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Show 8 July 18, 1996 Hilltop Times by SSgt. Jody PMEL worker writes software J. Clor Air Force Development Test Center Public Affaire that automates calibration process, saves $400,000 A civilian emEGLIN AFB, Fla. ployee in the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory has developed 42 software calibration procedures saving more than $400,000 in PMEL mechanic Carl Shepardson's software ideas are under review for use which could increase savAir Force-widings to more than $5 million per year. Shepardson has more than 30 years of experience in the field. After retiring from the Air Force in 1979, he worked for a private company where he wrote software to automate a coordinate measurement machine. After he gained extensive software expertise, Shepardson went to work in the Eglin PMEL in man-hour- s. 66 With these software capabilities, we are able to complete three times as much work as before. 99 John Moreland 1983. "If the Air Force Air Force Development Test were to purchase these software programs, it would cost a lot," said John Moreland, Shepardson's supervisor. "A basic program to calibrate the harmonic spurious signal test unit could cost $5,000. With these software capabilities, we are able to complete three times as much work as before." In 1986, the PMEL began receiving new spectrum analyzers for its inventory. "Equipment such as these are used to test and calibrate all test equipment used on base," Shepardson said. "For example, what we do is calibrate the units that check radar equipment on aircraft." Calibration of these new, more complex analyzers was more time consuming. One part of the calibration called for changing the frequency on a signal generator by placing one's finger on a frequency knob and turning it as fast as possible. This process took about an hour to calibrate all the bands of the spectrum analyzer and resulted in a worn-ou- t finger. Shepardson figured there had to be a better way. state-of-the-a- rt There were certain criteria for spending the time to write the programs. If it only took an hour to calibrate a unit and there are only a few of these units in the Canter inventory, then Shepardson didn't see a need to design a program for it. "However, if there were 50 to 100 units in our inventory, I developed one to save time," Shepardson said. If a unit, such as the harmonic spurious signal test equipment, took seven to eight hours to manually program, then it was worthwhile to engineer the software for it. "Now, this unit only takes one hour to calibrate," he said. g Another feature of the calibration software programs is that they are all identical for the user. "Once a mechanic has been shown how time-savin- to run a calibration check on any of the units, they'll be able to do them all," Shepardson said. The Metrology Directorate at the Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Center, Newark AFB, Ohio, is reviewing Shepardson's software for possible use in all Air Force PMELs. According to Skip Shepherd, chief of the engineering division in Metrology, "We are still doing validation and verification of the software. If that goes well, we should be able to authorize it for Air Force use. Then all PMELs will have the option to use it." Each PMEL will determine if it makes sense for them to use, based on their workloads and the availability of computer equipment needed to use the software. Shepardson continues to find ways to save time in the workplace. He is currently looking for ways to reduce calibration time on digital voltmeter and ACDC standards. These days the adjustments are done manually by entering several entries on the unit's keyboard until the out of tolerance is corrected In the future the adjustment can be made by a software program on an external computer. 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