HORIBA TestWork Automation Concept

HORIBA FuelCon Evaluator series test equipment supports you in evaluating, validating and optimizing fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers. These processes can be executed in a manual, partly automated as well as in a fully automated way. Doing so, the most diverse test scenarios can be created, ranging from simple tests to extensive driving cycles up to long-term tests.

The centerpiece of each Evaluator test station is our HORIBA TestWork automation that realizes hardware-based tests as well as software-based tests and implements them reliably. That way, in interaction with all HORIBA FuelCon components, tests can be controlled in real time and highly dynamic driving cycles can be displayed. Due to our open interface concept, external devices can be just as easily integrated and included into the test procedure.

It is particularly our eponymous operating software HORIBA TestWork that is the central instrument of test station administration and control for the test station operator. Due to intuitive operation, complex test runs can be displayed in a fully automated way, keeping track of what is essential. TestWork as a reliable operating software supports your specific application cases and can be individually configured in doing so.

Please feel free to get a first impression of our software in our public webinars that we regularly offer to interested parties. Our webinar overview is worth a look in any case.

Collecting and evaluating obtained test data is the target of any test run. In order that preferably well-founded conclusions can be drawn, for the most part the collected amount of data is highly extensive. This results in very high requirements regarding the hardware installed in the test station since test runs are to be realized in a reliable, fail-safe and primarily highly dynamic way.

HORIBA FuelCon already takes into account these challenges in the conception of each test station and solely relies on hardware acting absolutely trustworthy. Here, we particularly focus on the implementation of our TrueData Controllers that perfectly support all functionalities of TestWork software and that are real-time capable. This way, in the interaction of hardware and software, optimum results for your test requirements arise - for example to be able to display highly dynamic test runs or else extensive long-term tests in a reliable and safe way.

Depending on your test station equipment, various controllers with different functionalities are used communicating with each other in real time, recording self-sufficient data, supervising limit values and working absolutely fail-safe.

Mentioned below, you will find an overview of our most important controllers:

• TrueData-LOAD Controller
• TrueData-PLC Controller (controller for real-time communication with the PLC)
• Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
• TrueData-Gateway Controller CAN (gateway for CAN)
• TrueData-Gateway Controller BMS (gateway for battery management systems)
• TrueData-Gateway Controller CVM (gateway for cell voltage measurement)

Our automation HORIBA TestWork is especially characterized by the eponymous operating software. By means of the high-performance automation software HORIBA TestWork, not only our Evaluator test stations but also entire test fields can be controlled and operated. The graphical interface was developed together with users and takes into consideration the latest findings in the field of software ergonomics. The intuitive operation is in the foreground - independent from the specialist field of the respective operator.

The complexity or extent of a test run to be realized is thus insignificant to test station operators - the preparation, execution and evaluation in HORIBA  TestWork is always designed in a straightforward and clear way. The execution can be carried out manually as well as in a partly automated and fully automated way. The seamless interaction between automation software and TrueData Controllers ensures optimum results for complex and ambitious test scenarios.

In terms of steady development, we rely on a close communication with users and experts. Furthermore, the consistent dialog with our customers ensures that we can optimally attend to the requirements and requests of daily practical application and thus create additional value for the application. Within a software version, we even support you with free updates so that you always benefit from our developments.