Connecting oddly shaped test objects to the Resonic measurement platform often requires fixtures or adapters. Resonic can provide the necessary components for every measurement service:

• In most cases, we will use our modular fixture sets (clamps, supports, telescope struts, epoxy dough, etc.).
• For some objects, like cars, motorcycles, or truck cabins, we have standard adapters.
• For particularly difficult geometries, we may need to manufacture or 3D print an adapter.

If the measurement takes place at the customer’s site or if the measurement is particularly time-critical, Resonic needs information about the test object’s interfaces ahead of time, ideally in the form of pictures, screenshots, drawings, or CAD models.

→ Click here for more details about fixtures and adapters.

After mass property measurement, the test object is removed, while the fixture components remain in place on the measurement platform. A second “empty” measurement is performed for the fixture mass properties and the result is subtracted from the overall mass property result.

At locations near Berlin or Yokohama, our engineer may arrive in a van and bring the MPM machine and all the auxiliary equipment. Otherwise, our logistics partner delivers one or two pallets ahead of time and the engineer arrives by train or plane.

On location, all we need is:

• A forklift for unloading the truck or van.
• A work area with a rigid floor.
• A crane with sufficient load capacity to lift the test object.

Once the pallets are moved to the work area, unpacking and setting up the measurement system takes about two hours.

Yes, Resonic measurement services always include a coordinate transformation into the test object coordinate system chosen by the customer.

The coordinate transformation is based on 3D measurements, which Resonic performs with a 3D measurement arm or a photogrammetry system.

The following information must be provided by the customer (if possible, before the measurement starts):

Option 1: CAD-based definition of the coordinate system

The customer provides the CAD coordinates of geometric features, like holes, pins, or planes. The features should meet the following criteria:

• Easy access when the test object is on the Resonic machine.
• Small manufacturing tolerances (i.e., a good match between the actual object geometry and the CAD model).
• Significant distance between different features in at least two directions. The features should not be located on a line or concentrated in a small area.

Three geometric features are sufficient, but for the sake of redundancy, ideally, more than six features should be measured.

Option 2: Direct definition of the coordinate system

In the event that no CAD data exists (e.g., in benchmarking), the coordinate system can be defined in any other way, such as in the form of a verbal description:

• Example 1: x-axis = crank shaft axis, origin on the shaft end plane, z-axis normal to cylinder cover top plane.
• Example 2: x-y plane = road plane, z-axis goes through the center point between the two front wheels, x axis in the same plane as the line connecting the front and rear logo.

→ Click here for more information on coordinate transformations.

Option 1: Direct method

Ideally, configurable sub-units are added or removed while the test object remains in the same position on the machine. If that is feasible, there is no need for a new 3D measurement or a new empty measurement.

Option 2: Sub-unit combination method

Instead of measuring a test object in all of its possible configurations, Resonic can measure the configurable sub-systems separately and, if necessary, on smaller machines. Then, the mass properties are combined through coordinate transformation into the base-unit coordinate system. This process has the following advantages:

• The mass properties of a very large number of sub-system combinations can be derived from a small number of measurements.
• Two Resonic engineers can perform measurements in parallel if the project is particularly time-critical.

Examples include passenger dummies in various seats of a vehicle, motorcycle luggage, or satellite solar panels in various states of deployment.

The sub-unit combination method is possible even if there is no CAD data available for sub-unit coordinate transformations. Resonic can measure the position of each sub-unit relative to the coordinate system of the base configuration with the help of temporary 3D markers.

After the measurements have been completed, our engineer makes a project file that links to the raw data from the test object measurement, the empty measurement, and the 3D measurement. Then, the Resonic software automatically processes and combines these three data sets and generates a PDF result report. The results are always given as test object coordinates.

Automating processing and report generation is important because it avoids human errors, which may arise when handling the data. It also ensures that reliable results can be provided immediately after measurement. Nevertheless, our engineer double-checks all the quality indicators displayed by the software during the measurement and during data processing in order to make sure that everything has worked correctly.

In addition to the automated result reports, Resonic prepares documentation of the measurement process in case the customer cannot be present during the measurement, on the condition that taking pictures is permitted.