System reduces installation costs during experimental stress analysis using strain gauges and is suited to tests involving hundreds or thousands of measuring points
HBM has introduced its Canhead system that reduces installation costs during experimental stress analysis using strain gauges and is particularly suited to tests involving some hundreds or thousands of measuring points.
The system is based on separating the basic module from the amplifier module.
The amplifiers are installed close to the application and a standard Canbus system is used for data transmission through the Canheads.
This eliminates the need for expensive connection cables and simplifies installation.
Each Canhead is designed for ten channels and comes complete with an analogue to digital (A/D) converter for each channel allowing synchronous data acquisition. An additional channel is used for temperature compensation using a strain gage or a resistor.
A CanOpen protocol is used for transmitting data from up to 12 Canheads on a single bus line. HBM's ML74 communication module is used as the master for uploading data to an MGCplus or MGCsplit system and, for users of the catman measurement software, the system provides plug and play compatibility.
An added advantage of the Canhead system is that the installation can be prepared before the amplifier is connected.
The amplifier may also be removed without losing the acquired data from individual measuring points.
The range of Canhead products includes basic modules available in quarter or half bridge circuits for all standard strain-gage resistance values (120, 350, 700 and 1,000 ohms).
The amplifiers operate on the 600 Hz carrier frequency eliminating both thermo-electric voltages at the points of contact and the DC voltage drift. Bridge excitation voltages of 0.5, 1 and 2.5 volts are available.
