ANDILOG CENTOR FIRST II User manual

User's manual
CENTOR FIRST II
User's manual
CENTOR FIRST II
ANDILOG Technologies - BP62001 - 13845 Vitrolles Cedex – France
COM-TEN Industries – 6405 49th Street North – Pinellas Park, FL, 33781 - USA
Site: www.andilog.com

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Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Presentation ............................................................................................................................ 3
1.2. Recommendations before use ................................................................................................ 3
1.2.1. Battery ............................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.2. Sensor .............................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.3. Building............................................................................................................................ 4
1.2.4. Precautions during testing .............................................................................................. 4
1.2.5. Environmental conditions ............................................................................................... 4
1.2.6. Guarantee........................................................................................................................ 4
2. Getting started ................................................................................................................................ 6
2.1. Battery charging ...................................................................................................................... 6
2.2. Mounting the Accessories ....................................................................................................... 6
2.3. Mounting on a frame .............................................................................................................. 6
3. Using the CENTOR FIRST.................................................................................................................. 7
3.1. Starting up ............................................................................................................................... 7
3.2. Extinguishing ........................................................................................................................... 8
3.3. Measurement screen .............................................................................................................. 8
3.3.1. Doing the Zero ................................................................................................................. 9
3.3.2. Changing the unit of measurement ................................................................................ 9
3.3.3. Changing the display order............................................................................................ 10
3.3.4. Auto-off ......................................................................................................................... 10
3.3.5. Maintenance screen ...................................................................................................... 10
4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 11
4.1. Main faults and solutions ...................................................................................................... 11
4.2. Technical characteristics ....................................................................................................... 11

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1. Introduction
1.1. Presentation
Thank you for choosing the CENTOR FIRST II force gaughe manufactured by ANDILOG Technologies to
perform your measurements.
This instrument is the result of over 35 years of experience in force and torque measurement. It
integrates the latest technologies available to offer you industrial level performance and measurement
quality.
1.2. Recommendations before use
1.2.1. Battery
The Centor First is equipped with a learning battery management component. This component updates
itself in real time according to the wear of the battery. It is possible that on the first few
charge/discharge cycles the percentage of battery remaining is not very accurate. This accuracy
improves after a few cycles and will update throughout the life cycle of the battery.
The battery life is 15 hours in normal operation. The force gauge must be charged when the battery is
empty after normal use. If the force gauge is not used for a long period of time, it should be kept with
a battery charge between 30 and 80% of its autonomy.
It is recommended to use the original power supply provided by Andilog to charge your instrument.
The power supply must have the following characteristics: micro USB, 5V, 1A minimum.
Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may need to be replaced. Battery
life and number of charge cycles will vary depending on usage and settings.
1.2.2. Sensor
Never connect accessories or fixtures (hook, tray...) directly to the load cell. Use the
extension cable supplied with your instrument.
Despite the overload protection provided by this instrument, the application of a force
greater than the capacity of the load cell can damage the force gauge. The force gauge
is equipped with an overload counter which allows to know the conditions of use of
the device
It is important that the measured values are generally below 90% of the sensor's capacity. Constant
use of the load cell beyond 90% of its capacity can result in premature wear of the load cell. When the
force gauge is used on a motorized frame, it is necessary to program the frame to stop when the force
approaches the maximum capacity of the sensor. This limit must take into account the fact that at a

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high speed a frame does not stop immediately and the risks of damaging the sensor are important due
to the inertia of the motor.
1.2.3. Building
The force gauge can be fixed on a frame using M5 screws. The length of the screws used should not
exceed 3mm inside the instrument. Contact Andilog if you need more information or if you want an
adapter to mount the instrument on a rack.
1.2.4. Precautions during testing
Most of the tests performed with Andilog Technologies instruments are destructive tests. The hazards
associated with this type of testing require that our instruments be used by experienced and trained
operators. Due to the nature and use of the equipment sold by Andilog, the purchaser's acceptance of
Andilog Technologies' products constitutes acceptance of the risks and damages that may result from
the use of Andilog's instruments.
1.2.5. Environmental conditions
•Operating temperature : 0 to 35° C
•Storage temperature: -20 to 45° C
•Relative humidity: 5% to 95%, non-condensing
•Maximum altitude of use : 3 000 m
1.2.6. Warranty
Subject to the conditions below, Andilog Technologies warrants to the
purchaser that it will repair or replace at no charge new instruments sold
subject to normal use and maintenance. This warranty applies if the
purchaser detects a defect in workmanship or materials during a period of
two (2) years from the date of shipment.
The conditions of application are:
•ANDILOG Technologies has been notified in writing of the defect
before the end of the warranty period
•Products are shipped to Andilog Technologies with prior agreement
from Andilog Technologies
•All transportation costs are paid by the buyer
•The products have been used and maintained under normal conditions of use
Any repair or replacement made by the seller outside the agreement of Andilog Technologies will void
the warranty.
In no event shall Andilog Technologies be liable for any damages, business interruption, or loss of
production due to the purchase, use, or failure of our products. And this even if Andilog Technologies
has been informed of the possibility of such damages.

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The accuracy of our devices is guaranteed at the time of shipment at the value indicated in our
documentation or offers.
If products are damaged during shipment, notify the carrier and Andilog Technologies immediately.
The warranty is void in case of accident, misuse or abuse.
Calibrations, overloaded sensors, consumable parts such as batteries are not covered by the warranty,
unless the damage is due to a material or manufacturing defect

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2. Handling
The usual functions (displaying force, displaying maximum, zeroing and changing units) are accessible
by simply using the keys on the keyboard.
2.1. Battery Charging
Connect the AC adapter to the micro-USB connector on the left side of your force gauge. The green
LED on the front panel lights up when the battery is charging. At the end of the charge, the LED goes
out.
2.2. Accessories assembly
Attach the extension cable provided in the case to the load cell rod at the bottom of the force gauge.
Tightening should be done by hand without applying much torque. Excessive torque or the use of pliers
can damage the load cell. We recommend that you mount the accessories with the force gauge turned
on to ensure that you are not applying a heavy load on the sensor when mounting the accessories.
2.3. Mounting on a frame
On the back of the force gauge are 2 M5 threaded holes that can be used to mount the force gauge on
an ANDILOG frame. Each ANDILOG frame is delivered with a special spacer and the fixing screws for
this use.
If you wish to use another type of frame, make sure that the screws used are no longer than 3mm.
Although the threaded holes are blind, the use of longer screws may destroy the components on the
electronic board inside the instrument.

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3. Using the CENTOR FIRST
3.1. Start-up
Please note that the Centor First II measures very small changes in force and may not read exactly zero
if it is moved during its self-test procedure. When properly mounted and zeroed, the reading remains
stable.
To switch on, press the key , a short self-test procedure displays the following screen
After the self-test, if the device is functional, the force gauge displays the measurement screen. It then
displays 0 N. A tare is performed when the device is started.
If the applied force is greater than 20% of the maximum capacity, the force gauge displays a
maintenance screen. At the bottom of this screen, the force applied in % is indicated. The unit is not
usable if the force at startup is greater than 20%. It is then necessary to turn off the force gauge and
remove the preload before turning it on again.
For example, for a force gauge with a capacity of 500N, the force applied to the sensor must not
exceed 100N at start-up.

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All settings are saved in memory when the force gauge is turned off. The force gauge will operate
with the same settings when it is turned back on (unit, display order).
3.2. Extinguishing
To turn off the Centor First II, press and hold the button until the instrument turns off (5 seconds).
3.3. Measurement screen

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Battery indicator: varies between 0% and 100% to indicate the battery life. When the battery is new,
the autonomy is about 15 hours in continuous use. When the battery percentage reaches 0% the force
gauge turns off.
Capacity display: indicates the capacity of the sensor installed in the instrument.
Bar graph: The bar graph shows the operator how much force is being applied relative to the
maximum capacity of the load cell. When a compression force is applied, the bar graph fills up. When
a tensile force is applied, the bar graph fills in downwards.
Measurement display :
A force applied in tension will be preceded by the symbol ▼
A force applied in compression will be preceded by the symbol ▲
The display order can be changed by pressing the
3.3.1. Do the Zero
During tests, it is often necessary to reset the display to zero (e.g. to tare an accessory). Press the
green 0 key. The display then shows 0.
3.3.2. Change the unit of measurement
You can choose from the following units: N, kg, lb and daN. To change the unit display, press the U
key. Each successive press will select the next unit until you return to the starting unit. The Centor
First II will automatically convert the display and capacity to the new chosen unit and display the
corresponding unit symbol.
Indicates the direction of the
measurement (tension or
compression). Force measured
in instantaneous
Maximum traction from the
tare
Maximum compression from
tare

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The number of decimal points displayed changes according to the unit chosen.
3.3.3. Change the display order
The force gauge detects and stores the maximum in tension and compression. Press the key
. The display order of the different values will shift upwards. The top line will then move to the
bottom. Each press of this key changes the display. The Centor First II remembers the display order
when it is turned off.
3.3.4. Auto-off
The automatic shutdown saves the battery charge. The force gauge is automatically switched off
after 15 minutes without pressing any key.
3.3.5. Maintenance screen
A long press on the U button displays a maintenance screen. This screen provides information about
the sensor and its status.
Sensor capacity
Number of times the sensor has
been overloaded
Maximum force that has been
applied to the sensor beyond
the capacity
0 offset of the sensor
Factory settings of the sensor

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4. Maintenance and troubleshooting
4.1. Main faults and solutions
Problem
Solution
My device turns itself off.
1. Check that the battery percentage is not at 0%.
Put the device on charge
2. The Centor First II will automatically shut off after
15 minutes if no button is pressed.
My device is blocked, the force does
not vary anymore.
Turn off and restart your instrument using the on/off key.
My device does not display the
measurement screen but an
information page with Offset in red.
If the offset value is greater than 20%, the device cannot
measure. Turn off your device and remove the load
applied to the sensor. Then turn on your device.
If no load is applied to the sensor, then the sensor is
deformed. You must then return your device to us for
replacement of the sensor.
4.2. Technical specifications
Reference
Capacity
Resolution
CNR FT 10
10 N
0.002 N
CNR FT 25
25 N
0.005 N
CNR FT 50
50N
0.01 N
CNR FT 100
100 N
0.02 N
CNR FT 250
250 N
0.05 N
CNR FT 500
500N
0.1 N

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Characteristic
Capacity
Accuracy
0.25 % of capacity
Autonomy
3 p.m.
Power supply
MicroUSB, 5V, 1A
Net weight
520 g
Units
N, daN, kg, lb
Sensor sampling frequency
1000 Hz