Automotive Newsletter

May 2013 - Best of the Web and PicoScope technical tips

Best of the Web

Here we have a great article online by LMH Engineering Services Ltd. This article is based upon the Running Compression waveform that is produced when using the PicoScope Automotive Oscilloscope and the WPS500X Pressure Transducer.

View the Understanding Running Compression article on the LMH Engineeringwebsite.

Here we have a 30 minute video on YouTube with ScannerDanner. If you have seen Paul's videos before you will know their value, and that it is worth taking the time to watch them.

In this video Paul has been asked to diagnose this vehicle by another garage, and covers another variable when it comes to relative compression testing with a scope.

View the Relative Compression Testing Variables (2005 Buick Lacrosse) video on YouTube.

Case study competition

{news_item:alt_text}

Why not enter our June competition! To enter navigate to the Case Studies sectionof our forum and tell us about your investigations and stories when using our products. To improve your chances of being chosen, your submission should have a clear explanation of the task, and include photos and PicoScope screen captures.

Don't feel your investigations aren't good enough, put them on the forum... you never know!!

See our forum for dates and full terms and conditions.

Technical Tips!

Reference Waveform

Q. I recently purchased a 4-channel scope. I would like to be able to overlay a captured waveform with a reference waveform. I can't seem to be able to find any information anywhere about how to do this. Please can you help? Thank you.

A. Yes this is possible. To do this:

The waveform is now loaded in the background. You can drag the vertical axis of either scale and separate or line up the two waveforms. It is worth noting that within the Reference Waveforms options, you can double click your "Available" waveform and rename it. If you do this, it is worth (with it highlighted) choosing "Export". Your reference waveform is then stored in: "....\My Documents\Waveforms\References". Each time you do this a ".psreference" file will appear here, slowly building your own library of Reference Waveforms.

As you build your own library you can then use the "import" option in the Waveform References to use them over and over.

Hiding Channels

Q. I am forever moving the axis of channels that "get in the way" of other information I want to look at. I want to keep the signal data from these channels, but I need to hide them at times, is this possible?

A. Yes this is possible. To do this simply choose Views>Channels. You will see a list of your active channels, each with a small tick beside them. You can remove/add this tick to hide/show individual channel data. The list of channels is also accessible via the right mouse click on the waveform data.

1) Load the file you want to compare to.

2) Choose Tools>Reference Waveforms.

3) If you have various channels enabled on your waveform, ensure that under "Available" you have the Channel you want as the reference highlighted. Choose "Duplicate". This waveform is now in the "Library" section. Click OK.

4) Now, use File>Open and open the second waveform that you want to compare to your first.

5) With this file open, again go to "Tools>Reference Waveforms".

6) You should see your previous waveform still located under "Library". Enable the tick box here and choose OK.

Forthcoming exhibitions and events

Automechanika Dubai: With more than 1,324 exhibitors and over 20,700 trade visitors, Automechanika Dubai is geared up to supply intermediate markets. A trading link to markets difficult to reach, this trade fair is a good platform to find out more about new products, find new suppliers and compare product alternatives. Covering product groups such as Parts and Systems, Accessories and Tuning, Repair and Maintenance, Tyres and Batteries, and Service and Car Washing.
You will be able to find Pico Technology at Stand number 6AM520, in the UK pavilion.

11th - 13th June 2013 Automechanika Dubai 
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hickleys Simply Diagnostics: The Simply Diagnostics trade show will be a show dedicated to diagnostic equipment of all types. So if you are interested in diagnostic equipment the Simply Diagnostics show will be the place to go in 2013.

Throughout the show there will be live demonstrations of market leading diagnostic equipment being demonstrated on vehicles, covering topics such as Engine management, ABS, SRS, DPF regeneration, module configuration & component programming.

The Simply Diagnostics show, as the description suggests, will cover everything in the diagnostic tool range, including OE level diagnostic stations, scan tools, oscilloscopes, engine analysers, emission testers, battery management, Aircon stations, smoke meters, a huge range of useful test equipment, information systems and accessories.

13th - 14th July 2013 Hickleys Simply Diagnostics 
Advanced Diagnostics Ltd, Nuneaton, Coventry

MIMS Automechanika Moscow: Automechanika Moscow powered by MIMS 2013 is a leading international event. It is the International Trade Fair for the Automotive Industry targeting Trade Visitors from Russia and the CIS.
Attending the trade fair is a great opportunity to conclude contracts, find new business partners, enter or strengthen your position in the market, see the latest collections of leading producers from all over the world and expand your assortment of products.
The show covers the following (but not limited to) product groups: Parts & Systems, Accessories and Tuning, Automobile Design and Engineering, Repair and Maintenance, Automobiles and Buses.
You will be able to find Pico Technology in the UK pavilion.

26th - 29th August 2013 MIMS Automechanika Moscow 
Expocentre, 14, Krasnopresnenskaya nab., 123100, Moscow, Russia

Training courses

If you own, or are thinking of buying, a PicoScope Automotive Diagnostics Kit, you mustn't miss the Professional Diagnostics Ltd engine management diagnostics course. This two-day officialPico Technology course introduces the basic working principles of engine management systems, component testing and system diagnostics using oscilloscopes. The course is split between class-based theory sessions, and practical demonstrations in a workshop using the PicoScope Automotive Diagnostics Kit. The two day course includes everything you need to get the best from an oscilloscope. The course runs several times a year around the UK, and the following dates are currently available:

PicoScope Diagnostics Course (Hosted by EK motor factors) 
11th/12th June 2013 
Lancaster, England

Places are limited, so please contact Professional Diagnostics Ltd via their contact form, or by calling 07881 555385. You can also reserve and pay online. Alternatively visit www.prodiag.co.uk for more information. A certificate of completion from Pico Technology Ltd will be presented to qualifying delegates. This course runs for two days, from 9am to 5pm with an hour for lunch (lunch is included in the booking fee).

Autonerdz, a Pico distributor based in North America, delivers PicoScope Oscilloscope Training both at its headquarters located in Olympia WA, and online. The following date is currently available:

PicoScope Hands-On Class 
12th July, 2013 
4715 Fir Tree Rd SE, Olympia, WA USA 98501 (Autonerdz Training Center)

For further information, or to register early call Autonerdz on 877-628-4899 (Toll Free USA and Canada) or via email.

Events

Please visit Pico Exhibitions for the latest list of exhibitions and trade shows that Pico and its representatives will be attending.

We're hiring!

Thanks to our continuing success and growth Pico are always seeking talented people to join our company.

Please visit http://pico.jobs/ to see our current vacancies. We look forward to hearing from you!

Software releases

Our latest software releases are available as free downloads. To check which release you are using, start the software and select Help > About.

About this newsletter

To make sure that your Pico newsletter reaches your inbox every month, add newsletters@picotech.com to your email address book or safe list. If you found this newsletter useful, please recommend it to your friends and colleagues. Back issues are available from our newsletter archive.

By subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to receive one email a month plus no more than two special announcements a year. Our use of your email address is governed by our privacy policy.

Contact details

UK HQ:
Pico Technology, James House, Colmworth Business Park, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 8YP, England
Tel.: 01480 396395 (+44 1480 396395)
Fax: 01480 396296 (+44 1480 396296)

Pico Technology North America Inc.
320 N Glenwood Blvd.
Tyler
TX 75702
United States
Tel:+1 800 591 2796 (Toll Free)

Email: sales@picotech.com
Web: www.picotech.com
Web technical support: www.picotech.com/tech-support/
Twitter: picotech
Facebook: Pico-Technology