Cooper STX Series User manual

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STX Digital Strap Tension Meter
1.0 SAFETY
WARNING: When using cordless, electronic instruments, always follow basic safety precautions to reduce the risk
of fire, electric shock and personal injury.
READ AND SAVE ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE USE. Before use, ensure all users read and understand
this manual, as well as any labels packaged with, or attached to the instrument.
1. KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT. Read this manual carefully to learn your tension meter’s applications and
limitations, as well as the potential hazards associated with this type of instrument.
2. AVOID DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENTS. Do not use your instrument in the presence of explosive
atmospheres (gaseous fumes, dust or flammable materials). Do not submerge your instrument in liquids.
3. USE THE RIGHT TOOL OR INSTRUMENT. Do not use this instrument to do a job for which it is not
recommended.
4. CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS. Inspect instrument before use. Check for any binding of moving parts,
improper mountings, broken parts and any other condition that may affect operation. Do not use a damaged
instrument. Tag damaged instrument “DO NOT USE” until repaired. For repair, send instruments directly to
Cooper Instruments.
5. GUARD AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK when connecting power supply to voltage source.
6. MAINTAIN INSTRUMENT CAREFULLY. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Do not
lubricate. All roller bearings are sealed.
7. DO NOT USE INSTRUMENT IF it has received a sharp blow, been dropped or damaged in any way. Do not
disassemble. Incorrect reassembly may result in the risk of electric shock, fire or exposure to battery fluids. If
instrument is damaged return it to Cooper Instruments for repair.
8. STANDARD POWER SUPPLY IS RATED FOR 100-240 VAC and includes several “blades” allowing use with
European, US, Australian and other plug configurations.
9. DO NOT USE INSTRUMENT WHEN TEMPERATURE is below 35ºF or above 115ºF. Charging in direct
sunlight or near a heat source will not produce a full charge and may permanently damage battery pack.
10. STORE INSTRUMENT AND CHARGER in a cool, dry place. Do not store where temperatures may exceed
120°F or fall below 35ºF for storage times less than one month. Never let LCD display or battery pack assembly
freeze.
11. WARNING: Only use battery pack assemblies provided by Cooper Instruments with your meter (P/N: STX-15).
Other types of batteries may explode, causing personal or property damage if charged in this device.
2.0 CHARGING INSTRUMENT BATTERIES
1. Connect power supply cable to instrument.
2. Plug the power supply into a 100 – 240 VAC outlet.
3. Full charge of battery assembly takes approximately eight hours.

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4. Battery pack assembly cannot be overcharged, however instrument will remain on while plugged into power
supply.
5. Fully charged battery assemblies will operate approximately six hours +/- 20% depending upon usage and
backlighting intensity.
6. Battery charge level is indicated in the upper, right-hand corner of the display.
3.0 OPERATION: QUICK START
1. TURN UNIT ON by pressing ON button. Display shows: Tension (Lbs, Newtons, or Kilograms), Cable size
selected and battery charge level.
2. MEMORY FUNCTION. Depress the MEMORY button to store and display up
to five separate tension readings, plus the average (AVG) of these stored
values.
3. MOVE BETWEEN SCREENS by pressing either the ↑or ↓arrows. To make,
or enter a selection, depress the ENTER key. To exit a setting, depress the
ESCAPE key.
4. ZERO THE INSTRUMENT before taking readings by holding the instrument
in the attitude in which it will be used, and with no load applied press the
button marked ZERO.
5. READING OF TENSION. Variations in materials and sizes affect tension
readings. It is essential to select the correct material and size from the
calibration menu before use, or values may be incorrect.
6. SELECT MATERIAL. From the Main Display (first screen seen when unit is
turned on) use the ↑or ↓keys until SELECT MATERIAL is displayed. Press
ENTER. Next toggle through the various selections using the ↑or ↓arrows
until correct strap size is highlighted, and press ENTER to make your
selection. If your specific material is not listed, follow the calibration
instructions included at the end of these instructions, or send a sample and
the instrument to Cooper Instruments for a custom calibration.
7. SELECTING TENSION UNITS IN LBS, KILOGRAMS or NEWTONS. Press the ↑or ↓keys until TENSION
UNITS is displayed. Press ENTER. Next, select: Lbs, Kilograms or NEWTONS and ENTER selection.
8. ENGAGE INSTRUMENT TO TENSIONED MATERIAL. For best accuracy hold the instrument in the attitude
the measurement will be taken in and press ZERO. Then engage the tensioned material by slipping or guiding
the instrument’s three contact elements onto the strap. Proper routing of the strapping material is: under the
two, outside guide pins, and over the center contact element.
4.0 ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION
1. SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN DISPLAY LCD REFRESH RATES -DAMPENING ADJUSTMENT. To
either speed up or slow down the rate at which tension values refresh on the display. Use the ↑or ↓keys,
select SETUP, and press ENTER. Next select Dampening and after entering this selection, choose the refresh
rate from: 1Hz, 2Hz or 5Hz. When new rate is highlighted, press ENTER.
2. AUDIO. Turn on or off audio beep (with key inputs) by selecting: SETUP, then select Audio, and finally either
select ON or OFF.
3. BACKLIGHTING INTENSITY. Increase or decrease backlighting intensity by selecting: SETUP, then
BACKLIGHT, and finally intensity level.
4. DATA LOGGING. (Optional feature). From the Main display use the UP or DOWN keys until Data Logging is
displayed. Press ENTER. Next, select Logging Rate and select Hz rate which your data will be collected in
(choices are from 1Hz to 100Hz). Next select Duration and select the time period the data will be collected
over by using the UP or DOWN keys. Finally select Begin Logging when you are ready to collect your data.
Note: You can stop collecting data at any time by simply depressing ESC (escape). Collected data will remain
in memory, regardless if instrument is turned off, and will only be overwritten once new data is collected. To
view collected data select View Data Log and press ENTER. Logged Data can also be uploaded to your
computer via the RS-232, serial port. Refer to Sec 4.12, Uploading logged data, for specific instructions.
5. DISPLAY CONTRAST. Increase or decrease LCD display contrast by selecting: SETUP, then select
CONTRAST, and finally manipulate contrast using the ↑or ↓keys. Remember to ENTER your new setting.

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6. VERSION. Instrument Model No. along with software version information can be viewed under SETUP and
then selecting Version.
7. CUSTOM CALIBRATIONS. Calibrations are password-protected to prevent unintended changes. See Section
7.0 for step-by-step instructions, or contact your Metrology Department or Cooper Instruments for assistance. If
you only want to verify your instrument’s accuracy refer to: How To Check Accuracy, Section 7.0.
8. CUSTOM CALIBRATION NAMES. Custom Calibrations (usually listed as Custom 0 - 9) can be renamed so
that the Main Display indicates your name for the calibration instead of Custom 1, 2, etc. From the Main Display
use the ↑and ↓keys until SETUP is selected. Press ENTER. Using the ↑and ↓keys select Custom Names.
Press ENTER. Next, using the ↑and ↓arrows select calibration number, or previous name you wish to rename.
Press ENTER. Using the ↑and ↓keys select the number, letter or character for the beginning of your new
name. Press ENTER. Follow the same procedure for each sequential letter or space of your new description.
Continue pressing ENTER until all spaces in the description have entered values. Once your new name has
been entered you will be returned to the SETUP screen. To select your new calibration follow the procedures
outlined in Sec.3.6.
9. MONITORING TENSION THROUGH THE ANALOG OUTPUT (Optional feature). Output values are: 0 – 5
VDC or 4 – 20 mA. Connect Analog Output Cable to receptacle located on the bottom side of instrument.
Connect output cable leads to the analog input of your measurement or control device. The RED lead is
Voltage +, the WHITE lead is mA, and the BLACK lead is ground. From the main display use the ↑and ↓keys
until you reach SETUP. Press ENTER. Next using the ↑and ↓arrows select ANALOG OUTPUT. Press
ENTER. Using the ↑and ↓arrows select from: ANALOG TENSION CURRENT OR ANALOG TENSION
VOLTAGE. Once correct selection is made, press ENTER.
10. CALIBRATION OF ANALOG OUTPUT. (Optional feature) From Main Display press the ↑and ↓keys until you
reach SETUP. Press ENTER. Press the ↑and ↓keys until you reach CALIBRATE ANALOG. Press ENTER.
Using the ↑and ↓keys adjust display to show the value at which the instrument reads maximum current or
voltage. Press ENTER.
11. SERIAL DATA COLLECTION (RS-232 option). (Optional feature) Instruments outfitted with the optional RS-
232 feature (designated with a –E in the part number) support serial communications as follows:
A. The baud rate is 9600 with no parity bit, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit (9600 8N1).
B. Serial communications will work with most PCs with a cable up to 15 feet long.
C. Setting the dampening rate on the instrument to “1 Hz + Serial”, “2 Hz + Serial” or “5 Hz + Serial” will
cause the instrument to output the tension values at a rate of once, twice or five times per second,
respectively. The dampening rate can be set by going to the SETUP menu, selecting DAMPENING,
adjusting the value of the dampening rate with the ↑and ↓buttons and then pressing the ENTER button.
D. The units output serially will be the same units that are selected in the “Tension Units” menu. The currently
selected tension units (such as Lbs, Kilograms or Newtons) are also displayed on the main tension screen.
E. Perform the following steps in order to log serial data from the instrument using Hyper Terminal on a PC
and put it into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:
1) Ensure that the dampening rate is set to “1 Hz + Serial”, “2 Hz + Serial” or “5 Hz + Serial”.
2) Connect the serial cable from the instrument to a serial port on your PC.
3) Go to the Windows® Start Menu and choose Programs->Accessories->Communications->Hyper
Terminal®
4) In the Connection Description dialog box that pops up, type in a name for the new connection (you can
use any name you wish to describe this file) and press the OK button.
5) In the Connect To dialog box that pops up next, go to the drop down menu labeled “Connect Using:”
and select the serial port you connected the cable to in step 2. It is most likely that you are connected
to COM1.
6) In the COMx Properties dialog box that pops up next, set the “Bits per second:” to 9600, the “Data bits:”
to 8, the “Parity:” to None, the “Stop bits:” to 1 and the “Flow Control:” to None.
7) Click the Apply button and then click the OK button.
8) You should now see tension values appearing in the Hyper Terminal window.
9) When you are finished collecting data, close Hyper Terminal.
10) To save the data in Microsoft Excel® format, use Microsoft Excel® to open the file you saved the data
log in and save it as an Excel® file.
12. UPLOADING LOGGED DATA (Optional Feature) via RS-232, SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
a. Refer to the previous section, Sec. 4.11, Serial Data Collection (RS-232 option) and configure
communication protocols as outlined. Note: Step c has no effect on transferring stored data and can be
adjusted to any setting.
b. To retrieve, or upload logged data from the instrument, send a lower case ’d’ .

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c. Collected data will remain in memory, regardless if instrument is turned off, until overwritten with new data.
5.0 AVAILABLE OPTIONS FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS:
Note: Add option designator to the end of the part number. (For example, a Model STX-250-E denotes a standard,
STX-250 with the optional RS-232, serial output function installed).
─A Analog Output option. 0-5 VDC or 4-20 mA with Software-definable ending sequences. Provided with 10’
cable. Data outputted at 40 Hz.
─E RS-233 Serial Output option. Provided with 10’ cable to Interface with your
receiving device. Select data sampling rate from 1, 2 or 5 Hz.
─D Data Logging Option. Capture and play back data within a user-defined time
window. Select the time window; then select the sampling rate (adjustable from 1-100
Hz). After capturing the data, review the data on the instrument’s display or upload it
using the 10’ serial interface cable.
Instruments can be configured with any or all of these options.
Input Real-Time Serial Data into any Windows® application using any number of software wedge programs, such
as WinWedge Pro® for Windows, or configure your Window’s® operating system to capture the data via Hyper
Terminal®.
6.0 SPECIFICATIONS:
•Approximate weight is 2.3 lbs (Weight varies depending upon instrument configuration).
•Re-chargeable NIMH battery with power supply provided. Approximately 6 hours of operation per battery
charge depending upon backlighting intensity.
•Power Supply operates with input voltages from 100 – 240V and includes several, interchangeable “blades”
allowing use with European, US, Australian, and other plug configurations.
•Automatic shutoff after 10 minutes of non-use.
•Instruments may be operated continuously while connected to power supply.
•Durable, lightweight carrying case with protective foam inserts.
•CE Certification complying with heavy, industrial immunity standards.
STX Instruments – calibrated specifically to your strapping type(s) and size(s) to ensure greatest
accuracy.
MODEL RESOLUTION RANGE ACCURACY*
STX-250 0.5 lb 5-250 lb 1%
STX-500 1 lb 25-500 lb 1%
STX-1000 5 lb 50-1000 lb 1%
STX-2000 10 lb 100-2000 lb 2%
STXM Instruments – multiple calibrations for different Poly and PET strap sizes.
STXM-250 0.5 lb 5-250 lb 3%
STXM-500 1 lb 25-500 lb 3.5%
STXM-1000 5 lb 50-1000 lb 4%
STXM-2000 10 lb 100-2000 lb 4%
∗Full-scale accuracy for all menu-selectable calibrations. Accuracy for custom calibrations is material specific.
7.0 HOW TO CHECK ACCURACY:
To verify the accuracy of your instrument, simulate a tension load on your strapping by suspending known weights
to a sample length of the material. Then verify these values with the instrument, i.e.: if a 100 lbs weight is freely

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suspended from a single length of strapping, the strap is now tensioned to 100 lbs, and your instrument should
indicate 100 lbs on the display when properly engaged to the material. To correctly obtain readings, first zero your
instrument in the attitude it will be used for testing, then engage the instrument to the tensioned strapping and note
the reading. When performing this test make certain your strapping thickness is dimensionally within tolerance (+/-
.003” of size), and not out of tolerance.
KEEP IT SIMPLE. Only simulate tensions using free-hanging weights on correctly-sized strapping material. Never
use any device that attempts to convert rotational torque values into tension loads, as these types of systems are
highly inaccurate.
When calibrating instruments use lb weights values only. (For optimum accuracy use weights traceable to
National Standards.)
Custom Calibrations for the STX-Series of Digital Tension Meters
The Calibration feature is password protected. In order to per-form a Custom Calibration a series
of key inputs are required. Warning: This procedure will erase previous calibration data. Only a
qualified testing laboratory with traceable weights and standards should perform a calibration.
Figure 1, Simulating Strap Tension
PERFORMING A 5-POINT, MULTILINERIZATION CALIBRATION
(If you only need to verify that the calibration you’ve selected is accurate, go to the “How To Check Accuracy”
section.)
Step 1: From the Main Display press ↑or ↓arrows until you reach Setup. Press ENTER. Press the ↓arrow button
until you reach Cal Tension. Press ENTER. The screen will display: Setup, Calibrate Tension, Enter Password.
Press the ENTER button once, the ↑arrow button once and the ENTER button once more. (These three inputs are
the password.) Now the screen will display Setup, Calibrate Tension and you will be able to scroll down the list to
select the description that you want to use for the new calibration. When this new description is highlighted, press
ENTER.
Step 2: Next you will be prompted ENTER WEIGHT 1. Using the ↑and ↓arrows select a minimum tension value
(do not use zero). Press ENTER. Select increasing weight values for WEIGHT 2 THRU 4 (No. 4 being the
maximum weight value). At each weight number select your weight value using the ↑and ↓arrows. ENTER each
selection. Next you will calibrate the instrument to the weight values you just selected. (To simulate tension loads
for calibration, take a sample length of your material and suspend it from above. Next hang weights from your
material in the weight values you previously selected in “enter weights 1 through 4”.)
Your instrument will now prompt you PLACE WEIGHT 0. With zero tension applied to the instrument press ENTER.
Next you will be prompted PLACE WEIGHT 1. Suspend the exact weight value from your material that you
previously selected. Engage instrument to the tensioned material and then press ENTER. Next suspend weight
value 2 from your material, engage the instrument to your tensioned material and press ENTER. Repeat procedure
for steps 3 and 4. Once you have entered the value for WEIGHT 4 you have finished the calibration and will be
returned to the Main Display. Your main display will now indicate the description of the calibration you’ve just
entered. This indicates you have now selected the calibration you just performed. To change calibration use the ↑
or ↓arrows until you reach SELECT MATERIAL. Follow procedures outlined in Section 3.5.
8.0 WARRANTY REPAIR POLICY
Limited Warranty on Products

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Any Cooper Instruments product which, under normal operating conditions, proves defective in material or in
workmanship within one year of the date of shipment by Cooper will be repaired or replaced free of charge provided
that a return material authorization is obtained from Cooper and the defective product is sent, transportation
charges prepaid, with notice of the defect, and it is established that the product has been properly installed,
maintained, and operated within the limits of rated and normal usage. Replacement or repaired product will be
shipped F.O.B. from our plant. The terms of this warranty do not extend to any product or part thereof which, under
normal usage, has an inherently shorter useful life than one year. The replacement warranty detailed here is the
buyer’s exclusive remedy, and will satisfy all obligations of Cooper whether based on contract, negligence, or
otherwise. Cooper is not responsible for any incidental or consequential loss or damage which might result from a
failure of any and all other warranties, express or implied, including implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for
particular purpose. Any unauthorized disassembly or attempt to repair voids this warranty.
Obtaining Service under Warranty
Advance authorization is required prior to the return to Cooper Instruments. Before returning the item, contact the
Repair Department c/o Cooper Instruments at [phone] for a Return Material Authorization number.
Shipment to Cooper shall be at buyer’s expense and repaired or replacement items will be shipped F.O.B. from our
plant in Warrenton, Virginia. Non-verified problems or defects may be subject to a $100 evaluation charge. Please
return the original calibration data with the unit.
Repair Warranty
All repairs of Cooper products are warranted for a period of 90 days from date of shipment. This warranty applies
only to those items that were found defective and repaired; it does not apply to products in which no defect was
found and returned as is or merely recalibrated. It may be possible for out-of-warranty products to be returned to
the exact original specifications or dimensions.
* Technical description of the defect: In order to properly repair a product, it is absolutely necessary for Cooper to
receive information specifying the reason the product is being returned. Specific test data, written observations on
the failure and the specific corrective action you require are needed.

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FLOW CHART – STX SERIES DIGITAL TENSION METER