impact SL190 User manual

User Guide
User Guide
Penetrometer
SL190
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

OPERATING MANUAL
STANDARD PENETROMETER
MANUAL CODE: SL190
DO NOT TRY TO OPERATE THIS APPLIANCE BEFORE READING AND LEARNING THIS MANUAL IN
ALL ITS PARTS
GENERAL INDEX
Chapter 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.2 IDENTIFICATION
1.3 APPLICATIONS
1.4 STRUCTURE AND OPERATING OF THE MACHINE
Chapter 2 SAFETY INFORMATION
2.1 STANDARD SAFETY RULES
2.2 DANGEROUS PARTS AND RESIDUAL RISKS
2.3 NOISE
Chapter 3 INSTALLATION

3.1 LIFTING
3.2 UNPACKING
3.3 INSTALLATION
Chapter 4 MACHINE FEATURES
4.1 DIMENSIONS AND MASS
4.2 CALIBRATION
Chapter 5 OPERATOR’S INTERFACE
5.1 CONTROLS AND MESSAGES
Chapter 6 USE
6.1 WARNINGS
6.2 SPECIMEN POSITIONING
6.3 TRIAL START
6.4 EXAMPLE OF OPERATING
Chapter 7 MAINTENANCE
7.1 STANDARD MAINTENANCE
7.2 SPECIAL MAINTENANCE
Chapter 8 DIAGNOSIS
8.1 DIAGNOSIS
Chapter 9 SCRAPPING
9.1 SETTING ASIDE
9.2 SCRAPPING
ENCLOSURES
A COMPLETE APPLIANCE
B DETAIL OF THE APPLIANCE
This manual is an important part of the appliance and only refers to the machine it is supplied with.
Chapter 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 GENERAL FEATURES
• This manual id addressed to the carrier, the installer, the user, the maintenance operator, the scrapping
operator.
• Please read it carefully because it informs you about the operating of the machine in safety conditions.
• This manual has to be considered a part of the product and concerns only the machine it is delivered
with.
• Keep the manual in order during the whole life of the appliance to consult it for any needs.
• In case of sale, the manual and its enclosures should be given together with the machine.
• The manufacturer assumes no liability for any damages caused by a misuse of the machine.
• The manufacturer has the right to modify this technical literature as well as the machines this refers to
without any previous notice.
• Messages meaning:

ATTENTION It shows the procedures that can damage seriously the machine if they are not
followed carefully
DANGER It shows the procedures that can be dangerous to the operator if they are not
followed carefully
1.2 IDENTIFICATION
MANUFACTURER IDENTIFICATION: See the cover page
MACHINE IDENTIFICATION: See the plate on the machine where the complete
identification data are to be found.
1.3 APPLICATIONS
This appliance has been studied to determine the consistency of a soil sample under fixed conditions of
load, time and temperature. The penetration is expressed in distance of tenths of millimetres vertically
penetrated by a standard needle.
The equipment is made for the aim, which it has been conceived for. Any other uses are not allowed.
ATTENTION The instructions given in this operating manual are only made for the right use of the
appliance. To carry out the test in the right way, the user must refer to the specific
standards in force for the test itself.
1.4 STRUCTURE AND OPERATING OF THE APPLIANCE
The penetrometer is formed by:
- A base table in light alloy with levelling screws;
- A plated vertical rod;
- Micrometric vertical adjustment device;
- A brass slider with free fall;
- a graduated dial 360° (division 0,1 mm) with a diameter of 150 mm;
- set of weights 50 and 100 g;
- a penetration needle;
- brass sample cups : diameter 55 × 35 mm and 70 × 45 mm;
For further info. contact the dealer or the manufacturer.
Chapter 2 SAFETY INFORMATION
2.1 GENERAL SAFETY STANDARDS
• The use, lifting, installation, maintenance and scrapping of the machine are allowed only to qualified staff.
Qualified staffs are composed by people who are authorised by the safety responsible to do any activities
due to their experience and acknowledgement of the operating of the machine and of the standards, rules
and actions.
The user must be carefully taught about the operating of the machine to avoid any misuse of it and about
the safety devices, which the machine could be eventually equipped with. The safety devices will have to
be kept always assembled and to be daily checked.
The manufacturers offer training and assume no liability for any damages due to a misuse of the machine
by an unskilled staff.

• The manufacturer recommends following carefully the instructions and procedures of the operating
manual and the safety standards concerning the safety devices and the general rules of the work
environment.
• Verify the accordance of the machine to the standards in force in the State where the machine has to be
installed.
• The operating manual must be carefully read by the safety responsible, by the operators and
maintenance engineers. It must always be kept near the machine in order to be able to read it any times it
will be necessary.
• Any tampering or modifications of the machine (electric, mechanical etc.) that are not allowed by a written
agreement of the manufacturer must be considered as not permitted and the manufacturer will not accept
to be charged for any damages.
• The removal or the tampering of the safety devices will be an infringement to the EEC Safety Standards.
The manufacturer assumes no liability for any damages.
• The machine has to be installed in places safe from fire and explosions.
• We do recommend using only original spare parts and accessories; on the contrary the manufacturer
assumes no liability.
• Be careful that any dangerous situations won’t happen during the working; stop immediately the machine
in the event that it will not work properly and ask the manufacturer or the Authorised Service Staff of the
dealer at once.
The manufacturer assumes no liability for any damages caused to people, things and animals in case the
general safety standards or if the instructions of this manual are not followed.
2.3 DANGEROUS PARTS AND RESIDUAL RISK
The dangerous place is the space inside and around the appliance where the operator could be wounded or
damaged. During some procedures the operator could face some risks of danger.
The risks can be eliminated following carefully the procedures written in this manual and using suitable
individual safety devices.
GENERAL INFO
• Before starting the standard use of the equipment, ensure that all the components are in
good working conditions, check there are no detective or damaged parts. If necessary repair
or replace any damaged part.
• Do not subject the appliance to impacts or shocks.
• Do not expose the appliance to fire, extreme temperatures or weld splatter.
• Avoid corrosive substances to come in touch with the appliance.
• Do not wash the machine using water spray.
DURING THE USE
• In order to grant the maximum security level for the operator, do not touch any moving part
of the appliance during the test execution and wear the convenient protection devices.
• Do not wear large clothes, ties, kettles, watches or others which could entangle in the frame as well
as in any moving part of the machine.
DURING THE LIFTING
• During the lifting take care that the machine is conveniently held and secured and that it cannot
slide.
• Do not subject neither the rod nor the dial to shocks or impacts.
RISK OR DANGER PROTECTION DEVICE
FINGER OR ARM SQUEEZE REINFORCED GLOVES
ABRASIONS OR CUTS REINFORCED GLOVES
The manufacturer assumes no liability for any damages to people and things due to a lack of observance
of the instructions and the use of the safety devices.
2.4 NOISE

The appliance doesn’t produce any noise.
ATTENTION The indicated levels of noise are not necessarily safety levels for the operator.
The exposure level of the operator are obviously related to the emission levels of the
appliance, but other factors influence the exposure levels as the time of exposure,
the environment, other appliances installed near to the appliance etc.
Chapter 3 INSTALLATION
DANGER Consult the chapter DANGEROUS PARTS AND RESIDUAL RISKS before
proceeding
3.1 LIFTING
The instructions of this section must be respected during the moving of the appliance and particularly in the
following phases:
•The lifting and the storing
•The first installation
•The further installations
The appliance is usually delivered in a carton box to be moved using a fork lift.
Use the utmost care when lifting and beware the signals on the box.
ATTENTION Pay attention to avoid impacts and turnovers of the packing.
ATTENTION Protect the machine from the atmospheric agents. Water and humidity could oxidise
it, damaging it seriously.
3.2 UNPACKING
After removing the package, check that any parts of the machine are not damaged. In case of doubt, DO
NOT USE THE MACHINE and ask the manufacturer.
ATTENTION The materials used for the package (plastic, polystyrene, screws, nails, wood etc.)
have to be kept far from children. They must be thrown away in a proper collection
centre.
ATTENTION Pay attention to avoid impacts and turnovers.
ATTENTION Before throwing away the package, pay attention that any accessory, manuals,
documents, spare parts are not inside.
3.3 INSTALLATION
The machine has to be placed in an environment suitable for the aim it has been conceived for (laboratory
protected by any atmospheric agents). Skilled operator must do the installation.
ALLOWED TEMPERATURE From +5°C to +40°C
ALLOWED HUMIDITY From 30% to 95%
O.S.L. MAX. HEIGHT 1000 m
• No authorised people and no dangerous objects must be near the machine.

Chapter 4 MACHINE FEATURES
4.1 DIMENSIONS AND MASS
SL190
LENGHT 280 mm
WIDTH 250 mm
HEIGHT 530 mm
MASS 11 kg abt.
4.2 CALIBRATION
The appliance is checked and calibrated in the factory using sample instruments periodically control by
Official Calibration Institutes.
ATTENTION The actual standards foresee the calibration check after each single moving of the
machine. Once it has been installed and it is ready to work, before using it for official
tests, the check of the calibration by the calibration organism must be effected.
Chapter 5 OPERATOR’S INTERFACE
5.1 CONTROLS AND MESSAGES
DESCRIPTION OF PARTS ENCLOSURE A – COMPLETE APPLIANCE
A1 SLIDER
A2 BUTTON
A3 DIAL

A4 VERTICAL ROD
A5 ROD POINTER
A6 SAMPLE BRASS CUPS
A1 SLIDER
It allows the penetration made by a needle or a cone, inside the specimen.
A2 BUTTON
By keeping the button pushed, the slider is free to move granting an easy positioning of the same. This
allows its free fall.
A3 DIAL
It allows to read the penetration value with a 1/10 of mm. resolution
A4 VERTICAL ROD
It allows the moving of the machine body, thanks to the special screw.
A5 ROD POINTER
Its vertical moving gives a rotation to the dial pointer. Once the penetration is made, by carefully and gently
pushing the rod downwards in order to have its extremity touching the upper part of the cursor the user can
read on the dial the depth of the penetration effected.
A6 BRASS SAMPLE CUPS
They contain the material to be tested and are delivered together with the appliance.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTS- ENCLOSURE B – DETAIL OF THE APPLIANCE
B1 FIXING SCREW
B2 SET OF WEIGHTS
B3 ADJUSTMENT KNOB
B4 MACHINE BODY
B5 FIXING HANDLE
B1 FIXING SCREW
It allows to fix the needle or cone on the slider.
B2 SET OF WEIGHTS
They have to be positioned on the upper part of the slider so that the total weight of the moving component
can be reached according to the standards in force.
NB: Using the smaller plate you reach a total weight of 50 g ± 0,05; adding the bigger plate you reach a total
weight equal to 100 g ± 0,05.
B3 ADJUSTMENT KNOB
It allows to adjust with great accuracy the contact between the needle point and the specimen surface.
B4 MACHINE BODY
It supports the dial and the slider as well as their mechanisms.
B5 FIXING SCREW
It allows the displacement of the machine body along the vertical rod.
CHAPTER 6 USE
DANGER Consult the chapter “DANGEROUS PARTS AND RESIDUAL RISKS " before
proceeding.
6.1 WARNINGS

Before starting the normal use of the equipment it is recommended to verify that it is in good working
conditions with no defective or damaged parts. If necessary proceed with the required maintenance
operations.
6.2 SPECIMEN POSITIONING
Put the material in the special sample cup and then position it on the machine base table.
6.3 TRIAL STARTING
Before beginning the standard use of this machine, check its perfect working conditions by carrying out at
least one complete empty cycle.
In case of problems during this test cycle , see Chapter “ DIAGNOSIS “.
If neither the instructions given in this manual are not able to solve the problem, please contact our After
Sale Service .
6.4 EXAMPLE OF OPERATING
DANGER Before starting the procedure described hereunder, carefully read and learn the
instructions given in this manual.
Here follows a “standard procedure” allowing even to an operator without a wide experience to use the
penetrometer (enclosure B).
1. Use the levelling screws to level the appliance.
2. Position the specimen as described in the Chapter “SPECIMEN POSITIONING”.
3. Put the needle or the cone in the proper housing in the lower part of the slider A1 and fix it using the
fixing screws B1.
4. Eventually add the weights (B3) to the slider B2.
5. Push the button A2 and lift gently the slider A1so that its upper part comes in touch with the lower
end of the rod A5.
6. Hold the machine body B4 with a hand and loose the screw B5 so that it can move along the vertical
rod (A4). The rod must be moved downwards until the needle touches the specimen surface.
Chapter 7 MAINTENANCE
DANGER Consult 2.3 DANGEROUS PARTS AND RESIDUAL RISKS before proceeding.

DANGER All the maintenance operations must be carried out with the machine turned off and
unplugged from the knife switch.
DANGER Any kind of maintenance operations concerning the components of the machine and
of the electric components, even those which may seem very simple, must be
carried by skilled operators instructed about the purposes the machine is made for.
DANGER Only original spare parts are allowed. The Manufacturer assumes no liability in the
event that non – original parts are used.
7.1 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
In order to maintain good working of the machine for a long time, clean periodically all the parts and oil the
parts that are not painted. Avoid the use of solvents which could damage the varnished parts and the
synthetic ones.
7.2 SPECIAL MAINTENANCE
In case of special maintenance operations (repairs, replacement of parts and any other operation not described in this
manual) ask directly to the manufacturer.
Chapter 8 DIAGNOSIS
Some easy to solve and simple problem, which can happen during the working of the appliance, are
introduced in this chapter.
ATTENTION All maintenance, checking, control and repairing operations of each part of the
machine or of the electric system, must be carried out by skilled operators instructed
about the functions and working procedures of the appliance.
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE CURE
After pushing A2 the indicator doesn’t
move
The sliding system
is blocked.
Contact the After Sale Service.
The pointer of the dial doesn’t move to 0 Failure to the dial Contact the After Sale Service.
Chapter 9 SCRAPPING
9.1 SETTING ASIDE
In case of setting aside for a long time it is necessary to disconnect the electric feeding.
Execute all the maintenance operations.
It’s recommended to cover the machine against the dust.
9.2 SCRAPPING
When the machine is not used anymore, it is recommended:
• Disconnect the feeding cable
• Cover/destroy all the parts which may be dangerous as cutting, projecting or sharpened ones.
• Disassemble the machine and scrap it as per the actual laws.
ENCLOSURE A COMPLETE APPLIANCE

ENCLOSURE B DETAILS OF THE APPLIANCE

•