impact CT415 User manual

User Guide
User Guide
3000kN Compression Machine
CT415
Impact Test Equipment Ltd
www.impact-test.co.uk & www.impact-test.com

Impact Test Equipment Ltd.
Building 21 Stevenston Ind. Est.
Stevenston
Ayrshire
KA20 3LR
T: 01294 602626
F: 01294 461168
E: [email protected]
Test Equipment Web Site
www.impact-test.co.uk
Test Sieves & Accessories Web Site
www.impact-test.com

3000kNCompressionMachine
withComtestDigitalReadoutUnit
Microprocessor based
electronics provide:
The Comtest Digital Readout comprises:
Transducer configuration, calibration and Linearisation
facilities for Compression and Flexural input ranges.
Data logging: up to 100 test results, time stamped and
with all relevant test data results.
RS232 Serial communications port for printing test
results information or downloading to a PC.
z4 row x 20 column LCD screen, with LED backlight
z16-key pad for set up and usage
zBuilt in battery backed real-time calendar/clock
zRS232-C serial port, configured as 9600 baud, 8 bits,
1 stop and no parity, for test printout or dumping the
results directly to a computer
zMemory, for configuration and data logging purposes
zStorage for up to 100 test results
Compactweldedsteelload
framewith ahigh degreeof
mechanicalstability
DigitalReadout displays
accuracyof resultsand
simplifiesoperation
zData monitoring and capture of
load signals for:
zCompression range 0 to 3000 kN
zFlexural range 000.00 to 100.00 kN
z2 transducers ports for up to 2
frames or low load work in a
standard frame
zCalculation of stress upon failure
All data-entry and editing functions are available via the 16-key membrane keypad on the front of the digital readout unit.
Rapidplaten approachwith
over-travelprotection

ImpactTestEquipmentLtd
Head Office
Stevenston Industrial Estate
Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland
KA20 3LR
01294 602626 T
01294 461168 F
[email protected] E
www.impact-test.co.uk
for civil engineering &
construction test equipment
www.impact-test.com
for test sieves &
related accessories
Contact Impact for pricing
and delivery details
Southern Office
The Old Court House
20 Simpson Road, Fenny Stratford
Milton Keynes, MK2 2DD
01908 366118 T
01908 366255 F
[email protected] E
300mm diameter
Upper platen
Maximum Vertical Clearance 310mm
*** ***
Maximum Ram Travel 50mm
Limit Switch prevents the ram from exceeding the
maximum limit of travel
Load Frame supplied as standard with:
300mm diameter lower platen
200mm diameter Distance Pieces
to allow the testing of 100mm and
150mm cubes
Optional Accessory:
Centring jig for positive location of
100 & 150mm cubes
3000kN Load Frame
The upper platen is ball-seated, whilst the lower
platen is positively located on the loading ram.
The lower platen is marked to allow centring of
both cubes and cylinders.
The hydraulic loading ram has a flexible cover
to protect it from debris produced during
testing. Mesh guards are fitted at both front
and rear to protect the operator. The front
guard is hinged for ease of access.
Fully compliant with BS EN 12390-4
in terms of Force measurement & the stringent
stability, alignment & restraint requirements of
the Load Frame.
 Stability&Strength
 DesignedforHeavyUsage
UKAS Calibration
Impact can offer a full on-site calibration
service to BS EN 12390-4 and BS EN
7500-1. Impact Test Equipment has
been accredited to the United Kingdom
Accreditation Service (UKAS)
since February 1992.

Test Procedure
The valve lever is labelled Load and Unload.
The load control is labelled Decrease, Increase and 0(zero).
•At the beginning of the test move the valve lever fully to the Load position.
•Turn the Load Rate control clockwise and then press TARE on the Comtest keypad.
•To close the daylight continue to increase the load rate and bring the sample into contact with
the ball seat platen.
•When you see the machine start to load press the RUN button on the Comtest keypad.
•Manipulate the load rate with the control and keep it within the limits shown on the Comtest
display, known as the pace rate.
•Once the sample has failed move the lever to the Unload position and turn the load rate
control anti-clockwise as far as it will go.
•The Comtest will show HOLD on the display and will hold the failure point.
•Remove the failed sample.
•Load the next sample.
•Press Reset on the Comtest.
•It will ask if you wish to save or not.
•Press ENT to save the test.
•To test the next sample move the valve lever to the Load position and start again.
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION … … … … … … … … … 3
1.0 GENERAL DETAILS … … … … … … … … 4
1.1 INSTRUMENTCONNECTIONS … … … … … … 5
1.2 FRONTPANEL DISPLAY … … … … … … … 4
1.3 FRONT PANEL KEYPAD … … … … … … … 6
1.4 HELPFACILITY … … … … … … … 8
1.5 OPTION SELECTION … … … … … … … 8
1.6 DATAEDITING… … … … … … … … … 9
1.7 PASSCODEENTRY … … … … … … … … 10
2.0 USING COMTEST … … … … … … … … 10
2.1 TAREFUNCTION … … … … … … … … 12
2.2 TEST SETUPFUNCTION … … … … … … … 12
2.3 SAMPLESETUPFUNCTION … … … … … 13
2.4 DISPLAY RESETFUNCTION … … … … … 15
2.5 REVIEWLOGSFUNCTION … … … … … … 16
2.6 PRINTTESTRESULTSFUNCTION … … … … 17
2.7 DATE& TIMECONFIGURATION … … … … … 18
2.8 CHANNEL CONFIGURATION … … … … … … 18
2.9 CHANNEL CALIBRATION … … … … … … … 19
2.10 SYSTEMDETAILS … … … … … … … … 20
2.11 PRIVATEDETAILS … … … … … … … … 21
2.12 RUNNING ATEST… … … … … … … … 21
2.13 GENERAL NOTES … … … … … … … … 21

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INTRODUCTION
The COMTESTinstrument provides:
•Data monitoring and capture of load signals for:
•Compression range 0 to 3000 KN
•Flexuralrange 000.00 to 100.00 KN.
•0 ~ 200 millivolts transducerrange
•+6 and -4 volts DC excitation provided
Transducerconfiguration, calibration and Linearisation facilities forCompression and
Flexuralinput ranges.
Data logging: up to 100 test results, timestamped and with all relevant test data
results.
RS232 Serialcommunications portforprinting test results information, with options
available forfull computercontrolorand remote monitoring
This is achieved by the micro-processorbased electronics which includes:
16 bit multi-channelADC with automatic programmable gains.
RS232-C serialport, configured as 9600 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop and no parity,
fortest printout ordumping the results directly to a computer
4 rows *20 columns LCD, dot matrixscreen, with full LED backlight.
16-key pad forinstrument set up, usage and control.
Built in battery backed real-time calendar/ clock device.
Non-volatile memory, forconfiguration and data logging purposes, resulting in
storage forup to 100 test results.
Section 1inthisguide describes the various electricalconnections that need to be
made forthe instrument to operate correctly, as well as an overviewof the LCD and
keypad details and generalusage guidelines.
Section 2 presents instructions on operating COMTEST:
•Setting up the instrument
•Setting up Test information
•Running and collecting Test results

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1,. General Details
Thissection presents generalpurpose descriptions of functions and usage of the
COMTESTinstrument, necessary to operate correctly.
1. 1 InstrumentConnections.
These areall located at the back of the instrument, and areshownindetail inthe
following diagrams:
TostartCOMTEST,simplyapplypowerto the instrument by switching itON. The
display should showthe initial, introductory message as described in Section 2.
Connect the Compression transducerto the socket marked COMPand the FLEXURAL
transducerto the socket marked FLEX. The following pin-out is used forconnections:
0V
-5V
+5V
+Ve Input
-Ve Input

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If alink ismade to aremote PCorto aserialprinter,connect the cablesupplied into
the socket marked COMPUTER . The following pins are used:
1.2 FrontPanel Display
Thismoduleprovides the means of presenting all the information availablefromthe
COMTESTinstrument, its functions and corresponding prompts to and fromuser
requests.
The screen isorganised so as to maintain consistency during an instrument operations.
This can be seen in the following front viewof the instrument:

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The top rowisused to display COMTEST'slogo and current time, as well as
messages to indicate the currently accessed function.
The remaining 3lines showalist of availableoptions, for display, selection and/or
editing purposes, as well as forpresenting results (loading, errors, etc).The textof the
list of options isalways given on the left hand side. When applicable, data is displayed
nextto each option, on the right hand side, followed by the appropriate units. The
middleof the 3rowsarethe Active rows, and contains the option that can be selected,
orthe data that can be edited: e.g.
Load : KN
Length: mm
Area: mm2
Stress MPa
1.3 FrontPanel Keypad
All data-entry, editing and function selections - infact., any COMTESToptions, are
availableviathe 16-key membrane keypad at the front. Please referto the diagramin
the previous section.
Each key has amultiplefunction, corresponding to the current display mode. Each one
of these is described in more detail in the following sections.
Each timeakey ispressed, you will hearashortbleep, indicating that the key press
has been recognised. You must press and release the key forthe action to take place.
Select Next ItemUP Test RUN
Select Next ItemDown Test Stop
Current Selection Accept Change

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Save &Log Test
View&Select Exit (No Change)
Help Help
Tare Function
Test Function
Sample Definition
Clock Set-up
Display Logged Data
Print Logged Data
Set-up Instrument
Calibrate Function

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Configuration
Reserved Functions
1.4 HELPFacility
The top rowon the LCD isused on the left to display the instruments
name“COMTEST” and the right hand side fordisplaying abrief
description orreminderindicating the currently selected function..
The helpkey when pressed displays asimple4line message describing that function.
Toget help, press the HELPkey once then press any otherkey you want helpon.
Each key has its ownhelpscreen forsimpleremindersof it’s function. Toexitthe help
mode, press the HELPkey again to return to the normaldisplay mode
1.5 OptionSelection
Many of the COMTESTfunctions requireyou to select one of anumberof options
available, e.g. configuring ranges, viewing logs, etc.
In these cases, alist of options will be displayed. The list may include 1, 2ormore
items, but onlyup to 3can be seen at a time. In this case, it can be scrolled to bring up
furtheroptions.. Each itemincludes a description of the option that can be selected
On the Active rowinthe screen you will see a“<”cursorappeardownthe right hand
side, and COMTESTiswaiting foryourkey presses. Each key has aspecialfunction
while selecting options:
Scroll the list up, bringing the “<”cursorto next itemabove ready for
selection.
Scroll the list down, bringing the “<”cursorto the next itemready

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forselection.
Select the option inthe indicated by the “<”cursor.Please referto
Section 2foracomplete description of actions taken at particular
display and function modes.
Aborts and changes made to the selected itemEnds the option
selection process (without selecting anything).The display will
normally return to the main screen, (described in Section 2).
Activates the Help screen
These keys are all function as numeric values only
1.6 Data Editing
Many of the COMTESTfunctions requireyou to enternumericvalues, e.g. setting a
Pace rate, sample dimensions, etc.
In these cases, alist of editablefields will be displayed. The list may include 1, 2or
moreitems, but onlyup to 3can be seen at atime. In thiscase, itcan be scrolled to
bring up furtheroptions. Each itemincludes:-
•a description of the parameterthat can be edited
•its value
•where applicable, any units associated with it
On the Active rowinthe screen you will see a“<”cursorappear,and COMTESTis
waiting foryourkey presses. Aparametervalue isalways edited inacopy inabuffer,
so you have the opportunity to reject any changes made. Tosave any changes, use
the ENTER key. Each key has a specialfunction while editing
Scroll the list up, making the itemabove the Active rowready for
editing. Theparameterinthe previous Active rowisrestored to its
originalvalue, so any changes made since it was last saved will be lost.

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Scroll the list down, making the itembelowthe Active rowready for
editing. The parameterinthe previous Active rowis restored to its
originalvalue, so any changes made since it was last saved will be lost
Accept any changes made to the parameterinthe current Active row.
The value isstored inNon-volatilememory, and retained by COMTEST
even afterpoweris switched Off.
Ends the editing process. The parameterinthe current Active rowis
restored to its originalvalue, so any changes made since itwas last
saved will be lost.
All the 0to 9keys, when pressed, will inserttheirnumericvalue into the position where
the ”<”cursoris. The contents of the edit fields will be updated in the display.
1.7 Passcode Entry
Of all the COMTESTfunctions, calibration and configuration areprotected by apass
code entry against misuse orunauthorised operation.
Pass codes areentered inamanneridenticalto Data Editing – See Section 1.6 -but
any numeric keys pressed will be displayed.
Avalidpass code will have been provided with COMTEST.It isintended to be used
onlyby authorised personnelto carryout important tasks, and shouldnot be freely
disclosed. Please keep this pass code in a safe place.
Thisoption needs aspecialpass code availableonlyto Service and
Maintenance personnel. Please contact youragent forfurthersupport.
2. USING COMTEST
Thissection describes each of the functions provided by the COMTESTinstrument via
its own LCD screen and membrane keypad.
On power-up, COMTESTfirst displays a presentation logo fora fewseconds.
********************
IMPACT TEST
EQUIPMENT LTD
********************
COMTEST
12:30:23
Pace: 002.0kN/S
Load: -01.5kN
IDEL -_____0_____+

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Afterall internalchecks arecompleted, the first screen you see isreferred to inthis
manualas the Main-Screen (above right).Thisisthe display fromwhereyou will
monitorthe development of a test, and where you will see its results:
Forconfiguration of all the parameterdisplayed in this screen, select the TEST function
- See Section 2.2
The PaceRate shown(KN/ sec)isthe last one configured. It refersto the rate of
change in manualloading required froma test.
Whilst the current load reading isbelowa LoadPoint leveland isinIDLEmode, the
display will update as the load changes. Atthispoint, you can choose any of the
instrument functions described in the next sections.
Furthermore, ifthe load isbelowa MaxZero threshold, you can select the function as
described in Section 2.1
Assoon as the load increases above the LoadPoint leveland isin“RUN”mode, the
actual test isassumed to have started, and all otherfunctions are disabled until the test
is finished.
In compression mode the load isdisplayed from000.0 to 399.9 then 400 to 3000 kN
and in Flexuralmode the load is displayed from000.00 to 100.00 Kn.
When the test runs, internallythe instrument generates atarget rampusing the
configured PacePate. Five times asecond, the current loading iscompared against
this target ramp, and any differences between them - PaceError - arecontinuously
updated.
The PaceErroris displayed on the bottomLCD rowas follows:
Asabar-graph. Thishas its starting point, represented by >0< fixed on an LCD
co-ordinate.
•Negative errors are represented by a bar|||||||||0 growing leftwards
•Positive errors are represented by a bar0||||||||| growing rightwards

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Every||| (three) symbols represent apercentage errorequivalent to aparameter
ErrorBand also configured as described in Section 2.2
Whilst atest isrunning, COMTESTwill always storeand display the largest load ithas
measured so far.Thisfeature, knownhereas Maximum Hold,allowsyou to monitora
test resultlong afterithas finished, i.e. samplefailure occurred. Torelease the
display, and start a newtest, you need to use the CLEAR/ABORTfunction key.
Thisfunction also creates anewlog forthe recent test results - See Section 2.4.
Logged results areheldinnon-volatilememory. This means that they are not lost even
when powerto COMTESTisswitched OFF.See Sections 2.5 and 2.6 fordetailson
access to these logged results.
Most of the time, the information given above will be all you need to use COMTEST.
However,to make moreuse of the instrument, you need to set-up not onlyTest but
also Samplecharacteristics, date and time, configureand calibrate the ranges, etc.
The rest of this manualshows you howto do this.
Toaccess afunction fromthe MainDisplay, press the key indicated ineach case. To
choose afunction, followthe instructions given in Section 1.5 To cancelany unwanted
selection, use the CLEAR /ABORT key.
2.1 Tare Function
Use thisfunction to remove any unwanted loading. Thismay occur
afterplaten orotherequipment is installed on yourtest arrangement.
The function isavailableas long as the current load isbelowthe MaxZero level.To
configure this, use the TEST function as described in Section 2.2
The displayed load value will be made 0. You can choose this function as many times
as needed. The amount currentlytared fromatrue 0load levelcan be viewed or
changed as described in Section 2.2
The Tarefunction isNOTasubstitute forproperchannel configuration and calibration.
When these areused as described inSections 2.8 and 2.9, you set up the transducers
to produce correct and true Full-Scale and Zero signal levels.
2.2 TestSet-upFunction

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Thisfunction provides you with all means, to select and configurethe
appropriate values forall parametersused inaTest. Please referto
Section 1.6 fordetails on data editing.
Mode Select the desired mode, 0 forCompression and 1 forFlexrange.
Reference Entera 6-digit string used fortest identification purposes only. You
may choose yourown numbering scheme.
PaceRate Enterthe required load ramp orrate of change (KN/sec). This will be
used forerrorcalculation, as described in Section 2.
LoadPoint Enterthe loading levelthat defines the thresholdabove which Pacing
and MaximumHold occurautomatically.
MaxZero Enterthe loading levelthat defines the thresholdbelowwhich the
Tare function is allowed - See section 2.1
Tare Viewand change ifnecessary the load levelcurrently subtracted froma
true 0 transducerinput signal - See Section 2.1
ErrorBand Enterthe percentage value foreach of the + or - symbols used in the
PaceErrordisplay - See section 2
2.3 Sample SetupFunction
Thisfunctions allowsyou to enterthe sampletype description and
corresponding dimensions. These areused incalculating the Stress
value (N/mm2)at sample failure. All dimensions are in mm.
COMTEST Test
Mode: 0 (Comp)
Reference: 000001
Pace: 005.0kN/S
LoadPoint: 010.0kN
Max.Zero: 003.0kN
Tare: 001.2kN
ErrorBand: 01%

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First select a sample type fromthe available list:
Choose the description that fits the sampleyou will be testing. Please referto Section
1.5 fordetails on choosing a list item.
Afterselection you will need to enterthe appropriate dimensions.
StandardCube
Choose one of the available dimensions. See Section 1.5
StandardCylinder
Choose one of the available diametersizes. See Section 1.5
COMTEST Sample
Standard Cube
Standard Cylinder
Non-Standard Cube
NonStandard Cylinder
Beam Block
COMTEST Sample
50 mm Cube
75 mm Cube
100 mm Cube
150 mm Cube
200 mm Cube
COMTEST Sample
50 mm Cylinder
75 mm Cylinder
100 mm Cylinder
150 mm Cylinder
200 mm Cylinder
COMTEST Sample
Diameter 100mm
Height 100mm

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Non-standardCylinder
Enterthe sample height and diametersizes. See Section 1.6
Non-StandardCube
Enterthe sample height, width and depth dimensions. See
Section 1.6
BeamBlock
Enterthe sample length, width and depth dimensions. See Section 1.6
2.4 DisplayResetFunction
This function achieves 2 objectives:
•It stores current test set-up and results information into aspeciallog space innon-
volatilememory. ThisallowsCOMTESTto rememberprevious test results as new
ones arecarried out. In orderto calculate Stress, COMTESTrequires that data be
logged first.
•Releases the MaximumHoldlock on the display. Thisresults fromcapturing the
load levelat the point of sample failure - Section 2.
COMTEST Sample
Height 100mm
Width 100mm
Depth 100mm
COMTEST Sample
Length 100mm
Width 100mm
Depth 100mm

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The function can only be selected if.
•The current load levelisbelowthe LoadPoint threshold. Thisparameteris
configured as described in Section 2.2
•the display is currently in a MaximumHold state.
When selected, a warning is displayed:
Press MODE/ABORT if you do not want to save the results.
Press ENTER/SELECT if you do want to log the results.
Please referto Section 2.5 fordetailson logged data. Whilethisisbeing logged, you
will see a display fora fewseconds:
In both cases, the display is unlocked.
2.5 Review Logs Function
Thisfunction allowsyou to inspect results fromup to 100 tests carried
out and logged previously.
COMTEST Reset
Test Save Confirm
NO=Abort YES=Enter
COMTEST
Working
Please Wait
COMTEST Logs
Number: 001
Date : 25/07/01
Time : 10:30:45
Ref : 000001
Fail : 135.7
Pace : 005.0kN/S
Cube : 100mm