Mecmesin AFG 2.5 Manual de usuario

(Includes AFTI display)

testing to perfection

Advanced

Force Gauge

Operating Manual

page 1

Contents

The Advanced Force Gauge (AFG)

Powering the Gauge 3

Using the Gauge 4

Basic Functions 6

Smart Force & Torque Sensors 10

Advanced Menu Options 11

RS232 Commands 37

Advanced Menu Options Flowcharts 44

Dimensions 52

AFG Specifications 54

Introduction

Thank you for choosing Mecmesin’s Advanced Force Gauge (AFG). With correct use

and regular re-calibration it will give many years of accurate and reliable service.

The Mecmesin AFG is the flagship member of a series of highly versatile display units.

By using the latest integrated circuit technology it has been possible to produce an

instrument which can be used to measure tensile and compressive forces accurately,

whilst being simple to use by the operator. Information contained in this operating

manual also applies to the AFG or Advanced Force & Torque Indicator (AFTI) display

when used with ‘Smart’ sensors.

Before Use

Upon receiving the unit please check that no physical damage has occurred to the

packaging material, plastic case or the instrument itself. If any damage is evident please

notify Mecmesin immediately.

Operation

The most commonly used features, such as displaying force, peak hold, zero and

changing of displayed units of measurement can all be done by pressing a single

dedicated key on the front panel with grey text - see page 6, Basic Functions.

To configure the advanced features of the gauge, a full menu-driven system is

accessible using the keys identified on the front panel with red text - see page 11,

Advanced Menu Options.

The Advanced Force Gauge (AFG)

page 2

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 3

The AFG is supplied with a set of 5 Nickel Metal

Hydride AAA rechargeable batteries, which are supplied

fully charged to allow use straight from the box. Do not

use any other battery charger other than that supplied

with the force gauge.

To replace the batteries you must first remove the

battery cover on the upper part of the rear of the gauge

by removing the 2 retaining screws. Remove the fitted

batteries and fit the 5 new batteries in the battery

holder ensuring that you observe polarity and the

batteries are placed on top of the ‘release tag’ and they

will be freed from the spring-loaded contacts.

Refit the battery cover and tighten the 2 retaining

screws.

Connect the mains adaptor/charger to the AFG charger

socket located at the right hand side of the gauge next

to the display and charge the batteries for 14 - 16 hours.

Only use the adaptor/charger supplied. A fully charged

battery pack will provide approximately 20 hours

constant use between charges.

A low battery symbol will appear in the display

approximately 2 minutes before the gauge powers

down automatically. See Fig 1.

Powering the

Gauge

Replacing batteries

Low battery warning

Mains operation

Fig. 1

The AFG can also be powered directly from the mains.

This can be achieved with or without the rechargeable

batteries being fitted. Connect the mains adaptor/

charger to your mains supply. Only use the adaptor/

charger supplied.

Low battery

warning

If rechargeable batteries are fitted, a trickle charge will be

applied to the batteries with the display switched on.

The AFG can also be powered by AAA 1.5V alkaline

batteries (not supplied). For the fitting of alkaline batteries,

follow fitting instructions as per rechargeable batteries

above.

Warning: When alkaline batteries are fitted, the mains

adaptor/charger must NEVER be connected to the AFG

due to the risk of acid leakage which could damage the

instrument.

NEVER:

Short circuit

Disassemble or deform cells

Heat or incinerate

Immerse in water

Solder anything to the battery terminals

Reverse individual cell polarity

Use alternative chargers other than those supplied by

Mecmesin

Use replacement parts other than those supplied by

Mecmesin

Never dispose of batteries with ‘normal’ refuse. Contact

your local Environmental Authority to determine the

location of your appropriate disposal facility.

All AFG instruments are supplied with a short extension

rod (30mm long). This fits directly onto the loadcell

mounted in the bottom of the AFG. When attaching

accessories to the gauge always use the extension rod.

It comes supplied with a thumb wheel to control the

orientation of any accessory fitted.

When fitting the extension rod ensure that it is screwed

finger-tight only. Excessive torque can damage the loadcell.

Your chosen grip can now be fitted to the extension rod

which has a 10-32UNF male thread (10-500N), 5/16”UNC

(1000-2500N).

On the rear of the gauge there are two M5 threaded holes,

which can be used for mounting the gauge to a Mecmesin

test stand.

Each Mecmesin test stand is supplied with a dedicated

‘dovetailed mounting bracket’ and screws for this purpose.

page 4

Fitting of alkaline

batteries

Battery safety information

Using the Gauge

Fitting accessories

Mounting to a test stand

If you wish to mount to another type of stand, ensure

that the screws used are threaded into the gauge to a

maximum depth of 12mm. If screws are fitted beyond

this depth, damage to the internal PCB or loadcell may

occur.

As shown in Fig 2 the control panel has 5 Function keys

plus an On/Off key:

To power up the gauge press

the red key. A short self

test runs during which

the display will show the

model and capacity in

newtons.

After the self test (if the

‘X CONSTANT’ is used,

its value will be displayed

at this point) providing no load has been applied to

the instrument, the display will show all zeros. This is

because the gauge re-zeros itself during the self test

routine.

If a compressive or tensile force is applied to the sensor

probe (bottom of AFG), the reading on the display will

Do not overload the loadcell, as this could cause

irreparable damage.

Forces greater than 120% of full-scale will produce an

audible beep until load is released and an OL symbol

will appear on the display for 30 seconds.

page 5

Powering up

Note: The current version of

the gauge’s operating software

appears in the bottom left

corner of the start-up screen.

This may have been updated,

however the manual supplied

with your AFG remains valid.

Please note that an AFG

measuring very low forces

may not show zero if it is

moved during the self test

routine. Once it is properly

mounted and zeroed the

reading will be stable.

NB: All the current settings

are saved when the gauge is

turned off and the gauge will

function in the same mode

when powered up again.

Fig. 2

Forces greater than 150% of full-scale will produce an

audible beep until load is released and an OL symbol

will appear permanently on the display. If this should

occur consult your supplier to arrange inspection and

repair, if necessary.

To power down the gauge press the key.

Tensile forces are displayed on the AFG and recognised

by the symbol (See Fig. 3a)

Compressive forces are displayed on the AFG and

recognised by the symbol (see Fig. 3b)

When connected with an external ‘Smart’ torque

sensor clockwise torque and anticlockwise torque are

represented by

A load indicator bar alerts the operator to how much

load has been applied to the loadcell. As the load

approaches the maximum rating of the loadcell,

the indicator bar changes appearance when above

approximately 80% of the rated capacity. This warns

the operator that steps should be taken to prevent

excessive load being applied.

When applying tensile force, the indicator bar begins

solid in appearance, then becomes striped when the

capacity is approached. When applying compressive

force, the indicator bar begins striped and then

becomes solid

(see Fig 3a & 3b).

page 6

Basic Functions

Display of Tension/

Compression

If the AFG has suffered a

serious overload condition,

the load indicator bar will be

partially displayed even when

no load is present. This is a

warning that the load cell

is damaged and you should

immediately contact your

supplier to arrange repair.

Fig. 3a

Symbol for

tension

Unit of

measurement

Load indicator

bar

page 7

During the operation of the gauge it is often necessary

to zero the display - e.g. when you wish it to tare out

the weight of a grip, so it does not become part of the

measured reading. Press and release the ZERO key.

You can choose from the following units of

measurement depending on the capacity of your gauge:

newtons (N), millinewtons (mN), kilonewtons (kN),

kilogram-force (kgf), ounce-force (ozf), pound-force (lbf)

or gram-force (gf).

To change the display units press and release the UNITS

key. Each successive key press will select the next

available units until the gauge returns to its original

setting. The AFG automatically converts readings as new

units of measure are selected.

The gauge detects and stores maximum (peak) force in

both compressive and tensile directions.

Note: the following max display modes do not apply

when the % 1st PEAK function is enabled. See page 23

for alternative modes

Press the MAX key. The display will show the word

MAX together with the highest tensile force and the

highest compressive force detected during the test.

The current load being applied to the loadcell is also

displayed - see Fig 4a overleaf.

Zeroing the gauge

Changing the unit of

measurement

Max (peak) readings

“Max” mode

Symbol for

compression

Unit of

measurement

Load indicator

bar

Fig. 3b

page 8

Dual Max

Max Tension

Max Compression

Note: When % 1st PEAK

function is enabled, different

max modes are shown,

see page 23

Press the MAX key again and the display will show the

maximum tensile force identified by the symbol. (see

Fig. 4b)

Press the MAX key again and the display will show

the maximum compressive force identified by the

symbol. (See Fig. 4c)

Fig. 4a Max tension

reading

Max compression

reading

Load currently

applied to load

cell

Fig. 4b

Max tension

reading

Fig. 4c

Max compression

reading

page 9

Press the MAX key again and the word MAX has now

disappeared from the display. The display will now

indicate forces applied in both directions as they are

applied to the loadcell and maintain a “running” display.

Press the RESET key to clear both maximum registers

and prepare for detecting the next maximum readings.

(See also COMMS section of Advanced Menu Options

on page 28)

An uncalibrated analogue output is available from the

top ‘D type connector marked ‘coms’ for use with chart

recorders, oscilloscopes or any other devices requiring

analogue inputs. A calibrated analogue output can also

be supplied as an option (calibrated to order at factory).

See technical specifications on page 54 and 55 for

details.

It is possible to transmit the displayed reading

to peripheral devices (e.g. PC, printer) via the

communications port by pressing and releasing the TXD

key.

Displayed readings can also be requested individually

from a PC via the RS232 interface by sending a “?”

character.

See page 37.

For sending a continuous data stream to a PC, printer,

etc press and hold the TXD key for 2 seconds then

release. TX will now appear in the display to indicate

that data is being sent, (see figure 5). To stop sending

data, simply press and release the TXD key, at which

point TX will disappear from the display.

“Normal” mode

Data Output

Analogue output

RS232 and Digimatic

output signals

A full range of interface cables

are available to connect your

AFG to peripheral devices – see

page 56 for details.

Continuous data

transmission

The continuous data stream rate

is 25Hz, unless 115200 Baud is

selected, when it is 50Hz.

When using continuous

transmission over RS232 only,

select the TX METHOD as RS232

(see page 29). If DIGIMATIC

or DUAL is selected, and no

digimatic device is connected,

the display will periodically

freeze.

Fig. 5

Max compression

reading

Este manual sirve para los siguientes modelos

Tabla de contenidos

Otros manuales de Instrumento de medición de Mecmesin

Mecmesin

Mecmesin CAPTEST Manual de instrucciones

Mecmesin

Mecmesin Mecmesin AFI Manual de usuario

Mecmesin

Mecmesin SL Series Manual de usuario

Mecmesin

Mecmesin AFG Series Manual de usuario

Mecmesin

Mecmesin AFG Series Manual de usuario

Mecmesin

Mecmesin afg 1000n Manual de usuario

Mecmesin

Mecmesin Compact Force Gauge Manual de usuario

Mecmesin

Mecmesin 172100 Manual de usuario

Mecmesin

Mecmesin AFTI Manual de instalación y funcionamiento

Mecmesin

Mecmesin BFG 10 Manual de usuario

Manuales populares de Instrumento de medición de otras marcas

Suaoki

Suaoki D40 Manual de usuario

Elster

Elster BK-G1.6 Manual de usuario

Endress+Hauser

Endress+Hauser Deltabar FMD71 Manual

Duratool

Duratool D03128 Manual de usuario

Vega

Vega VEGAPULS 65 Manual de usuario

Tonghui

Tonghui TH2618B Manual de usuario

Tenmars

Tenmars TM-801 Manual de usuario

MSR

MSR 145 Manual de usuario

TPS

TPS WP-82 Manual de usuario

ELMETRON

ELMETRON CP-511 Manual de usuario

PCB Piezotronics

PCB Piezotronics 003C30 Manual de usuario

Tenma

Tenma 72-10465 Manual de usuario

Endress+Hauser

Endress+Hauser Proline Promag 50 Especificaciones técnicas

Siemens

Siemens SITRANS F Coriolis FCT030 Manual de lista de piezas

KLINGER

KLINGER CMF V Series Manual de usuario

EXFO

EXFO FTB-2 Manual de operación y mantenimiento

Keysight

Keysight M8290A Manual de usuario

ADTEK

ADTEK MW-5 Manual de usuario