Home Using the CATT Sample Data & Images Semi-Automated Cart   Company Information	Advanced Structural Imaging, Inc.  1502 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA 50010  515/231-1579 Computer-Aided Tap Tester (CATT) The Semi-Automated Inspection Cart The semi-automated inspection cart was developed to produce evenly-spaced, repeatable taps on a part surface with an accelerometer. The inspector grips the cart in a manner simmilar to a computer mouse and pushes the cart along the surface of the component being inspected. The device uses magnets to both raise an accelerometer and to assist it in its motion toward the surface. Figure 1 below shows the accelerometer being raised by magnets. (Note that the like poles of the magnet are opposing each other.) The raising process continues until the travel of the accelerometer is physically stopped (Figure 2). As the rotating magnet passes by the constrained magnet, the direction of the force acting on the accelerometer reverses and the accelerometer is “thrown” down (Figure 3). The accelerometer then impacts the surface, creating a tap (Figure 4). The cycle then repeats itself when a different magnet on the rotating wheel raises the magnet. (Only one magnet is shown on the wheel.) View Video of Cart (14 Seconds) (MPG)    (AVI)    (RM) Choose Format