Cable Torture Test

Category:  Manufacturing, Quality Assurance

   WESCON PRODUCTS, a mechanical control cable manufacturer uses LABTECH software
to submit its cables to a grueling torture test.  In a contamination chamber, LABTECH software
controls the application of force and contaminants to the cable, in two phases: one 8-hour
contamination phase and one 16-hour rest phase. The basic 24 hour cycle is repeated 20 times to
complete the test.  The LABTECH test process is based on standardized procedures established for
testing brake cables.  LABTECH's data logging also provides test data that can be reviewed or used
to establish compliance with testing requirements.

The cable under test is shown below:

   During the contamination phase, LABTECH software controls a piston which applies the following force to the cable:

• 0 to 280 pounds at a rate of 70 pounds per second for four seconds
• hold at 280 pounds for 5 seconds
• 280 to 0 pounds at a rate of 70 pounds per second for four seconds
• hold at 0 pounds for 5 seconds.

   This cycle is repeated for 200 cycles per hour for eight hours. 

    What good is a contamination chamber without a few contaminants?

   LABTECH controls those too:

• salt water mist for first hour
• distilled water mist for second hour
• slurry solution of dust and water for third hour
• no contamination for fourth hour
• salt water mist for fifth hour
• distilled water mist for sixth hour
• slurry solution of dust and water for seventh hour
• no contamination for eighth hour

   Following the contamination phase, LABTECH software maintains a 16-hour rest phase, where a constant force of 250 pounds is applied to the cables.

Some of the equipment that is being controlled by LABTECH to carry out the test is shown below:

home | about | products | services | support | seminars | library | links