Ground Test Instrumentation

The Ground Test Instrumentation group provides support to the structural static and dynamic tests as well as systems tests.  Test requirements are analyzed and hardware and software systems are assembled to provide the appropriate test data.  Customized test control and data acquisition systems may be configured to meet test requirements.  Safety detection and monitoring are integrated functions in the automated systems.  Total inventory of servocontrollers is in excess of 200 units.  Data acquisition systems up to 3500 channels are easily configured.   Computer based systems, front-end signaling conditioning, video tape recorders, and high speed movie cameras, digital memory scopes, magnetic tape recorders, and electrostatic recorders are some of the general purpose test equipment available for test support.  A large inventory of transducers is available including strain, pressure, accelerometer, thermocouple, crack growth, photo sensing, force, position, flow, and custom transducers.

Our specialized strain gage experience includes design of strain gage circuitry for loads and stress determination and protection of such circuitry from hostile environments.  Of particular interest is bonded strain gage technology for combined high acoustic/high temperature environments such as experienced in exhaust-impinged structures.

For more information please contact:

John Vaught
e-mail: john_vaught@voughtaircraft.com