SHIMPO 933 User Manual

TD-522 (06/01)

Model 933A

Life Cycle Test System

Software / Hardware Manual

NOTICE

Microsoft Windows, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and
Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

The Model 933A application software operates in a graphical environment named
Microsoft Windows, created by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Windows gives a
standard look and feel to TRICOR’s application as well as all other Windows
applications.

In order to run the Model 933A application under Microsoft Windows, the user needs to
license and install a Microsoft Windows version listed in Section 2, Getting Started.

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Contents

Section Page

1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 4

2 Getting Started .................................................................................................... 6

3 Testing ............................................................................................................... 11

4 Configuration .................................................................................................... 18

5 Test Results ...................................................................................................... 25

6 Force and Speed .............................................................................................. 27

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Section 1

Introduction

Tester Description

The Model 933A Life Cycle Test System (LCTS) is a complete and ready to use piece of
test equipment for the endurance testing of materials and electrical switches. The LCTS
can be configured to continuously depress a test sample using a pneumatically
controlled cylinder. The Model 933A is designed to measure one electrical contact with
each up/down stroke according to ASTM Designation F1578 - 96. The LCTS can also
be used to mechanically stress a device without a contact measurement. In this case,
testing is performed at a fixed speed and there are no pass / fail results. The air pressure
to the cylinder can be adjusted to control the maximum force applied to the sample and
with the optional flow restrictors the rate at which this force is applied can also be
adjusted. The electrical contact can be tested for resistance and also bounce. Bounce is
measured using techniques described in the ASTM Designation F1661 - 96. These
measurements have tolerances assigned so that the LCTS can determine the pass / fail
status of each test cycle. A count is kept of all cycles, failures and sequential test
failures. These counts are compared against programmed limits to stop testing at user
defined events. For example, the testing can be stopped after 1,000,000 test cycles or
after 100 test failures.

The basic LCTS consists of:

Controller Unit - containing the pneumatic air valves, pressure regulator,

pressure gauge, air couplings, electronics module and computer data
connector.

Power Module - a wall mount power source.

Test Head - consisting of the air cylinder, flexible air hose and quick disconnect

air coupling (with an adjustable slide post) and mounting hardware.

Test Stand - an 8-inch base plate to which the Test Head slide post can be

mounted.

Data Cable - a 20 foot cable with modular connectors on each end and a 9-pin

adaptor to attach to the user’s PC.

Application Software - a single software application to communicate, control and

store data from the Controller Unit. This is provided on a CD.

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The application software can configure all the programmable features of the LCTS
including test times, resistance and bounce tolerances and maximum event counts. It
has a “learn” mode for switches to automatically set test tolerances and a mode for
manual operation and contact measurement. The software can be set up to store the test
results to an open file. The file format is comma delimited text which is easily imported to
other programs such as Microsoft Excel and Access. The text file format is directly
readable by both of these programs. The configuration setup of the LCTS can also be
stored and recalled from files. All test data is viewable on the main application screen.
The software application will run on any of Microsoft’s 32-bit Windows Operating
Systems. It will not function on Windows 3.11 or earlier versions.

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Section 2

Getting Started

General

This section is for new users and describes the installation and hookup of the Life Cycle
Test System. The user supplied resources are discussed and verification of proper setup
is provided.

User Supplied Resources

The LCTS uses shop air to drive the pneumatic air cylinder. There is a coupling on the
back of the Controller Unit which will accept a standard 1/4 inch NPT quick disconnect
hose coupling. The user must supply the air using a sleeve lock socket. The maximum
air pressure must be limited to 150 psi. Standard pressures of 85 to 125 psi are best.
The air must be clean and free of water and oil. The air exhausted from the air cylinder is
expelled into the Controller Unit. Excessive liquids will build up in the Controller Unit
and may cause failure. An air dryer is recommended. Only compressed air should be
used. No other gasses are approved.

Controller Unit power is powered by a wall mount power source. The basic unit comes
complete with an American style, 115 vac, 60 Hz module. Other variations are available
from TRICOR Systems by special request. A suitable power receptacle must be located
near the LCTS so that the Power Module can be connected.

User Supplied Computer

A personal computer running any 32-bit version of Microsoft Windows is required to
configure the LCTS and to download test data. Any version of Windows 95, Windows
98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows NT version 4.0 can be used. The computer
does not need to be located at the same sight where testing will occur, but it is much
more convenient if it is. The LCTS can operate stand-alone, and can be configured at a
different location. It then can be moved to the sight of the testing. The LCTS is connected
to a serial port on the PC. The LCTS comes with a 20 foot cable with modular
connectors on each end. One end plugs into the back of the Controller Unit. The other
end of the cable plugs into the modular connector of a 9-pin D connector adaptor which
is also supplied. The adapter plugs into the serial communication port of the user’s PC.
A special order, 25-pin version of the adaptor can be obtained from TRICOR Systems.
The PC must have one active serial port available. The application software will
automatically search all available ports in an attempt to locate the LCTS. The
application software is delivered on CD-ROM. The PC must have a CD-ROM drive to
install this software. By special request when ordering the LCTS, TRICOR Systems can
provide the application on floppy disks.

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Software Installation

Begin the setup process by installing the application software. This software is on the
CD provided with the basic unit. Since you are viewing the manual provided on this disk
it is assumed that the installation should be complete. If not, follow the instructions
below.

• Close all other windows applications before starting the installation.

• Insert the 933A Software installation CD in the CD disk drive of your computer.

On most systems, the installation program will begin running as soon as the
computer sees the disk inserted. If not, navigate to CD file folder using Windows
Explorer or My Computer. Double click the setup.exe file.

• The installer will ask you to shut down any other applications that may be running.
Press the OK button if you have already closed other programs.

• A dialog box will appear which will allow you to change the location on your hard­drive where the 933 application will be stored. You may change this location if
necessary, but TRICOR recommends the default setting. Press the large button
(top left) on this dialog to begin the installation.

• A second dialog appears that allows the name of the program group on the start
button menu to be changed. Again, TRICOR recommends that the default setting
be used.

• The software installs quickly and a dialog indicating successful completion
should appear. Click OK. The Life Cycle application software is now ready to
use.

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Test Contacts
Terminal Connection

Air Cylinder Coupling

Air Inlet Coupling

Expansion Connector

Serial Data Connector

Power Connector

Figure 1.

Back of Control Unit

Equipment Setup

Connect a supply of air to the air inlet coupling on the back of the Control Unit (Figure 1).
This fitting accepts a 1/4 NPT quick disconnect sleeve lock socket.

The Test Head is delivered mounted on the slide post. Attach the slide post to the base
plate using the 1/4 x 20 screws and washers found in the mounting hardware plastic
bag. See Figure 2 for details.

Connect the Test Head air hose connector to the air cylinder coupling on the back of the
Control Unit (Figure 1). This connector can be released by depressing the metal thumb
slide on the air cylinder coupling. This coupling/connector should be coupled together
whenever power is applied to the Control Unit to prevent air from escaping. Adjust the
pressure regulator on the front panel of the Control Unit for at least 40 psi on the gauge.

Connect the Power Module cable to the power connector on the back of the Control Unit
(Figure 1). Plug the Power Module into a suitable power source receptacle. The Control
Unit should now be powered with the power status indicator on the front of the Control
Unit illuminated. See figure 3. The air cylinder should be pulled to the retracted position.
The LCTS does not need a computer connected to operate. The Control Unit is shipped

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Figure 2.

Slide Post Mounted to Base Plate

Force Adjustment

Pressure Gauge

Status Indicators

Control Switches

Figure 3.

Control Unit Front Panel

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