Pike MIRacle User manual

Digital Force Adapter for
High-Pressure Clamp
Installation and User Guide

The information in this publication is provided for reference only. All
information contained in this publication is believed to be correct and
complete. PIKE Technologies, Inc. shall not be liable for errors contained herein
nor for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
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information contained in this publication, are subject to change without notice.
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does not assume any liability arising out of any infringements of patents or
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Copyright 1991-2019 by PIKE Technologies, Inc., Madison, WI 53719. Printed in
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Address Comments to:
PIKE Technologies, Inc.
6125 Cottonwood Drive
Madison, WI 53719
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
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Web Site www.piketech.com
Aug. 27, 2019

Contents
Introduction
1
Unpacking Your Accessory
2
Packing List
2
Installation
3
Installation for MIRacle
3
Installation for GladiATR or GladiATR Vision
5
Digital Force Adapter Usage
8
Choosing a Press Tip
8
Clamp Operation
9
Zero Adjustment of Digital Force Adapter
9
Application
10
Specifications
10
Troubleshooting
11
Service and Repairs
11
Replacement Parts
11
Notes
11

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Introduction
Designed for use with PIKE Technologies’ MIRacle or GladiATR ATR, the Digital Force Adapter option
provides a real-time measurement of the applied force on the sample. It is ideal for end-users that
require controlled pressure capabilities.
The Digital Force Adapter attaches to the High-Pressure Clamp of either the MIRacle or GladiATR. It
consists of an embedded load cell, which exhibits high linearity and exceptional reproducibility. To
accommodate various sample types, the adapter accepts all press tips originally shipped with the High-
Pressure Clamp (flat, swivel, or concave press tip). The magnitude of applied force is displayed on an
external easy-to-read LCD monitor in units of kilogram-force (kgf). Installation is easily performed by the
accessory user.
Digital Force Adapter with LCD Monitor

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Unpacking Your Accessory
Two versions of the adapter are available depending on whether the adapter is to be fitted onto the
MIRacle (part number 076-6025) or GladiATR/GladiATR Vision (076-6026). Review your package
thoroughly. Please contact PIKE Technologies, Inc. immediately if any parts have been omitted.
Packing List
Manual
PN 350-007660
MIRacle/GladiATR Load Cell
Assembly with Tip
LCD Monitor
Quantity 1
Quantity 1
Quantity 1
Power Supply*
Cord Hooks
Clamp Spacer and
Extended Clamp Screws
Quantity 1
Quantity 2
Quantity 1
Clamp Arm Holder Screw
Cord Clips
Quantity 1
Quantity 2
(MIRacle version only)
(MIRacle & GladiATR versions only)
(GladiATR version only)
*Power supply/adapter may vary

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Installation
Installation instructions for the MIRacle and GladiATR Digital Force Adapter have been divided into
respective sections to aid in clarity.
Installation for MIRacle
1. Remove the press tip rod from the MIRacle High-Pressure Clamp by unscrewing the rod from the top
of the horizontal clamp arm.
2. Hold the digital force adapter assembly against the underside of the clamp arm hole. The assembly
should be touching the arm. Attach the holder screw from the top of the clamp arm. Screw until
resistance is felt.

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3. Holding the digital force adapter, rotate the holder screw until it touches the top of the clamp arm.
At this point, there should be about a 1/16inch gap between the top of the digital force adapter and
the clamp arm.
IMPORTANT: The connection of the wire to the load cell is fragile. Gently guide the movement of
the wire, being careful not to pull it.
4. Using the provided plastic hooks, secure the cord from the load cell assembly along the horizontal
arm of the clamp. Place the load cell cord into the eye of the hook and snap the hook closed.
Remove the adhesive backing and place on the horizontal arm portion of the clamp.
5. The sample tip is removable. Screw onto the load cell assembly an appropriate press tip (swivel, flat,
or concave) for the sample type to be analyzed. The various press tips are detailed in the MIRacle
manual and in the Digital Force Adapter Usage section on page 8 of this manual.
1/16 inch gap

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Note: When using the Digital Force Adapter in conjunction with the Three-Reflection ATR MIRacle
plate, the 7.8 mm nylon press tip must be used. The High-Pressure Clamp will damage the crystal if
used with the metal press tip.
6. Insert the connector of the load cell assembly and the power cord into the back of the LCD monitor.
The appropriate location of each connector is clearly labeled. If the load cell is not connected to the
LCD monitor prior to applying power, erroneous readings are displayed.
7. Choose an appropriate electrical outlet adapter and attach it to the power cord. Plug the power cord
into the electrical outlet.
8. Within the first 24 hours it is normal to experience drift. Therefore, 24 hours stabilization time prior
to use is recommended after initially connecting the LCD monitor into an electrical outlet. Due to
the long stabilization time, leaving the Digital Force Adapter assembly powered up is recommended.
Installation for GladiATR or GladiATR Vision
1. Remove the High-Pressure Clamp from the GladiATR base optics.

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2. With the GladiATR clamp removed from the base, remove the press tip end from the High-Pressure
Clamp by turning the tip counter clockwise.
3. Attach the load cell assembly by screwing it onto the small threaded rod that held the press tip until
finger tight. Exhibit care not to excessively twist the cord attached to the load cell assembly. To
minimize cord twisting, allow the cord to hang vertically during installation.
4. To reinstall the clamp, insert the clamp spacer between the base optics and the High-Pressure
Clamp. Be sure the spacer and clamp are firmly resting on their respective pins. Secure the High-
Pressure Clamp by using the long hex screws provided with the Digital Force Adapter.

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5. Screw an appropriate press tip (swivel, flat, or concave) for the sample type to be analyzed onto the
load cell assembly. A further description of the various press tips is detailed in the GladiATR manual
and in the Digital Force Adapter Usage section on page 8 of this manual.
6. Using the provided plastic hooks, secure the cord from the load cell assembly along the horizontal
arm of the clamp. Place the load cell cord into the eye of the hook and snap the hook closed.
Remove the adhesive backing and press onto the horizontal arm portion of the clamp.
7. Insert the connector of the load cell assembly and the power cord into the back of the LCD monitor.
The appropriate location of each connector is clearly labeled. If the load cell is not connected to the
LCD monitor prior to applying power, erroneous readings are displayed.
8. Choose the appropriate electrical outlet adapter contained within the power cord kit, and attach it
to the power cord. Plug the power cord into the electrical outlet.
9. Within the first 24 hours it is normal to experience drift. Therefore, 24 hours stabilization time prior
to use is recommended after initially connecting the LCD monitor into an electrical outlet. Due to
the long stabilization time, leaving the Digital Force Adapter assembly powered up is recommended.

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Digital Force Adapter Usage
Choosing a Press Tip
The success of an ATR measurement depends mostly on the quality of the contact between the sample
and the crystal. Since there is an infinite number of sample shapes and types, a single configuration of
the sample press tip may not be adequate. For this reason, the MIRacle and GladiATR pressure clamps
are designed to accept three different anvil attachments, providing the best possible configuration for
any given sample type. After installing the load cell assembly, any of the sample press tips (swivel, flat,
or concave) originally shipped with the High-Pressure Clamp may be used.
The swivel tip features an end cap mounted onto a small ball joint. Such designs allow the pressure tip
to move and adjust its position to the shape of the sample and maintain the sample position parallel to
the crystal surface. This tip allows for better positioning and optimal contact of thin materials with the
crystal surface. The swivel tip is used with irregularly shaped samples, films, and semi-rigid polymers.
The flat tip attachment is a straight metal barrel and it may be used when analyzing powdered samples,
rubber samples, and other elastic polymers. Please keep in mind that the depth of penetration of an ATR
crystal is only in the range of 0.5 to 2 microns, and even a small departure from intimate contact with
the crystal will affect the magnitude of the sample absorption.
The concave tip was developed specifically to work with large beads and polymer pellets. The tip
features a concave surface, which does not allow the sample to escape from underneath the press. It
also forces the sample to stay in the center of the crystal, assuring the best possible contact.
After choosing an appropriate press tip, attached it to the load cell assembly. The 7.8 mm ATR press tip
must be used with the Three-Reflection MIRacle plate.
Swivel Tip Flat Tip Concave Tip

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Clamp Operation
The MIRacle and GladiATR High-Pressure Clamps are designed with a slip clutch mechanism to control
the maximum allowable pressure applied to the sample. To operate the High-Pressure Clamp with a
Digital Force Adapter installed:
1. Select the appropriate press tip and attach it to the load cell assembly.
2. Position the sample over the ATR crystal.
3. Lower the pressure clamp with the control knob turning clockwise until the desired pressure shown
on the digital LCD monitor is achieved.
4. Collect the sample spectrum.
Zero Adjustment of Digital Force Adapter
The Digital Force Adapter assembly has been calibrated prior to shipment. Due to electrical drift that
may occur over time and changes in ambient temperatures, the load cell assembly may require a
periodic zero adjustment. Position the clamp in the non-contact position. Monitor the display reading.
Turn the zero adjust knob clockwise to increase the reading or counterclockwise to decrease the reading
until a 0.0 reading is achieved.
Zero Adjust

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Application
To illustrate the effects of applied force on the sample in ATR sampling, a Nylon pellet was analyzed
using the GladiATR equipped with a Digital Force Adapter. Spectra were collected at two force settings,
10 and 20 kgf. The results show band intensity increases with increasing pressure. Using the Digital Force
Adapter provides control over applied force for additional consistency.
Specifications
Display Range
0.5 –40 kgf
Operating Voltage
9V/2A
Operating Power Consumption
0.5 VA
Input Voltage
90-264 V, auto-setting external power supply

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Troubleshooting
The display is not illuminated
Check the power connections to the LCD monitor
and the electrical outlet
The force is not changing on the LCD monitor
when clamp pressure is applied
Check the load cell assembly connection at the
LCD monitor
Erroneous readings on the LCD monitor (i.e. -50)
Connect the load cell cable to the LCD monitor
The force reading on the LCD monitor is fluctuating
excessively
Allow up to 24 hour equilibrium time prior to
initial use after connecting to the electrical outlet
The force reading on the LCD monitor is not
showing zero despite no clamp force being applied
Adjust the force reading to zero using the zero
adjust screw located on the right side of the LCD
monitor
Service and Repairs
For service and repairs, please contact PIKE Technologies, Inc. to obtain a Returned Merchandise
Authorization (RMA) number. When submitting a load cell assembly or LCD display for service, both
parts must be sent together.
Replacement Parts
Part Number Description
025-3092 Concave Press Tip for High-Pressure Clamp (MIRacle or GladiATR)
025-3093 Swivel Press Tip for High-Pressure Clamp (MIRacle or GladiATR)
025-3094 7.8 ATR Press Tip (Three Reflection MIRacle plate)
025-3095 Flat Press Tip for High-Pressure Clamp (MIRacle or GladiATR)
Notes
The Digital Force Adapter may be fitted to the High-Pressure Clamp of the MIRacle, GladiATR. It is not
compatible with the MIRacle micrometer clamp. Due to the sensitivity to temperature of the load cell
assembly, it is not recommended for heated ATR accessories.
Problem Solution

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Regulatory Compliance
RoHS 2.0: 2011/65/EU
The crossed out wheeled bin is a clear reminder that the
product must NOT be disposed with household waste. It
is the responsibility of the buyer to discard the product
in accordance with Federal, regional and local
environmental regulations.
This label is located outside
the accessory, on the back
cover.