Mietzel, Aaron (2023) Implementation of Automated LVDT Calibration for Fatigue and Fracture Laboratory. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
Calibration is an important process for allowing the comparison of values from a tested measuring device against another device of known measuring accuracy. The process is inextricable in ensuring metrological integrity by establishing and maintaining traceability of measuring equipment and its higher standard references. Possessing an accuracy reference provides confidence to the user of such equipment that the value of measure being obtained is reliable. For this reason, many industries are dependent on their measuring devices to undergo periodic calibration, which in large quantities, can result in delays to commence work activities. One such case where a testing environment has experienced such delays is within the Defence Science and Technology Group’s Fatigue and Fracture Laboratory. Linear Displacement Transducers are used in a large number of the laboratory’s test programmes and are calibrated on-site using an outdated calibration process that is time consuming and requires constant operator manual input throughout the entire process.
This report explores the potential improvements to calibration time and operator manual effort by introducing an automated variation of the Fatigue and Fracture Laboratory’s calibration process.
A review of current literature was conducted to understand the following: the working concept of displacement transducers; detailed steps involved in the old system calibration process; calibration requirements for linear displacement transducers as per the National Association of Testing Authorities’ Scope of Accreditation.
The methodology details the design and construction of the new automated linear displacement calibration system, which comprises two main sections: the displacer subsystem; the voltmeter subsystem. An explanation is also provided on the steps taken to measure the new automated subsystems against their old subsystem counterparts as an accuracy reference. This was done as the old subsystems were accepted under the Scope of Accreditation.
With a functioning system, a testing regime was conducted to measure the total calibration time and time of operator manual input. This was performed using both systems where the results between the systems were compared. Two groups participated in the trials: one group of two operators experienced in the use of the old system; one group of two operators not experienced with the old system. By obtaining results from the two groups, it could be ascertained whether the outcomes of the new system might be consistent across operator experience levels.
The results from the calibration trials yielded the following key information:
1. Significant improvements were achieved in total calibration time when using the new automated system.
2. A reduction in the operator manual input time was achieved when using the new system due to the automated process.
3. Calibration time was less dependent on operator experience when using the new system, with significantly less variation in results between all operators compared to the old system.
4. The new automated system allowed calibration to be performed by users with little or no understanding of linear displacement calibration and still conduct the process faster than an experienced operator using the old system.
The additional implication this work has on the calibration Scope of Accreditation has been evaluated and the required adjustment to the measuring capability in the accreditation has been noted in the report.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Low, Tobias |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronic) |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Sep 2025 03:15 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Sep 2025 03:15 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | calibration; Linear Displacement Transducers |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52973 |
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