OEM&Lieferant Ausgabe 1/2019

111 explains the team leader. “The customer ben- efits from the quick response time, lower costs and increased system stability.” There are two options for fitting the boards together: They can be arranged next to each other for easier access to all components, or stacked neatly on top of one another to make the system less vulnerable to external influences. Depending on customer requirements, other connections are possible in addition to CAN by means of an additional module, such as LIN, Bluetooth or wireless network. The software architecture for the BuildRS platform is also modular. “The software and hardware have a constantly growing port- folio of possible functions which correspond to the functionality of the peripheral board,” explains Tomic. “The system can be config- ured or reprogrammed via the CAN interface. This implies that, in the event of a function change, often only software reconfiguration is required and there is no need for complete reprogramming.” As this is a matter of in- house development by ARRK Engineering, the company has full access to the source code. In this way, it is possible for both hard- ware and software to be adapted to customer requirements quickly and effectively at any time, ensuring that hardware is utilized to its full potential. Three possible applications for fast concept development and testing BuildRS offers a wide range of possible appli- cations relating to concept development and testing. In this way, the modules can, for ex- ample, support the electrification of individual prototypes. “For instance, BuildRS was used in a seat box for seat adjustment – as a motor driver and for digital signal transmission,” ex- plains Tomic. The durability of the modules is a great advantage here: They can be stacked or built into a housing and used for years to come. This also makes them suitable as long- term test subjects or demonstration samples, such as for fairs. They can also be used for small batches or test devices. “One example of this is a trea- dle measuring device which we developed for the automotive industry,” explains Tomic. The aim of this testing device is to both mea- sure and analyze treadle stroke and force, such as for brake pedals, clutch pedals and gas pedals. One module assumes the task of managing the values on both sensors, trans- lating these into digital signals and transmit- ting them for further processing. A second module is part of the remote control which allows the system to be controlled from a distance. The customer benefits from the system’s modularity: “Our development ser- vice for controls comprised, in this case, a se- lection of suitable BuildRS boards, software setup and function configuration – the time taken amounted to a few hours and costs were low,” says Tomic. But the BuildRS also offers advantages for budget and time-planning as part of work- stations during concept testing because, unlike in other cases, it is not necessary to develop a new control device. At the same time, it can be more freely adjusted by the customer, unlike standard units, giving them the option of using the BuildRS multiple times. Since the individual peripheral boards are replaceable and can be switched easily, it is quick and comparably affordable to purchase new functions. The new board can be started up via the CAN connection using the mod- ular basic software which is installed in the controller board. In this way, the user is able to independently adjust the function of the control unit and integrate it into the work- station. “BuildRS can be used for all types of prototypes and small batches. This allows development costs to be drastically reduced per terminal,” concludes Tomic. Image: © ARRK Engineering Image: © ARRK Engineering ARRK Engineering www.arrk-engineering.com Website ARRK Engineering Contact info@arrk-engineering.com eMail The system, which ARRK Engineering has named BuildRS, comprises two circuit boards: The controller board connects to other devices via CAN and forms the starting point for the unit; the peripheral unit specifies the actual function of the control device. Instead of repeatedly developing new control units for test devices and prototypes which can only be used for single projects, ARRK specified components which can be assembled in a few, easy steps to create a unique and freely adaptable control device for the relevant application.