Remote Control from Mr. Kick
PreLiminary!

Knud Larsen Last update: 31-Oct-2006 16:02

A few words on Mr. Kick

Mr. Kick is a software package for data acquisition. You can read more about Mr. Kick here.

Mr. Kick can control the movement of the MTS actuator via an analog signal. The pattern is set up via Settings - Analog Output, and may be subject to Classification.

Prerequisites

The analog control signal from Mr. Kick to the MTS control tower must be in place: Mr Kick DAC #0 Out --> MTS J78 / Input #8, as described under "Computers, electronics, connections".

Follow the Start-up and warm up procedures for the MTS system.

Start up Mr. Kick and ensure analog output offset is set to zero:

1. In the Settings menu choose Analog Output
2. In the First AO Channel section set Active to Primary (or SuperImpose)
3. Set Sensitivity to 4.0 (this may vary according to the MTS TestStar II setup)
4. Set Offset to zero - never set Offset to anything but zero while controlling the MTS system!!!
   In the TestStar II software check that the input signal from Mr. Kick, "External Angle", is close to zero, ie. in the range +/-0.01. Do not procede, if this is not the case!
5. You can now load patterns and adjust them for your purpose via the Load and SetUp buttons. Make sure the requested patterns do not exceed the actuator limits set in the TestStar II software (which again should be narrower than what is fine with the subject).

If you acquire the actuator position, the analog input sensitivity is 5.0 (this may vary according to the MTS TestStar II setup).

TestWare SX

In order to enable remote control of the MTS actuator movement run a module called TestWare SX with a remote control function as follows:

1. Load TestWare SX
2. From the File menu Open Template, choose "KnL Remote Control.000"
3. You should be presented with a list of procedures, the Default will have a zero offset starting angle of the actuator. Other procedures will have different starting angles - the angle should be part of their title. Choose a procedure that suits you.
4. Check that the offset angle (or adjust it): Choose Edit Mode, and double-click the "External Command" - the Mean option determines the starting angle of the actuator. Ensure it is well within the actuator limits.
   This is the only place where the starting angle (offset) should ever be set!
5. Set mode to Execute.
6. Again ensure the "External Angle" is close to zero.
7. Press the Run button. The actuator will now slowly move to the requested starting angle. Whn it is there, wait another 10 seconds, before applying any movement from Mr. Kick.
8. Allways TEST all movements/patterns you intend to apply before strapping a subject to the actuator!!!

If you need to change the starting angle:

1. Press the Stop button in TestWare SX, and wait til the actuator stands still
2. Stop any action in Mr. Kick
3. Edit the "External Command" - Mean option as described above.
4. Follow the procedure above to start the remote control - you'll need to Reset before you can Run!

When done: Press the Stop button in TestWare SX, and wait til the actuator stands still. You can now exit TestWare SX as you would any other software.