Automatic Test Programs

For regular tests a LIMS offers the functionality of automatic test programs that are used for processes, which can be planned exactly. Examples are calibration of instruments, audits, and assessment of environmental impact in regular intervals. After an automatic test program has been initiated, it starts working on a predefined relative date or time to compile and generate processes on the basis of the respective definitions in the standard. 

---

Automatic test program generators that analyze the circuit design database do most of the work and relieve the skill required of the programmer. 

The assessor should also find out whether an effective testing program is in place to help ensure the serviceability of process measurement equipment. The successful toller should have an established calibration program to address the accuracy of critical measurement equipment. Safety critical process parameters should be monitored and critical process equipment should automatically interlock when monitoring instrumentation detects safety critical deviations. Interlocks should either facilitate a remedy to the critical deviation or bring the process to the zero energy state. These instruments and interlocking devices should be routinely tested to ensure operational reliability. 

The approach of Hansch and Leo (1995) uses a small number of fragment values derived from very accurate partition coefficient measurements of a relatively small number of compounds, and requires a large number of correction factors. Some of the coefficient values are given in table 5.15. This approach has been designed for an automatic computer program that will do all the coefficients and corrections, called the CLOG. Hansch and Leo reported that for 7500 compounds tested, the correlation has a standard error of 0.336 and an = 0.978. 

Phase I—Chassis Dynamometer Tests. A 1.3-L engine equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and complete drive system was calibrated to meet 1974 emissions standards using Indolene reference fuel. This standardized apparatus was then used in conjunction with the federal emissions test procedure to evaluate the performance of methanol/gasoline blends. Results of the single cylinder test program and preliminary evaluations with the chassis dynamometer system indicated that blends should be limited to 10% methanol or less to avoid drive-ability and other problems. A complete discussion of the apparatus and test procedures is given in Ref. 9. 

As shown in Fig. 11.1-1, the solids—liquid separation device is the link between the solids formation equipment and the diying operation, Thus, predictable and reliable operation is essential in this stage of the processing sequence. Continuous or baich-automatic centrifuges nad continuous vacuum filters are typically used to recover solid material from continuous crystal I ization operations. Many factors are considered in [ha final selection of the device. In any case, an equipment testing program is always essential to determine the capacity and performance of solids separation equipment. 

The documentation of new developments includes process models, data models, programs (including programmer s comments, tools such as "where-used" lists and links between the models and objects) and user documentation. In addition, the entire test catalog contains the entire range of manual and automatic test cases and test procedures. 

This proof test, when combined with a HART Loop Test, will detect more than 65% of DU failures not detected by the automatic diagnostics programmed into the 3051S SIS. 

Many modern packed column SFCs are equipped with a column selection valve and a solvent selection valve. Software Wizards are available that allow simple programming where a large number of different stationary and mobile phases can be automatically tested to find the best conditions without operator intervention. 

A suitable set of tools, including a sub-set of the application programming language, configuration management, simulation, test harness tools, and, when applicable, automatic test coverage measurement tools, shall be selected. 

Another variation of the immersion test is the cyclic test procedure where a test specimen is immersed for a period of time in the test environment, then removed and dried (either air diy or use of heat lamps), then re-immersed to continue the cycle. Normally hundreds of these cycles are completed during the course of the test program. In ASTM G 60, test specimens are dipped in a test solution before being exposed to atmospheres varying in relative humidity. The intent of the test is to develop a layered corrosion product similar to that found on sheltered outdoor exposure test specimens. These tests can be either manually performed or conducted in apparatus equipped for automatic cycling. 

A randomly selected track of applied standards (one from six) is scanned ten times without changing the setup of the scanner the data are stored. The TLC plate is then developed and dried, after which the plate is scanned once again and the collected data is stored on a disk. Evaluation begins with a determination of the error of measurement. From the data files acquired from the same track, var(Af) and RSD(jv ) are calculated. If the value of RSD( is less than 1 %, the quantitative evaluation if automatically continued. When it is more than 1%, the user is asked to revalidate the scanner with a special test program and test plate, in order to find the source of the instrumental error. Standards, scanned before development, are integrated, and the sum of var(A/) + var(V) is obtained. Since the var(iW) is already known, it is possible to calculate var(V0, the error of application from var(total). 

Gerd Kruger, Automatic Generation of Self-Test Programs — A New Feature of the MIMOLA Design System , Proc. of the 23rd DAC, pages 378-384, June 1986. 

Flow rate. The flow rate should never be a compromising element of a test program. Since there are few cases in which flow rate is expected to play a large role in SCC in plant components, laboratory data under high-flow-rate conditions should automatically be viewed with caution and concern because the crack tip chemistry can be readily flushed imder these conditions. 

Note 10—The precision data were developed in a 1991 cooperative test program using eight (8) samtdes. Twdve (12) laboratories partici pated with the manual apparatus and seventeen (17) laboratories participated with the automatic equipment Information on the type of samples and their average flashpoints are in the research report available at ASTM Headquarters. 

As an initial (demonstration) application of the Icon/1000 control system, we automated two simultaneous acrylic lab polymerizations. In this application, heaters, agitators, and metering pumps are controlled. A batch proceeds automatically from state to state unless the operator intervenes through one of a series of color CRT touch screens allowing him to take complete manual control of the batch for as long as he desires. All important process variables are continually monitored and recorded. The entire control scheme was created, tested, and modified several times in the space of two months, without formal instruction, by a chemical engineer with little previous programming experience and no previous experience at all with this system. 

---