The VFTI is a robust and multipurpose touchscreen display unit that is used with Mecmesin’s “Smart” series of interchangeable force and torque sensors. The device is best suited for testing where high flexibility and accuracy are the major requirements.
Powered by Vector OS, this device instantly identifies the attached sensor and can be used as a handheld device for testing on the go or it can be incorporated into the user’s test rig as the core measurement device.
Overview
The VFTI Force and Torque Indicator is an innovative touchscreen display unit that satisfies the core requirements of most torque and force measurement applications.
A built-in adapter enables it to be connected to Mecmesin’s established range of “Smart” force and torque sensors. The software automatically detects the calibration data and measurement capabilities of each sensor. This feature allows the user to know whether they are measuring with the highest level of accuracy and sensitivity.
Vector OS software powers the VFTI’s 5″ color touchscreen with an intuitive interface to simplify operation for all users. By swiping icons, users can access configuration menus and set up advanced tests. Users can also customize the display to include only the options they wish to see.
The pinch-and-zoom option can be used to expand the live graph. With the touchscreen, the users can customize the application to exact requirements and then easily analyze test results in a matter of seconds.
The VFTI provides enhanced measurement features and data analysis capabilities:
- Maximum and First Peak mode — register the main values from the test
- Graphing mode — produces a live curve on the display to help identify critical events when the test is performed
- Overload warning — reduces the risk of accidental damage to the connected sensors
- Visual pass/fail alarms — alerts operators instantly when testing
- Rapid internal sampling at 5 MHz facilitates a data-acquisition rate of 2,000 times per second — guarantees sudden break-force readings are captured accurately
- Expandable external memory — save all the raw data-points on a 32 GB micro-SDHC card so that the user can test quickly and download results later
- Statistical summary — displayed readings can be stored in an integrated memory for statistical analysis within the VFTI
- Data can be output directly to a PC or printer for further analysis
The ergonomic VFTI is ideal for use as a portable test device both indoors and outdoors, thanks to its rugged, lightweight aluminum housing and lithium-ion battery. This device can also be incorporated into the user’s own test rig as the core measurement device to be used in production, quality control and research and development situations.
Measurement
The device measures tension, compression and torque with full unit conversion and peak holding functions. It operates at an internal sampling rate of 20,000 Hz measurements, which can be displayed in the following ways:
Torque
- N.m, daN.m, cN.m, mN.m
- gf.cm, kgf.cm
- ozf.in, lbf.ft, lbf.in
Force
- N, cN, daN, kN, mN
- gf, kgf
- ozf, lbf
Features
The VFTI has a dual-zone display, with the upper zone clearly displaying peak measurements in all standard measurement units. The lower zone displays a live graphical plot of the applied force or torque, making it easy to spot crucial events that cannot be identified just by a peak measurement.
Alternatively, the lower zone can be used to determine the Maximum, Minimum, Average and Standard Deviation from the peak values captured and saved in the VFTI’s onboard memory of 500+ readings.
Intuitive Touchscreen
The instrument has the most advanced touchscreen force and torque gauges, powered by Vector OS.
Handheld instruments built for rough environments provide reliable and accurate measurements.
Image Credit: Mecmesin Ltd
Image Credit: Mecmesin Ltd
Image Credit: Mecmesin Ltd
Connectivity
Readings can be delivered individually from the display through the RS232 output, or they can be streamed constantly to a PC from the internal memory. All the data points from a test can be recorded externally on a 32 GB micro-SDHC card and then uploaded to a PC for further in-depth analysis for mobile applications where carrying a PC is not practical.
For charting data, running computations to create findings and creating test reports, Mecmesin’s VectorPro Lite program is a common alternative. To connect the VFTI to the device, the user can choose from a variety of interface cords.
Force and Torque Sensors
The VFTI, AFTI, AFG and VFG are versatile force and torque indicators designed for use with Mecmesin’s “Smart” tension and compression loadcells, as well as “Smart” static and rotary torque sensors.
Readings are shown as live values with a peak-hold function in both tension and compression, or as torque in clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
Data can be streamed in the form of continuous or single readings for storage on PCs, printers and dataloggers.
Image Credit: Mecmesin Ltd
Vector OS
The touchscreen instruments are powered by Vector OS, Mecmesin’s technology platform for its latest force and torque test equipment. It provides user interfaces that are convenient and customizable, as well as offers advanced data capture and analysis.
Users can connect all Vector instruments to a computer and use Mecmesin’s VectorPro Lite software for data analysis and reporting to increase overall testing power.
Image Credit: Mecmesin Ltd