Edu-Logger 900-235 User manual

Edu-Logger Force Plate Plate
Logger Sensor Guide
900-235

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Edu-Logger force plate plate logger sensor
900-235
The Edu-Logger force plate plate sensor can be used
for any science experiment or activity which involves
both constant and changing forces such as in the fields
of Physics, Physiology, Mechanics, Biomechanics,
etc.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start
experimentation right out of the box using this guide.
The sensor can easily be reset to zero at any time.
Hundreds of possible experimental subjects that can
be done with the 900-235 sensors are: Newton’s Laws
of Motion, kinetic and potential energy, gravitational
force strength, impulse, elastic and inelastic collisions,
and many more.
This sensor measures force in both the push and pull
directions.
The unit of measurement that the force sensor collects
data in is the newton:
Newton (N): The SI unit of force.
1 N = 1 kg · m/s2

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Reset to zero:
The force plate sensor comes pre-calibrated however
after use you may find that the sensor is slightly off or
you may want to run an experiment that requires you
to zero the sensor with a constant applied force to it.
To zero the sensor:
1. Connect the 900-235 force sensor to a
computer/tablet/smart device following one of
the guides below.
2. Open the Edu-Logger software.
3. When your sensor has been detected click on the
force plate sensor icon (on the left side of your
screen)
4. Remove all weight from the sensor and click
reset to zero your force sensor.
5. Your force plate sensor is now recalibrated.
Note: You can zero the scale with a constant force
being applied to it to set that value as your new
“zero”. This also is used to eliminate the “Tare”.
Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
900-235 Force Plate Sensor
USB Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the 900-
213 module)
Your force sensor needs to be connected to a 900-213
module. The 900-213 module then connects to a
computer via a USB to mini-USB cable. Please note

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that you cannot plug the force sensor directly into the
computer.
Resident PC software and browser based application
can be downloaded for free at www.edulab.com as
well as a full software user guide.
Note: Make sure not to download and install both
types of software they will conflict on the computer.
Procedure:
1. Install the Edu-Logger software
2. Connect the 900-213 module to the PC or Mac
3. Connect the force plate sensor to the 900-213
module (they directly plug together).
4. Open the Edu-Logger software.
5. Once a force plate sensor logo appears on the left
side of the screen the probe has been
automatically identified and you can begin
experimentation.
6. If the force plate sensor is not automatically
identified then click the “Search for sensors” icon
to find the sensor.
7. Select the “On-line experiment” button; this will
open a graph below.
8. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the force plate sensor icon in the module window
to change the sensor settings if need be.
9. Click on the "experiment set up" button to change
the experiment settings if need be (experiment
duration for example).
10. The force plate sensor will give a live reading in
the box to the left of the screen while plugged in.
11. To run an experiment and collect data click “Run
experiment”.
12. To end data collection early, click “Stop
experiment”.
Tablet, smart phone device

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Materials needed:
900-235 Force Plate Sensor
900-268 WIFI module
900-215 Battery
Your force plate sensor needs to be connected to a
900-268 module. The 900-268 module will create a
closed Edu-Logger WiFi network which will stream
the Edu-Logger data to a device of your choosing.
Once your device is wirelessly connected to the Edu-
Logger network you can run experiments and collect
data through a browser of your choosing.
Procedure:
1. Connect the force plate sensor directly to the left
side 900-268 (no wires required).
2. Connect a 900-215 module to the right side of the
900-268 module.
3. Although not required, we recommend plugging
the 900-215 to an outlet using a USB to mini
USB charger (such as a typical cell phone
charger). The 900-268 module will run for 15-75
minutes (depending on the sensor) without being
plugged in.
4. The 900-268 can be powered directly using a
mini to USB cord and plugging it into your
computer or a wall charger. Please note this
function is only available on 900-268 units with
the USB icon on the cover.
5. For further 900-268 instructions or
the 900-268 quick start guide please visit:
www.edulab.com
6. The 900-268 indicator lights will flash; take no
action until the LED to the far left turns blue; this
can take up to one minute.

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7. Take your tablet or smart phone, go to the WiFi
settings and select the Edu-Logger network
which matches the 900-268 Module ID found on
the back of the 900-268 device. (Edu-
LoggerXXXX for example).
8. Give your device about 20 seconds to connect to
the 900-268.
9. Once the device is connected, go to your browser
and type the website wifi201.com into the URL
bar, then wait for 30-60 seconds.
10. You will see a “Control mode” icon in the
browser, click on this icon.
11. The browser will then load a new screen and
begin to auto detect the sensor(s); this can take a
minute. (You can stop the search when the sensor
is found.)
12. If the browser does not auto detect the sensor(s),
select “Search for sensors”.
13. Once the sensor is found you will see an icon on
the left side of the screen for the force plate
sensor. The icon will display real time data.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the force plate sensor icon in the module window
to change the force plate probe settings if need
be.
15. Click on the "experiment set up" button to change
the experiment settings if need be (Experiment
duration for example).
16. To run an experiment and collect data, select
“On-Line” experiment, then select "Run".
17. If you have a newer generation 900-268 (with the
USB icon on the cover) this can be used as a 900-
213, meaning you can tether the probes directly
to the computer using the 900-268. To engage
operation in this fashion, press 3 times on the
panel key. Repeating this operation will return
the unit to WiFi mode.

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Operation with Edu-Logger viewer
Materials needed:
900-235 Force Plate Sensor
900-272 Viewing Module
900-215 Battery
Procedure:
1. Connect the force plate sensor to the left side of
the viewer.
2. Connect the 900-215 module to the right side of
the viewer.
3. The 900-272 will auto detect the sensor and you
will see it appear on the left side of the screen.
4. Once the sensor appears it will be monitoring
data in real time.
5. To run an experiment and collect data click the
run button (little green person).
Off-line experiments
(Off-line experiments are for when you do not have a
sensor connected directly to a computer, tablet,
smartphone, or Edu-Logger viewer).
Materials needed:
900-235 Force Plate Sensor
900-215 Battery
Materials needed to configure your offline
experiment:
900-213 Module or 900-268 module or 900-272
Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the 900-
213 module).
Procedure:

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1. Connect the force plate sensor directly to the left
side of a charged 900-215 module.
2. When ready to collect data press the “Start/Stop”
button on the force plate sensor, a red light will
turn on for the duration of the experiment.
3. To change the experiment settings first connect to
your chosen device (PC, Mac, tablet, smart
device) and select the “Module setup” button.
(For more information on how to change the
experiment settings view quick start procedure
section for your chosen device in this document.)
4. After the experiment has concluded (when the
“Start/Stop” button is pressed again or the data
collection period ends) connect the sensor to your
chosen device. (full instructions in each device’s
quick start procedure section)
5. Open Edu-Logger software.
6. Click the “Off-line experiment” button.
7. Click the “Load data from sensors” button.
8. Select which experimental data to upload. (5
experimental runs can be stored at one time on
the 900-235 force plate sensor)
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the 900-213 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or
smart device.
2. Connect the force plate sensor to a 900-213
module (they directly plug together).
3. Open the Edu-Logger software.
4. Click the “Tools” icon.
5. Click the “Restore sensor’s factory defaults” on
the menu.
6. If prompted to clear the graph, click either the
“Off-line experiment” or “On-line experiment”
(whichever you are using).
7. Click “Clear experiment results”.

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8. Resume from step 4.
Included with sensor:
Edu-Logger 900-235 force plate sensor guide
(this document).
Force plate attached to the sensor by a durable
rubber-coated wire.
Sensor specifications
Range and operation
modes
-800 to +2000 N
ADC resolution
12 bit
Resolution
1 N
Max sample rate (S/sec)
100
Sensor features:
Fully digital data.
Rugged plastic ergonomic case.
Push button switch for Start/Stop experiments in
off line mode.
LED indicator of experiment status (blinks while
collecting data).
Pre-calibrated sensing equipment.
Strong metal force plate attached to the sensor by a
durable rubber-coated wire.
The force plate takes measurements in two
directions for both pushing and pulling
experiments.
Note: Edu-Logger products are intended for
educational use.
Videos and experiment examples:

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Videos, literature and other probes can be found
at
www.edulab.com
Technical background:
The philosophy behind Edu-Logger’s plug and play
technology is based on each sensor’s ability to store its
own data due to an internal flash memory chip and
micro-controller in each plastic Edu-Logger body.
This technology allows the sensor to collect and then
store the digital data in the correct scientific units (oC,
oF, Lux, %, ppm, for example).
The sensor is pre-calibrated at the factory. The built-in
software in the logger can be upgraded at any time
using software.
When a weight is applied to the force plate, because it
doesn’t move, you can assume the normal force
pushing up from the ground is equal to the force
which is being applied to it. This is the basis for how
the force plate sensor accurately and quickly measures
applied forces. Several strain gauges inside of the
force plate’s body take readings and are compared to
one another to give a total force measurement.
Maintenance and storage:

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Never submerge the Edu-Logger plastic body in
any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into either the sensor’s or the
force plate’s body.
After use, gently wipe away any foreign material
from the force plate and sensor.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct
sunlight.
Avoid storing the force plate with direct weight on
it.
Warranty:
We promise to deliver our sensor free of defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of 3 years
from the date of purchase. Our warranty does not
cover damage of the product caused by improper use,
abuse, or incorrect storage. Sensors with a shelf life
such as ion selective proves have a warranty of 1 year.
Should you need to act upon the warranty please
contact your distributor. Your sensor will be repaired
or replaced.

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Thank you for using Edu-Logger!
W: www.edulab.com
E: [email protected]m
V10012013