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| Specifications for the TTS Series of |
| Tension/Compression Testing Machines |
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| Revised: Feb. 3, 2002 |
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| Introduction |
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| The TTS series of computer controlled tension/compression testing machines consists of five sizes with load capacities between 5 kN (1100 lb) to 65 kN (14000 lb). The design of these machines feature a double ball screw driven loading crosshead which travels between the upright ball screws. The easy to use Model TC-100 Tension/Compression testing software allows the TTS series to be used for a wide variety of applications in both quality control and Research and Development testing of products and components. Software packages are also available for performing creep tests and low cyclic rate fatigue testing. In addition, modifications to the software packages and the standard machine designs are available for special applications. The TTS series machines are also available in a TTST version for applications requiring tension/compression and torsion testing capabilities. Please see the Specification Sheets for the TTST series for more information. |
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| Figure 1 shows an overall view of the 25 kN (5,600 lb) capacity TTS-25KN and the computer system used for control and data acquisition. Figure 2 shows a view of the system load cell, rotational tensile grips, and front control panel switches. Note that in these photographs the load cell is attached to the crosshead. For certain testing applications the load cell may also be mounted on the platen. Figure 3 shows the major dimensions and part locations of the TTS Series machines. |
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| Mechanical Specifications |
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| 1 . Test Speeds and Ranges |
| Low Speed Clutch: 0.05 - 75 mm/min at rated capacity |
| (0.002 - 3.0 in/min at rated capacity) |
| TTS-65KN only: 0.05 - 50 mm/min at rated capacity |
| (0.002 - 2.0 in/min at rated capacity) |
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| High Speed Clutch: 0.50 - 500 mm/min at 20% rated capacity |
| (0.020 - 20 in/min at 20% rated capacity) |
| TTS-65KN only: 0.50 - 305 mm/min at 20% rated capacity |
| (0.020 - 12 in/min at 20% rated capacity) |
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| 2. 100 cm (40 in) maximum stroke length |
| ( Note: The stroke length is reduced by the space required |
| for the grips or fixtures attached to the system and |
| if the ball screw bellows option is purchased. ) |
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| 3. The loading mechanism consists of two ball screws protruding |
| through the platen of the test machine which drives a loading crosshead. |
| The crosshead moves vertically between the ball screws. The lower |
| ends of the ball screws are mechanically coupled to a DC servo motor. |
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| 4. The drive motor is a DC servo motor with a shaft mounted |
| encoder. The encoder is used for both crosshead position |
| calculation and speed control. Limit switches with adjustable |
| stops are used to prevent overshoot of the crosshead at both |
| upper and lower stroke positions. |
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| 5. Standard Load Cell: Full Wheatstone bridge type rated for testing |
| system capacity in tension and compression. |
| Lower capacity load cells are also available. |
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| 6. Power Requirements: 110 - 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 1 phase |
| or 220 - 240 VAC, 50 Hz, 1 phase |
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| Specifications are Subject to Change without Notice |
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| Motor Control System |
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| The motor control system requires an IBM compatible 486DX or Pentium type PC system with a color VGA monitor, hard drive, 3.5 inch 1.44 MB high density floppy drive, and minimum 1 MB RAM. Two unused XT type expansion slots on the mother board are required for the control and data acquisition cards. For report printouts, a Hewlett Packard Series 600 Deskjet printer (ie. Model 692C, 695C, 697C, etc.) or Panasonic 24 pin dot matrix printer (ie. Model KX-P2023) is required. A 386DX type IBM compatible PC may also be used but data acquisition speed will be considerably reduced. The ATM software requires Microsoft DOS Version 5.0 or higher, Windows95, or Windows98 as the operating system. The ATMsoftware will not function under WindowsNT or Windows2000. The software packages run under DOS and should be run under the Real DOS mode if using Windows95 or Windows98. The motorcontrol hardware consists of two XT type expansion boards, a motor control electronics system, and a combined DC and AC conditioners system. The two XT expansion boards consists of a 12 bits resolution A/D / D/A / I/0 board and a servo motor controller board. The servo motor controller board uses the encoder feedback signal and software commands to produce the motor control system command signal. The motor control system consists of a DC power supply for powering the DC servo motor and a servo amplifier for amplification of the servo controller board command signal. |
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| Two toggle switches mounted on the front panel of the test machine base are used for Manual Control positioning of the crosshead. The crosshead is moved using the spring loaded toggle switch labelled Up/Down. The second toggle switch labelled Fast/Slow is used to select the speed of the manual positioning motion. With the use of the Fast/Slow clutch setting, four manual speeds can be preset in the software. |
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| A circuit board containing two DC and two AC conditioners is located in the base of the TTS series machines. The input connections from the base rear panel and front mounted Manual Control switches are made to this board. The DC conditioners can be used for excitation and amplification of the ATM line of load cells and extensometers. The AC conditioners are used for amplification and demodulation of LVDT type devices. Provision is made on the base rear panel for monitoring the conditioner outputs using BNC type connectors. Also, 15 turn potentiometers are accessible through the base right side panel for adjustment of the Gain and Input and Output Offset adjust (ie. Zero) for each conditioner output. The DC conditioners also have a push button Cal Chk switch for a quick check of correct transducer calibration. For a typical setup, the DC conditioner 1 is used with the standard capacity load cell. DC conditioner 2 is available for use with a lower capacity load cell or a DC type extensometer. |
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| Data Acquisition System |
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| Computer data acquisition is performed using a 12 bit A/D D/A I/0 expansion board. This board mounts in one of the PC bus XT type card slots. There is provision on the board for changing the board address location by means of a DIP switch. If this is required, a data file in the software must be modified for the new address location. The female DB subminiature type 25 contact connector on the rear of the data acquisition board connects using a "Straight Thru" style cable directly to the AC/DC conditioner board mounted in the base of the testing machine. The data acquisition board supplies the +15 VDC and +5 VDC power required for operation of the AC/DC conditioner circuit board. The A/D input and D/A output ranges are set at -+10 VDC. Two D/A outputs and an I/0 signal are available via BNC connections on the TTS series base unit rear panel. These are not used in the standard ATM software packages but are intended for use in customized versions of the ATM software and for future applications. The amplified outputs of the AC/DC conditioner board are connected to the data acquisition card through the main cable. |
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| Computer Software Descrilption |
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| The Model TC-100 Tension/Compression software package is included with purchase of a TTS series machine. The software features a user friendly environment to perform such tasks as selecting the testing speed. A Demonstration Version of the software is available. Please contact ATM for information on how to obtain a copy. A brief description of the software is given as follows. |
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| The Main Screen of the TC-100 software shown in Figure 4 presents the Operator with the current data set plotted on an X-Y graph. When the software is started, the data set plotted on the X-Y graph and the test parameters displayed are those which were current at the previous software shutdown. This data set and test parameters are stored in the TESTBAK.000 file. The present Tensile/Compressive and Yield Strengths for the data set are displayed in the Present Data box in the upper left hand screen. (Note: The Yield Strength will only be shown if the test was performed with an extensometer which is required to calculate the strain in the specimen.) Below this box, the Limits Box will show if any load, stroke, strain, or time limits are being exceeded. The Current Test box shows test setup parameters such as testing speed, data sampling rate, specimen type, specimen dimensions, etc. Three additional screens of information for the Current Test box are accessible in the Main Screen configuration using the < UP > arrow key. The lower right portion of the screen displays the command descriptions of the keyboard function keys Fl to F8 and the < RIGHT > arrow key. The < RIGHT > arrow key is used to select a second set of command descriptions for the Fl to F8 keys. The clutch setting for the speed range is selected with the <F12> function key. Its current setting is shown in a small box above the function keys to the right of the screen. |
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| The design of the TC-100 software allows maximum flexibility for making changes to the testing configuration. The Operator can make changes to the display screen with the < F7 > Change Setup key with minimum disruption of the background display. |
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| Up to 300 data sets can be stored at a time in the directory which contains the TC-100 operating software. The TESTS.NAM file contains a listing of the data sets that are available for display. The data set generated during a test can be stored to the hard drive with a filename which the Operator either enters or is automatically generated by the software. The resulting data files may be reloaded or erased from within the program. |
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| Performing replicate tests is easily accomplished with a minimum of Operator inputs. The system features the software selectable < F2 > Zero Offsets command for removing any offset load or other non zero transducer signal resulting from changes in the test grips or test setup. An Automatic Return feature which is activated at test completion may be chosen which automatically or after an Operator key input returns the crosshead to its position at the start of the test. |
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| During a test, the results are displayed in Real-Time to the monitor on an X-Y plot. The current value of the individual point being displayed is updated during the test in the Present Data box. The test can be stopped at a preselected end point determined by such parameters as maximum time limit, load limit, after sample breakage, % load drop after maximum value, or by pressing the <Esc> key. In addition, the Operator may also Pause during the test after which time the test may be continued or aborted. The values of the test sample's Tensile/Compressive Strength and Crosshead Displacement at Fracture or % Elongation are calculated and displayed at test completion. If an extensometer is used for the X axis, the Yield Strength (Y.S.) will also be displayed. |
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| At test completion, the individual data points may be scrolled with the < F5 > Trace Test Curve function using the < LEFT > and < RIGHT > arrow keys. Also, the data may be replotted by changing the axes scales or with different Engineering Units and the resultant data stored under another filename. The |
| < F8 > Data Functions key may be used to display multiple data sets for comparison, storing data sets, or erasing stored data sets. |
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| For simplifying multiple test setup requirements, up to 100 test setups may be stored using the < F6 > Test Setups key. These are listed in the SETUPS.NAM file. When a test setup is loaded, the displayed data set is reconfigured to the new test setup X and Y axes and Engineering Units. |
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| Other software features include the capability of printing one page summary test reports on a Hewlett Packard 600 or 800 Series DeskJet printer (ie. Model 692C, 695C, 697C, 832C, etc.) or a Panasonic 24 pin dot matrix printer (ie. Model KX- P2023). Figure 5 shows a sample test report. The Operator may change the axes scales of the graph and view the results on the monitor before printout. The test report contains information such as the material type, date and time of test, Test Operator identification, number of test points, and fracture values. The test report can also be configured to exclude the X-Y plot of the test data. |
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| Other software packages are available for performing creep tests and low cyclic rate fatigue tests. In addition, existing software packages can be customized for unique testing requirements which can not be performed with the standard software. Please contact Adelaide Testing Machines if you have specific testing requirements which may not behandled by our standard software packages. |
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| Optional Features |
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| Additional features may be supplied with the TTS series of machines to enhance their capabilities. Some of these are listed as follows: |
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| a) Safety Shields for Front and Rear (Option TTSxxxx.SAF) |
| The TTS series machines may be supplied with clear safety shields for the front and/or rear working area of the systems. The safety shield package consists of two side panels and two front hinged panels of 3/8 in (9.5 mm) thick clear polycarbonate sheet. The shield design ensures a large enclosed working distance for specialized setups. The side panels are approximately 4 in (10 cm) wide and do not open. The hinged doors are secured in place by sliding bolts. |
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| The safety shield package includes two hinged door panels, two side panels, and mounting hardware. A complete package is used to enclose each of the front and rear working areas of the system. Price of each package includes factory installation of the safety shields on the machine when ordered with the TTS series machine. |
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| b) Bellows Covers on Ball Screws (Option TTSxxxx.BSC) |
| The standard TTS series machines include an upright sheet metal protective panel around three surfaces of the ball screws. For dusty environments, ATM can supply the machines with bellows over the ball screws to prevent dust from coating the ball screws which may cause premature wear. This option is a factory installed modification and should be ordered with the system. |
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| In addition to the listed options, ATM can provide additional modifications to the standard machines to accommodate specific requirements. Some of these options included safety door mounted limit switches to shut off the motor, increased working distance between the ball screws, longer travel length, very low speed range for ultra low speed control applications, and others. Please contact us with your additional requirements. |
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| Accessories |
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| A wide range of accessories such as test grips and fixtures can be provided by ATM to allow testing of many different sample types or customer products. The following lists some of the items that are available from ATM. |
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| a) Extensometers |
| ATM can provide linear, diametral, biaxial, non contact laser type. and elevated extensometry equipment for most applications. They are available in a wide range of deflections and temperature ranges for use with the ATM line of software and test equipment. Please contact ATM for your specific requirements for extensometry equipment. |
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| b) Material Testing Grips |
| An extensive line of material testing grips such as wedge loading tensile grips, clevis grips, compression plates, 3 and 4 point bending fixtures, and others can be provided. Special high temperature grips for ceramics testing are also available. ATM can also custom design test grips or test fixtures to test component parts. Please contact ATM for all your test fixture requirements. |
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| c) High Temperature Test Ovens |
| ATM can supply split tubular or box type testing ovens in a range of temperatures up to 1200 F and a very high temperature line for materials testing up to a maximum temperature capability of 2800 F. These models mount on swing arms which will attach directly to an upright post mounted on the TTS series machines for this application. When not in use, the swing arms permit the oven to be swung completely out of the way of the load train. |
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| d) Environmental Chambers |
| Low temperature environmental chambers with temperature and/or humidity control are also available. These chambers are of mainly stainless steel construction and are designed with the same accessibility as the test ovens. Depending on the size of the chamber, they are either mounted on the TTS series machines by use of swivel arms or are separately attached by use of other means such as a roll out platform. |
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| e) Customized Electronics Packages |
| The ATM line of DC and AC conditioners may also be supplied in rack mounted versions for excitation and amplification of multiple source Wheatstone bridge type device input signals. Other manufacturer's load cells and extensometers may also be adapted for use with ATM equipment. Please contact ATM for more information. |
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