PCE Instruments 3000 Series User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-3000 Series Durometer
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
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product search on: www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 17 May 2019
v1.2
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Applications........................................................................................... 2
3Specifications........................................................................................ 2
3.1 Calibration scales .............................................................................................................2
3.2 The limits of permissible basic error of measurement........................................................2
3.3 Working conditions ...........................................................................................................2
3.4 Dimensions and weight.....................................................................................................2
3.5 Power supply....................................................................................................................2
3.6 Requirements of the material to be tested.........................................................................3
4Delivery contents .................................................................................. 3
5Principle of operation........................................................................... 3
5.1 Rebound method..............................................................................................................3
5.2 UCI method ......................................................................................................................4
6Preparations for operation................................................................... 4
6.1 Battery supply...................................................................................................................4
6.2 Connection of probes........................................................................................................4
7Basics of operation............................................................................... 5
7.1 Keys.................................................................................................................................5
7.2 Selection of measurement method....................................................................................5
8Operation ............................................................................................... 5
8.1 Preparation of the test material.........................................................................................5
8.2 Features of the measurement methods.............................................................................6
8.3 Device menu.....................................................................................................................6
9Hardness measurement .....................................................................11
9.1 Using of the UCI method.................................................................................................11
9.2 Using of the Rebound (Leeb) method .............................................................................14
10 Measurement modes ..........................................................................15
10.1 Normal mode..................................................................................................................15
10.2 Statistics mode...............................................................................................................15
10.3 Smart mode....................................................................................................................16
10.4 Signal mode....................................................................................................................16

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11 Calibration ........................................................................................... 17
11.1 Main calibration ..............................................................................................................17
11.2 Calibration of rebound (Leeb) probe ...............................................................................19
11.3 User (additional) calibration ............................................................................................21
12 Technical maintenance, special conditions of operation...............23
12.1 General...........................................................................................................................23
12.2 Probe maintenance.........................................................................................................23
12.3 Handheld device maintenance........................................................................................23
12.4 Battery maintenance.......................................................................................................23
12.5 Storage...........................................................................................................................24
12.6 Transportation ................................................................................................................24
12.7 Putting into operation after storage and transportation....................................................24
12.8 Special operation conditions...........................................................................................24
13 Warranty............................................................................................... 25
14 Disposal ............................................................................................... 25

© PCE Instruments
1
1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of themanual are excluded from our liability and not
covered by our warranty.
•The device must only be used as described in this instruction manual. If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not sink the hardness tester into any liquids. If the hardness tester gets wet, take the
battery out and leave for 24 hours to get dry. If the hardness tester is used under the
increased humidity or dust conditions, place the information processing unit into the
plastic bag. After work period is over, it is mandatory to get the hardness tester dry.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•Do not expose the hardness tester to aggressive chemical medium.
•The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner, no
abrasives or solvents.
•The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not use
the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under any
circumstances.
•Always check the integrity of the cables, Information processing unit and probes. Provide
immediate replacement of the damaged parts by the original ones. This job shall be
performed by skilled personnel.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to the
user.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments. The contact details can be found at the
end of this manual.

© PCE Instruments
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2 Applications
The hardness tester PCE-3000U / PCE-3000UL is handy, easy to operate and can carry out tests
quickly without any difficulties.
Hardness tester PCE-3000U / PCE-3000UL is mainly suitable:
• for measurement hardness of low and non-alloyed steels;
• for measurement hardness of high-alloyed steels;
• for measurement hardness of nonferrous metals.
3 Specifications
3.1 Calibration scales
Device has 20 calibration scales of hardness that conventionally divided into four scales and five
materials for each:
Each of the scales can be additionally calibrated by 1 or 2 points. Also, the unit measures in Leeb
scale (with rebound probe) and Tensilestrength, through the automatic recalculation from theBrinell
scale.
3.2 The limits of permissible basic error of measurement
Hardness scale
Error (%)
Rockwell C
± 1.5
Brinell
± 3.0
Vickers
± 3.0
Leeb
± 3.0
Tensile strength
Not rated
3.3 Working conditions
-20 …+40 °C
3.4 Dimensions and weight
Part
Dimensions / weight
Hand-held device incl. batteries
136 x 75 x 33 mm
250 g
UCI probe
Ø25х140 mm
100 g
Rebound probe
Ø20х150 mm
100 g
3.5 Power supply
Powered by two rechargeable 1.2 V Ni-MH batteries (1000 mAh). To save battery power, make use
of the Auto Power Off function in the menu.

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3.6 Requirements of the material to be tested
Surface roughness, not more than
UCI (10N) probe U1 (optional)
UCI (50N) probe U1 (standard package)
Rebound probe D1 (CE-3000UL only)
1.5 Ra
2.5 Ra
3.2 Ra
Radius of curvature of the surface
UCI probe U1
Rebound probe D1
5.0 mm
10.0 mm
Weight of the test material, not less than
UCI probe U1
Rebound probe D1
0.1 kg
5.0 kg
Thickness of the test material, not less than
UCI probe U1
Rebound probe D1
1.0 mm
10.0 mm
4 Delivery contents
1 x UCI hardness tester PCE-3000U or PCE-3000UL
1 x 50 N UCI probe
1 x rebound probe (PCE-3000UL)
2 x rechargeable 1.2 V Ni-MH battery (1000 mAh)
1 x charger
1 x user manual
1 x USB cable
1 x carrying case
The software can be downloaded here:
https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/download-win_4.htm
5 Principle of operation
5.1 Rebound method
Rebound probe consists of an impact body and the capture. The impact body has a carbide tip and
a permanent magnet for generating a voltage pulse; the impact device has a spring mechanism for
loading and impelling the impact body, and an induction coil for detecting the magnet in the impact
body. In the rebound hardness testing method, the speed variation caused by the impact of the
impact body against the material surface is measured.
The impact energy is adjusted via the spring for the measurement. The impact body contained in
the tube of the impact device is impelled against the test surface by means of the release button. In
the course of this, the magnet of the impact body induces in the coil a voltage signal whose height
is proportional to the impact phase speed. The impact causes a plastic deformation of the material
and a permanent spherical indentation is produced in the surface. This plastic deformation leads to
a loss of energy of the impact body and thus to a lower speed after the actual rebound phase.
The speed ratio is determined exactly at the moment of impact/rebound by means of the special
signal processing. The speed ratio is therefore unaffected by the impact direction. As opposed to
this, other rebound hardness testers require presetting of the impact direction in fixed steps
(influence of gravitation on the speed ratio) - which constitutes a considerable disadvantage with
frequently changing test positions.

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5.2 UCI method
The Vickers diamond is fixed to the tip of a roundmetal rod. This metal rod is excited, to its resonant
frequency of approx. 78 kHz, into longitudinal oscillations. When the Vickers diamond contacts the
sample surface, the resonant frequency will change. This change happens in relation to the size of
the indent area from the Vickers diamond. The size, in turn, is a measure for the hardness of the
tested material. Resonant frequencies can be measured very accurately. This is why the UCI
method is suited to make the evaluation of Vickers indents, and thus of the complete test procedure,
so much easier and quicker.
There are also two additional advantages:
- the measurement is made under load. (No impairment of the measurement due to elastic
resilience);
- the hardness measurement is based on the area of the indent and not on the length of the indent
diagonals.
The measurement is thus less affected by surface roughness; even gunmetal-finished surfaces can
be measured.
Concerning the UCI method, the measurement value is also dependent on the Young’s modulus of
the material.
6 Preparations for operation
6.1 Battery supply
The hardness tester PCE-3000U / PCE-3000UL is powered by two 1.2 V Ni-MH batteries (1000
mAh) which can be charged by using the included charger.
NOTE! The batteries must be fully charged before first use.
Use of rechargeable batteries:
Open the battery compartment. Insert the batteries, observing the correct polarity. Close the battery
compartment.
Used or defective batteries are special refuse and must be disposed of according to the governing
laws!
6.2 Connection of probes
Socket for the probe is at the top of the information processing unit. Connect the probe cable to the
PCE-3000U / PCE-3000UL socket in accordance with the marks on the connector.

© PCE Instruments
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7 Basics of operation
7.1 Keys
Key
Description
Function
On / off
- Switch meter on/off
- Select option 1
OK
Select option 2
Mode
Select measuring mode
SEL
Select hardness scale
Up
Selection up
Down
Selection down
7.2 Selection of measurement method
7.2.1 Rebound method
This method is appropriate for:
- testing objects weighing more than 5 kg and a wall thickness more than 10 mm;
- massive products, products with a coarse-grained structure, forged and cast products;
- testing objects with minimal preparation of the surface.
7.2.2 UCI method
This method is appropriate for:
- testing objects with low mass and small wall thickness;
- testing objects with a glossy surface (with special requirements to the minimum size of the
imprint);
- surfaces of the testing objects with hardened layers.
8 Operation
8.1 Preparation of the test material
The surface must be clean and free of oil, grease and dust.
The surface roughness of the material shouldmeet the requirements of a specific probe (paragraph
3.6).

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8.2 Features of the measurement methods
8.2.1 UCI method
Distinct reading variations may especially occur with a mass lower than 0.1 kg and a specimen
thickness of less than 1 mm if the test material is excited to resonance or sympathetic oscillations.
Otherwise, such test materials must be fixed to a solid base, e.g. using a viscous paste. The same
applies to the hardness test blocks.
8.2.2 Rebound method
With smaller and less heavy test objects, the impact effect of the impact device may cause vibrations
which could produce distorted measurement results.
- Test objects weighing less than 2 kg must in any case be fixed to the support using couplant so
that there are no any vibrations.
- Test objects weighing between 2 kg and 5 kg must be placed on a large metal support (e. g. a
table) in such a way that they are not moved or caused to vibrate by the impact.
8.3 Device menu
After connecting the probe, press and hold the on / off key.
Then, you get to the main menu of the device:
The menu consists of 6 sections:
1. Measuring
2. Calibration
3. Archive
4. Settings
5. Memory card
6. Information
Scroll through the menu using the Up and Down keys. For entering, press the OK key (soft key
SELECT).