End of Line Tester for Power Seat Tracks

The "End-of-Line" Tester for power seat tracks is intended to be a high volume, high speed piece of equipment for the plant floor.  It has two, gage-quality, test stations mounted on a rotary indexing table.  This allows one station to be in the test cycle while the other is being unloaded and reloaded.  The P.C. based data acquisition computer allows the operator to configure and save test sequences and parameters, and also functions as an operator interface.

The two gage-quality test stations are intended to initially check the floor pan mounting hole locations before even starting the test.  Assuming the track fits on the fixture, the electrical connectors are manually attached by the operator.  On some styles of tracks, an upper fixture (gage quality) is also required that checks the mounting hole locations of the track to the upper seat assembly.  During the test, the simulated seat and occupant weights rest on this upper fixture.

This loading and unloading station is also available with an optional automatically tilting table feature to improve the ergonomics of the operation.

While all this loading is taking place, the other station is in the automatic test cycle.  Once this test cycle is complete, the operator initiates the index function and remains clear of the light curtain while the table is in motion.  As the just loaded station enters the test location, the "semi-anechoic" sound chamber comes down and seals around the fixture perimeter.  Inside the sound chamber are free-floating test weights that are adjustable up to 300 pounds (136kg).

The actual test sequence runs all motors individually and checks for travel distance, motor current draw, travel time, noise (which is a complicated subject in itself), and memory positions.  All values are recorded and saved to the computer for quality assurance reasons.

If the test is successful, a printer (optional) will produce an adhesive bar code label that the operator can manually apply at the unload position.  While the printer is printing the test sample is run to it's shipping position, the sound chamber and weights automatically lift off, and the table rotates to the unload and reload position.

If the test is unsuccessful, there are automatic re-test options available in the program.  If any re-tests are also unsuccessful, the test sample will be clamped down (optional), preventing the operator from mixing it with good assemblies.

These types of production testers have been in daily use, at many facilities, for many years, proving their rugged design.  They are "straight forward" and intuitive to set-up, program and operate. Most operators master them with little or no prior training

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