assign Variables Activity Properties Item Description Variable List Specifies the variable(s) being used to calculate and assign values to one or more variables in the test. Each variable must have a calculation to set the value of the variable. Click the ellipsis to open the Calculation Editor.
Test Activities Variables can also be used to retain data from one clock tick to the next. As a result, a variable must be recalculated at each clock tick. Calculate Variables Activity Properties Calculate Variables Activity Properties Item Description Before starting Specifies whether to clear the array when the activity starts (default) or keep existing data and append new points to the array.
Test Activities Important: A Data Acquisition activity must precede the Export Data activity in the test workflow. Use the Export Data activity to programmatically export raw data to a tab-delimited text (.txt) or comma-separated value (.csv) file for use in Microsoft Excel and other applications. You can specify how the data is formatted, the unit set, and the directory to which the data is exported. Any Cycle and Block Decimation Filter settings in data acquisition filter the exported data.
Test Activities Item Description You can set the default directory path in the Configuration window (Preferences > Configuration > Project > Data Export Directory). Folder Save Defines whether the application saves the data file in a new folder or overwrites an existing folder. Format Defines whether the data is formatted as tab-delimited text or comma-separated values. Default: Tab-Delimited Text Unit Set Defines the unit set in which the data is written.
Test Activities Item Description Select Group Items Note: Applicable to cyclic tests in MPE/MPX/FAA/FRA only. Enters cycles separated by space characters and enables grouping by selected items. Selecting the Select Group Items check box enables the Items list. For example, the items can be a list of cycles or blocks you want to export, such as 1 4 5 6 7 10.
Test Activities Log Message Log Message Activity Overview Log Message Activity Icon The Log Message activity writes an entry to the message log when a test performs the activity. The entry can contain text and the value of one or more single-value variables. You cannot use arrays or choice lists in the message log. The procedure performs activities in logical order. Your log message is added to the message log when the activity completes.
Test Activities Item Description Insert Variable button: Click to open the Select a Variable window. The message will include the value of this variable when the message is written to the log. Adding a Log Message Activity To add a Log Message activity: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Drag Log Message from the Toolbox panel to where you want to add a message in the test procedure. Click the Properties tab located on the upper right of the display. Click Edit Message. The application opens the Log Message window.
Test Activities • Tuning parameter values—(Applicable only to MTS Criterion and MTS Insight systems) You can save various sets of outer loop tuning parameters to an XML file and set up your tests to read these files or allow an operator to select the appropriate tuning file from a list. Prerequisite Generate an XML file for the activity to read from either the Write Variables from File activity in the MTS TestSuite app;ication or from an external application. Place it in your designated folder path.
Test Activities Property Description File Name The File Name of the XML file that contains the variables to read. If the file is not defined as a variable, the Update from File button is available. Required if not prompting at runtime for a file. Update from File Updates the variables to read from the specified File Name. Note: If the Prompt at Runtime for File Name check box is selected, or the File Name is defined as a variable, the Update from File button is disabled.
Test Activities • If a variable to read does not exist in the selected file, an error message is logged and the operator can continue with their workflow. Run External Application Run External Application Activity Overview With the Run External Application activity, you can launch another application using arguments you specify in the activity. Example Suppose you want to create a test in which the procedure automatically display data when the test is complete.
Test Activities Run External Application Properties Run External Application Properties Item Description Application Name Specifies the application that the activity launches. 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”.
Test Activities Item Description Default Directory Specifies the default path to the selected argument. Define the default path by typing the desired path in the entry box or by browsing to the desired location. If the path includes spaces, enclose the path in double quotation marks. Wait for the application to complete When enabled, the activity waits until the external application has completed before the activity completes.
Test Activities The Run Report activity generates a test report based on the selected report template. The generated report is a Microsoft Excel file by default. You can also select other report format options, such as PDF. You can configure the Run Report activity to send the report to one or more e-mail addresses. To send the report attached to an e-mail, you must configure the e-mail server settings. Click Preferences menu > Configuration option > E-Mail tab.
Test Activities To send the report attached to an e-mail, you must configure the e-mail server settings. Click Preferences menu > Configuration option > E-Mail tab. If you are unsure of your mail server settings, contact your network administrator. Note: The Send E-mail activity and the E-Mail panel in the Run Report activity share the same properties. The configuration you complete for the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server enables e-mail for both activities.
Test Activities Report Template Properties Item Description Name Selects a report template to use for the report. If desired, you can explicitly override the default template set in the Report Templates tab. Parentheses indicate the Default Test Report template or Default Test Run Report Template. Report Templates If you do not select a report template, a warning is shown in the Error list. Open Report When Complete Select to open the report after running the test.
Test Activities Item Description From: Displays the default address from which the e-mail is sent or a variable. The default From address is configured in Preferences > Configuration > E-Mail. Subject: Populates the Subject line of the e-mail. The default is “MTS TestSuite report”. Message: Displays the message in the body of the e-mail. You can use the default variables, insert custom or other variables, or enter text directly in the Message text box.
Test Activities Make Default Icon Any Run Report activities within a test that use the default template are automatically updated to point to the new default template. 5. Click Save.
Test Activities Send E-Mail Send E-Mail Activity Overview Send E-Mail Activity Icon The Send E-Mail activity is used to send an e-mail message at a designated point during a test run. The timing of the e-mail depends on the placement of the Send E-Mail activity in the test procedure. As the test progresses and the Send E-Mail activity becomes the current activity, an e-mail is sent. To use the Send E-Mail activity, you must configure the e-mail server settings.
Test Activities Send E-Mail Activity Properties Send E-Mail Activity Properties Item Description E-Mail panel To: (Required) Sends an e-mail message to the specified e-mail address or variable. cc: Sends a copy of the e-mail to the specified e-mail address or variable. From: (Required) Displays the default address or variable from which the e-mail is sent. The default From address is configured in Preferences > Configuration > E-Mail. Subject Populates the Subject line of the e-mail.
Test Activities Item Description Attach Log Attaches the messages to the e-mail message. Selecting the Attach Log check box enables the other log boxes in the panel. Zip attached log Compresses the attached log file. If the Zip check box is not selected, an unzipped text file is attached to the e-mail. Log category Filters the attached log by the selected category: • All Categories—(Default) Includes messages from both the AppLog and the TestRunLog categories.
Test Activities 5. Repeat for each location in the test for which you want an e-mail notification. Wait Wait Activity Overview Wait Activity Icon Use the Wait activity to pause the test procedure for a specified amount of time. You can use the Wait activity in the following ways: • With a variable—Enter a wait time when prompted at the beginning of the test. When the test procedure reaches the Wait activity, the test uses the variable that was set in the Input activity and pauses for the specified time.
Test Activities Write Variables to File Write Variables to File Activity Overview Write Variables to File Activity Icon This activity directs the MTS TestSuite application to write variable values from a test run, such as array variable data and other results, to an XML file. You can use the Write Variables to File activity to write an XML file to use as a template or XML-formatting guidelines for other applications that generate XML files.
Test Activities Property Description File Name The file name of the generated file. You can also specify a variable. Required. Append to File Appends or overwrites variables values depending on its setting: • When the Append to File check box is cleared, each time a test run is executed, the activity overwrites the XML file with the values of the variables selected in the Variable List.
Test-Run Displays Topics: • • • • • • • • Test-Run Display Tab......................................................................................................................484 Scopes.............................................................................................................................................486 Cycles Category..............................................................................................................................490 Variables Category.............
Test-Run Displays Test-Run Display Tab Use the Test-Run Display tab (see Test-Run Display Tab (p. 484)) to create charts and tables shown during a test-run to communicate information to an operator or allow operator interaction during a test run (such as responding to a question). Click and drag the table or chart onto the Designer tab work area. The design can have one or more tabs with charts, counters, and other status indicators.
Test-Run Displays The Designer tab provides a workspace to create test-run displays. The Preview tab shows an example test-run display and how it may appear during a test run. The Test-Run Display Toolbox panel (see figure on right) contains tools that you drag onto the Designer tab and position or dock as desired. To access the properties for a tool, click the tool in the Designer tab to display the relevant property information in the Properties panel.
Test-Run Displays Presentation of non-cycle data variables requires that the variables are used in the test definition and the variables are selected for presentation in the runtime user interface. Scopes About Scopes A scope is a time-based chart, similar in principle to an oscilloscope, that you can use to plot data over a specified period of time. A scope can plot one or more trace signals on the Y axis and either time or another trace signal on the X axis.
Test-Run Displays • The scope configuration settings are not saved with a test. The configuration settings are only good for the current application session. Buttons available on the scope A tab contains the scope for general system operation. The scope shows live signal data from the test station. Scope Buttons Item Description Run Scope Shows live data on the scope. Stop Scope Stops showing live data on the scope. This button becomes active when the scope begins to run.
Test-Run Displays Button Name Description When Expand Only is enabled, the range will automatically expand or contract if the data exceeds the maximum and minimum ranges. The chart does not rescale to a smaller range. Toggle Expand Only Toggle Panning When Panning is enabled, you can click and drag to move the focus of the scope. You can only pan to the minimum and maximum ranges available for the scope.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Properties Open the Properties panel of the chart on which you clicked. If you change the properties of a display component while the test runs, data may be excluded. Move to a New Tab Temporarily explodes the view of the monitor display component in its own tab. Return to the Monitor Closes the temporary tab opened from the Move to a New Tab option and returns to the monitor display. For More Information Concept About Scopes (p.
Test-Run Displays For More Information Concept About Scopes (p. 486) Task Cycles Category The Cycles category includes counters and charts that display cyclic-related data. Update rate and buffer size If the data acquisition buffer size is too large, the cycle counter updates sporadically. Cycle Counter About Cycle Counters Important: The Cycle Counter test-run display shows the number of completed command cycles associated with a data acquisition cycle.
Test-Run Displays Cycle Count Icon Cycle Counter Properties Cycle Counter Properties Panel Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name. Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors.
Test-Run Displays 2. Navigate to the Cycle Counter in the Test Run Display tab: Click Test-Run Display > Toolbox > Cycles > Cycle Counter. 3. Drag the test-run display object to the Designer tab. 4. (Optional) Change the default Display Name, set a location with the Docking option, or click the handles to resize the test-run display object. Cycle Statistics Table About Cycle Statistics Tables The Cycle Statistics Table shows values for selected variables on a per cycle basis.
Test-Run Displays Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors. Visibility Panel Visibility Panel For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Variable List Properties Click the green plus sign in the Variable List panel to open the Variables Selection window. The variables that you select in the Variables Selection window (double-click or use arrows to move variables from the Available Variables column to the Selected Variables column) are placed in a horizontal row. Cycles to Display Property The Cycles to Display property works in conjunction with the Cycle Decimation Filter Selection property.
Test-Run Displays Cycle Decimation (Select Cycles Button) Test-Run displays and DAQ activities use cycle selection in different ways: • For test-run displays, cycle selection selects the cycles to display. Note that the Update Interval must occur when the selected cycle is complete but before the next cycle is selected. • For DAQ activities, cycle selection selects the cycles to acquire for analysis. Click the Select Cycles button to open the Cycle Decimation Filter Selection window.
Test-Run Displays Cycle Time Chart Properties Cycle Time Properties Panel Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name. Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors.
Test-Run Displays Monitor for Change You can monitor a variable for change by selecting an existing variable from the drop-down list or create a new one by selecting to open the New Numeric Variable window (for more information about new numeric variables, see Numeric Variables Overview (p. 167)). Every time a change occurs to the variable you choose to monitor (for the Cycle Statistics Table, Cycle Time Chart, History Chart, Hysteresis Chart), the data in the view is updated.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Line Thickness Select the thickness of the lines from 1 to 10 points. Line Type Select the line style as solid, dotted, or dashed. Symbol Type Select the type of symbol to mark the location of data points. If you do not want to mark the data points with symbols, choose the blank selection in the list. Symbol Size Select the size of the data point symbols.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties Item Description Display Unit Select a display unit for the selected trace signal. The list only shows the set of units that are compatible with the dimension of the signal that is assigned to the selected trace. Blank is the default value. Maximum or Minimum Set the display range of the Y axis to the maximum or minimum values. Click the corresponding button to use this feature.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Click the check box(es) and then specify the amplitude or mean values to manually set the amplitude or mean display range for the X axis. Expand Only The Expand Only feature was developed for auto-scaling such that when the range expanded during auto-scaling, this option prevented the range from contracting when the command stopped. Click the check box to allow a range to automatically expand if the data exceeds the maximum and minimum ranges.
Test-Run Displays Runtime History charts are available as part of the Monitor and Results tabs. Group variable mapping occurs in the Procedure definition part of the test. If more than one type of group is available, the Monitor for Change box of the History Chart Properties contains a drop-down selection button. The default value is Current Cycle Index. Other variables listed in the Monitor for Change box are variables specified in the Save Variables box of the Map Variables window.
Test-Run Displays You can monitor a variable for change by selecting an existing variable from the drop-down list or create a new one by selecting to open the New Numeric Variable window (for more information about new numeric variables, see Numeric Variables Overview (p. 167)). Every time a change occurs to the variable you choose to monitor (for the Cycle Statistics Table, Cycle Time Chart, History Chart, Hysteresis Chart), the data in the view is updated.
Test-Run Displays Line and Symbol Properties Line and Symbol Display Properties Item Description Opacity Adjust the opacity to better see through traces when they overlap. If you set the opacity to a lower value, it makes the trace more transparent. Draw Line Select this check box to draw lines between data points. Clear the Draw Line check box and click OK to only show data points if a Symbol Type is selected; otherwise, the trace is not drawn.
Test-Run Displays Chart Titles and Legend Window Variable List Properties Click the green plus sign in the Variable List panel to open the Variables Selection window. The variables that you select in the Variables Selection window (double-click or use arrows to move variables from the Available Variables column to the Selected Variables column) are placed in a horizontal row.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties Item Description Display Unit Select a display unit for the selected trace signal. The list only shows the set of units that are compatible with the dimension of the signal that is assigned to the selected trace. Blank is the default value. Maximum or Minimum Set the display range of the Y axis to the maximum or minimum values. Click the corresponding button to use this feature.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Click the check box(es) and then specify the amplitude or mean values to manually set the amplitude or mean display range for the X axis. Expand Only The Expand Only feature was developed for auto-scaling such that when the range expanded during auto-scaling, this option prevented the range from contracting when the command stopped. Click the check box to allow a range to automatically expand if the data exceeds the maximum and minimum ranges.
Test-Run Displays Group variable mapping occurs in the Procedure definition part of the test. If more than one type of group is available, the Monitor for Change box of the Hysteresis Chart Properties contains a drop-down selection button. The default value is Cycle. Other variables listed in the Monitor for Change box are variables specified in the Save Variables box of the Map Variables window. You can select a cycle by number or by using a variable.
Test-Run Displays For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Line and Symbol Display Properties Item Description Opacity Adjust the opacity to better see through traces when they overlap. If you set the opacity to a lower value, it makes the trace more transparent. Draw Line Select this check box to draw lines between data points. Clear the Draw Line check box and click OK to only show data points if a Symbol Type is selected; otherwise, the trace is not drawn. Line Thickness Select the thickness of the lines from 1 to 10 points.
Test-Run Displays Y Variable and X Variable Y Variable Select a single value variable for which you want data plotted on the Y axis of the chart. X Variable Select a single value variable for which you want data plotted on the X axis of the chart. Cycles to Display Property The Cycles to Display property works in conjunction with the Cycle Decimation Filter Selection property. Cycle Decimation Filter Selection determines when variable data should be displayed for the test cycles.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties Item Description Display Unit Select a display unit for the selected trace signal. The list only shows the set of units that are compatible with the dimension of the signal that is assigned to the selected trace. Blank is the default value. Maximum or Minimum Set the display range of the Y axis to the maximum or minimum values. Click the corresponding button to use this feature.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Click the check box(es) and then specify the amplitude or mean values to manually set the amplitude or mean display range for the X axis. Expand Only The Expand Only feature was developed for auto-scaling such that when the range expanded during auto-scaling, this option prevented the range from contracting when the command stopped. Click the check box to allow a range to automatically expand if the data exceeds the maximum and minimum ranges.
Test-Run Displays Trend Monitoring Limits Table Properties Trend Monitoring Limits Tables The Trend Monitoring Limits Table allows you to set and edit Trend Monitoring Limits. By default, the Trend Monitoring Limits Table shows all of the limits (lower and upper) for all of the signals and statistics specified in the Trend Monitoring activity. If desired, you can select a subset of signals and statistics on the Properties panel.
Test-Run Displays Signals Panel Select the signal(s) that you want to monitor. Click the green plus sign to open the Select Signals window (see the following figure). Select Signals Window In the Available column, click the signal, and click the arrow to move it to the Selected column. Click the double arrows to move all available statistics from the Available column to the Selected column or from the Selected column to the Available column. Then click OK.
Test-Run Displays Select Statistics Window In the Available column, click the statistic, and then click the arrow to move it to the Selected column. Click the double arrows to move all available statistics from the Available column to the Selected column or from the Selected column to Available column. Then click OK. The selected signals will appear in the Statistics panel in the Properties panel.
Test-Run Displays Trend Monitoring Statistics Chart Properties Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name.
Test-Run Displays Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors. Statistics Panel Select the statistic(s) that you want to monitor. Click the green plus sign to open the Select Statistics window (see the following figure). Select Statistics Window In the Available column, click the statistic, and then click the arrow to move it to the Selected column.
Test-Run Displays For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Symbol Type Select the type of symbol to mark the location of data points. If you do not want to mark the data points with symbols, choose the blank selection in the list. Symbol Size Select the size of the data point symbols. To automatically size the symbols, select the multiple size image, which is the first item in the drop-down list.
Test-Run Displays Vertical limit type When you select the Vertical limit type, the X Variable specifies the value where the limit line crosses the X axis, as shown in the following figure. General XY (Single Value or Array) The General XY limit type allows you to select a single value variable or an array variable. You can use it to plot complex limits that are not linear, such as polynomial.
Test-Run Displays a chart with a line without symbols. A line with a single value will show up as a point, as in the following figure. This differs from Traces, where a single value will show nothing. Indexed Values limit type When you select Indexed Values, the values at the selected Index Variables are plotted on the chart. Percentage Least-Squares Fit limit type When you select Percentage Least-Squares Fit, a line will be drawn through two points that are identified by their index.
Test-Run Displays Click the Edit (ellipsis) button on the Limit or Curve Fit Lines title bar to open the Line Drop Percentage window. Type the value in the box, and specify the units from the drop-down menu. Horizontal at Index limit type When you select the Horizontal at Index limit type, the Index Variable specifies the index in the data for the value where the limit line crosses the Y axis, as shown in the following figure.
Test-Run Displays Vertical at Index limit type When you select the Vertical at Index limit type, the Index Variable specifies the index in the data for the value where the limit line crosses the X axis, as shown in the following figure.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties Item Description Display Unit Select a display unit for the selected trace signal. The list only shows the set of units that are compatible with the dimension of the signal that is assigned to the selected trace. Blank is the default value. Maximum or Minimum Set the display range of the Y axis to the maximum or minimum values. Click the corresponding button to use this feature.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Label Digits Set the number of significant digits displayed in the labels along the X-axis and Y-axis. Only non-zero digits are shown after the decimal point to avoid overcrowding in the label area next to the axis. Color Set the color of the associated trace or axis. Click the down-arrow and select a color from the list. Draw Grid Lines Select the check box to show grid lines on the chart. Deselect the check box to suppress the grid lines.
Test-Run Displays Point Pick Properties Point Pick Window Point Pick Properties Item Description Show Highlight Circle Click the check box to show a circle around an individual data point and the value of the point when selected by the mouse cursor. Deselect the check box to suppress the data display. Show Delta and Slope Labels Show the values of two points, the difference between their values, and the slope of a line drawn through the two points.
Test-Run Displays Chart Titles and Legend Window Variables Category This section describes the available test-run displays for variables. Additional requirement for runtime charts The cycle decimation filter must be correctly defined in the runtime user-interface to display variable data in runtime charts. Array Variable Chart About Array-Variable Charts The Array-Variable Chart shows data that is collected and calculated during the test and stored in arrays.
Test-Run Displays Array-Variable Chart Properties Array-Variable Chart Properties Panel Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name. Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors.
Test-Run Displays Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression. For example, you could set up a condition to check the variable containing the specimen type for a Set Variable test-run display to make visible the diameter only when the specimen type is round, but hidden for a rectangular specimen.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Symbol Size Select the size of the data point symbols. To automatically size the symbols, select the multiple size image, which is the first item in the drop-down list. Plot Previous Test Runs Plot Previous Test Runs Window You can plot multiple test runs on one Array-Variable Chart. On the Explorer panel, click Test-Run Display. After you add an Array-Variable Chart to the Designer tab, the Properties panel displays the Plot Previous Test Runs panel.
Test-Run Displays Item Description X Variable Select a single value variable or an array variable for which you want data plotted on the X axis of the chart. Legend Label Click to add a legend label to the chart, and type the name in the box. Limit Types Limit Types are not available for all charts. The charts that do utilize them contain only the limits that pertain to that particular chart.
Test-Run Displays General XY (Single Value or Array) The General XY limit type allows you to select a single value variable or an array variable. You can use it to plot complex limits that are not linear, such as polynomial. By default, selecting the General XY creates a chart with a line without symbols. A line with a single value will show up as a point, as in the following figure. This differs from Traces, where a single value will show nothing.
Test-Run Displays Percentage Least-Squares Fit limit type When you select Percentage Least-Squares Fit, a line will be drawn through two points that are identified by their index. Click the Edit (ellipsis) button on the Limit or Curve Fit Lines title bar to open the Line Drop Percentage window. Type the value in the box, and specify the units from the drop-down menu.
Test-Run Displays Vertical at Index limit type When you select the Vertical at Index limit type, the Index Variable specifies the index in the data for the value where the limit line crosses the X axis, as shown in the following figure.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties Item Description Display Unit Select a display unit for the selected trace signal. The list only shows the set of units that are compatible with the dimension of the signal that is assigned to the selected trace. Blank is the default value. Maximum or Minimum Set the display range of the Y axis to the maximum or minimum values. Click the corresponding button to use this feature.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Click the check box(es) and then specify the amplitude or mean values to manually set the amplitude or mean display range for the X axis. Expand Only The Expand Only feature was developed for auto-scaling such that when the range expanded during auto-scaling, this option prevented the range from contracting when the command stopped. Click the check box to allow a range to automatically expand if the data exceeds the maximum and minimum ranges.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Window X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Properties Item Description Log Base Set the base for displaying values in a logarithmic format. Click the up-arrow or down-arrow to raise or lower the base. Label Digits Set the number of significant digits displayed in the labels along the X-axis and Y-axis. Only non-zero digits are shown after the decimal point to avoid overcrowding in the label area next to the axis.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Show Delta and Slope Labels Show the values of two points, the difference between their values, and the slope of a line drawn through the two points. Number of Rows Specify the number of rows used to arrange the labels, delta, and slope. Click the up-arrow or down-arrow to increase or decrease the number of rows. The value range is 1 - 6.
Test-Run Displays Variable Data Table About Variable Data Tables Variable Data Table Properties The Variable Data Table shows the values of selected variable arrays in the test-run display. Click the green plus sign in the Variable List panel to display the Variables Selection window. The variables that you select in the Variables Selection window (double-click or use arrows to move variables from Available Variables to Selected Variables) are placed in a horizontal row.
Test-Run Displays Variable Data Table Properties Variable Data Table Properties Panel Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name. Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors.
Test-Run Displays Variable List Properties Click the green plus sign in the Variable List panel to open the Variables Selection window. The variables that you select in the Variables Selection window (double-click or use arrows to move variables from the Available Variables column to the Selected Variables column) are placed in a horizontal row. Variables Selection Window To open this window, click the green plus icon in the Variable List panel. You can also add or edit a variable while in this window.
Test-Run Displays Variables Selection Window Variables Selection Properties Item Description Available Variables This panel shows the Category and Display Name of all variables that are available for use in the current context. In some contexts, for example, only string variables are valid. In other contexts, array variables are not valid. Selected Variables This panel shows the Category and Display Name of all variables that are selected for use.
Test-Run Displays Variable Meter About Variable Meters In addition to the Display menu > Meters tab, you can create a test-run display to monitor the value of a variable. These meter configuration settings are saved with the test. The Variable Meter shows asterisks in both the Designer and Preview tabs until you begin running the test. The Variable Meter shows the current value of a single variable during a test run. Variable meters show variable data in the test-run display only when the test is running.
Test-Run Displays Variable Meter Properties Variable Meters Properties Panel Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name.
Test-Run Displays Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors. Visibility Panel Visibility Panel For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Unit From the drop-down list, select the units to be displayed. Format With Fixed, the number is shown in standard notation. For example, twenty million would be displayed as 20000000.000 for a Digit Type of Decimal with Digits set to 3. With Scientific, the number is shown in E scientific notation. For example, twenty million is displayed as 2.000E+007 for a Digit Type of Decimal with Digits set to 3.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Label Font Size Select the size of the label shown in the meter. Value Font Size Select the size of the value shown in the meter. Foreground Color Select a color (or transparent) of the foreground of the meter. Background Color Select a color (or transparent) of the background of the meter. Text Alignment Select Right, Center, or Left for the location of the text on the meter. Create a Variable Meter To create a Variable Meter test-run display: 1.
Test-Run Displays Variable Value Scope Properties Variable Value Properties Panel Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name.
Test-Run Displays Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors. Visibility Panel Visibility Panel For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Line and Symbol Display Properties Item Description Opacity Adjust the opacity to better see through traces when they overlap. If you set the opacity to a lower value, it makes the trace more transparent. Draw Line Select this check box to draw lines between data points. Clear the Draw Line check box and click OK to only show data points if a Symbol Type is selected; otherwise, the trace is not drawn. Line Thickness Select the thickness of the lines from 1 to 10 points.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Legend Label Click to add a legend label to the chart, and type the name in the box. Limit Types Limit Types are not available for all charts. The charts that do utilize them contain only the limits that pertain to that particular chart. Horizontal limit type When you select the Horizontal limit type, the Y Variable specifies the value where the limit line crosses the Y axis, as shown in the following figure.
Test-Run Displays General XY (Single Value or Array) The General XY limit type allows you to select a single value variable or an array variable. You can use it to plot complex limits that are not linear, such as polynomial. By default, selecting the General XY creates a chart with a line without symbols. A line with a single value will show up as a point, as in the following figure. This differs from Traces, where a single value will show nothing.
Test-Run Displays Percentage Least-Squares Fit limit type When you select Percentage Least-Squares Fit, a line will be drawn through two points that are identified by their index. Click the Edit (ellipsis) button on the Limit or Curve Fit Lines title bar to open the Line Drop Percentage window. Type the value in the box, and specify the units from the drop-down menu.
Test-Run Displays Vertical at Index limit type When you select the Vertical at Index limit type, the Index Variable specifies the index in the data for the value where the limit line crosses the X axis, as shown in the following figure.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Properties Item Description Display Unit Select a display unit for the selected trace signal. The list only shows the set of units that are compatible with the dimension of the signal that is assigned to the selected trace. Blank is the default value. Maximum or Minimum Set the display range of the Y axis to the maximum or minimum values. Click the corresponding button to use this feature.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Click the check box(es) and then specify the amplitude or mean values to manually set the amplitude or mean display range for the X axis. Expand Only The Expand Only feature was developed for auto-scaling such that when the range expanded during auto-scaling, this option prevented the range from contracting when the command stopped. Click the check box to allow a range to automatically expand if the data exceeds the maximum and minimum ranges.
Test-Run Displays X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Window X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Properties Item Description Log Base Set the base for displaying values in a logarithmic format. Click the up-arrow or down-arrow to raise or lower the base. Label Digits Set the number of significant digits displayed in the labels along the X-axis and Y-axis. Only non-zero digits are shown after the decimal point to avoid overcrowding in the label area next to the axis.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Show Delta and Slope Labels Show the values of two points, the difference between their values, and the slope of a line drawn through the two points. Number of Rows Specify the number of rows used to arrange the labels, delta, and slope. Click the up-arrow or down-arrow to increase or decrease the number of rows. The value range is 1 - 6.
Test-Run Displays Signal Gage About Signal Gages The Signal Gage shows the current level of a signal in a meter and in a linear or radial gage. The signal shown during runtime is chosen from a list of available signals. The list of available signals is determined by the test Resources. A signal gage can show one signal. For multiple signals, create an equal number of signal gages.
Test-Run Displays Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name. Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors.
Test-Run Displays Variable Value Information Item Description Meter Type Select the type of meter to display: Timed, Minimum, Maximum, Peak, Valley, Peak/Valley, Running Maximum/Minimum, or Mean/Amplitude. For more information about the availavle meter types, see Meter Types (p. 124). Sensitivity Defines how much the signal must change before the application detects a peak or valley data point. Signal changes that are less than the sensitivity do not acquire signals.
Test-Run Displays Variable Information Item Description Rows Specify the number of rows to be in the meter display. Suppress label display Check the box to have labels not be shown on the meter display. Manual Sizing Check the box and the meter display box on the Designer panel becomes re-sizable using your cursor. Label Font Size Select the size of the label shown in the meter. Value Font Size Select the size of the value shown in the meter.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Maximum Specifies the maximum value or variable and units for the signal. Tickmark Interval Sets the incremental number of tickmarks that are displayed for the signal indicator and units for the tickmarks. Marker Color Specifies color of marker Scale Color Specifies the color of the scale, or tickmarks. Labels Color Specifies the color of the value labels for the scale.
Test-Run Displays Signal Meter Properties Signal Meter Properties Panel Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name.
Test-Run Displays Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors. Visibility Panel Visibility Panel For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Unit From the drop-down list, select the units to be displayed. Format With Fixed, the number is shown in standard notation. For example, twenty million would be displayed as 20000000.000 for a Digit Type of Decimal with Digits set to 3. With Scientific, the number is shown in E scientific notation. For example, twenty million is displayed as 2.000E+007 for a Digit Type of Decimal with Digits set to 3.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Label Font Size Select the size of the label shown in the meter. Value Font Size Select the size of the value shown in the meter. Foreground Color Select a color (or transparent) of the foreground of the meter. Background Color Select a color (or transparent) of the background of the meter. Text Alignment Select Right, Center, or Left for the location of the text on the meter. Create a Signal Meter To create a Signal Meter test-run display: 1.
Test-Run Displays Signal Scope Properties Signal Scope Properties Panel Visibility Panel Visibility Panel For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays If you define more than one trace on an axis, all the traces must have the same dimension. For example, you cannot add a force signal trace and a displacement signal trace together on the Y-axis. If you define more than one trace on an axis, a legend is displayed by default. You can use the Hide Legend option to hide the legend. Limit or Curve Fit Lines Properties To add a Limit or Curve Fit Line, click the Add a Limit or Curve Fit Line icon in the property panel title bar.
Test-Run Displays Vertical limit type When you select the Vertical limit type, the X Variable specifies the value where the limit line crosses the X axis, as shown in the following figure. General XY (Single Value or Array) The General XY limit type allows you to select a single value variable or an array variable. You can use it to plot complex limits that are not linear, such as polynomial.
Test-Run Displays a chart with a line without symbols. A line with a single value will show up as a point, as in the following figure. This differs from Traces, where a single value will show nothing. Indexed Values limit type When you select Indexed Values, the values at the selected Index Variables are plotted on the chart. Percentage Least-Squares Fit limit type When you select Percentage Least-Squares Fit, a line will be drawn through two points that are identified by their index.
Test-Run Displays Click the Edit (ellipsis) button on the Limit or Curve Fit Lines title bar to open the Line Drop Percentage window. Type the value in the box, and specify the units from the drop-down menu. Horizontal at Index limit type When you select the Horizontal at Index limit type, the Index Variable specifies the index in the data for the value where the limit line crosses the Y axis, as shown in the following figure.
Test-Run Displays Vertical at Index limit type When you select the Vertical at Index limit type, the Index Variable specifies the index in the data for the value where the limit line crosses the X axis, as shown in the following figure. Line and Symbol Properties Line and Symbol Display Properties Item Description Opacity Adjust the opacity to better see through traces when they overlap. If you set the opacity to a lower value, it makes the trace more transparent.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Line Thickness Select the thickness of the lines from 1 to 10 points. Line Type Select the line style as solid, dotted, or dashed. Symbol Type Select the type of symbol to mark the location of data points. If you do not want to mark the data points with symbols, choose the blank selection in the list. Symbol Size Select the size of the data point symbols.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Maximum or Minimum Set the display range of the Y axis to the maximum or minimum values. Click the corresponding button to use this feature. To have the software calculate the maximum or minimum value(s) of the Y signal and then set the maximum or minimum display range to the value(s), click to clear the check boxes. To manually set the maximum or minimum display range for the Y axis, select the check boxes and then specify the maximum or minimum values.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Draw Grid Lines Select the check box to show grid lines on the chart. Deselect the check box to suppress the grid lines. X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Properties X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Window X-Axis and Y-Axis Advanced Properties Item Description Log Base Set the base for displaying values in a logarithmic format. Click the up-arrow or down-arrow to raise or lower the base.
Test-Run Displays Point Pick Properties Item Description Show Highlight Circle Click the check box to show a circle around an individual data point and the value of the point when selected by the mouse cursor. Deselect the check box to suppress the data display. Show Delta and Slope Labels Show the values of two points, the difference between their values, and the slope of a line drawn through the two points. Number of Rows Specify the number of rows used to arrange the labels, delta, and slope.
Test-Run Displays Digital IO About Digital IO Displays The Digital IO test-run display monitors the current state of one digital input or digital output. If necessary, you can create multiple instances to monitor multiple digital inputs and outputs. You can also allow an operator to toggle digital output during a test run. Prerequisite: The station configuration (.cfg) must have the appropriate resources configured.
Test-Run Displays Digital IO Test-Run Display Properties Item Description Signal The signal selected to monitor. Click the ellipsis to open the Select a Signal window. The Signal list reflects the digital signals included in the test resources. You can only select a digital input or digital output signal. Selecting a digital output signal enables the Set Digital Outputs at Runtime check box. Set Digital Outputs at Runtime Allows an operator to toggle a digital output during a test run.
Test-Run Displays Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression. For example, you could set up a condition to check the variable containing the specimen type for a Set Variable test-run display to make visible the diameter only when the specimen type is round, but hidden for a rectangular specimen.
Test-Run Displays Set Digital Output at Runtime Follow these steps to create a Digital I/O test-run display that allows an operator to toggle a digital output during a test run. 1. Click the Test-Run Display tab > Designer tab > Toolbox panel. 2. In the Interactive section, click the Digital IO tool and drag it to the desired location in the Designer tab workspace. 3. In the Properties panel, click the Signal ellipsis button. The Select a Signal window appears. 4.
Test-Run Displays Task Create a Digital IO Test-Run Display (p. 580) Set Digital Output at Runtime (p. 581) Input Variables About Input Variables In addition to presenting input variables to an operator during a test run with the Input Variables activity, you can present input variables in the test-run display during a test run. An operator must press Enter to apply any changed variable value in a text box.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Variable Required. A variable must be selected. A validation error is logged in the Error list until a variable is selected. Click the ellipsis to open the Select a Variable window. Note: Only variables that have the Editable property of During Test are available for use with the Input Variables test-run display. Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty.
Test-Run Displays Select a Variable Window Create an Input Variable Test-Run Display To create an Input Variable test-run display: 1. Click the Test-Run Display tab > Designer tab > Toolbox panel. 2. In the Interactive section, click the Input Variables tool and drag it to the desired location in the Designer tab. 3. (Optional) In the Enabled Condition box, enter a calculation that when evaluated determines when to enable or disable the Input Variable test-run display. 4.
Test-Run Displays a. Click the Variables tab to access the variable editor. b. Enter the variable identifier as OperatorEdit. c. From the Type list, select Boolean. d. Leave the default values for Default Value property as False, and for Default Option property, the Use Default Value option. Ensure During Test is selected for Availability. 2. Click the Test-Run Display tab > Designer tab > Toolbox panel. 3.
Test-Run Displays Note: Only variables that have the Editable property of During Test are available for use with this activity. Set Variable Button Properties Set Variable Button Properties Panel Set Variable Button Properties Item Description Button Text Required. Shows the label for the Set Variable button. Defaults to “Set Variable”. Enabled Condition Required. Enabled Condition is an expression that specifies when the button is active.
Test-Run Displays Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors. Visibility Panel Visibility Panel For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Note: The customized help button for test-run displays is not part of the MTS TestSuite Help menu options. The runtime Help Button provides access to information from one of several different content sources: • A specific file located on a disk or on a Web server. • A topic in a locally stored help file (the file must be a compiled HTML help file with a .chm extension). • User-entered text displayed as pop-up text.
Test-Run Displays Item Description http:\\www.myweb.com\Documents\MyHelp.html Image File Name Enter the directory path or the URL for the file that contains the image to be used for the help button. Specify the complete path including either the drive letter or the server name. Launch Associated Application Select this option to open the file using the default application associated with the file type by the operating system.
Test-Run Displays Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors. Visibility Panel Visibility Panel For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Note: Image files for test-run displays are not included when you import or export a test. For More Information Task Add an Image to a Test-Run Display (p. 593) Reference Image Properties (p. 591) Example: Use a Condition to Show an Image (p. 593) Image Properties Picture Properties Panel Picture Properties Item Description File Name Shows the path and file name of the selected image. Supported paths include: • Absolute paths, such as C:\MyPicture.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Use Show Condition Selecting this check box enables the Show Condition box, which shows a picture in the test-run display depending on whether defined criteria has been met. Clearing the check box disables the Show Condition box. The image is always shown in the test-run display. Show Condition Note: You must select the Use Show Condition check box to enable the Show Condition box. Defines the condition by which to show an image in the test-run display.
Test-Run Displays hidden for a rectangular specimen. Likewise, you can use two more Set Variable test-run displays for width and length to be visible if the specimen type is rectangular but hidden when the specimen type is round. Add an Image to a Test-Run Display To add an image to a test-run display: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Click the Test-Run Display tab > Designer tab > Toolbox panel. In the General section, click the Image tool and drag it to the desired location in the Designer tab.
Test-Run Displays Concept About Images (p. 590) Task Add an Image to a Test-Run Display (p. 593) Label About Labels Label contains a single line of text that you can use to: • Reference elements in a test-run display • Provide instructional or context statements in a test-run display Labels contain a simple text string and cannot contain variable values. Label For More Information Task Add a Label to a Test-Run Display (p. 595) Reference Label Properties (p.
Test-Run Displays Item Description Font Size Size of the text for the label. Range: 4-100 points Default: 8 pt For More Information Concept About Labels (p. 594) Task Add a Label to a Test-Run Display (p. 595) Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1.
Test-Run Displays 5. Repeat for each label you want to add. For More Information Concept About Labels (p. 594) Reference Label Properties (p. 594) Test Procedure Test Procedure Test-Run Display A test procedure includes the system actions you want the application to perform during a test. The procedure is made up of activities arranged in a graphical flowchart. The test procedure appears in the test-run display when the test run starts.
Test-Run Displays Test Procedure Pan and Zoom Controls Procedure run When the test is loaded, you use the control panel to perform primary hardware and test control operations. When you click Run, the test procedure begins. If the procedure is stopped before completion, you can resume the test from where it stopped. To troubleshoot procedures, you can include the Test Procedure in the test-run display to monitor test progress.
Test-Run Displays • • • • Data acquisition Program control and error handling Interacting with the monitor display Running report Activity properties Most activities require you to specify properties to fully define how the activity should perform. When you add an activity that has parameters you are required to specify, the activity in the procedure includes an error icon. The Properties tab identifies the parameters, and the Error list describes the problem.
Test-Run Displays for a Set Variable test-run display to make visible the diameter only when the specimen type is round, but hidden for a rectangular specimen. Likewise, you can use two more Set Variable test-run displays for width and length to be visible if the specimen type is rectangular but hidden when the specimen type is round. Create a Test Procedure Test-Run Display To create a test procedure test-run display: 1. Click the Test-Run Display tab > Designer tab > Toolbox panel. 2.
Test-Run Displays Visibility Property Field The following selections are available: • Never—(Default) Omits the activity from the Test Progress Table • Fixed —Shows the progress of the activity in the Test Progress Table while the activity is executing, and for the duration of the test. • Transient—Shows the progress of the activity in the Test Progress Table only when the activity is executing.
Test-Run Displays Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name. Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors.
Test-Run Displays Test Summary Table You select the variables from the types that are currently defined for the test under Variables. Although you can list any of the available variables, the Test Summary display is typically used to show general test data rather than collected data. Static and dynamic values Most of the Specimen and System variable values shown on the Test Summary Table are static and reflect fixed values you have entered (for example, Name of the Project).
Test-Run Displays For Docking, select where on the monitor you want the test-run display to be positioned, Top, Left, Bottom, Right, or Fill, where the display fills the entire tab or panel. Show Condition lets you show or hide the test-run displays, depending on the condition of the variable expression.
Test-Run Displays Layout Category Use the tools in the Layout category to organize multiple test-run displays. You can create multiple tabs with transitions and place panels within the tabs to delineate. Panels About Panels Use panels to group and organize your displays. Double-click Panels in the Layout group of the Toolbox panel to open two panels in the Designer tab. You can then drag and drop displays onto a panel. Configure panel details in the Properties panel.
Test-Run Displays Display Name This is the name that is shown for the object in the application. It is a required property so the box cannot be empty. The default is the type of the chart and the number indicating how many are on the Display tab, such as Cycle Statistics Table 1. You can also click in the box and type a new name. Note: The Display Name is only used in the event of validation errors.
Test-Run Displays The variables that you select in the Variables Selection window (double-click or use arrows to move variables from the Available Variables column to the Selected Variables column) are placed in a horizontal row. Tabs About Tabs Use Tabs to organize monitor displays into multiple views. While running a test, you can view the test-run displays on that tab by clicking the tab.
Test-Run Displays Tabs Properties Panel The activity consists of two parts: the control window and the individual tabs within the control window. The tab control window is a container for the individual tabs. The individual tabs are containers for other monitor display controls—including other tab controls. Note: If you want to create a new tab control by copying an existing tab control, make sure to select the entire tab control (not an individual tab).
Test-Run Displays Activity transitions You can find pertinent test information for the current test activity by using tab transitions. Start by using tabs to organize test-run display controls according to portions of the test procedure. Then assign a transition to a tab so that it is shown during the appropriate portion of the test. If you organize the test-run display in this manner, the operator does not have to sort through multiple controls to find information of immediate interest.
Running Tests Topics: • • • Control Panel...................................................................................................................................610 Hydraulic Controls...........................................................................................................................616 Run a Test.......................................................................................................................................
Running Tests Control Panel Control Panel Overview Use the Control panel to perform basic operations of the controller during a test run. Station controls Controller Panel Control Description Interlock Lights when the interlock (hardware) chain for the test station opens. Hydraulic power turns off and the test run stops. To restart the test run: 1. Determine and correct the cause of the interlock. 2. Click Reset. 3. Click Low and then High to apply hydraulic power. 4. Click Run to restart the test run.
Running Tests Control Description Override Caution: Station limits are disabled during the override time. Disabling station limits also disables safety limits. Always clear the actuator area before applying hydraulics. Temporarily override a test station interlock so that you can clear the cause. Each time you click the button, ten seconds is added to the length of time the interlock is overridden, up to a total of 120 seconds.
Running Tests Application controls Application Controls Control Park Description Park. Move the test station actuator or actuators to the prescribed park position. Caution: The Park command attempts to move to the specified position without regard for the possible force applied to a mounted specimen or other object in the actuator path. Do not use the Park command under load control without fully understanding the implications of a change from load control to position control.
Running Tests Control Unload Description Unload. Unload the test station actuator to the prescribed load value. Caution: The Unload command attempts to move to the specified end-level load whether or not there is a measurable load. Do not use the Unload command without a mounted specimen or under position control without fully understanding the implications of a change from position control to load control. Use extreme caution when performing any action that can result in a change in the control mode.
Running Tests Control Description Hold state, the button illuminates, and its colors reverse. Stop Stop. Stop the test in place. The current cycle or command activity is not completed. Click Run to restart the test. You can unload a test that is stopped. When the test is stopped, the button illuminates, and its colors reverse.
Running Tests Item Description Note: Unload shows only the first available control mode for the channel. Channel This column is a list of the available channels (test station resources) that can be used with the park and unload functions. Enabled Enable or disable the park or unload function for the corresponding channel. End Level Set the target end level for the enabled channels when the Park or Unload button is clicked. Unit Display the default units for the channel’s End Level value.
Running Tests Item Description Test Run Status Initialized—The test procedure is loaded. The project must be saved for the test to continue. Running—The test is in-progress. The Running Time box shows the current elapsed run time. The time that elapses while the test run is held or stopped is not included. Holding—The test run is held at the end of the current cycle. The Running Time box does not change until the test run is restarted. The test resumes at the start of the next segment.
Running Tests Systems without hydraulic power On test systems that do not control hydraulic power, the control panel displays “No power configured” and has an Interlock button to apply interlocks. A station with no HPU or HSM assigned must activate an interlock before a new parameter set can be loaded. The Interlock button can be used to generate the required interlock.
Running Tests Power Window For More Information Task Turn On Hydraulic Power (p. 618) Turn Off Hydraulic Power (p. 619) Reference Turn On Hydraulic Power Hydraulic power is turned on by clicking controls on the Power panel. Note: Some system configurations may require you to click the control icon on the Power panel to display the Power window, and use the Power window controls to start the HPU before you are allowed to start the HSMs. 1.
Running Tests For More Information Concept Hydraulic Control Panel Overview (p. 616) Power Panel Overview (p. 617) Turn Off Hydraulic Power To turn off hydraulic power: 1. Click Power Low. 2. Click Power Off. For More Information Concept Hydraulic Control Panel Overview (p. 616) Power Panel Overview (p. 617) Run a Test Pretest Tasks Note: You do not use the application for the pretest tasks. 1. Determine the name and location of the project. A project that contains the required test must already exist.
Running Tests Concept Results Tab (p. 625) Set Up a Test Station Before you can connect to a test station, you must complete the pretest tasks in Pretest Tasks (p. 619). 1. Use the File menu of the Station Manager application to open the Open Station window and select the (controller) test station for your test. A test station typically includes a load unit, HSM (hydraulic service manifold), HPU (hydraulic power unit), and some part of an electronic test controller.
Running Tests Set Up a New Test Run Before you can create a new test, you must complete the following activities: • Pretest tasks • Station setup Note: This section does not include steps for specimen, fixture, instrumentation, or ancillary equipment installation, setup, or operation. Perform the following steps to prepare for a test run: 1. Open the test: a) Select File > Open Test or click the Open Test icon. b) Select a test name in the Open Test window. c) Click Open. 2.
Running Tests Run a Test Considerations for automatic background saves When you start a test run, the application automatically saves the current state of the test. If you want to modify a test without saving your changes, that is, experiment with the test, perform a Save As of your test, modify as needed, and then run the new test.
Running Tests The test designer can require the test operator to enter or select test parameters at any point during the test run. In this case, the test waits until the operator enters or selects the required parameters on the Input Parameters window and clicks OK. 5. Click Yes to save the test. The test procedure activates. 6. To start the test run, click the Run icon on the Test control panel. The test starts to perform the activities included in the test Procedure. 7.
Running Tests Once the procedure is stopped, you can navigate to other tests or test runs, load other projects, or shut down the application. Note: The stopped test procedure shows red on the Explorer panel. To restart the procedure: 1. If you have opened another area of the application, click on the test run you want to restart and click Start the procedure. 2. Click Yes when you are prompted to save the procedure.
Running Tests b) Click Off on the Power control panel. This activity places the HSM for the test station and the HPU (hydraulic power unit) in their zero-pressure states (red indicators lit). 3. Review the test results. Note: The Diagnostics display in the work area is temporary. The display is permanently removed when you use any part of the application that changes the content of the work area. The other displays for the test run results, however, are retained for future review.
Running Tests Task Pretest Tasks (p. 619) Set Up a Test Station (p. 620) Set Up a New Test Run (p. 621) Stop and Restart a Test Procedure (p. 623) Run a Test (p. 622) Perform Post-Test Tasks (p. 624) View Test Reports (p. 626) Exporting Raw Data (p. 627) Reference View Test Reports Test-run reports are Microsoft Excel files that you can view, print, and archive. Test reports are included in the test results only if they were generated as part of the test procedure.
Running Tests 2. Select one or more templates to use for your reports and click Generate Report. 3. Microsoft Excel opens with the newly generated report. If multiple test runs were selected, a separate report for each Test Run will open. Modify as desired and save and close. By default, the report is shown below the test run name in the Explorer panel. You can click Preferences > Configuration and select a different location for generated reports on the Project tab.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Topics: • • • • • • • • • • • About this Section............................................................................................................................630 Trend Monitoring Overview..............................................................................................................630 Example Trend Monitoring Test.......................................................................................................631 Examine the Basic Workflow.......
Appendix: Trend Monitoring About this Section This section contains introductory and procedural information about the Trend Monitoring option for MTS TestSuite software. It provides a detailed review of the Example Trend Monitoring Test provided with the MTS MPE application. You will examine the test’s workflow, test activities, and so on. Understanding the example test will help you understand how to create trend monitoring tests of your own.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring useful when designing Trend Monitoring tests. Path: Procedure tab > Toolbox > Test Flow Control category. Designing tests for Trend Monitoring The Example Trend Monitoring Test installed with MPE provides an example of using trend monitoring components in a test design. The example test includes two workflows, each of which provide different test behaviors. • The Basic Workflow runs until the sweep command is complete, and then generates a report.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Open the 2 Chan.cfg station configuration and start the MPE application Note: The instructions in this section are intended to be performed in simulation mode. 1. Click the Windows Start button on your desktop and select Programs > MTS 793 Software > Station Manager. Note: If you are asked to select a controller, select the MTS FlexTest 40 controller. 2. In the Open Station window, select the “2 Chan.cfg” configuration file and then click Open. 3.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Basic and Advanced Workflows in the Example Trend Monitoring Test Workflow Descriptions Item Description 1 Basic Workflow, in which the Trip Action path of the Parallel Path Activity is disabled. 2 Advanced Workflow, in which the Trip Action path of the Parallel Path Activity is enabled.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Examine the Basic Workflow Example Trend Monitoring Test: Basic Workflow Basic Workflow Description Item Description 1 Ramp activity. 2 Parallel Paths activity (expanded). 3 Sweep activity in the Command path. 4 Trend Monitoring activity in Monitor Trend path. 5 While Loop activity (collapsed) in the Trip Action path. 6 Run Report activity.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Examine the Logic in the Basic Workflow After the Ramp activity (1) executes, the Parallel Path activity (2) performs the Command and Trend Monitoring paths simultaneously. Note: The Command path in the Parallel Path activity is configured as the Terminal Path. When the Terminal Path completes, the Parallel Path activity completes.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Example Test Monitor Display Example Test Monitor Display Description Item Description 1 Trend Monitoring Limits Table 2 Cycle Statistics Table. 3 Signal Scope 4 Trend Monitoring Statistics Chart Monitor Display Components The components of the display were created from tools in the Toolbox: The layout was created using the panel splitter control in the Panels tool, and Tabs tool.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring changes into a splitter cursor (resembling a cross-hairs). It may take several clicks to get the mouse to change to the splitter curser. Trend Monitoring Limits Table By default, the Trend Monitoring Limits Table (1) shows all of the limits (lower and upper) for all of the signals and statistics specified in the Trend Monitoring activity. If desired, you can select a subset of signals and statistics on the Properties panel.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Run the Basic Workflow The Basic Workflow plots statistical values that move (or “trend”) toward and exceed the upper trend limit line as the sweep command increases in amplitude. The sweep command and trend monitoring stop when the sweep command is complete. Next, the test report is generated, and the test is finished. Examine the Advanced Workflow In the Advanced Workflow, the Trip Action path of the Parallel Path activity is enabled.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Trip Action Path in Advanced Workflow Description Item Description 1 While Loop activity (expanded) in the Trip Action path. 2 Wait for Event activity. 3 Set Control Event activity. 4 Assign Variables activity. Examine Trip Action Path Logic in Advanced Workflow While the Parallel Paths activity (1) is running, the Wait for Event activity (2) “waits” for Trend Monitoring Limits to be tripped.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring 3. Click the Run button (green arrow) on the Test control panel. 4. Observe the test on the Monitor Display: • The Trend Monitoring Limits Table shows the trend limits set in the Trend Monitoring activity. • The Cycle Statistics table shows statistical values being calculated. • The Signal Scope shows the sine sweep increasing in amplitude as the frequency decreases (which is the “trend” being monitored in this test).
Appendix: Trend Monitoring The Example Trend Monitoring test uses the Example Trend Report.xltx as the default report template (MPE Explorer panel > Report Templates > Report Format). This template uses Excel Workbook as the Report Format. Note: You can also select Comma Delimited Values or Tab Delimited Text for the Report Format.
Appendix: Trend Monitoring • Full-Scale Percentage • Statistical Limits from Table • Range Percentage from Table Definitions for Limit Calculations Range = Max - Min Midpoint = (Max - Min) / 2 Statistical Percentage method LowerLimit = Statistic * (1 - LowerPercentage) UpperLimit = Statistic * (1 + UpperPercentage) Full-Scale Percentage method LowerLimit = Statistic – LowerPercentage * Range UpperLimit = Statistic + UpperPercentage * Range Calculate Trend Limits Both the Statistical Percentage and Fu
Appendix: Trend Monitoring Comparison of Trend Calculations to Other MTS Applications MPE and MultiPurpose TestWare (MPT) Terminology Comparison MPE and MPT Terminology Comparison MPE Term MPT Term Statistical Percentage Smart Limits % Based on Data Value Full-Scale Percentage Smart Limits % Based on Full Range Statistical Limits from Table Eng. Units Range Percentage from Table % Range To emulate the default MPT table limits 1. On the workflow, click the Trend Monitoring activity. 2.
Index Index .drv file extension 356, 364 .NET Libraries 285 .seq file extension 364 .
Index argument syntax 208, 215 array functions 216 array variables 168–169 ArrayValueAtIndex function 217 Assign Variables activity 458 audit trail 75 Audit Trail 75 Auto Offset activity 415 automated testing applications 465 automatic background saves 101 average function 248 AverageMinPeaks function 263 AverageValleys function 265 B block information settings 151, 374, 389 processing 151 Block function 221 Boolean variables 171 Break Detection activity 395 buffers about 148 circular 149 linear 148 Button
Index Completion property Limit Detection activity 402 Compliance function 217 compliance testing values 465 configuration file 632 Continuous Sampling property High-Speed Data Acquisition activity 384 Control Mode property Cycle activity 333 Ramp activity 351 Sweep activity 356 Time History Output activity 362 Time History Sequence Output activity 369 control panel application controls 612 power controls 611 settings 79, 85, 614 station controls 610 test controls 118, 613 Controlled Stop Interlock 400, 421
Index data (continued) export raw 461 filter 43 data acquisition DAQ activity 371 point-by-point processing 150 data file legacy 128 data point collecting last post-break detection 375 DataExportDirectory function 227 Date and Time functions TestCreationDate 222 TestCreationTime 223 TestModificationDate 223 TestRunCreationDate 224–225 TestRunCreationTime 225 default report template 474 default roles 61 DefaultReportDirectory function 227 Define Global Choice List Window 197 delete variable 179 Descriptor pr
Index F failure cycle chart 210 Fatigue and Fracture functions 228 fatigue crack growth (FCG) 305 file management 107 moving test files 109 File Channel property Time History Output activity 361 Time History Sequence Output activity 369 file extension .drv 356, 364 .seq 364 .tim 356 .
Index functions (continued) FindNearestValueIndex 252 FindSubString 273 First Cycle Modulus 210 Floor 252 FractureIndex 233 GetTransitionTime 220 HysteresisArea 228 Index category 230 IsInvalidNumber 253 IsValidNumber 253 LeastSquaresFit 253 left (extract SubString) 274 Loading Modulus 209 log(number) 254 log10(number) 254 LowerYieldIndex 235 math category 246 max(number1, number2) 254 MaxDouble() 254 MaxLong() 254 MaxSlopeEndIndex 236 MaxSlopeStartIndex 235 MeasInelasticStrainMax 229 MeasInelasticStrainMin
Index H handset exclusive control 39, 79, 614 help runtime 46 High-Speed Data Acquisition activity 383 History Chart 500 hold acquiring data during 375 Hold At Level activity 400, 421 hold command custom waveform stop 334 cycle waveform stop 334 Hold property State Change Detection activity 412 Hold signal in DAQ processes 376 Holding property State Change Detection activity 412 HPU Multipurpose application 616 HSM Multipurpose application 616 HSM High signal in DAQ processes 376 HSM On signal in DAQ proce
Index Linear-Elastic Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness (KIC) 305 Loading Modulus function 209 log message how to use 465 Log Message activity 464 Log Message Description property Peak-Valley Change Detector activity 408 Log property Limit Detection activity 402 Lower Reference property Peak-Valley Change Detector activity 408 M Maintain command to prevent movement property Set Span and Setpoint activity 427 Manage User Accounts window 54 manuals 23 map variables automatically map variables 155 save data to v
Index Periodic Time Event activity about 438 example 438 properties 439 recurrence 439 Phase Lag property Sweep activity 356 Plot Previous Test Runs panel 530 point pick 526, 537, 557, 576 point-by-point processing 150 Points per Frame property Time History Input activity 391 Polynomial function 218 PolynomialFit function 219 Power panel 617 pretest variable 178 preventing actuator movement adjusting span setpoint 427 Preview property Custom Message Window activity 450 procedure design 316 run 316 procedure
Index properties (continued) end level 1 and 2 Cycle activity 333 end of recurrence Periodic Time Event activity 440 file Time History Sequence Output activity 368 file channel Time History Output activity 361 Time History Sequence Output activity 369 final cycles Cycle + DAQ activity 340 formula Cycle Change Detection activity 397 formula minimum and maximum Stable Cycle Detection activity 410 frames to sample Time History Input activity 391 frequency Cycle activity 331 High-Speed Data Acquisition activity
Index properties (continued) runtime help button 588 sample count High-Speed Data Acquisition activity 384 sampling rate Time History Input activity 391 sampling time Time History Input activity 391 select cycles Cycle + DAQ activity 340 send report to e-mail address Run Report activity 473 send test e-mail Send E-mail activity 78 sensitivity Peak-Valley Change Detector activity 407 server name Send E-mail activity 78 show summary Time History Output activity 360 Time History Sequence Output activity 368 si
Index Ramp activity (continued) signal compensation 349 Ramp Shape property Ramp activity 350 Ramp To activity 400, 421 raw export data 461 Read Variables from File activity 465 read-only variables show or hide 176 Recurrence Pattern property Periodic Time Event activity 439 Reference Cycle property Cycle Change Detection activity 397 Reference property Break Detection activity 396 Reference Signal property Max/Min DAQ activity 387 Reference Value property Cycle Change detection activity 397 Relative End Le
Index Sensor functions CalibrationDate 271 CalibrationDueDate 272 ModelNumber 272 Serial Number 273 sensor signals 377 seq file extension 364 SerialNumber function 273 Server name property Send E-mail activity 78 Set Calculation Parameter activity 419 Set Control Event activity 419 Set Digital Output activity 423 Set Span and Setpoint activity Maintain command to prevent movement property 427 setpoint settings 132 SetTransitionTime function 220 Show Summary property Time History Output activity 360 Time His
Index T tabs results 103 TearIndex function 271 technical support 23 TEDs device function 272 TEDS device function 272 template about 105 conversion 125 convert 126 create template 106 legacy 126 setting default report 474 test about 33, 110 conversion 125 convert 126 definition 98 design 98 edit general settings 130 Fatigue Crack Growth 301 procedure 316 run state colors 104 settings properties 129 start/stop/hold/resume behavior settings 131 Test Action property Time History Sequence Output activity 370
Index unit set (continued) SI (mm-N) 81 US (in-kip) 81 US (in-lbf) 81 unit sets manager properties 83 United States Customary System of Units (US) 83 UnLoading Modulus function 209 update all 310 Update from File property Time History Output activity 360 Time History Sequence Output activity 368 update interval box 539 Upper Reference property Peak-Valley Change Detector activity 408 Upper/Lower limit property Limit Detection activity 403 user access privileges 54 add, edit, remove roles 59 administrator 54
Index Wave Shape property Cycle activity 331 Sweep activity 354 waveform stop behavior 333 While Loop activity 446 window add custom unit set 83 copy unit set 83 edit custom unit set 83 edit function 279 Multipurpose Application 38 Window Size > Height property Custom Message Window activity 449 Window Size > Width property Custom Message Window activity 449 660 workflow 98 Write Variables to File activity 466, 480 X XML Read Variables from File activity 465 write variable values to file 480 XML format 4
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