Need to design a TEst Stand using 2 Measurement Computing A-D Cards

[TadSend]

We are using a MC USB-3103 to send a signal to a proportional valve and a USB-1608G to receive a feedback signal from the hydraulic cylinder (moved by the proportional valve).  We want to set up a test stand here in our offices to test the software and AtoD card interface.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to simulate the proportional valve, hydraulic cylinder setup.  An actual test stand with a Hyd Power unit, proportional valves and feedback device would be north of $15,000.  We are looking just to display position say on an Automation Direct screen or another computer and feedback that display position to our software to show the feedback.

We had thought to output the sending signal to the feedback signal and plug the feedback signal into another display or computer to show position.  In this case we would have to also send the feedback signal to our test software computer. 

Does anyone have a better idea?  Sincere thanks in advance for your help.

 

Tad Sendzimir

[Fausto]

Hello @TadSend.

Which software are you using for your main application?

The MCC USB-3103 supports two analog output voltage ranges (±10 V and 0-10 V), while the MCC USB-1608G supports four analog input voltage ranges (±10 V, ±5 V, ±2 V, or ±1 V).  For testing purposes, configure the analog output voltage range to be 0-10 V and the analog input voltage range to be ±10 V.  The simplest scenario would be to wire an analog output voltage channel from the MCC USB-3103 directly to an analog input voltage channel on the MCC USB-1608G module.  Add scaling in your code to represent open/close position of the proportional valve based on the analog output voltage level and scaling to represent feedback level of a hydraulic cylinder based on measured analog input voltage levels.

Regards,

Fausto