An industrial control and test bench is a machine used to test the performance of many types of machines and equipment. Test benches are generally used in industries that require precise measurements or product tests, such as aerospace, electronics, healthcare and transportation. They make sure that products can withstand the stresses of their intended use, and they help engineers develop new products or improve existing ones. An industrial test bench therefore plays a crucial role in guaranteeing the quality and performance of manufactured products. MGA Technologies designs custom machines for inspection, testing and identification for this type of need.
Usefulness of an Industrial Test Bench
An industrial test bench is used to develop a system and measure its performance. A test bench can be semi-automatic, in which case its role is to guide an operator through the measurements. An automatic test bench, on the other hand, runs the test on its own and drives the measuring instruments directly. Most of these instruments can be remotely controlled.
The test scenarios are sequenced by software, which also performs calculations, records the measurement results and generates a results file. This software can be developed with tools dedicated to test benches, such as LabVIEW. In larger companies, the test bench is part of the test strategy, which is deployed across different products and stages of development.
Automated testing offers professionals many advantages: repetitive manual tasks are significantly reduced and errors are minimized. Automation also increases test coverage and shortens the validation cycle. Productivity improves, which in turn leads to cost savings.
Developing an industrial test bench requires many skills (embedded software, mechanics, electronics, etc.).
Running Tests and Using the Results
Tests on an industrial control bench must follow a rigorous methodology to deliver reliable, usable measurements. A preparation phase is therefore essential before any start-up. It includes defining the test objectives, calibrating the measuring instruments, checking ambient conditions and securing the test area. This step ensures that all critical parameters (temperature, pressure, power supply or dynamic environment) are under control and consistent with the specifications to be evaluated.
Once the setup is validated, tests are run according to pre-established protocols. Each step is closely monitored by sensors and measuring instruments built into the bench, which continuously record the relevant data, such as torque, speed, force or voltage values depending on the equipment under test. Automating these sequences not only improves measurement accuracy but also reduces human intervention, which limits potential sources of error.
Using the results is just as important. The data collected are analyzed to identify deviations from standards or expected performance. Dedicated software tools make it easier to visualize trends, compare measurement series and produce detailed reports. These reports can include trend curves, summary tables and compliance or drift indicators, and they serve as the basis for decision-making.
Finally, the use of results must be part of a full traceability approach. Each test is documented with its context, execution conditions and results, so the data can be reused later for comparisons, audits or continuous improvement. This structured method gives a detailed understanding of the performance of the equipment tested and helps strengthen the quality, reliability and safety of industrial products.
Choosing the Right Industrial Test Bench
An industrial test bench must be chosen carefully, because the device has to be suited to the product to be industrialized and to the target volumes. For high volumes, test benches must be automated, which means a significant investment. For smaller volumes, test and control benches that require manual intervention are the best option, with a more reasonable investment.
Some designers build test benches that can be adapted as volumes increase. In every case, the manufacturer and the customer must work together on the test bench to ensure the product can be industrialized. Manufacturing a product without a test bench that can check all of its functions is simply impossible.
Design of an Industrial Test Bench
Developing an industrial test bench must follow precise steps for a flawless industrialization of the product. Several analyses must be carried out upstream: needs analysis, functional analysis and value analysis. Standards and regulations must also be taken into account in the design of a test bench. During the design of the device, it is necessary to carry out sizing calculations, drawings and a simulation before choosing the final design.
In the build phase, the device is assembled and a technical file is written. To ensure quality, adjustments are made, followed by the marking of the equipment. Users must then be trained so that the industrial test bench is used to its full potential.
Digitalizing Measurements and Securing Test Data (Data Integrity)
As industrial requirements keep rising, digitalizing measurements is a major lever for improving test reliability and ensuring data integrity. Modern control benches include high-performance acquisition systems that collect, process and record a large number of critical parameters in real time, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate or mechanical forces. Digitalization limits the human errors associated with manual readings and improves the accuracy of the results.
Secure data management relies on strict principles, especially those defined by regulatory frameworks such as GMP and the ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate). Systems must guarantee that each piece of data is traced, time-stamped and linked to an identified user. Access is controlled through authorization levels, which ensures confidentiality and protects against any unauthorized change.
The software associated with test benches also makes it possible to centralize data, simplify their analysis and generate automated reports. This smart use of data helps improve decision-making, optimize processes and anticipate drift.
Finally, digitalization makes it easier to integrate control benches into connected industrial environments linked to MES or ERP systems. It strengthens the overall traceability of tests while meeting the growing requirements for compliance, quality and data security in regulated industries.
MGA Supports You Toward the Industry of the Future
MGA Technologies is a French company that has been designing and building robotic solutions for industry for more than 40 years. Our team is passionate about technology and engineering (automation, mechatronics, mechanics, electronics, AI, robotics, etc.). We design and manufacture custom machines for the industry of the future, and our goal is to support manufacturers in their transition to Industry 4.0.
For your industrial control and test bench project, choose MGA Technologies. We offer high-performance, innovative solutions based on a wide range of skills: mechanical, electrical and electronic design, collaborative and mobile robotics, advanced mechatronics, integration of highly technical equipment and industrial software. Our recent projects include a Hall effect sensor test and programming bench, a MOSFET power module test bench and functional test benches for electronic boards.
If you have any questions, please contact us. Our engineers will give you precise, tailored answers.
