Shepard Test Stand

h1. Testing v1.0

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The testing was done in three main phases, with the first two progressing in parallel:

# The mechanical system was tested as a stand-alone unit.

# The Data Acquisition (DAQ) system was tested as a stand-alone unit.

# The mechanical and DAQ systems were integrated and then tested.

h2. Mechanical System Testing

Below are several videos taken during the initial mechanical tests of the test stand by J. Simmons at "Dayton Diode":http://www.daytondiode.org/ in Dayton, Ohio.

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h2. DAQ System Testing

During DAQ System testing, it was discovered that the data collection rate of the system was much too low, being around 15 samples per second. This is due to the fact that the MAX31855 thermocouple amplifier takes between 70 and 100 milliseconds to convert its reading.

h2. Integrated Testing

During the integrated testing, 2 more flaws were discovered in the design.

# The drawer guide used as the linear rail for the motor mount tended to foul within 30 to 50 test firings due to the fact the ball bearings were exposed to the motor exhaust particulates. Figure 1 shows the fouling.

# The Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) that was specified for the test stand was not capable of registering anything higher than 10 Newtons of force. This puts some of the higher thrust motors beyond the range that the FSR can measure.

*Figure 1 - Fouling of the Drawer Guide's Bearings By Exhaust Particulates*

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It was also realized before the first test firing that the motor mount contact pad would have to be added. This was to ensure that the thrust of the motor was spread over the entire sensing surface of the FSR and not beyond into the substrate border.

Below are several videos taken during the integration tests of the test stand by J. Simmons and Jeremy Wright at "Club Cyberia":http://www.clubcyberia.org/ in Indianapolis, Indiana.

TODO: Add videos of integration testing