Teach a curve

The attached example includes a user program that demonstrates how to record motion and create a curve that replicates that motion. This is useful for applications where the operator moves a system, perhaps with a joystick, and wants to record and replay the motion. This method is useful for applications where this needs to be done frequently.

Another method (not included in this example) is to capture a plot, export it in spreadsheet format, open it with Microsoft Excel, then copy the x and y data points into the Curve Tool in RMCTools. This is useful for applications where it doesn’t need to be done very often.
TeachCurve.rmcproj (22.4 KB)

We had to teach a curve for the National Airport Test Facility Machine.
A laser range finder was pointed down in front of the wheels to ‘map’ the ruts and bumps in the runway. Data was collected every 6 inches for 330 ft.

The purpose of the NAPTM is to test runway construction by going back and forth over the runways in an effort to wear them out quickly. The goal is to put about 30 years of wear and tear on the way during the summer months when the asphalt and other materials were the ‘softest’ and would deform the most.

One could actually see where the wheels made ruts in the runways and force the runway to ooze up at the edges because the middle was push down by the wheels. This picture and data are old. The machine now uses bigger wheels to simulate the weight of the bigger jet liners. If you look closely you can see the rail road tracks on both sides.
airporttech.tc.faa.gov/Airpo … -Facility-