Automotive supplier saves by using NI software and PXI hardware

4 May 2005 Test & Measurement

Visteon, one of the world's largest suppliers of automotive systems and components, has adopted National Instruments' products including PXI modular instruments, NI TestStand test management software, LabWindows/CVI and NI-IMAQ vision software to reduce delivery time, costs and floor space in manufacturing.

"We standardised on NI software, including NI TestStand, LabWindows/CVI and NI-IMAQ, and replaced traditional rack-and-stack hardware with NI modular hardware, including PXI, data acquisition, switching, image acquisition and modular instruments," said Virgilio Salazar, Visteon R&D section supervisor. "With this new test system, we reduced our delivery time to our customers from eight to six weeks, with a record time of two weeks, due to software re-use. In addition, we saved more than $13 million and reduced floor space by more than 1300 square feet."

Visteon uses NI tools for automotive consumer electronics manufacturing test for its major automotive manufacturer customers. Due to the flexibility of the PXI platform, Visteon said it adopted one software and hardware platform for a customised, expandable system. The company uses a variety of PXI modular instruments, including the NI PXI-5411 function generator, the NI PXI-2503 multiplexer/matrix relay switch and the NI PXI-4070 FlexDMM, along with the NI PXI-8420 RS232 module and the NI PXI-1411 image acquisition module, to perform radio parametric testing, radio auto alignment testing and climate control parametric testing.

According to Visteon, the flexibility of the platform gives it the tools required to test a wide range of consumer electronics applications with a single modular platform. With the integration of LabWindows/CVI and NI TestStand, the company developed test sequences for different automotive components and also added instrument diagnostics and control tools to its proprietary software.

For more information contact NI South Africa, 0800 203 199.

Further reading:

60 MHz 16-bit AWG
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
Siglent’s SDG1000X Plus series function/arbitrary waveform generator offers a maximum output frequency of 60 MHz, 16-bit vertical resolution, 1 GSa/s sampling rate, and 8 Mpts arbitrary waveform length.

Read more...

---

AC programmable power
Accutronics Test & Measurement
TDK Corporation has announced the introduction of the TDK-Lambda brand GENESYS AC and GENESYS AC PRO series of 2 kVA and 3 kVA rated programmable AC power sources.

Read more...

---

QA introduces large chisel tip style probes
Techmet Test & Measurement
The two new probes have a larger diameter to provide better contact reliability.

Read more...

---

Digital PSU with four variable outputs
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The PeakTech 6215 is a laboratory power supply with four separate voltage outputs, each one infinitely variable using the rotary controls on the front of the unit.

Read more...

---

High-voltage insulation resistance testers
Comtest Test & Measurement
Two new high-voltage insulation resistance testers, from Fluke, deliver accuracy and speed in industrial and solar PV applications.

Read more...

---

Digital accelerometer for high dynamics applications
RS South Africa Test & Measurement
TDK extends its Tronics portfolio with the AXO314, a high-performance digital MEMS accelerometer with ±14 g input range for industrial applications operating under shock and vibration.

Read more...

---

Acceleration sensors for wearables
Future Electronics Test & Measurement
Bosch Sensortec has introduced two new acceleration sensors, the BMA530 and BMA580, both offered in a compact size of only 1,2 x 0,8 x 0,55 mm.

Read more...

---

Accurate laser measurement
Avnet Silica Test & Measurement
Online Teaser: Panasonic Industry’s laser sensor has a resolution of up to 0,5 µm, a linearity of ±0,05% FS, and a high-speed sampling of 100 µs.

Read more...

---

Handheld analyser with wide frequency range
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The PXN-400 from Harogic is a handheld spectrum analyser that covers a frequency range of 9 kHz to 40 GHz, with an analytical bandwidth of 100 MHz.

Read more...

---

Real-time portable spectrum analyser
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The SA series from HAROGIC Technologies is designed as a compact USB real-time spectrum analyser using low SWaP principles.

Read more...

---