PRODUCT UPDATE MTS TestSuite MP Software Release October 2014

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1 PRODUCT UPDATE MTS TestSuite MP Software Release October 2014 Product: Action: Reference Number: MTS TestSuite Software version October 2014 has been released. This Product Update document describes the new features, enhancements, and resolved issues in this version of software. All new installations of MTS TestSuite Software should use the October 2014 release. Upgrade of older versions to the October 2014 release is recommended, subject to eligibility. Date: September 26, 2014 Versions: Platform Version 4.0; MP Version 3.0 Technical Contact: Eligibility: UPDT_ MP For technical support, please contact Customers with current ME&S subscriptions are eligible to install this upgrade on covered systems. The purpose of this Product Update is to inform MTS customers of new or updated product availability. Please review the information in this document to determine if any of your MTS systems may be affected. For additional information or technical assistance, please contact your local MTS representative Page 1 of 8

2 Reference #: UPDT_ MP New Features & Enhancements MTS TestSuite MP 3.0 Templates and Standards J1C Improvements The analysis has been updated to support the latest version of the ASTM standard. It is now possible to change certain parameters and end levels while the test is running. Fatigue Crack Growth Improvements Several enhancements to our Fatigue Crack Growth templates have been made. End-level values are now persisted and the user is given a warning if excessive data is being acquired. K1C Improvements It is now possible to produce individual reports per control mode. In addition, the module is more flexible regarding precracking. MP Specific Enhancements FlexDAC Support The new data acquisition platform from MTS called FlexDAC is now supported by MTS TestSuite Software. FlexDAC supports ¼, ½, and full-bridge devices along with high-level signals for tests ranging in size from 1 to over 20,000 channels. Page 2 of 8

3 Reference #: UPDT_ MP MTS Acumen Improvements Strain Control A new standard feature in MTS TestSuite MP on MTS Acumen systems is the support of strain or extensometer control, in addition to the existing load and displacement control modes. The autotuning algorithm will now tune all three control modes at the same time. Users can select whether the tuning should be optimized for dynamic tests or static tests. Configurable, Overridable Interlocks The overridable interlocks can now be configured on a channel-by-channel basis if you want to leave them active when the override is in effect. This feature requires Series 793 Software V4.8 or later. For non- MTS Acumen systems, this same functionality exists in Series 793 Software. New MTS Acumen-Specific Templates Template bundles for LCF, HCF, and Tension testing are now available for the MTS Acumen System. Page 3 of 8

4 Reference #: UPDT_ MP Platform Improvements New Application Styling The MTS TestSuite MP user interface has been redesigned using the guidelines established for Windows Metro applications. This provides for a more consistent user interface (foreground and background colors, for example) and the use of color specifically designed to draw the eye to the more important or more likely-to-be-used features. This change represents a significant step forward in ease of use and leveraging modern software design practices. MTS TestSuite Offline MTS TestSuite Software is now available in an off-line version, for those users who wish to be able to set up, configure, and run tests as well as perform post-test analysis from their desk or on the road. This option includes a simulation version of Series 793 Software for the purposes of running a test without the physical controller. All MTS TestSuite options can be added to an offline license, but at a significantly lower cost than our standard license. Custom Units It is now possible to extend the broad set of units available in MTS TestSuite Software even further by creating your own units. By using the Configuration > Edit Dimension interface, new units can now be created. Page 4 of 8

5 Reference #: UPDT_ Select File Activity To simplify user interaction with files in a template, a new activity has been created called Select File. This activity presents the user with a Windows file search dialog that allows navigation of the file structure, rather than forcing the user to manually enter the entire path to the file of interest. Allow Handset Control Activity To allow adjustments while the test is running, the Allow Handset Control activity has been created. This presents the user with a customized message, updates the control panel in MTS TestSuite Software to show that the handset is active, and then allows the operator to adjust position or load as desired. The test then continues when handset control is relinquished and the message window is dismissed. Phase Lag in Custom Waveforms The Custom Waveform activity has been enhanced to support a phase lag setting on multi-channel configurations. The phase lag can be specified in several unit types including degrees, seconds, minutes, radian, and revolutions. Page 5 of 8

6 Reference #: UPDT_ MP Define Launch Behavior Through the Configuration menu it is now possible to define how the application will behave upon launch. It can be set to go to the Select tab, to create a new test from a predefined template, or automatically open the most recently used test. Using this feature will reduce the number of key strokes necessary for an operator to get the application ready to run a test. Favorites A new feature has been added to the file menu called Favorites. Favorites allow the user to keep track of a list of favorite tests and templates that might be different from the list of tests that are kept in the Most Recent list. This feature is another way to quickly get the test of interest running quickly. Recent Templates Templates have been added to the Recent item list, allowing users to quickly access the most recently used templates, in addition to recently used tests. Page 6 of 8

7 Reference #: UPDT_ Data Acquisition Improvements MTS TestSuite Software can now save a user-defined number of cycles at regular intervals of the test. The example to the right shows that for every 100 cycles, 5 cycles are stored. In addition, a new checkbox has been added that controls when the cycle counting starts either from the beginning of all acquisition or from when this specific acquisition activity starts. These features increase the flexibility offered by MTS TestSuite Software and better allows the application to replicate tests that have been developed under legacy software. New Database Option While MTS TestSuite Software has been able to communicate to external databases from the initial release, it required programming through the Python interface.. Now MTS TestSuite Software includes an optional Database Interface feature that allows MTS TestSuite Software to communicate with any ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) data source via ad hoc queries. The optional feature modifies the read-data and write-data activities to provide the database interface functionality. Post-Test Plot Improvements The post-test plotting tool now includes a point-picking cursor. Once point-picking has been enabled on the plot, the user can use the mouse to move the cursor around the data or the arrow keys to move from one point to the next. Page 7 of 8

8 Reference #: UPDT_ MP Clear Offset Programatically It is now possible clear the offset of a signal programmatically via enhancements made to the Auto Offset activity. New Test From Existing Test The file menu now includes a new item, New Test from Existing Test. This item provides a convenient way to create a new test that includes a copy of the existing test, but without test run data.. MTS Systems Corporation Technology Drive Eden Prairie, MN USA Tech Support: Tech.Support@mts.com MTS is a registered trademark and MTS TestSuite and MTS FlexDAC are trademarks of MTS Systems Corporation within the United States. These trademarks may be protected in other countries. Page 8 of 8