Ecor Research has started a University collaboration in order to gain expertise on how to use hardware and software systems for test rig data control and acquisition and to test a given food packaging machine component. Test rigs subject components to mechanical, thermal and chemical stress, thus replicating what happens in a real work environment.
These tests are also performed in order to analyze pieces which are used for the same purpose but are made of different material, so as to determine which is more suitable. Test are therefore a guarantee of product reliability to the client and, by defining a product life-cycle, they enable us to properly schedule maintenance operations on the component.
The research, which started last January, is on the design of a transmission belt test rig that simulates the functioning of a part of a food packaging machine. In particular, and thanks to a mass it is connected to, this belt enables the package to exit the machine through a conveyor with a well-defined position profile of motor
As the belt tends to break after a given number of hours, this test rig aim is to collect data so as to define its lifespan and therefore schedule future maintenance operations. The test rig is made up of a panel board and a motor unit with belt drive transmission, and data of belt deterioration are collected by two force sensors, two temperature sensors, motor torque values, acceleration, currents and voltage.
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