Using Clisp Studio Part 5 – DAC Linearisation

These ‘Using Clisp Studio’ posts are intended to highlight facilities in Clisp Studio that the User may not be aware of, or general facilities to help your testing run smoothly.

Digital to Analogue Converter Linearisation

DAC linearisation applies to ACONS, ShearScan2 and Large Shear machines. It is controlled automatically on the Instrument control panel and then read into Clisp Studio.

In this example, the ACONS (Automated CONsolidation System) is shown. The control screen can be accessed when Adding or Viewing the instrument.

The control signal is generated by a 12 bit DAC and this need to be calibrated before the ACONS can be used. This is a fully automatic process, but once selected can take number of minutes to complete. It is performed once the Load Cell calibration has been carried out using the Reference Load Cell.

To activate the DAC linearisation, remove the Reference Load Cell, replace it with the Consolidation Cell and then place the appropriately sized Consolidation Cell Calibration Disc under the loading cap.

The DAC Linearisation must be carried out for both High Range and Low Range for the ACONS. Select the Setup1 (‘7’) key and then from the ‘Calibration Options’ screen, select option ‘3’, ‘DAC Auto Calibration’ as shown.

Figure 15 - DAC Auto Calibration Selection

This is a fully automatic process, but once selected can take a number of minutes to complete. Repeat the DAC Auto Calibration for the High Range using the Setup2 (‘8’) key.

Because the DAC Calibration is automatic, the DAC Linearisation values are automatically inserted into the Instrument.

The DAC Linearisation values can now be read into Clisp Studio.

First of all, bring up the Instrument control screen using the ‘Add’ or ‘View’ options – in this case using the ‘View’ option because the Instrument has already been added.

This will show the control screen as shown below. Select the ‘Setup’ tab.

The following window will be displayed.

Select the DAC Linearisation option and then the ‘Read’ button. The DAC Linearisation values for both High and Low ranges will now be downloaded from the Instrument, and be shown in the DAC Value columns.

Take a look through our other blogs for more information and guides to our dynamic testing software and equipment. If you have any questions or queries around dynamic testing then please get in contact with one of our experts.