Automatic Direct Volts Stability System

The introduction of automatic test equipment to the production environment represented a milestone in manufacturing technology. The marriage of computer automation and precision measurement technology has produced many systems with capability never before thought possible, either economically or quantitatively. An automated test system using precision direct voltage measurement techniques, extended IEEE-488 bus capability, and software algorithms for data processing has made possible the Automatic Direct Volts Stability System, used in the production of the Fluke 5440A Direct Voltage Calibrator and 732A DC Reference Standard. With a capacity of sixty units per month, and absolute uncertainty better than one ppm, this system has demonstrated the cost effectivity, reliability, and accuracy necessary to ensure the stability specifications of these Fluke products. This paper will detail the hardware and software of the system design, the system's capabilities and specifications, and the test data available.