Newsletter Issue 16 by ACUTRONIC ACUTRONIC

Issue 16_ October 2009

Newsletter

03_ Geotechnical Centrifuges 04_ simexTMONE Series 06_ Inertial Testing Services

New An all electric flight motion system from ACUTRONIC USA

topic of reduced costs and delivery

All electric five-axis Flight Motion Simulator and Target Motion Simulator

times, and at that time I announced

Paul Miller, Manager of Project Management, ACUTRONIC USA

Editorial Dear Reader In an earlier newsletter I covered the

that there would be some news in this area in 2009. It is therefore my excep-

ACUTRONIC is pleased to announce the delivery of our

tional pleasure to refer you to the article

newest flight motion system, the S-595R-5E.

on page 4, where the most cost-effective ACUTRONIC products are intro-

ACUTRONIC is pleased to announce the

S-593R-5E. Trade-offs for Optimal Design

duced with the simex™ONE label.

delivery of our newest flight motion sys-

of a HWIL Test System.

tem, the S-595R-5E, an improved version Our industry has been experiencing

of our S-593R-5E. This system was de

Trade-offs for Optimal Design

an interesting change for some time:

livered on time and features a number of

of a HWIL Test System

inertial guidance motion simulators

e nhancements to our existing five-axis

The S-595R-5E is the largest five-axis

that were originally seen as capital

flight table. Of particular interest is the

electric flight table ACUTRONIC has deliv-

goods are increasingly becoming

enhanced target axis performance, with

ered to the US marketplace. While the

a “commodity.” As our customers’

more than twice the rate and acceleration

r equirements change, ACUTRONIC

while hosting twice the payload of the

changes also. Thomas W. Jung Group CEO ACUTRONIC

Continued on page 02

Project

each team member. This can only happen if the team members are willing to negotiate on design solutions that satisfy the needs of the customer and each partner. Just as flight items are improving in functionality and perfor mance, ACUTRONIC is improving as an organization. Over the previous two years, initiatives have been undertaken to increase the capacity and capability of the business. I nvestments in mechanical and control system analysis and design, project management, and operations outsourcing are

S-595R-5E five-axis system

but a few of the improvements which conproject team did an outstanding job, deliv-

get simulation environment required for the

ering on time and meeting or exceeding

specific flight unit.

tributed to the success of the S-595R-5E. The benefit of these initiatives can

all specifications, this is not a story about

Each partner on the team has a

be seen in the results of the final integra-

ACUTRONIC. It is a story about a collabor-

role to play, a specification to meet, and a

tion and acceptance testing. This activity

ative development team, spanning multiple

contract to fulfill. Due to the complexity of

poses great risk to a program; one over-

companies, each responsible for one ele-

aerospace programs, these specifications

looked detail can be the difference be-

ment of the hardware in the loop (HWIL)

are not shared with each partner and

tween success and failure. For the

system. Under the leadership and guid-

sometimes, after thorough analysis, can be

S-595R-5E, this activity was a tremendous

ance of a knowledgeable customer, the

recognized as conflicting with each other.

success, with integration completing in

companies participating on this develop-

This is where it pays to have a knowledge-

eight days. This is a tribute to the engineer-

ment team worked together to design and

able and cooperative set of partners prac-

ing and operations team that designed,

deliver a state of the art flight motion sys-

ticed in their areas of responsibility. With

built and integrated the system. With ac-

tem to our shared customer.

years of experience, team members can

ceptance testing as well, the system met or

collaborate with the confidence that they

exceeded all specifications. For customers

will achieve the customer’s ultimate goal.

concerned about the risk of late delivery of

As flight item applications become more sophisticated, the test systems necessary to evaluate these applications must

From a project perspective, pro-

complex HWIL systems, you can appreci-

become more capable. High performance

gram risks reside in the system and organi-

ate the value of such an outcome. If you

target systems with enhanced functionality

zational interfaces. An experienced cus-

are looking for delivery of a complex flight

and connectivity require both a veteran

tomer, who defines team roles and, when

motion system on a tight time schedule,

HWIL design team and skilled develop-

necessary, coordinates complex issues be-

ment partners with backgrounds in the tar-

tween partners, can get the most out of

the experience at ACUTRONIC will minimize the risk to your program. ]

S-595R-5E

Flight Item

Target Item

Inner

Middle

Outer

Inner

Outer

Rotation Range

Continuous

± 80 deg

Rate Range

± 800 deg/0sec

± 300 deg/sec

± 250 deg/sec

Acceleration (with load)

8,000 deg/sec²

4,000 deg/sec²

500 deg/sec²

Bandwidth

40 Hz

30 Hz

14 Hz

7 Hz

Position Accuracy

2 arc sec

Payload

250 lb, 21” diameter x 25” deep cylinder

400 lb, 34” x 50” x 30”

Development

ACUTRONIC is pleased to introduce a new range of Geotechnical Centrifuges Colin Stevens, Vice President Sales, ACUTRONIC Switzerland

ACUTRONIC manufactured geotechnical centrifuges in the 80s and 90s and now intends to continue with a redesigned line for the new millennium.

Users of geotechnical centrifuges are t ypically universities and/or civil engin eering facilities that may be researching building foundations, dams, oil rig foun dations, piles, earthquakes, and more. Their research may include failure modes for any structure or material that is d ependent upon its self weight. These modes can be simulated on a reduced

Old design GC-680

New design GC66-310-200-200

size and/or time scale if test models can be subjected to acceleration as high as

specified g, so the centrifuge must be safe,

required by the test scale.

strong, and reliable.

There are many challenges to

Centrifuges may optionally be equipped with a robot such as the

The major components of a geo-

ACUTRONIC GR66-45-77-50-360. The ro-

developing and building such centrifuges,

technical centrifuge are:

bot can pick and place tools that simulate

not the least of which are the size and

• The swinging basket where the test

the effects of drilling or pile driving on any

large forces involved. Centrifuges can carry loads of several tons, which are then multiplied by the g-forces imposed by the

given sample and is able to work under full

sample is located • The boom arm that supports the swinging

g loads. Earthquake simulation is per-

basket and counterweights

high rotational speed and the radius of the

• The drive and power electronics

formed with a shaker such as the

arm. Tests can last several days at the full

• The building, control, and security system

ACUTRONIC GS66-1-300-20-80-50 installed onto the centrifuge’s swinging basket. The shaker is designed to work under

Country

Customer

Year Platform

Max.

Model

Radius (m) Payload (kg) Accel (g)

Australia

Western Australia University 1989 1.8

400

200

661-1

Canada

C-CORE

1993 5.5

2200

200

680-2

France

LCPC

1985 5.5

2000

200

680

Germany

Bochum University

1992 1.8

400

200

661-1

Great Britain City University Loidon

1988 1.8

400

200

661

Japan

Kajima

1990 3

1000

200

665-1

Nikken Sekkei

1992 3

1000

200

665-1

Takenaka

1993 7

5000

200

685-1

Portugal

LNEC

1995 1.8

400

200

661-1

Taiwan

NCU

1995 3

1000

200

665-1

USA

RPI

1989 3

1000

200

665-1

US Corps Eng. (WES)

1996 6.5

8000

350

684-1

full g loads without affecting the structure of the centrifuge. ]

The table shows a list of installed ACUTRONIC geotechnical centrifuges. They are all still working today. The new line of centrifuges is prefixed GC66 and available with a range of performance options to suit a particular application. For further details, please visit our web site and follow the link to geotechnical centrifuges.

New Product

Introducing the modular ACUTRONIC sim More options, lower cost of ownership, fi

ACUTRONIC was proud to release the newly designed simex™ONE series at the Ae Testing Expo in Stuttgart and the Air Show in Paris in spring 2009.

Different configurations of stands and table tops

Optional configuration with temperature chamber

Highly accurate, highly reliable

More options, shorter lead times

changing the encoder. Several solutions

The new ACUTRONIC simex™ series of

Thanks to its modular design, the

with differently sized temperature cham-

rotary motion tables is designed to provide

ACUTRONIC simex™ series offers a wide

bers are available. Temperature chambers

angular rate stimuli, acceleration, and posi-

choice of options in terms of size, system

can be ordered with the system initially or

tion to inertial sensors. simex™ONE is the

performance, and configurations. At the

retrofitted at a later date. The simex™ONE

first member and will soon be followed by

same time, modularity allows shorter lead

series can also be equipped with a manual

simex™TWO and simex™THREE. All test

times and maximum flexibility. System up-

tiltstand to provide two degrees of freedom.

tables feature a highly accurate and reli-

grades to customer specifications and bud-

In order to provide the most realistic test

able closed loop direct drive servo system

gets can be provided at any time. Without

conditions, a number of different tempera-

consisting of a drive assembly, servo con-

any mechanical modification, it is possible

ture chambers are available.

troller and power amplifier.

to exchange table tops, replace the slipring

Operated via CANopen Bus, the

capsule to increase the number or type of

state of the art controller includes two ana-

lines, or increase the position accuracy by

logue outputs and two analogue inputs.

New Product

C simexTMONE hip, filling the gap

Sascha Revel and Maurus Tschirky, Sales Engineers, ACUTRONIC Switzerland

at the Aerospace Testing Expo in Munich and simultaneously at the Automotive

Model

AC1120S

simex™ONE  300 mm

 355 mm

 650 mm

 530 mm

 300 mm

 250 mm

AC1125

Table top diameter

250–350 mm

300–650 mm

300–900 mm

Payload (max)

10 kg (20 kg)

20 kg (40 kg)

100 kg

Payload inertia

0.1 kg/m2

0.5 kg/m2

1 kg/m2

Rate accuracy (over 360°)

0.001%

0.0001%

Position accuracy

+/– 15 arc sec

+/– 10 arc sec standard

< 1 arc sec RSS

+/– 2 arc sec optional

Position transducer

relative optical

absolute optical

encoder with homing

encoder

Controller

industrial

Inductosyn® and Resolver ACUTROL® 3000

Closing the gap between ACUTRONIC’s existing single-axis rotary motion tables

The controller offers additional useful fea-

Closing the gap

above indicates the main distinguishing

tures such as position look-up tables, rate

The new ACUTRONIC simex™ONE per-

features and performance of the respective

and acceleration feed-forward, cogging

fectly fits into the well known and field-prov-

models.

torque correction, and friction compensa-

en smaller and larger rotary motion tables

It is obvious that ACUTRONIC now

tion. Plug-and-play software and Graphic

from ACUTRONIC. As the AC1120S series

offers rotary motion tables for the entire

User Interface (GUI) are provided on a CD-

valuably covers the lower end applications,

ROM. USB to CAN adaptors, with drivers

the AC1125 is laid out for highest precision

range of applications, covering all conceivable configurations. ]

and code samples, as well as plug-and-

in combination with high torques. The

play software are provided. In order to con-

latter is equipped with the unrivalled ®

nect the UUTs electrically, a number of dif-

ACUTROL 3000 multi-axis digital motion

ferent slipring configurations are available.

controller. It still offers state-of-the-art system performance and operational features for the motion simulation industry. The table

Please check www.acutronic.com for more technical information.

Testing Services

ACUTRONIC Inertial Testing Services – a new approach for MEMS inertial testing Larry Zana, Vice President MEMS inertial testing, ACUTRONIC USA

ACUTRONIC’s new inertial testing service allows more accurate and more comp rehensive testing of inertial devices and modules while reducing total test cost. systems

perform dynamic testing. For many MEMS

during the development phase. MEMS de-

(MEMS) devices use semiconductor fabri-

companies, this expertise either does

vice designs typically go through a time-

cation technology to create sensors and

not exist in-house, or the company cannot

consuming iterative design / fabricate / test /

actuators on the microscale. In recent

afford to dedicate scarce resources to the

revise process. More accurate and com-

years, a number of new MEMS-enabled

design and maintenance of test equipment.

prehensive data in each iteration can re-

applications have spawned a large growth

ACUTRONIC has identified this

duce the total number of cycles, resulting

in the MEMS industry. One of the highest

market need for MEMS inertial testing

in faster time-to-market and lower devel

growth areas is a class of devices known

equipment, expertise, and services. Our

opment costs. The new services also allow

as inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyro-

approach to address this need is two-fold.

companies to focus their limited resources

scopes, and magnetometers). The per

First, we are providing a test facility and

on design and development of the device

vasive nature of MEMS inertial sensors is

equipment dedicated to the testing of iner-

itself, rather than designing, building, and

illustrated by new applications in mobile

tial devices. Second, we will soon offer

debugging test equipment. Finally, in

phones, motion enabled gaming devices,

turnkey inertial test equipment for in-house

dependent device testing provides credi

digital still cameras, notebook computers,

development and production.

bility to device manufacturers with their

Micro-electro-mechanical

and automobiles, to name just a few.

We are therefore pleased to an-

customers.

There is a clear trend in the MEMS

nounce the launch of the ACUTRONIC

ACUTRONIC recognizes that cus-

industry toward fabless companies and

inertial testing service facility. This new test

tomers are concerned about maintaining

outsourcing. While mainly evident in out-

facility will contain an AC277 two-axis rate

the security of their proprietary test data.

sourcing of the fabrication steps to dedi-

table, an AC130 single-axis rate table, and

Customers have complete control over

cated MEMS foundries, the trend is grow-

an AC150 angular vibration table. At a later

their data and are provided with a dedicat-

ing in all aspects of MEMS design,

date we will also offer many of the more

ed hard drive that they can either lock up

development, and testing as well. At the

traditional “shake and bake” tests.

on-site or take with them. An internal test

extreme, there are some MEMS compa-

Initially the facility and equipment

data network, separate from the main facili

nies that consist entirely of only one or two

will be available on a daily rental basis. In

ty network, ensures data isolation. A sepa-

persons.

the near future, we will also offer a suite of

rate customer entrance isolates the facility

While traditional semiconductor

turnkey inertial tests, based on test stan

and makes it available 24/7. A test techni-

devices are tested electrically, MEMS

dards created by the Gyro and Accelero

cian is assigned to be on-call to assist

d evices require a physical stimulus –

meter Panel of the Aerospace Electronics

customers during their engagement. Elec-

in the case of inertial sensors this is

Systems Society of the Institute of Electri-

trical, mechanical, and software engineer-

precise movement. Functional testing for

cal and Electronics Engineers, as well as

ing support are available as needed.

MEMS devices is obviously very specific.

tests developed by ACUTRONIC. We will

Our vision is to become the world’s

Each class of device not only needs a test

also modify these standard tests or even

leading center of excellence for testing of

system capable of providing the required

provide completely custom tests.

inertial devices, and make this expertise available and affordable to inertial sensor

stimuli, but the test equipment designer

This approach offers several

should also understand the physics of the

benefits to companies developing inertial

stimulus, how it affects the tested device,

sensors and modules. Companies can

Future articles will discuss turnkey

and how to interpret the resulting measure-

avoid the large capital investment to build

ments. It is a significant challenge to

and staff their own test facility, especially

test equipment products for in-house development and production testing. ]

companies.

Inside

Growing ACUTRONIC We are happy to announce the following additions to the teams at the Bubikon and Pittsburgh facilities

New in Bubikon: Nicolas Kunz, Dominik Gunsch (from left)

New in Pittsburgh: Melody Troutman, Gary Demboski, Shelley Whitney, Gerard DeCarolis, Lynette Zanotti (from left)

Herbert Laubscher

Roland Bennett

equipment used in nuclear power plants on

ACUTRONIC Switzerland

ACUTRONIC USA

aircraft carriers and submarines. Gary is also a former Assistant Professor of Gen-

Dominik Gunsch joined us as a Control

Gerard DeCarolis brings many years’ ex-

eral Engineering at Penn State & Gannon

System Engineer in the Engineering

perience to ACUTRONIC as an Electrical

University. Gary earned a B.S.E.E. from

D epartment on May 1, 2009. Dominik

Designer. Gerard previously worked as a

Penn State and M.S.E.E. from the Univer-

holds an Electrical Engineering degree

lead designer for Benshaw Inc. and also

sity of Pittsburgh.

from the Winterthur University of Applied

has experience in machine and mechani-

Sciences. After graduation, he worked for

cal design.

Shelley Whitney brings several years of experience to ACUTRONIC in the area of

two years as an assistant at the Mechatronic Systems Institute of the Winterthur

Melody Troutman is the former purchas-

Reception/Administrative Support and is a

University of Applied Sciences. Before

ing manager of Billco Manufacturing and a

former Administrative Specialist for Hun-

joining ACUTRONIC Switzerland Ltd.,

graduate of La Roche College, where she

tington Investment Company.

he spent several years with a major Swiss

received a B. S. in Business Leadership &

machine industry company as a develop-

Administrative Development. We welcome

Lynette Zanotti joined ACUTRONIC back

ment engineer.

her as our new Senior Buyer/Supply Chain

in January as Senior Project Manager.

Specialist.

Lynette previously worked for Vocollect

Nicolas Kunz was welcomed into

as a Product Development & Project

ACUTRONIC Switzerland Ltd. on August 3,

Gary Demboski brings a diverse back-

Management Engineer. She has a B.S. in

2009, as a new apprentice. Nicolas

ground in Electrical, Software & Systems

Mechanical Engineering Technology from

will spend his three-year apprenticeship

Engineering as well as Project Manage-

Penn State and M.S. in Manufacturing

primarily in the Finance & Administration

ment experience to his Chief Electrical

System Engineering from the University of

Department.

Engineering position at ACUTRONIC. In

Pittsburgh.

his last position, Gary was a Cognizant Engineer with Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc.

We wish all of our new colleagues a good

responsible for technical oversight for the

start, enjoyment of their work, and a long

procurement of Instrumentation & Control

and successful career at ACUTRONIC.

Pinboard

ACUTRONIC customers win Best of S ensors Expo Awards 2009

Maurus Tschirky, ACUTRONIC Switzerland

Winning awards is always a pleasure – be it for ourselves or for our customers. Let us quickly introduce three awarded products and companies where ACUTRONIC is proudly contributing to their success.

ACUTRONIC Group www.acutronic.com A Member of Jung Technologies Holding AG

ACUTRONIC Switzerland Ltd.

During the 2009

tion, car motion analysis, antenna/camera

Sensors Expo and

orientation, and offshore surveying.

C o n fe r e n c e

Rosemont, IL, a

Silicon Sensing Systems’ CRS09 (Bronze

top-class jury decorated companies with

Award, Sensors category) rugged MEMS

the Best of Sensors Expo Awards 2009.

gyroscope is a low-noise high performance

The Awards sought to identify those new

gyro for demanding applications such as

products – released since the last Sensors

stabilization, navigation, and testing, offer-

Expo – that are distinctive, promise to

ing near-FOG-gyro performance from ro-

change the way people work, and fill a real

bust silicon MEMS technology.

need. From a very strong pool of nominations, this year’s judges chose 16 winners

The CMA3000 from VTI Technologies Inc.

covering all kinds of sensors. Seven of

(Bronze Award, Sensors category) is a tiny

them belong to the category of Inertial

low-power MEMS accelerometer that elimi-

Sensors or Measurement Units, in which

nates the need for external packaging. The

SBG Systems, Silicon Sensing Systems,

2 x 2 x 0.95 mm3 device draws < 10 µA when

and VTI Technologies Inc are customers of

used with a 40-Hz output sampling rate, a

ACUTRONIC.

power consumption that astonished the judges. VTI has also developed a Wafer-

SBG Systems’ IG-500N (Gold Award,

Level Packaging (WLP) technology that

Sensors category) GPS-aided miniature

eliminates the need for external packaging:

Attitude and Heading Reference System

manufacturing and testing is performed at the wafer level before the sensors are diced. ACUTRONIC is proud to have contributed to these success stories by supplying our

Techcenterstrasse 2 8608 Bubikon Switzerland phone +41 55 253 23 23 fax +41 55 253 23 33 office@acutronic.ch

ACUTRONIC USA Inc. 640 Alpha Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15238 USA phone +1 412 963 94 00 fax +1 412 963 08 16 aus@acutronic.com

Imprint Published by ACUTRONIC Group Editor-in-Chief Corinne M. Stucki Concept & Design Yesway AG, Zurich Print run 2500 copies

customers with an integral part of the winning products identified above. Our test equipment enables our customers’ engineers not only to develop the best performing sensors possible, but also to verify their (AHRS) computes 3D orientation, velocity,

performance during production. Let’s con-

and position. At only 40 grams, it’s the per-

gratulate these companies for their awards

fect solution for a wide range of applica-

and look forward to jointly achieved successes in the future. ]

tions including unmanned vehicle naviga-

05-412-070

CERT-0023443