
Automation & Test
DISTek’s approach to test ensures the development of extensible, configurable, modular, and scalable test systems that serve customers over time. We are a premier HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) solution service provider for mobile equipment manufacturers. Our dedicated team of experts pulls from 50+ combined years of HIL system experience and 30+ combined years of control and plant modeling knowledge.
Past DISTek projects include applications that leverage the power of tools like FPGA, CAN, NI LabVIEW, NI VeriStand, and NI TestStand. To provide the best and most up-to-date expertise available, DISTek engineers attain and maintain certifications, and the DISTek staff includes more than 15 National Instruments Certified Architects, LabVIEW Developers, TestStand Architects, Professional Instructors, and, proudly, home to one of the world’s few LabVIEW Champions.
In addition to test services, DISTek offers two portable test systems: D.R.I.V.E., an off-the-shelf, ruggedized, portable data acquisition system; and DASH, a low-cost turnkey functional tester for ECU software development.
Recent Projects
HIL Platform Extension
Customer Challenge: Improve and support the ability to test many different ECUs and simulate full vehicle systems for several different vehicle models.
DISTek Solution: Built upon a HIL testing platform that includes extensive vehicle software simulations with a proprietary hardware interface to allow loading and unloading of different vehicle hardware on demand. This allows the customer to test a particular vehicle ECU configuration, in-vehicle display, or the full vehicle system with the HIL, and easily swap to other vehicle models as needed.
Additional Projects | Dev. Platform | Industry | Project Type | Project Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Modular HIL | LabVIEW, Veristand, cRIO, FPGA | Agricultural, Construction, Forestry | ECU Tester | Expand Summary |
Planter Simulator | LabVIEW, Veristand, MXI, FPGA | Agricultural | System Simulator | Expand Summary |
Remote Simulation Manager | LabVIEW | Agricultural, Construction, Forestry | Simulator Support | Expand Summary |
Portable Rugged HIL | cRIO, LabVIEW | Agricultural | System Simulator | Expand Summary |
Transmission Control
Customer Challenge: Specify and integrate controls for a transmission remanufacture end of line test aimed to detect improper assembly or defective parts in the transmission.
DISTek Solution: Used a National Instruments cDAQ and LabVIEW to create an application capable of shifting through gears via CAN communication to the transmission control unit, monitoring for proper torque characteristics at the input and outputs of the transmission, precisely controlling the VFD speed and torque commands via Ethernet I/P, and doing a full FFT analysis of vibration present in the system.
Additional Projects | Dev. Platform | Industry | Project Type | Project Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dyno Control Systems | cDAQ, LabVIEW | Automotive | Instrumentation, Controls | Expand Summary |
Fuel Injection System | NI PXI, NI LabVIEW | Off-highway | DAQ, Control | Expand Summary |
Hydraulic Cylinder System | PXI, EtherCAT, NI VeriStand, NI LabVIEW | Agricultural | Automation, DAQ | Expand Summary |
Robotic Module Swapper | LabVIEW, cRIO, FPGA | Agricultural, Construction, Forestry | Test Automation | Expand Summary |
End of Line Vehicle Test
Customer Challenge: End of line vehicle test that prompts an operator through the test while assuring that all test conditions are met as well as log the test data for analysis.
DISTek Solution: LabVIEW and TestStand on a tablet PC and NI cDAQ hardware in a portable rugged enclosure. Channels, variables, and memory can be monitored for out of range conditions. The test pauses and prompts to return parameters to their in range state. DTCs can be monitored. Vehicle options are pulled from a database based on the serial number and test sequences are run automatically.
Additional Projects | Dev. Platform | Industry | Project Type | Project Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
EtherCAT Controller Tester | cDAQ | Agricultural | ECU Tester | Expand Summary |
Modbus Waveform Tester | LabVIEW, TestStand | Industrial | Test Stand | Expand Summary |
Wi-Fi Sniffer | LabVIEW | Agricultural | Analysis | Expand Summary |
Vehicle Simulators | LabVIEW | Agricultural, Construction, Forestry | Simulator | Expand Summary |
Sub-Assembly and Motor Tester
Customer Challenge: Design an end of line sub-assembly tester capable CAN communication to and testing of a DC motor drive enclosure for proper wiring and functionality.
DISTek Solution: Designed a mobile test bench using a National Instruments PXI chassis, controlled with LabVIEW and TestStand components. The system was capable of verifying all wiring, communicating shorts, improper connections or voltages,and able to control the UUT via CAN communication, setting parameters, and verifying the unit was capable of running through all states of normal operation.
Additional Projects | Dev. Platform | Industry | Project Type | Project Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Automated Testers | PXI, TestStand | Agricultural, Construction, Forestry | Test Automation | Expand Summary |
Display Tester | cDAQ, .NET | Construction | Test Automation | Expand Summary |
Extensible HIL Tester | LabVIEW | Agricultural | HIL System | Expand Summary |
Process Control Application and Database | SQL, Access, SAP | Agricultural | Database | Expand Summary |

Featured Case Study
The customer turned to DISTek to provide a bench-top setup that will control the DUT and measure multiple in-circuit test points for events that may be damaging field effect transistors (FET) along with recording FET case temperatures. Custom events have been defined by the customer and will trigger the system to capture pre and post-trigger data. The test system should also provide various loads to the output of the DUT.
Featured DISTek Expert
Ed
TitleStaff Engineer
Technical Strengths:Avionics mechanics, systems engineering
Specialty Application AreaBS-Software Engineering, AA-Electronics Engineering, Certified LabVIEW Architect, Certified Professional Instructor, LabVIEW Champion
Past ExperienceAvionics mechanics, systems engineering.
DISTek Employee Since:2001
What I love about my job:At DISTek, I am part of a variety of different projects, which keeps me constantly learning and applying different practices to new challenges. In addition, I am part of complete processes, from architecting a new test system to implementing it and training customers on their new interface.
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