Visualization software

data acquisition and analysisdata acquisitionpost-processing

Overview
Test Center is a universal test management software for STEP Lab systems, designed to streamline mechanical testing workflows in laboratories and production. It provides full test configuration, real-time data acquisition and visualization, and fast report generation in common office formats.

Main capabilities

• Unified management of a broad range of STEP Lab test machines (static and dynamic).
• Customisable test parameters and specimen definitions.
• Configuration of static tests (tension, compression, bending) and dynamic tests (impact, cyclic) including advanced waveforms and sequences.
• Real-time numeric and graphical data visualisation of test curves.
• Post-processing tools: data analysis, summary tables and historical comparison.
• Quick report creation and export to Word, Excel and PDF.

Software features (high level)

• Test customisation with editable presets and user-defined profiles.
• Flexible test settings for static and dynamic modes; support for multiple waveform and control types.
• Sequence editor for user-defined action sequences and integrated passages.
• Multi-axial test management for preparation and execution beyond single-axis testing.
• Cyclic test configuration in displacement or force control.
• Real-time multi-channel data visualisation and curve plotting.
• Report creation and data export to common office formats.
• Post-processing and comparison tools for historic test results.

Available test modules

• Static module: control for static mechanical tests (tension, compression, creep) with data acquisition, performance testing, waveform compensation and QA profiles.
  • Reporting & analysis: force vs displacement, force vs speed, displacement vs time, strength vs time, speed vs time, condition vs time, peak force vs temperature, combined time-displacement-speed and test summaries.
• Creep module: long-term deformation analysis.
• Fatigue modules: HCF support (axial, 3-/4-point bending, rotating beam, overhanging) and LCF in strain control with wave shape, frequency, strain range, A/R and R ratios, switch points and stop conditions.
• Multi-action and multi-axis modules for combined dynamic tests.
• Shock absorber module (R&D and EOL): damper testing with K*, K', phase, Tan Delta, damping, energy, amplitude calculations; PWM channel management for active dampers; limit control and incremental temperature testing.
• DMA module: dynamic mechanical analysis of viscoelastic materials with up to four simultaneous control channels; measures dynamic stiffness, phase angle, damping and modulus; scans vs frequency/amplitude/temperature.
• Springs module: dedicated spring testing routines.
• EOL module: real-time calculations, tolerance checks for high-speed production, batch statistics, set parking/test/pick-up positions, gas force tests and diagnostics.
• HIL module: hardware-in-the-loop integration.
• Profile reproduction: point-by-point testing and peak history reproduction.
• Custom tests: development for customer-specific requirements.

Additional functionalities

• Integration with third-party DAQ systems (e.g. HBM for strain gauges, National Instruments for high-speed analogue acquisition).
• Operation with climatic chamber integration for non-ambient conditions.
• Preload Reset: undoing pre-tensioning effects during specimen fixation.

Reporting, processing and usability

• Fast report creation with preconfigured templates and export to Microsoft Word, Excel and PDF.
• Post-processing tools for acquired data with summary tables and comparative displays.
• Intuitive interface designed for laboratory and production environments.

Technical specifications

• Supported test types: static (tension, compression, bending), dynamic (impact, cyclic), fatigue (HCF/LCF), creep, DMA, multi-axial and custom sequences.
• Control modes: force control, displacement control, speed-based control where applicable (e.g. EOL).
• Real-time acquisition: multi-channel numeric and graphical visualisation.
• Multi-channel dynamic control: up to four simultaneous dynamic control channels for DMA and advanced modules.
• Data export formats: Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF.
• Integration: supports third-party DAQ (HBM, National Instruments) and climatic chamber control.
• EOL features: batch handling, statistical analysis, tolerance evaluation, diagnostics and high-speed runtime capability.
• Shock absorber specifics: K*/K'/phase/Tan Delta/damping/energy calculations, PWM control, temperature monitoring and incremental temperature testing.