LIFE Test Bench Design

The LIFE time test bench project aim, is to advance ETEL S.A. equipment for testing the lifespan of insulating materials in torque motors. This project involved the design of an advanced test bench that can perform various motor tests, like AC (alternating current) dielectric, surge, and high-voltage PWM (pulse-width modulation) tests, while also controlling various aspects such as temperature and humidity. The test bench is required to automate the testing process and manage each motor coil independently to address the destructive nature of the tests. The design takes into account both electrical and mechanical components, and uses a modular approach with Eurocard subracks to house the electronic components, which will facilitate possible future expansions. The system’s architecture needs to be able to handle both high-current and high-voltage operations, therefore presenting challenges in circuit design, component selection, and safety measures. Even more, the project includes the development of firmware for microcontroller integration and software for a PC graphical interface which will control the entire testing process. A multidisciplinary approach was necessary due to the project’s complexity, integrating software development, mechanical hardware, and electrical hardware to create an advanced and dependable test bench.