Computer Application in Appliance Testing

The system developed for component testing at an appliance manufacturing facility is described. The complete installation consists of minicomputers that control several test stands and report the test results to a central quality assurance station. The various system components are 1) a disk-based central computer quality assurance station, 2) three computerized test stands for simultaneous testing of 48 ``infinite switches'' used in electric range surface heater control, 3) air-fluidized aluminum oxide temperature baths, and 4) a snap-disk thermostat test stand, equipped with its own minicomputer and communications capability with the central station.