-------------------------Monitor------------------------
The Newsletter for PC-Based Data Acquisition and Control
Issue 181 www.windmill.co.uk August 2013
--------------------ISSN 1472-0221----------------------
Welcome to Monitor, the monthly data acquisition and
control newsletter. Today our main story tells how
researchers are using Windmill to test composite
materials, and develop a ship structure monitoring
system which can be used at sea and report in
real-time.
For more measurement and control discussion and tips
see the Windmill web site or join us at Google+.
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CONTENTS
========
* Real-Time Monitoring of Ship Structures at Sea
* Questions on Using Windmill
* Exhibitions and Conferences
* DAQ News Round-up
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Real-Time Monitoring of Ship Structures at Sea
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Testing Composite Materials
To ensure that composites meet the demands for
seaworthiness, they require a variety of tests simulating
the effect of the oceans. Current methods are mostly
based on trial and error or oversimplification. During
the design of ships, the non-linearities of composite
structures are often neglected and, in order to
compensate, an overestimated safety factor is employed
leading to heavier structure than are necessary. Our
Windmill strain measurement system though, is helping
engineers test an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
which can accurately monitor loads on ship components
in real-time, whilst they are in service on the sea.
This will reduce over-design whilst real-time strain
measurements can improve safety.
Integrated Sensors
Some vessels already have integrated sensors, but most
do not. As part of their investigations, the
researchers - Ramazani, Sewell, Noroozi, Koohgilani
and Cripps from Bournemouth University and Longitude
Consulting Engineers - asked:
"what is the minimum number of sensors that should
be employed to reduce the time to train the system,
to reduce costs and to reduce weight?"
Training the Artificial Neural Network
During their tests the researchers attached 20 strain
gauge rosettes to a 1 m2 composite panel, which
provided 60 strain channels. They applied weights
to the panel. The Windmill 751-SG strain monitoring
and control data acquisition system, with a resolution
of +/- 1 microstrain, captured the strain data.
Collecting Strain Measurements with Windmill
The 751-SG package comprises Windmill Software, a USB
(universal serial bus) measurement unit which monitors
16 strain gauges, giving up to 64 strain measurements,
through differential inputs at up to 80 samples per
second. Eight USB units can be attached to one computer
to monitor 128 strain gauges. The researchers developed
their own DAQ software in MATLAB which utilised the
MATLAB Artificial Neural Network Toolbox capabilities
and collected data from Windmill via DDE (dynamic data
exchange).
The 751-SG package is currently on special offer for
just £475 from our internet shop at
https://www.windmillsoft.com/daqshop/
Validating Designs and Improving Safety
The ability to measure the actual load history of a
ship in service would enable the designer to validate
the load estimation and structural design tools used
during the design stage of the craft. The operational
safety of the vessel can also be improved by having a
real-time load monitoring system that is able to
detect any degradation of structural integrity and
defects within the structure.
Further Reading
===============
Sensor Optimisation for in-Service Load Measurement of
a Large Composite Panel under Small Displacement
MR Ramazani, P Sewell, S Noroozi, M Koohgilani, B Cripps.
Applied Mechanics and Materials
Volume 248 (2013) Pages 153-161
Determination of the static pressure loads on a marine
composite panel from strain measurements utilising
articial neural networks
MR Ramazani, S Noroozi, M Koohgilani, B Cripps, P Sewell.
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers,
Part M: Journal of Engineering for the Maritime Environment
Volume 227 (2013) no 1 12-21
Making safer composite materials for ship building,
European Commission
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Questions on Using Windmill
________________________________________________________
In this section we answer a question we've been asked
this month about using Windmill. If you have a question
on Windmill, e-mail techsupport@windmill.co.uk.
Question:
Please advise if Windmill 7 Data Acquisition Software
will work with a RS232 to USB coverter cable. I want to
log 4 pH meters to a pc using USB sockets. Many thanks.
Answer:
Yes. Windmill works with RS232-to-USB converters and
can collect data from pH meters connected to the USB
socket. More on using RS232-to-USB converters is at
https://www.windmill.co.uk/usb-serial.html
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Data Acquisition Exhibitions and Conferences
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The quarterly update of data acquisition and control
exhibitions around the world.
Offshore Europe
3-6 September
Aberdeen Scotland
Engineers, technical specialists, industry leaders and
experts share ideas and debate the issues of the
moment in the upstream industry.
http://www.offshore-europe.co.uk/
Automation
23-26 September
Mubai India
International exhibition and conference on process
automation, instrumentation, control, robotics, etc.
http://www.iedcommunications.com/
Contro-Tech
24-26 September
Kielce Poland
Industrial measuring technology and non-destructive
testing fair.
http://www.targikielce.pl/
Sensors & Instrumentation
25-26 September
Birmingham UK
The only show in the UK dedicated to the sensors and
instrumentation market.
http://www.sensorsandinstrumentation.co.uk/
The Machine Building Show
25-26 September
Birmingham UK
For anyone that designs or uses automation technology.
http://www.machinebuildingshow.co.uk/
Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show
30 September - 3 October
Toronto Canada
Latest technologies and solutions in the machine tool,
automation, design engineering and plant management.
http://cmts.ca/
Engineering Design Show
2-3 October
Coventry UK
Show and conference dedicated to aerospace design,
development and manufacturing engineering.
http://aeroconf.com/
Northern Manufacturing & Electronics
2-3 October
Manchester UK
For those involved in automotive, aerospace, defence,
electrical, electronic or mechanical engineering and
industrial machinery.
http://www.industry.co.uk/
Automation Brno
7-11 October
Brno Czech Republic
Measuring, control, automation and control
equipment fair.
http://www.bvv.cz/en/automatizace/
Automation
30 October - 3 November
Saint Petersburg Russia
Specialised exhibition on industrial automation and
introduction of information and computer technologies
to the industrial sphere.
http://www.en.farexpo.ru/ais/exhibition/about/
International Lab Tech
20-21 November
Kuwait
Showcase the latest instrumentation, technologies,
products and services in all major areas of analytical
sciences and laboratory services.
http://www.promediakw.com/2013/lab/
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DAQ News Round-up
________________________________________________________
Welcome to our round-up of the data acquisition and
control news. If you would like to receive more
timely DAQ news updates then grab our RSS newsfeed
at https://www.windmillsoft.com/monitor.xml. Read
https://www.windmill.co.uk/newsfeed.php for notes
on how to display the news on your own web site or
automatically tweet it.
BICSI Releases New Electronic Standard
BICSI have announced the release of its latest
standard, ANSI/BICSI 005-2013, "Electronic Safety
and Security (ESS) System Design and Implementation
Best Practices."
Source: BICSI
http://ecmweb.com/
Bluetooth to play leading role in Internet of Things
Bluetooth will play a pivotal role in the
enablement of the Internet of Things through its
ubiquity in mobile devices and rapidly expanding
ecosystem of Bluetooth Smart devices, according
to a new report by ABI Research.
Source: ABI Research http://www.abiresearch.com/
Device captures signatures with tiny piezo-phototronic LEDs
Using thousands of nanometer-scale wires,
researchers have developed a sensor device that
converts mechanical pressure - from a signature
or a fingerprint - directly into light signals
that can be captured and processed optically.
Source: Georgia Tech
http://www.gatech.edu/
New Algorithms May Help Achieve Maximal Efficiency in Wireless Networks
Now that the Internet's basic protocols are more
than 30 years old, network scientists are
increasingly turning their attention to ad hoc
networks - communications networks set up, on the
fly, by wireless devices - where unsolved problems
still abound.
Source: The A to Z of Sensors
http://www.azosensors.com/
Pressure-Sensing, Light-Emitting, Electronic "Skin"
A sheet of thin plastic that emits lights with an
intensity that precisely reflects the amount of
pressure applied to its surface hints at a new breed
of flexible computer interface.
Source: MIT Technology Review
http://www.technologyreview.com/
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