Mecmesin Vortex Manuel utilisateur
It is essential that you
familiarise yourself with the
contents of these instructions
before attempting to
operate the Vortex.
Vortex
Motorised Torque Test Frame
Operating Instructions
page 1
Contents
Operating Instructions 3
Communication with External Devices 4
Vortex Technical Specifications 7
Appendices 8
Introduction
Thank you for choosing this Mecmesin motorised torque testing system, with correct use it will give
many years of reliable service. Upon receiving the unit, please check that no obvious physical
damage has been sustained by the packaging material or the test frame itself. If any damage is
evident, or if any of the items in Appendix 1 are missing, please notify Mecmesin or their
authorised agent immediately.
These instructions should also be read in conjunction with the operating instructions for the
Advanced Force/Torque Indicator (Part No. 431-213).
Before Use
Appendix 2 gives guidance notes on the safe use of mains powered test frames, which should be
read before proceeding any further. Within the European Union (EU), a copy of this Appendix
will, if appropriate, be supplied in a language appropriate to your country by your Mecmesin
agent. Failure to adhere to the guidelines for safe use given in these operating instructions may
result in irreparable damage to the unit and/or personal injury to the operator.
page 2
INTRODUCTION TO
THE VORTEX
The Vortex is a twin-column motorised torque measurement
system with a load rating of up to 10 newton.metres (N.m) and
a speed range of 0.5 to 15rpm. It must not be used with load
ratings above 10N.m. Complemented by a Mecmesin AFTI
(Advanced Force / Torque Indicator) display unit, ‘smart’ static
torque transducer, and (if purchased) upper and lower
mounting tables (as illustrated in the photograph on the front
cover), it constitutes a key component in torque measurement
systems suitable for accurately testing a wide range of
products. It enables a repeatable and constant test speed to be
set, thus reducing variability in test results which can arise from
operators manually performing tests at different speeds.
There is one standard model of the Vortex. The dimensions,
speed range and capacity have been carefully optimised to
cover the test procedures and specimen sizes most often
needed by quality departments within many sectors of
manufacturing industry.
The Vortex has been designed and manufactured in a
controlled system to ensure compliance with all relevant
European Community Directives.
Before operating ensure that the Vortex has been assembled as
described in Appendix 2, ‘Installing the machine’.
Turn on the power to the Vortex by means of the rocker switch
at the rear of the base unit, the power LED (2) will illuminate.
The control panel of the Vortex has a rotary speed controller
(5) for both clockwise and anticlockwise rotation. Turning this
controller clockwise will increase speed, and turning it
anticlockwise will decrease it. Some test Standards place
particular requirements upon speed accuracy/reproducibility,
which may exceed the normal performance of the Vortex.
Under such circumstances calibration of each individual test
stand may be appropriate.
To rotate the lower mounting table, or whichever base fixture
is attached to the drive shaft adaptor (see (D), below), press
the green [Enable] button (7), then,
while still holding down
this button
, select either ‘Torque Applied’ or ‘Torque Released’
with the direction control switch (6) and
hold in this position
.
The base fixture will continue to rotate until one of the following
occurs:
a) The [Enable] button is released
b) The direction control switch is released
c) The power is disconnected
d) A pre-set alarm point is reached (see ‘Measuring &
Displaying Torque’, below)
The ‘two-handed operation’ of the Vortex is designed as a
safety feature to ensure that the operator’s hands are kept clear
of the rotating fixture.
Pressing the red [Emergency Stop] button (1) will, at any
time, cut power to the motor and stop the lower fixture rotating.
Power to the motor can be reconnected by twisting the button
either clockwise or anticlockwise.
It is advisable to check and
become familiar with the operation of the Emergency Stop
once the system is connected to the appropriate mains supply.
The LCD display on the control panel will allow either actual
speed (in revolutions per minute, i.e. rpm) or degrees of
rotation to be displayed. Pressing the [SEL] button (3) will
toggle between these two options. Angle and speed values
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
Powering on
Speed Setting
Rotating the Lower Fixture
Note: that when ‘Torque
Applied’ is selected the base
fixture will be driven
anticlockwise, i.e. the upper
fixture will be twisted in a
clockwise direction relative to the
lower fixture.
Emergency Stop
Speed & Rotation Display
page 3
page 4
Measuring and Displaying
Torque
Note: torque transducers are
delicate pieces of equipment and
can easily be damaged irreparably
unless treated with care.
COMMUNICATION
WITH EXTERNAL
DEVICES
displayed do not distinguish between anticlockwise and
clockwise rotation, i.e. rotation at 2rpm in either direction will
be displayed as a positive value,
anticlockwise rotation will
not be displayed as a negative value.
Similarly, if the platen
is rotated two revolutions clockwise, then half a revolution
anticlockwise, 900˚ will be displayed, not 540˚, i.e.
it is the
total accumulated rotation, not the effective rotation which will
be displayed.
Pressing the [RST] button (4) will reset the degrees of rotation
displayed to zero.
Torque is measured on a Vortex by a ‘smart’ static torque
transducer mounted on the adjustable crosshead. The
transducer must be connected to an Advanced Force/Torque
Indicator (AFTI) mounted on one of the columns of the Vortex
(see illustration on front cover). The torque transducer is
connected to the 15pin female D-connector on the side of the
AFTI.
One way of causing irreparable damage would be to drive the
base fixture at high speed to a point where the transducer
encounters something ‘solid’. This is a risk when a user is, either
unfamiliar with operating a new test frame, or with the
characteristics of a new sample. It is recommended that an AFTI
to Vortex cable is fitted (see following section) and that a
suitable ‘alarm point’ is set; please refer to the AFTI operating
manual (Part 431-213).
There is an external control port (15pin female D-connector) at
the rear of the Vortex. This display unit interface enables the
Vortex to respond, via the appropriate Mecmesin cable (Part
351-062), to a signal from an AFTI via the 15pin male D-
connector on the top of the unit. With this cable connected, the
Vortex can stop rotating the lower platen when an alarm point
or sample break is detected. For further information please refer
to the AFTI operating manual (Part 431-213).
Some applications require a graphical representation of the test
data – if more than one peak reading is of significance, for
example. Mecmesin DataPlot software can be used to plot
torque values as a function of time, or as a function of angle
page 5
The 15pin connector on the top
of the AFTI is used for a number of
different purposes. If a cable is
connecting the AFTI directly to a
PC, then this port is not available
to connect the AFTI to the Vortex.
Adjusting Height of
Crosshead
port of a PC calculated from speed. This can be achieved in
one of two ways:
a) via a cable connecting the 9pin D-
connector at the rear of the Vortex to the RS232
b) via a cable connecting the AFTI directly to the
RS232 port of a PC
There is no hardware in the Vortex which can generate serial
data, this function is performed by the AFTI; consequently:
• Unless an appropriate cable is connecting the
AFTI and the Vortex, no RS232 data can be
downloaded from the 9pin port of the Vortex.
• Although a rotation value is displayed on the
Vortex, this cannot be downloaded to a PC
Before a specimen can be correctly located in the lower
gripping fixture, the crosshead will need to be adjusted to an
approximately suitable height. Use one hand to slacken off
both side adjuster knobs (B), while supporting the weight of the
crosshead with the other hand. Gently raise / lower the
crosshead and re-tighten the side adjuster knobs to secure.
page 6
Fine adjustments can subsequently be made by slackening the
central adjuster knob (C), raising / lowering the transducer
holding plate and carriage (D) and re-tightening.
Some testing applications require torque to be measured while
axial top-load is being applied to the specimen. Testing a
‘push-and-twist’ child-resistant closure according to ASTM
D3475 would be one example of such an application.
Ensure the central adjuster knob (C) is tightened sufficiently, and
add appropriate weight(s), up to 5kg, to loading dish (A).
Slacken off the central adjuster knob, while supporting the static
torque transducer and upper gripping fixture (not illustrated),
gently lower until this engages with the specimen and tighten
the upper mounting table grip, if necessary.
Do not re-tighten
the central adjuster knob.
The upper and lower mounting tables have been designed to
accommodate samples with a wide range of sizes, shapes and
symmetries. It is however necessary to avoid over-tightening
these fixtures such that the cap sample is distorted significantly.
Optimum results can be obtained for critical applications by
using a mandrel dedicated for use with each particular design
of cap, see (a) for example.
Setting-up Top-loading (if
required
Operation of Mounting
Tables
page 7
VORTEX SPECIFICATIONS
Load capacity of stand 10N.m/100kgf.cm/90lbf.in
Power consumption 80 watts (maximum)
Weight (stand & crosshead only) 20kg (44lb)
LOWER TABLE MOTION
Speed range 0.5 - 15rpm
Rotation direction setting Toggle switch
Rotation speed setting Potentiometer control
Rotation speed/cumulative angle indicated by LCD display
Stop on alarm point Yes, with AFTI & appropriate cable
Stop on sample break Yes, with AFTI & appropriate cable
Logging/plotting torque/time Yes, with DataPlot, PC & appropriate cable
Full computer-control No, Vortex-
i
required
Temperature range Normal laboratory ambient conditions
Humidity Normal laboratory ambient conditions
AFTI & ‘Smart’ Static Torque Transducer - Key Features
Transducer capacities available 10, 6 and 1.5N.m
Display resolution 1:5000
Accuracy ±0.5% of full scale
Internal sampling rate 5000Hz
Display update rate High 2000Hz, Medium 10Hz, Low 2Hz
Power source 5AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
Charger supplied Yes
Battery life Approx 20 hours between charges
Calibration temperature 20±2˚C
Universal Fixtures* - Key Features
Lower mounting table 10 - 160mm diameter specimens
Upper mounting table 8 - 55mm diameter specimens
System headroom 350mm (with upper and lower tables fitted)
(*Not supplied as standard)
page 8
APPENDIX 1 SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Included with Basic Test Stand
• This operating manual
• Crosshead, without a ‘Smart’ static torque transducer
• Swivel mounting bracket for AFTI *
• Lower turntable drive shaft adaptor
• Appropriate power cable
• Translation of Appendix 2 (This does not apply to English-speaking countries, or
countries outside the European Union (EU))
• Calibration certificate, for torque only - if a torque transducer is also supplied (see
below)
Essential Complementary Equipment
• Advanced Force / Torque Indicator (Part 851-401) *
At least one of:
• ‘Smart’ 10N.m static torque transducer, attached to crosshead (Part 879-044) *
• ‘Smart’ 6N.m static torque transducer, attached to crosshead (Part 879-043)
• ‘Smart’ 1.5N.m static torque transducer, attached to crosshead (Part 879-042)
Optional Accessories
• Upper universal gripping fixture (Part 432-158) *
• Lower platen with universal gripping fixture (Part 432-232) *
• RS232 to USB converter cable (Part 432-228)
• AFTI to test stand cable (Part 351-062)
• DataPlot Software (Part 840-201)
• AFTI / Stand to PC (9 pin ‘D’) RS232 cable (Part 351-059)
* Illustrated on front cover
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