Test System Development

Experts in Test System Development

At Novator Solutions, we specialise in the design and development of complete test systems. We offer customised solutions to meet your needs, from crafting optimal testing strategies to developing automated test systems in order to verify and improve your product quality.

Design and Development of Complete Test Systems

Novator Solutions offer tailor-made test systems for all stages of product development and production. We help you focus on developing and producing your products with the highest quality standards. With over 150 years of collective experience in designing test systems for the Swedish industry, we possess the expertise to comprehend the intricacies of your complex products and develop test systems based on proven methodologies.

Custom Test System Development

We develop test strategies to optimise product testing and, when necessary, create customised requirement specifications tailored to your unique test system. Subsequently, we craft an automated test system according to your wishes and specifications, conducting verification before delivery, and final verification upon installation, along with handover and training. When developing additional test systems, we recommend using test system frameworks to reuse existing system components. For future maintenance, we offer support contracts tailored to suit your needs.

The Process of Test System Development

We suggest following some or all of the steps outlined below to ensure the successful delivery of your complete test systems. If you prefer, you are welcome to participate in every stage of the process.

Pilot Study: We develop a requirements specification, analyse requirements and estimate the cost of your test system.

Development: We develop and manufacture the system either for you or in collaboration with you, depending on your preference.

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT): The system is verified in our facility before being delivered to you.

Installation: The system is delivered and installed at your location.

Site Acceptance Test (SAT): The system is inspected and verified on-site at your location.

Handover: We train you to take over responsibility for the system.

Support and Service: At request, you have the option to sign a support agreement for service, support, and calibration.

Test System Development: R&D

R&D testing

R&D testing often requires more accuracy and greater scope than production testing, which places higher demands on the hardware and software of the testing platform. The results of R&D testing are provided by analysis that shows trends and changes with traceability. Establishing a reliable and robust foundation for analysis and validation is crucial. This can be attained through easily editable tests, adaptable configurations, and swift hardware replacement options.

Some examples of R&D testing are:

  • Prototype testing
  • HIL (hardware in the loop) testing
  • Validation testing

R&D Test Systems with Novator Solutions

We specialise in developing and delivering complete R&D test systems tailored to your specific requirements. If required, we also offer access to individual consultants with cutting-edge expertise. With extensive experience across various industries, we understand the critical aspects of testing products and components. Drawing from insights gained through our own product development activities in other departments, we possess valuable insights into product development processes and cycles.

Our standardised approach to test system development in LabVIEW yields significant benefits, including enhanced quality and reduced time on the market for both our clients and internal projects. By adopting standardised test platforms across multiple departments, modules developed can easily be reused for production tests. All our consultants adhere to proven architectures and designs, ensuring the delivery of highly reliable systems and promoting higher rates of reuse.

Test System Development: Production

To ensure the quality and functionality of a product, all items—or a sample of randomly selected items—undergo production testing. Various methods are employed to measure different parameters, ranging from voltage, current, pressure, and flows to control signals and fault detection. Specialised equipment such as sensors, probes, and cameras designed for this specific purpose are utilised and automated through software.

Given the increasing complexity of modern products, early fault detection is crucial to minimise repair and maintenance needs. Test systems must therefore be reliable and efficient, aiming to reduce production costs while providing essential data for analysing and evaluating whether a product meets the quality standards and requirements of your customers.

Some examples of production tests are:

  • PCB testing
  • Functional testing
  • Performance testing
  • Visual testing

Production Test Systems with Novator Solutions

We develop and deliver complete production test systems according to your specifications. To achieve the highest quality and minimise production costs, Novator Solutions use proven platforms to develop your test system. We use NI TestStand, LabVIEW, and WATS to deliver test systems customised specifically to your requirements and wishes. 

By using platforms developed specifically for test systems, we significantly reduce the development cost of test systems and hence your production cost. With the most certified LabVIEW and TestStand architects and developers in the Nordic region, we further minimise development time.

With automatic report management through cloud-based test data management software WATS, we can efficiently and securely deliver statistical and qualitative analysis capabilities for test data, RMA tests, and repair data for your production in real-time through the web browser. When it comes to test fixtures, electrical cabinets, and mechanical engineering, we have partnered with industry-leading specialists to deliver reliable and robust rigs to meet your specific testing needs.

Test System Development: Control and Monitoring

In product evaluation, monitoring tests are frequently conducted alongside control tests. These monitoring tests are typically more extended, aiming to track various parameters and detect trends effectively. Precision is vital in these assessments, monitoring numerous measurement points to ensure no developments are overlooked throughout the testing process.

A monitoring system needs to have long run times without errors, which often leads to the use of real-time hardware and software to ensure a robust system. Similar to R&D testing, many parameters need to be measured in order to be able to correctly assess products in monitoring tests.

A few examples of control and monitoring systems are:

  • Stress and fatigue testing
  • Quality testing
  • Continuous testing
  • Climate testing

Monitoring Test Systems with Novator Solutions

We can help design systems from scratch. Through extensive experience with diverse sensors, collaboration with leading instrument manufacturers, and partnerships with established fixturing and engineering companies, we deliver control and monitoring systems that perfectly meet your requirements. The significant overlap between R&D and production testing allows for extensive test reuse, which reduces the development time for complete control and monitoring systems.

FAQ

  • What is a test system?

  • A test system is used to verify the performance, function, and quality of a product or component. A major advantage of test systems is that testing becomes more automatic compared to manual testing and the human factor is minimised. An automated test system contains many components to control the device under tests (DUT) and to measure various physical phenomena.

  • Why do you recommend that we do a pilot study?

  • Regardless of whether you have a detailed and good requirements specification as a customer, we recommend doing a pilot study. This allows you to make choices in both software and hardware architecture that affect the cost, performance, development, and manufacturing cost even before your process begins. As a result, you will gain a much more reliable assessment of how much the system will cost and when it can be delivered.

  • How long does it take to make a test system?

  • How long is a piece of string? The cost depends mainly on the complexity, hardware, and mechanics. This is the main reason for conducting a pilot study. Having access to cost estimates early on in the process helps you make budget-conscious decisions for your company.

  • What is the difference between a development (R&D) and production test system?

  • A development test system (R&D) is used to evaluate the performance, function, and quality of the product, while a production test system is more focused on validating whether the product is approved for delivery to the customer. In essence, the development of a test system for research and development (R&D) offers a heightened degree of flexibility in shaping the methodologies for data measurement, control, and analysis. This often necessitates a heightened emphasis on measurement precision. Conversely, a production test system operates within more controlled parameters, ensuring consistent test execution and swift, efficient product evaluation prior to delivery.

  • Why use pre-built test system frameworks instead of developing your own?

  • Using a pre-built test system framework, such as TestStand, usually shortens development time significantly. However, if you have a larger test development team or simply a higher quantity of test systems, developing your own test system framework could be profitable. With a commercial test system framework, you have access to support and troubleshooting from the supplier or a partner with deep knowledge of the tool. This allows you to direct your resources to other critical areas rather than being tied up in maintaining the test system framework.

Test System Development with Novator Solutions

Need a test system that meets your exact specifications? Rely on us for unparalleled expertise and seamless execution from start to finish. Our consultants at Novator Solutions are experts with over 150 years of combined experience in test system development. We work closely with all of our customers and tailor test systems to achieve the best possible solution.