Abstract: A system and method for visually warning a person of a dangerous condition related to the proximity of the person to a machine is provided. The system includes a transmitter system located on the machine, a locator for being carried by the person, an algorithm performed at the transmitter for determining coordinates of the locator relative to the transmitter system, data input into the controller defining one or more safety zones around the machine, a warning indicator for generating a signal when the locator enters any of the one or more safety zones, and a lamp associated with the person. The lamp may be a spot lamp for illuminating the area around the person, and it may also include one or more warning lamps associated with the warning indicator such that the one or more warning lamps are illuminated when the locator enters either of the safety zones.

Abstract: Provided are a method, a test system and a microcontroller (40), for use in a test system for testing vehicles and automotive components. Control signals that are generated by active components within a vehicle during a test drive are sampled and played back to a specimen vehicle within a laboratory test environment, and the control signals are played back synchronously with data representing conditions and events such as loads, acceleration and displacements that are experienced during the test drive. A microcontroller (40) is provided to buffer control signal data and to synchronize playback of the control signals via a CAN (60) bus within the specimen test vehicle in response to trigger signals.

Abstract: A biaxial electromagnetic actuator for a materials testing apparatus comprises a first electromagnetic actuator for imparting a linear force to an output shaft and a second, direct drive electromagnetic actuator for imparting a rotational force to the shaft. The shaft is mounted in two combination bearings which permit the shaft to move axially and rotationally. One of the bearings is located within a hollow cylindrical member which constitutes the armature of the direct drive actuator in order to provide a compact and symmetrical arrangement.

Abstract: In a method of operating a material testing machine for testing a specimen, the machine has an electrically controllable actuator arranged to apply a force to the specimen. The method includes inputting a single adjustable parameter value, calculating all necessary feedback control gains therefrom, and subsequently conducting a test of the specimen.

Abstract: Provided are a structure testing apparatus, a controller for such an apparatus and a method for controlling a structure testing apparatus in which operation of a direct drive electromagnetic actuator is continuously auto-tuned during a test, so that the test load applied to a specimen during the test is the correct, desired load according to the current specimen parameters including stiffness. Forward and feedback control gains are repeatedly recalculated during the test in response to monitored specimen parameters.

Abstract: Provided are a method, a test system and a microcontroller (40), for use in a test system for testing vehicles and automotive components. Control signals that are generated by active components within a vehicle during a test drive are sampled and played back to a specimen vehicle within a laboratory test environment, and the control signals are played back synchronously with data representing conditions and events such as loads, acceleration and displacements that are experienced during the test drive. A microcontroller (40) is provided to buffer control signal data and to synchronize playback of the control signals via a CAN (60) bus within the specimen test vehicle in response to trigger signals.

Abstract: A biaxial electromagnetic actuator for a materials testing apparatus comprises a first electromagnetic actuator for imparting a linear force to an output shaft and a second, direct drive electromagnetic actuator for imparting a rotational force to the shaft. The shaft is mounted in two combination bearings which permit the shaft to move axially and rotationally. One of the bearings is located within a hollow cylindrical member which constitutes the armature of the direct drive actuator in order to provide a compact and symmetrical arrangement.

Abstract: In a method of operating a material testing machine for testing a specimen, the machine has an electrically controllable actuator arranged to apply a force to the specimen. The method includes inputting a single adjustable parameter value, calculating all necessary feedback control gains therefrom, and subsequently conducting a test of the specimen.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the surface of a sample under test is provided and the method comprises the steps of: illuminating the surface with light (20) polarised in a first direction; viewing light reflected from the surface through a polarising filter (27) arranged at 90° to the first direction, wherein the surface of the sample under test is provided with a marked area where diffuse reflection of the incident polarised light will occur in order to improve the contrast between the marked area and the surface of the sample under text.