Mecmesin Vortex-d User manual

Vortex -d
Torque Test Solutions
Operating Manual
Motori ed Torque Stand
t e s t i n g t o p e r f e c t i o n

Contents
The Vortex -d
eneral Information 2
Installation 3
Using the Vortex-d4
Front Panel Control 4
Communication 7
Measuring and Displaying Torque 8
Dimensions 11
Vortex-dSpecifications 12
Appendices 14

page 1
Introduction
Thank you for choosing Mecmesin’s Vortex-d motorised torque test frame. With correct use it
will provide many years of accurate and reliable service.
The Vortex-d has been specifically designed as an easy-to-use torque testing solution within
a broad range of industries. It is an ideal system for testing bottle closures, child-resistant
closures and all other torque applications.
Before Use
Upon receiving the unit, and before installation, please do the following:
Before moving the test stand, refer to the safety advice given in Appendix 1.
Check that no obvious physical damage has been sustained by the packaging material or the
test stand itself. If any damage is evident please notify Mecmesin or their authorised
distributor immediately.
Appendix 2 lists the items, which should be included with your test stand. If any item is
missing, please notify Mecmesin or their authorised distributor immediately.
We strongly recommend that all the packaging and fixings are retained for any further transit
requirements. When using the Vortex-d, please ensure that the ventilation holes situated on
the back of the unit are not obstructed.
The Vortex -d
Maintenance
When cleaning the keypad care must be taken to avoid liquids, especially alcohols, seeping
around the edge of the membrane. Therefore, we recommend the use of a lightly dampened
cloth to avoid liquid spillage onto the membrane.

page 2
Mecmesin are proud to introduce the Vortex-d, our new
motorised torque measurement system. The Vortex-d
provides a versatile and accurate method of applying
torque at an affordable price.
The Vortex-d is a twin-column motorised torque
measurement system with a load rating of up to
10 newton metres (N.m), and a speed range of
0.1 to 20 revolutions per minute (rpm). It must not be used
with load ratings above 10N.m. Complemented by a
Mecmesin AFTI (Advanced Force/Torque Indicator) display
unit, ‘smart’ static torque transducer, and (if purchased)
upper and lower mounting tables, it constitutes a key
component in torque measurement systems suitable for
accurately testing a wide range of products. The Vortex-d
enables a repeatable and constant test speed to be set, thus
reducing variability in test results which can arise from
operators manually performing tests at different speeds.
There is one standard model of the Vortex-d.
The dimensions, speed range and capacity have been
carefully optimised to cover the most common test
procedures and specimen sizes used by quality
departments throughout the manufacturing industry.
The Vortex-d has been designed and manufactured in a
controlled system to ensure compliance with all relevant
European Community Directives.
Before operating ensure that the Vortex-d has been
assembled as described on the next page entitled,
‘Installing the Machine’.
General
Information

page 3
Please refer to the test stand image shown on page 10 for
further guidance.
• Slide the AFTI swivel mounting bracket ( ) onto one of
the pillars.
• Tighten the central adjuster knob (C) to secure.
• Slacken off the side adjuster knobs (B).
• Ensure that the loading dish (A) is facing upwards and,
the central adjuster knob (C) faces forward (as illustrated)
• Align the holes in the crosshead with the pillars of the
base unit, and ensuring that the crosshead remains
horizontal, gently slide the crosshead down onto the
pillars.
• Tighten both side adjuster knobs (B).
The system is now ready to install any extra components
which have been purchased:
• Using an appropriate Allen key, attach a ‘smart’ static
torque transducer to the transducer holding plate (D)
using the four M6 bolts supplied.
• Attach an AFTI to the swivel mounting bracket ( ) using
the two M5 bolts supplied.
• Connect the static torque transducer cable to the AFTI
and Static Torque Transducer.
• If the lower mounting plate option has been supplied,
attach the lower mounting plate to the lower platen
turntable spacer (F) using the 4 M4 countersunk screws
supplied.
• If the upper mounting plate option has been supplied, fit
the upper mounting plate onto the square drive of the
torque transducer and secure with the two grub screws
located in the mounting plate.
Installing the
Machine

page 4
Connecting-up
Check voltage selected is correct.
The required power supply voltage (110-120V or 220-240V)
is indicated by the value shown in the black panel within
the fuse cartridge housing. Your local Mecmesin
representative will already have checked that the fuse
cartridge has been installed correctly for the supply voltage
of your country.
It is possible to modify your Vortex-d for operation in a
country with a different supply voltage by: turning off the
power, removing the fuse cartridge housing, checking that
both fuses are fitted, rotating the cartridge through 180°,
then reassembling and reinstalling.
The new voltage rating will now be displayed in the black
panel.
Connect your Vortex-dto an appropriate mains supply; turn
on the power switch at the bottom of the Mains Inlet
Connector and the display will illuminate indicating
“Vortex-d.”
Using the
Vortex- d
Mains Inlet Connector
Front anel Control The front control panel of the Vortex-dis designed with a
digital display for ease-of-use.

page 5
Pressing the red Emergency Stop button will, at any time,
cut power to the motor and stop the lower fixture rotating.
‘Emergency Stop’ is displayed on the screen.
To disengage the stop button turn clockwise and then
release.
It is advisable to check and become familiar with the
operation of the Emergency Stop once the system is
connected to the appropriate mains supply.
Rotating the Lower Fixture
To rotate the lower mounting table, or any other base
fixture that is attached to the drive shaft adaptor (see (E),
page 10), press ‘Clockwise’ or ‘Counter-clockwise’ with the
direction control key and hold in this position. The base
fixture will continue to rotate until one of the following
occurs:
a) The direction control key is released
b) The power is disconnected
c) A pre-set break/limit is reached
(see ‘Measuring & Displaying Torque’, page 8)
Pressing the clockwise direction key will drive the turntable
clockwise at the speed indicated by the front panel display.
Pressing the counter-clockwise direction key will drive the
turntable counter-clockwise at the speed indicated by the
front panel display. While the turntable is moving, the
display will show the current speed set with the other
direction hidden.
The turntable will continue to move in the appropriate
direction all the time the Direction key is pressed.
Releasing the Direction key will stop turntable movement.
The current speed the turntable is travelling at may be
changed using the Speed controller. When the stand stops
the speed will revert to the pre-set speed.
Emergency Stop
Direction

page 6
Control knob
Mode
Zero
Speed Setting and Rotation Display
The Vortex-dhas a rotary speed controller for both
clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations. Speed is set and
controlled by the control knob on the front panel and
indicated on the digital display.
The digital display on the control panel will allow actual
speed (in revolutions per minute, i.e rpm) to be displayed.
Speed values displayed are distinguished between
clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation. If the platen is
rotated one revolution clockwise, then half a revolution
counter-clockwise, 180º will be displayed, i.e. it is the
absolute rotation which will be displayed.
The Vortex-d can be run in manual mode only. To set-up
speed, press the Mode key for 2 seconds until the speed
indicator starts to flash on the digital display. Change the
speed by moving the control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise in increments of 0.1rpm.
Press the Mode key again to move down on the digital
display and change the speed by moving the control knob
clockwise or counter-clockwise in increments of 0.1rpm.
Press the Mode key once more and the displacement unit
will flash; then select the displacement unit desired (rev or
deg) by moving the control knob clockwise or counter-
clockwise.
To save time when setting the speed to a minimum or
maximum level, turn the control knob quickly to reach the
maximum speed of 20rpm or minimum speed of 0.1rpm.
Press the Zero key to store settings and exit.
Pressing the Zero key will reset degrees or revs displayed to
zero.

page 7
A 25-Way Female D-type Connector is fitted at the back of
the stand (I/0 Interface), containing connections for the
stand stop and RS232 connection to a Mecmesin AFTI.
The stand will respond to the appropriate stand stop signal
from an AFTI via a connection at the back of the stand
using cable 351-074, which will stop the turntable (for any
further information, please refer to the AFTI Operating
Instructions).
A 9-Way Female D-type Connector is fitted at the back of
the stand and contains RS232 connection to a PC.
When the I/0 Interface, including RS232 connection, is
plugged into the AFTI and the 9-Way RS232 connection is
plugged into the computer, Emperor™ Lite software can be
used. This shows the accumulated data graphically, plotting
torque from the AFTI, and angular displacement from the
stand.
Communication
Stand Stop with AFTI
Mains
Inlet
Connector
I/0 Interface
25-way
RS232
connector
9-way

page 8
Hold the Mode key and turn on the stand. Make sure that
the options, which appear on the digital screen of the
stand, are the same for both the gauge and computer:
B:9600 - B: 19200 - B: 57600 - B:115200
Rotate control knob to select correct baud rate and press
the Zero key to set and continue.
?Request the load value from a connected AFTI and then
add a displacement value from the stand to the result.
This will display results on the PC in the form of
‘0.0, 0.0<CR><LF>’ (load, angular displacement).
To enable communication between Vortex-dsystem and
Emperor™ Lite software, please ensure you select
‘Vortex-d’ or ‘AFTI (Torque)’ from within the system settings
(see Emperor Lite manual).
Torque is measured on a Vortex-dby a ‘smart’ static torque
transducer mounted on the transducer holding plate (D),
(page 10). The transducer must be connected to an
Advanced Force/Torque Indicator (AFTI) mounted on one
of the columns of the Vortex-d. The torque transducer is
connected to the 15pin female D-connector on the side of
the AFTI.
One way of causing damage would be to drive the base
fixture at high speed to a point where the transducer
encounters something ‘solid’. This is a risk when a user is,
either unfamiliar with operating a new test frame, or with
the characteristics of a new sample. It is recommended
that an AFTI to Vortex-d cable is fitted and that a suitable
‘break/limit’ is set. (Please refer to the AFTI operating
manual).
Baud Rate Selection
PC Commands
Measurin and
Displayin Torque
Note: torque transducers are
delicate pieces of equipment
and can easily be damaged
unless treated with care.