High-Shock Data Recorder Takes Mega-Samples

Diversified Technical Systems, Inc. (DTS; Seal Beach, CA) has announced the availability of its new SLICE PRO data acquisition system (DAS). The SLICE PRO extends the company’s line of miniature, high-speed, high-shock data recorders for safety and product testing. The line also includes the SLICE NANO and SLICE MICRO data acquisition systems.

Shown in a 72-channel configuration, the new SLICE PRO data acquisition system from Diversified Technical Systems is capable of sampling up to 1 million samples per second per channel. Image courtesy of Diversified Technical Systems, Inc.

DTS says that its new SLICE PRO is 10x faster and 35% smaller than any comparable rugged data acquisition system. A modular, standalone DAS that comes with a controller, filters, transducer excitation, gain amplifiers, and a 16-bit ADC (analog to digital converter) on each channel, the SLICE PRO, adds the company, offers “unparalleled performance” in extreme environments and applications such as aerospace analysis, automotive safety, blast and impact testing, and vibration testing.

The SLICE PRO is capable of recording one million data points per second per channel, according to the company. It measures approximately 2.1 x 3.5 x 3.15 in. (52 x 90 x 80 mm) per 18-channel module, is shock rated to 100 g, and, without modification, is capable of operating in temperatures ranging from 32 to 140 °F (0 to 60 °C). It weighs 26 oz. (726 g).

Another view of the SLICE PRO data acquisition system. Image courtesy of Diversified Technical Systems, Inc.

Designed for test applications measuring parameters such as force, acceleration, strain, displacement, and temperature, SLICE PRO’s modular hardware system can be used as a standalone 9-channel system or multiple systems can be daisy-chained for large channel count tests. It supports a variety of sensor types including bridge (MEMS, strain, load), IEPE (integrated electronic piezoelectric) accelerometers, and voltage. Data writes directly to 16GB of flash memory and can be downloaded directly to a PC after the event for viewing, post-processing, and analysis.

The SLICE PRO offers users the ability to sample at rates ranging from 250 sps to 1 Msps per channel. Bandwidth options range up to 200 kHz. SLICE PRO meets NHTSA, FAA, ISO 6487, and SAE J211 practices.

From left to right, the SLICE NANO, SLICE MICRO, and SLICE PRO data acquisition systems from Diversified Technical Systems, Inc. Each system is built on the same platform and is designed to provide modular, high-speed rugged data acquisition for such applications as safety and product testing. Image courtesy of Diversified Technical Systems, Inc.

The SLICE PRO comes with SLICEWare software for set-up and control. Said to be a fast, easy-to-use application for storing sensor information and performing data collection, SLICEWare includes such features as automatic sensor assignment, detailed channel diagnostics, and real-time data display. SLICEWare supports EQX and other data exchange file formats.

The SLICE PRO data acquisition system is available in 9- or 18-channel modules. It works with Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (32/64-bit) systems, and it communicates with workstations through USB or Ethernet interfaces. For further details, visit Diversified Technical Systems.

Download the SLICE PRO spec sheet.

Learn more about the SLICE NANO and SLICE MICRO data acquisition devices.

Go here for details on the TDAS PRO line of data acquisition systems.

Go here for details on the TDAS G5 compact DAS.

See why DE's Editors selected the SLICE PRO data acquisition system from DTS as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.