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A Few Examples of Completed Projects

Problem solved for Nordson Medical

Need: Life cycle test machine to repeatedly connect and disconnect tubing couplings with requirements including:

  • benchtop size and easy to set up and run tests
  • able to independently run tests on 3 sets of 5 couplings each
  • adjustable travel, speed, number of cycles
  • self-aligning mechanism
  • ability to detect failure to connect or disconnect

CAMDAC's solution:

  • stepper motors and linear slides for precise motion
  • PLC-based control and touch-screen HMI for simple and reliable operation
  • sliding racks for easy access to each set of test stations
test fixture for tensile creep testing

Problem solved for an independent test lab:

Need: Fixtures to perform ASTM D2990 tensile creep tests with the following requirements:

  • compact design to fit limited space

  • applies constant load of up to 200 pounds to each specimen

  • automatic recording of strain measurements at specified intervals

 

CAMDAC's solution:

  • compact fixture using lever arms to multiply the force of hanging weights

  • custom data acquisition application created with LabVIEW for automated recording of strain measurements

  • best commercial strain data acquisition module selected

  • software drivers and hardware wired and configured

  • shock absorbing lever-arm support in case of specimen rupture

test fixture for tensile creep testing

Problem solved for an independent test laboratory:

Need: An unusual test program required hot air, up to 250F, be circulated through a section of pipe. This required consideration of:

  • safe operation of heater
  • steady temperature control
  • display and recording of temperature at 16 locations

CAMDAC's solution:

  • custom built PID control box
  • temperature switch to shut off heater in case of fan or control failure
  • strip heater sized and installed in metal duct section
  • installation of heater in client's test setup

  • placement of thermocouples and configuration of data acquisition computer

Problem solved for Bart Willard, director of the film That Which Remains:

 

Need: a moveable metal claw for the actor in live-action film. Requirements:

  • Each finger of the claw must be in the actor's control.
  • Strong enough to take some hits in a fight scene.

 

CAMDAC's solution:

  • A mechanism worn by the actor on one hand like a sleeve and lightweight enough to move easily.
  • Made economically with commonly available parts and materials that were then modified as needed.
  • No motors or other powered components needed - just the actor's fingers to move each claw separately.
  • Shipped complete and ready for the movie crew to add their outer decorations.

A client had a plastic molding specification with a very tight tolerance for the cool-down rate -- but their press simply wasn't designed to meet it.

 

CAMDAC designed, assembled, and integrated a PID temperature controller into the existing control system and tuned it to work exactly as needed.

 

"John sucessfully designed and built a temperature controller to retrofit our older press, enabling us to comply with our testing requirements. Automating this older model required many fine-tuning hours which John dedicated to ensure it was working properly. A much-appreciated success."

A chemical analysis laboratory with a heavy sample workload needed a simple LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) program to automatically perform some of the repetitive and tedious tasks associated with gathering, processing, and reporting test results. CAMDAC used LabVIEW to create a custom executable program, created an ethernet network to communicate with instruments through various protocols (RS232 and TCP/IP), and modified the client's report template so that the LIMS program automatically generates the report. Lab personnel are now able to use their time more efficiently and their samples can be analyzed and reported in a shorter time.