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Force testing is an important step in any production process to ensure that products are of a good quality and are up to standard. Ametek STC’s CS Series have been designed exactly for this role with their small footprint, easy to use interface and simple data read outs.
AZoM spoke to Joel Schoubert, a product manager at Ametek, about the versatility of the CS Series and the wide range of production applications that it can be used in.
Where is the CS Series force tester designed to be used?
The CS Series Tester is a simple, easy-to-use instrument for the force testing of different materials, especially in a production environment.
The tester has been designed so an operator can simply perform a test on a single key operation. The operator just has to load the sample and press a button to run a test. At the end of the test, the data is automatically outputted from the tester.
The tester is designed for use at entry level and can be used for basic in-line production use or for product Research and Development. The “User Friendliness” of the User Interface makes this tester ideal for an operator to use. Control of the machine is operated using a simple touchscreen interface which guides users along the way.
Additionally, it can be considered as a universal tester. Depending on what adapters you use the testing of all kinds of material is possible – from plastics to metal to rubber, paper. Basically any material that requires quality control and verification during its manufacturing.
The tester is a standalone instrument, which doesn't need a PC alongside it, which has a very small footprint. This makes it very easy to fit alongside exisiting technologies on a production line without having to redesign your process.
What manufacturing Industries is the CS Series designed for?
The CS Series is popular in a wide range of manufacturing industries.
The tester is being used in high-tech sectors such as aerospace, automotive and medical and also in traditional areas such as construction and paper manufacturing.
Whenever a customer needs to test a material and they don’t need to use sophisticated calculations this is the go to plug-and-play solution.
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The CS Series can be used for force testing of automotive, aerospace and medical components as well as in other, more traditional, manufacturing environments. shutterstock.com | Aumm graphixphoto
What different types of test can the CS Series force tester perform?
It’s an extremely versatile machine which can perform a large range of tests. These include pull tests, push tests, spring tests, shear tests… the list goes on! The range of adaptors for different tests and materials is almost endless.
Different types of test are important for different industries. The power of the CS Series tester is that it is strong across the board, meaning it is great for any industry.
How is the data that is recorded by the CS Series delivered and processed for its end users?
The CS Series has internal memory which allows the automatic recording of statistical data, such as peak force values, standard deviation, averaging as the test is performed. Additionally, it also has multiple outputs for the exporting of data to central computer systems. Many large companies now use DAQs (data acquisition systems) for their quality control purposes. By integrating the CS Series into their DAQ network companies can remotely gather data from the production floor in real time.
The CS Series also has other networking capabilities which include Ethernet, for a direct internet connection, and USB ports for transferring data to a PC.
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The CS Series provides data as experiments are performed on its touchscreen interface.
Does the CS Series enable the automatic calculation of key material parameters?
Yes, definitely. The CS as force tester, provides calculations on the spring ratio and also important statistics such as the standard deviation, averaging, break testing and more
The CS Series is capable of calculating a lot of basic, but important, force parameters.
What different types of samples can the CS Series force tester process?
The CS Series can test any type of material imaginable. From plastic and rubber to all of the different metals and alloys used in traditional manufacturing.
It can also test textiles and papers, and also electrical switches and mechanical assemblies. Such as testing how much force is required to press on a keyboard. It truly is a universal machine.
With different capacity frames; 225Lb force and 1100Lb force, the CS Series provides testing for a broad spectrum of materials. Small cycling tests are also possible, or tests can be controlled according to different force or positioning parameters. This is useful for the testing of all sorts of things – from contact lenses to wires and switches.
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The CS Series can test a wide of variety of materials such as paper, textiles, metals, plastics, rubber and electronics. shutterstock.com | Piyapong Wongkam
Is the CS Series Force Tester also suitable for use in R&D departments?
Yes it is. The CS Series has been designed for use in production environments and R&D departments.
The tester can also be used for incoming parts reception, quality inspections where, for example, a company is receiving parts from a manufacturer and they want to ensure that the parts received meet the required standards.
The CS Series is also a popular tester for use in ‘mom and pop shops’ (small businesses) which need a simple and economical way to ensure that their products are meetASTM standards. The CS Series conforms to ISO or ASTM standards making the CS tester a good choice.
How does the barcode feature assist users?
The barcode on the CS Series is a feature that allows users to enter Alpha Numerical information through a simple scan of a barcode.
A test may be created to contain a text field to prompt the user to enter specific information. A list of barcodes may be created so the user only has to scan the barcode related to the item. The barcode could provide information on a Serial Number, condition of the part at the end of the test or any other physical attribute.
This information can also be used to sort defective products or batches with the aim of determining where the defect occurred and if any other products in that batch may need to be re-tested.
The barcode reader is connected to the machine via the USB port and is simple to use. As with all of the measurements taken by the CS Series the data can be shared via a DAQ network.
What other features does the CS Series provide for its ease of operation?
The CS Series touchscreen and user interface make its operation extremely easy to program and use. The interface has icon-driven menus meaning it is simple and intuitive to use. On top of this, graphs and measurements are displayed via the test screen providing immediate visual feedback on the test. Calculations are also performed via the screen and the results can be viewed instantly.
If the machine is networked these results can be picked up on any other computer. This means one user could be performing the test and another processing the data, allowing for a rapid and effective testing process.
Introducing the Chatillon® CS Series digital force testers from AMETEK .
Where can our readers find out more about the CS Series force tester?
The best place to find detailed information on our products and view specification sheets is our main website. There you'll be able to find all of the information on the tester.
We also welcome the opportunity to talk about the tester in more detail. If you have any questions about how the CS Series tester could help you don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Download the Brochure for More Information
About Joel Schoubert
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Joel Schoubert is Chatillon product manager for AMETEK Sensors, Test & Calibration and has more than 20 years of experience in material testing.
This experience expands from Electro-Mechanical to Hydraulic Material Testing machines in static and dynamic environments with Erichsen, Johnson & Johnson, Tyco Electronics, Instron & Ametek.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited (T/A) AZoNetwork, the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and Conditions of use of this website.