Feldman Consulting
Enterprises, LLC can help you design precision
instrumentation using the Arduino platform, including
feature-rich touchscreens,
interfacing with specialty sensors, and data logging.
Instrumentation
Design
We have designed many
specialized instruments for different industries that
involve working with unique sensors and providing
user-friendly interfaces that make the instruments very easy
to use. Some clients use instrumentation for internal
testing or servicing, while others sell instruments through
their industry as high-margin products, and there are also
clients who use instruments for purposes of product
differentiation to enhance their existing offerings.
If
you need to be able to work with sensors that are very
specialized, the Arduino can communicate over many different
standards, such as RS232, RS485, Ethernet, and Serial
communication. The Arduino can also be programmed to use the
custom commands that are often necessary to interface with
these sensors. In addition, if there certain items that need
to be controlled to appropriately take readings or be
managed based on the readings taken, the Arduino can operate
and adjust many types of equipment as well, including
solenoids, valves, and relays. We can even control systems
that require DC voltage input, frequency, or 4-20 mA
signals.
Some instruments are used
for showing data immediately on a screen, while others need
to log data to an SD card or database over time, or transmit
it over Bluetooth to a computer or tablet for further
processing.
Here's how we've helped other
clients design instrumentation systems using the Arduino.
Case One -
Aircraft Sensor Display Board
A high-end aircraft manufacturer needed to
have several different pressure sensors read and displayed so that they would be
able to deliver the aircraft to their customers. We developed a custom printed
circuit board for ease of assembly and the robustness necessary to deal with the
temperature variation and vibrations encountered within aircraft. The display
was driven by an Arduino Pro Mini and the code was developed to make calibration
and configuration of the outputs very straightforward. All the necessary power
and sensor connections were routed through one DB15 connector for easy hookup
inside the aircraft.
Results:
-
Extremely quick
development and turnaround - engineering sample provided
within 30 days
-
Easy configuration and
integration into the aircraft for the customer
-
Designed to be robust
enough to handle the demands of service within an
aircraft

This board will
display readings for several aircraft sensors.

Case Two -
Pressure Monitoring for Piping Systems
A manufacturer of piping systems wanted to
have monitoring capabilities for the systems they provided as a tool to
differentiate their product from competitors and to be able to assess system
performance over time. The monitoring required not only measuring pressure in
several different lines, but also controlling valving to ensure that lines were
cleared out as necessary prior to performing the measurements. Initially the
instrument was designed to be placed outdoors for long periods of time relying
on battery power only, but a derivative unit was also desired that was more
portable and could take readings at many different points throughout a system.
The demands for both of these units were able to be met with a single PCB design
that allowed for the specific components necessary to meet the needs of each
system.
Results:
-
One model was designed
for long-term low power operation, eliminating the need for electrical
hookups
-
Another model was
designed to be portable to monitor many different points
throughout a system quickly
-
Both models were
designed to minimize costs as this was a high-volume
instrument

This pressure
monitoring system controls necessary valving and solenoids to take
appropriate measurements.

Case Three -
Complete Redesign of a Laboratory Instrument
A client had a major
laboratory instrument that had last been designed
approximately 20 years prior. The instrument was designed to
connect with a PC for data collection. There were several
problems that needed to be addressed with the design. Many
key components were now obsolete and getting increasingly
difficult to find, and others were rapidly increasing in
price. The parallel interface to the computer was also
quickly becoming obsolete and difficult to support. And
among other issues, the motors that were used in the
instrument generated a lot of heat, were difficult to
control, and were prone to failure. Since a lot of the
customers for this instrument were international it was also
important that this unit be able to operate on non-US power.
A complete engineering redesign was
undertaken to address all the issues. The proprietary power
supply was swapped for more commonly-available power
supplies that met an industry standard for ensuring good
power quality and support for non-US voltages. The motors
were replaced with a much newer and less expensive
technology that reduced the heat generation by over 90% and
allowed for much more precise control. The temperature
controller, which consisted of a resistance heater and
refrigeration loop, was replaced with several thermoelectric
modules for scalability, reliability, more precise control,
and cost reduction. An Arduino Mega robotics board was programmed to
control the entire system, integrate self-diagnostics, take
advantage of the latest available sensors, and allow for USB
communication and data collection with a PC into an Access, mySQL, or MSSQL database. A special
shield was developed to integrate with the Arduino board to
handle all the wiring connections and sensors. By taking an
overall view of the system the redesign was able to make
every system significantly better than its predecessor and
the instrument as a whole was able to combine and share
components to reduce cost in a way that was not possible
before and to not only copy what the competition was
offering, but leave them in the dust.
Results:
-
Reduction in
production cost of 25% by taking advantage of newer
technologies
-
Power consumption
reduced by 80% through redesign of temperature
controller
-
Modular design allows
for sale at different performance and price points,
increasing potential market
-
New user-friendly
interface makes software much easier to use and more
powerful
-
Built-in
self-diagnostics simplify troubleshooting and reduce
warranty and service costs

This is a prototype shield
developed for the Arduino robotics board that interfaces with all of
the necessary sensors and controllers and all eight
reactors.

Case Four -
Precision Alignment Instrumentation for Turbomachinery
A consultant in a very unique industry
performed alignments for gigantic shafts in turbomachinery, requiring the
precise measurement of both angles and shaft runout. Not only was the consultant
interested in having instrumentation designed for his own use to replace
mechanical methods that required a lot of calculation, but he saw an opportunity
to sell these instruments to others throughout his industry. An Arduino-based
solution was developed that had a touchscreen interface and minimized wiring
connections between the main interface and remote sensing units, making it easy for operators to use. The devices were designed with
remote interfaces to allow operators to control the instruments from more
convenient locations. Bluetooth was integrated to automate data transfer to
proprietary computer software to make the necessary calculations to perform the
shaft alignments properly.
Results:
-
One PCB design handled
multiple sensor interfaces, reducing the cost and
complexity of building additional units
-
Instruments were able
to be manufactured profitably even at very low volumes
-
Simple touchscreen
interface let operators easily control critical
functions and reduced the learning curve

Feldman Consulting
Enterprises, LLC can develop your Arduino-based solution
involving instrumentation design !
Arduino Robotics Consulting
Arduino Wireless Networks

Your project could be a Breakthrough! Contact us today to find out how!
Feldman Consulting Enterprises, LLC has worked with clients all
over the world and is based out of Macungie, PA.
Phone:
484-695-5651

(c) 2019 Feldman Consulting Enterprises, LLC
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