Problem
A company was considering importing a mixing machine for floor tile adhesive. The manufacturer claimed the machine would have a long service life but offered no test data to support the claim. Alpha Omega was hired to test the machine to determine actual product life.
Solution
The machine was mounted in a custom frame equipped with a solenoid driven "finger" to actuate the ON/OFF switch. An electric clutch was attached to the drive shaft to allow application of varying loads to the stirring motor. The shaft was equiped with a tachometer to measure motor rotation speed.
A computer executed a control and data gathering program. An Alpha Omega DATREX data logger collected information about motor rotation and other operating parameters and communicated it to the computer.
Results
The system switched the devices under test on and off periodically day and night for weeks until the desired operating life period had been passed. The results showed that the machine did meet expectations.