User s Manual HANDHELD DUROMETER DI RECT DI GI TAL READOUT HL-1300

Transcription

1 User s Manual HANDHELD DUROMETER DI RECT DI GI TAL READOUT HL-1300

2 INDEX 1. Technical specifications Measurement principles Technical characteristics Technical characteristics with impact device D Technical characteristics of the HL Accessories Optional accessories Characteristics of the impact devices Impact devices picture Differents materials comparative picture The Keyboard The Star up Device autodetect Direct light Contrast Main menu 5.1 Introduction Measuring Settings Device Material Unit Impact Alarms Memory Samples Capture Erase Send Light Turn off Help function Connectors Maintenance Measuring User s Manual Page 2

3 10. Data acquisition program Installation of the data acquisition program Using DP Capture File Menu Read Open Save as Save Export to Excel Print Exit Options Menu Language Graph Bar Graph Linear Graph Port Report Help. 49 Quick guide to the HL User s Manual Page 3

4 PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER 1. Technical specifications 1.1. Measuring principles HL Hardness value This method was introduced to the measuring technology in 1968 by the Engineer D. Leeb HLD. The HL hardness value is the result of taking the quotient between the incidence and rebound velocities of the impacting body, multiplied by one thousand. The hardness unit prefix (HL) will vary depending on the impact device used, so if we use a G impact device the unit will be HLG, if the impact device is D+15, the unit will be HLD+15. The greater the hardness of the material being measured, the greater the rebound velocity will be. If we consider a given group of materials (i.e. steel, aluminium, etc.) the measured HLD value arising from the aforementioned materials represents a direct hardness value and as such can be used for a later comparison with other hardness values (Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell, Shore, etc.). Important: All Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell shore hardness values are taken from the direct conversion tables with the HL unit for each impact device, whether D, DC, DL, D+15, C, E, G, there is a conversion table independent of the others. The hardness can be visualized on the screen of the HL-1300 hardness tester, expressed Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell, Shore and Leeb units. User s Manual Page 4

5 Its most common applications are: Identification of materials in storage or inventory Difficult-to-access measurements in limited spaces Measurements in confined spaces Hardness variation in large dimensions parts On-site measurement of large and heavy parts Control of parts already installed Control of parts that are in process of production Its main feature is the quick testing and documentation of results. 2. Technical characteristics 2.1 Technical characteristics with the impact D device MATERIALS HARDNESS RANGE Steel Brinell Vickers Rockwell C Rockwell B Shore D Aluminium alloys by smelting Brinell Gray and nodule iron castings Brinell Brass Brinell Rockwell B Copper alloys Brinell Characteristics of the D impact device Length: Diameter: Weight: Maximum test hardness: 147mm 20mm 75gr 940HV Characteristics of the D impact body Impact energy: Impact body mass: Test tip: Diameter: Hardness: Material: 11 N.mm 5,5 gr spherical 3 mm 1600 HV Carbide tungsten User s Manual Page 5

6 Indentations Dimensions A 300 HV Diameter Depth A 600 HV Diameter Depth A 800 HV Diameter Depth 0,54 mm 24 μm 0,45 mm 17 μm 0,35 mm 10 μm Preparation of the parts to be tested Roughness: Minimum weight of the sample: Minimum sample thickness: Minimum curvature radius: ISO N7, 10 µm Rt, 2 µm Ra 5 kg (compact part) 2 kg (fix on a part of greater solid mass) 3 mm o, 8 mm (surface treatment thickness) 30 mm 2.2 Technical characteristics of the DIGIMESS HL electronic unit Visible Area Graphic Screen Easy to use interactive software Completely programmable trough the keyboard Connection to impact units Hardness units Precision Impact direction Material to be tested Graphic and digital indication of hardness Statistical calculation 62 mm x 62 mm 128 mm x 128 mm, with backlight D, DC, D+15, C, G, DL, E HB (Brinnel) HV (Vickers) HRC (Rockwell c) HRB (Rockwell b) HS (Shore d) HLD (Leeb) +/-0.5% (related to l=800) +/-4 HLD units Can be chosen in all directions Steel, iron castings, aluminium, brass, copper alloys Maximum value (max) Minimum value (min) Range (r) Mean (x) Quantity of measurements Programmable with visual indication 2040 data RS232 4 AA batteries Hardness Limits Data Memory Data output Electric power supply Dimensions Length: 266 mm approx. Wide: 144 mm approx. Thickness: 60 mm approx. Weight 725 gr. User s Manual Page 6

7 3. Accessories 3.1 Optional accessories The standard unit includes an impact D device covering most types of the hardness tests. When measurements have to be taken in narrow locations or in parts where the shape or the quality of the surface are irregular, other impact units can be used. The following impact units are compatible with the HL-1300 and are supplied as accessories. Impact devie DC Impact device D+15 This impact unit is ultra-short. It is manually loaded through the front side and has the same characteristics of the unit D. Application: hardness testing in holes or machined parts already installed. Maximum range: 940 HV In this unit, the front part of the instrument is narrow and the coil is located behind. It has the same characteristics as unit D. Only to Steel Application: hardness testing in slots or grooves, recessed areas, gear flanks. Maximum range: 940 HV User s Manual Page 7

8 Impact device G This unit has a greater test-tip diameter and greater impact energy. This unit allows measuring rougher surfaces and can only be used in the Brinell range. Onlyt for steel, Grey cast iron and cast iron with nodular graphite. Application: for large foundry or forged parts Maximum range: 650 HB Impact device C The impact energy of this device is reduced in approximately ¼ of that of impact D unit. Application: tempered steels, surface treatments, small or sensitive-toshocks parts (minimal measurement imprint is left). Maximum range: 1000 HV User s Manual Page 8

9 Impact device DL Has an extremely long and fine front piece. Application: hardness testing in specially narrow points and of very difficult access. Only for steel and cast steel. Range: 950 HV Impact device E Has a synthetic diamond test tip with a hardness of approx HV. Application: hardness test on very hard materials (above 50HRC / 650HV) such as template steel, lamination rollers, etc. Maximum range: 1200 HV User s Manual Page 9

10 Set of seven supporting rings This set of rings is used to correctly support curved, concave or convex surfaces with radius from 11mm to 30mm. 3.2 Characteristics of the Impact devices Impact devices comparative picture Comparison between diferents Impact device s Impact Devices. D/DC D+15 DL C G E Technical information. Impact energy. 11 Nmm 11 Nmm 11 Nmm 3 Nmm 90 Nmm 11 Nmm Impact body mass. 5,5 g 7,8 g 7,3 g 3,0 g 20 g 5,5 g Impact tip. Diameter 3mm 3mm 2,78mm 3mm 5mm 3mm Hardness 1600HV 5000HV Material Tungsten Carbide Diamond Impact device. Lenght 147/86mm 162mm 202mm 141mm 254mm 155mm Diameter 20mm 20mm 20mm 20mm 30mm 20mm Weight 75/50g 80g 100g 75g 250g 80g Max. Sample Hardness 940 HV 950 HV 1000 HV 650 HB 1200 HV Surface preparation Roughness Class ISO N7 N5 N9 N7 Roughness Máx. Rt 10 µm 2,5 µm 30 µm 10 µm Roughness avg. CLA 2 µm 0.4 µm 7 µm 2 µm Min. sample Weight Compact material 5 Kg. 1,5 Kg. 15 Kg. 5 Kg. Over a rigid support 2 Kg. 0,5 Kg. 5 Kg. 2 Kg. With couplant paste 0,1 Kg. 0,02 Kg. 0,5 Kg. 0,1 Kg. Min. sample thickness Coupled 3 mm 1 mm 10 mm 3 mm Minimum layers 0,8 mm 0,2 mm ,8 mm thickness Impact body indentation with 300 HV Diameter 0,54 mm 0,38 mm 1,03mm 0,54 mm Depth 24 µm 12 µm 53 µm 24 µm with 600 HV Diameter 0,45 mm 0,32 mm 0,90 mm 0,45 mm Depth 17 µm 8 µm 41 µm 17 µm with 800 HV Diameter 0,35 mm 0,30 mm ,35 mm Depth 10 µm 7 µm µm User s Manual Page 10

11 3.2.2 Differents materials comparative picture Material Method Scale D/DC D+15 DL C G E Steel and Cast Steel Vickers HV Brinell HB Rockwell HRB HRC HRA Shore HS Cold work tool steel Vickers HV Rockwell HRC Stainless steel Vickers HV Brinell HB Rockwell HRB HRC Cast iron with lamellar Brinell HB graphite Vickers HV Rockwell HRC Cast iron with nodular Brinell HB graphite Vickers HV Rockwell HRC Cast aluminium alloys Brinell HB Rockwell HRB Copper-Zinc alloys Brinell HB (brass) Rockwell HRB Bronze Brinell HB Copper alloys Brinell HB User s Manual Page 11

12 4. The Keyboard Keyboard reference 4.1 The Start up This key allows the user to turn on or turn off the equipment. When the key ON / OFF is pressed, the equipment turns on, performing a self test and quickly showing on-screen the predetermined parameters. These parameters are: After the test is performed, HL-1300 displays the main menu on the screen. If you press the key ON / OFF again the equipment will turn off. User s Manual Page 12

13 4.2 Device autodetect The HL-1300 when is turn on, detect the kind of device that is connected to the equipment. But if you change it while the HL-1300 is turn on the equipment will not detect the device. The user must change it by himself. 4.3 Light Pressing this key the user will turn on and turn off the display light. 4.4 Contrast Pressing this key you will increase the display contrast. If you continue pressing the key once you reach the contrast limit, the display contrast will return to the initial position. User s Manual Page 13

14 5. Main menu 5.1 Introduction This screen allows the operator to access the different options the equipment offers, such as measuring, settings, alarms, memory, light, turn off. In addition, this screen shows the battery condition, the memory status (if empty or not) and if the light is on or off. The following details the Main Menu screen: Selection of one of these options must be made by means of: These keys allow the user to move through the menu and be able to select the desired option. Pressing the ENTER key confirms the selected option. 5.2 Measuring Measurements screen Under this option, by pressing the ENTER key the user can access the measuring screen, as shown in the following figure: User s Manual Page 14

15 Once the operator has this screen he can perform the desired measurements. By just pressing the button of the impact device, this screen allows the operator to see the acquired results immediately after the measurement is taken. If the user is taking a measurement using a particular type of unit and wants to change the unit without leaving the measuring screen, upon pressing ENTER the HL-1300 will access the unit-selection menu directly, displaying the following: The HL-1300 will only show the units allowed for the type of material selected. To select any of these units, the operator will have to press or arrows to reach the desired unit and press ENTER to confirm the change. If he desires to change to a unit not shown in this screen, he must go to settings on the Main Menu and then change the material. (please see, Settings-Units section). User s Manual Page 15

16 ATTENTION: The aforementioned established limits will be automatically erased whenever the new measuring unit is selected. To set new limits, one must exit the measuring screen (by pressing the MENU key) and then input the new limits. (Please see page 14, Alarm section). Upon ending the measuring, if the user wants to return to the main menu, he must press the MENU key. 5.3 Settings When entering this option, by pressing ENTER the user can move within the menu and define the application parameters for the HL-1300 hardness tester, such as: devices, material, unit, and impact. If instead the operator wants to return to the main menu, he must press the MENU key Device This option allows the selection of the various impact devices, which can be used together with the instrument, in accordance with the operator s needs at the time he performs the test. The impact device supplied as standard equipment is an impact D device. User s Manual Page 16

17 5.3.2 Material. This option allows the selection of the material on which the measurement will be taken. The type of materials on which the various measurements can be performed on are: steel, gray iron castings, bronze, copper, nodular, aluminium alloy, brass and tool steel. The impact devices needed by the equipment to perform the measurements depend on the specific material to be tested. In other words, certain impact devices such as impact device D can take measurements on all materials for which HL-1300 is designed for, while other impact devices such as impact device G can only be used on some materials, such steel, gray and nodular iron castings Unit The hardness unit can be selected as a function both of the material and the impact unit selected. Thus, some of the units will not appear as options because the material and the units are not compatible. So, to select the units the user only has to press ENTER on the desired unit and automatically it will show up (if compatible). The equipment will then be immediately configured with the selected unit. User s Manual Page 17

18 5.3.4 Impact The purpose of this option is to change HL-1300 s impact angle, such as when measurements have to be taken in places difficult to the operator. To put this angle change into effect, the operator will have make the selection using arrows and, and then press ENTER to confirm the change. If the equipment user does not want to make any change to the impact angle and wishes to return to the Main Menu, he can do so by just pressing ENTER. The following are the various angles of application available: The settings sequence is finalized when the impact direction is chosen. Once the SETTINGS sequence is completed, the configuration will remain stored in the memory after the instrument is turned off. Switch off can be done automatically or through the turn-off option. When turned on again, the setting stored in the memory will reappear. 5.4 Alarms With this option, the maximum and minimum tolerance limits can be determined. If the measurement results do not reach the minimum limit, or exceed the maximum limit, the Alarm is activated. The alarm icon is in the shape of a bell and indicates to the operator that the measurement values are not within the preestablished tolerance limits. Limits are shown in the same units selected for the settings. User s Manual Page 18

19 To predetermine the maximum and minimum tolerance limits the user will have to: First select the limit to be configured, by means of arrows and. For example: Select Minimum. Then, press ENTER. The HL-1300 will then display the following screen: Using keys and the user can move the edit cursor sideways, and then increase or decrease the value to be predetermined using arrows and. To accept the selected value, press ENTER. The HL-1300 will immediately revert to the prior menu. Once the tolerance limits have been selected, both in the main menu and the measuring screen there will appear the different icons which identify the presence of the limits. The following shows de different identification icons on their corresponding screen: Main Menu User s Manual Page 19

20 Measure Screen The alarm indicator appears only when the measurement exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the minimum limit. 5.5 Memory With this option, the user can organize the way measurement data is stored, the type of capture, the erasing of stored data, and the transmission of data to a PC. For data storage, HL-1300 uses Samplings and the Batch. The number identifying each sampling taken refers to each measurement stored; for example, if there is a number of parts in production to which 5 control measurements must be taken for every part, the user must select an amount of samplings equal to 5 (the number of control measurements performed on each part). And the Batch are the number of stored groups of samplings. HL-1300 has two different ways for storing data. One is the manual way and the other is automatic. Using the manual way, to store the data the user must press the STORE key every time a measurement is taken. In the automatic way, every time the user takes a measurement, it is stored automatically. How I can overwrite datums? Trough this option you could overwrite the incorrect datums, taken during the measurement. User s Manual Page 20

21 To overwrite the datums you must do the following operation: Press the BACK key until you find the datum that you want to overwrites. Then you must make the measure and then press the STORE key to save the new datum. But it s good to known that once the operator go back in the memory positions, for example, he goes back from position 6 to 3, and overwrites the wished datum (Position 4), the next datums, must be overwrite. There is not way to go back to the position where the operator was at the beginning. If once the datum was overwrite and the operator press the BATCH key, the datums that where after the overwrite datum, will be delete and the equipment will create a new Batch. The operator only can go back in the positions that he wants, if there isn t a label (See label section). It means that he can go back until the label, because the datums that there are under the label, can t be overwrite. Data will be entered in memory by the following way: For example, the user selects 4 as the total count of samplings per batch, and manual data storage. The user then proceeds to take a measurement and presses the STORE key to store the data of the measurement. Simultaneously, the number shown in the lower part will identify the batch number in progress, the number of samplings taken so far, and the number of measurements taken up that time. As the user takes new measurements, the count of samplings taken will increase until it reaches 4, the originally selected number. After this, any additional new measurement will be entered into the next batch, and the sampling count restarted. The measurements count (n=3) appearing at the end of the screen, showing the amount of measurements taken, independently of whether the user has stored the data or not. User s Manual Page 21

22 The maximum amount of data the HL-1300 can store is 2040, spread over as follows: Amount of samplings Maximum amount of batches Store data For a better use of the memory, this chart shows how the amount of samplings must be distributed with respect to the batches. This means that if the user selects a sampling count of 10, the maximum amount of batches that can be created will be 204, storing 2040 pieces of data (the maximum memory capacity). If, instead, a count of 7 samplings per batch is selected, 255 batches can be created, but the total stored data will then be IMPORTANT When the user wishes to STORE IN MEMORY new measurements with new settings, whether it be with a new material, a different application angle, etc, the person in charge of the equipment must, first unload the previously entered data into a PC (if data needs to be saved) and then ERASE MEMORY, because if new data is stored without erasing previously-entered data, the equipment will not differentiate the units of the stored data. Label This tool has broad applications because it can be used to identify measurement lots entered into memory as well as single measurements, to make a call for attention (i.e. in case of an erroneous or unexpected result), etc. This function gives the user the possibility of identifying the measuring procedure the way he wants. It s necessary to be aware that the labeled measurement(s) cannot be recognized while using the HL-1300 alone by itself. Labeled measurement(s) will be recognized only when the user picks up the data on the HL-1300 using the capture program installed in the PC. Each label occupies a place in the memory, meaning that the user can enter the amount of labels he wishes until the memory capacity is completely full. Measure screen: To label, user must press the ID key on the keyboard and label edit display will then appear on screen. When on the label edit display, a numerical value smaller than must be entered. Using the keyboard cursors does the entering of the numerical value. To end the editing, press ENTER. User s Manual Page 22

23 5.5.1 Samples A number of samples can be selected, which will correspond to parts or samples by areas. Every time a number of samples has been finished, the equipment will display on the lower part of the screen the maximum, minimum, average values range, memory position and total number of samples measured. While the amount of samples is being erased, HL-1300 shows a display indicating the erasure percentage being done. After the erasure is done, HL-1300 returns to the prior menu. User s Manual Page 23

24 Once the memory has been erased, go again to the sampling option and a display will appear allowing the amount of samplings to be input. To input the amount of samplings, the user must do so using arrows and to move the cursor sideways, and arrows and to increase or decrease the amount of samplings to be taken. Once finished the operation press ENTER key to confirm The amount of samplings available in the HL-1300 is from 3 up to10 samplings Capture This option determines the way in which data will be input into the memory. HL-1300 allows two ways to do it: either through a manual mode or through the automatic mode. Using in the MANUAL mode, after taking the measurement, data will be input by pressing STORE key. If no measurement has been taken and STORE key is pressed, HL-1300 will keep the last value taken, regardless of how many times STORE key is pressed. In the AUTO mode, data will be entered automatically after a measurement is taken. User s Manual Page 24

25 The configuration changes, that the user did in the options Capture or Samples will be adopted like new default values, each time the values change. So when the storing datum configuration is changed, the default values will be from the last configuration that the user has done Erase This option allows the erasure of all stored data. To perform this operation, it will first be necessary to press ENTER in option ERASE. After this is done, a second confirmation must be given, by pressing ENTER in option YES. IMPORTANT: Once data is erased, it is irrecoverable While the memory erasing is being performed, HL-1300 will display a bar indicator showing the percentage of the work being erased. User s Manual Page 25

26 After the memory has been erased, the lower right hand side of the screen will display an icon indicating that the memory is empty. After at least one piece of data is entered, this icon disappears Send The transfer to a PC of the stored data is done using the RS232 connection cable supplied with the equipment. To make the transfer, the operator has to go into the memory option. Once in this option, select SEND and press ENTER to begin the transmission. The screen will show an attempt counter giving an indication that HL-1300 is trying to perform this transmission. HL-1300 will try up to ten attempts. User s Manual Page 26

27 When transmission is effected, the screen will show the following: If there is no stored data to be transmitted or if the transmission cannot be performed correctly, HL-1300 when then show the following screens: Transmission can not be performed No stored data is found After which it immediately returns to the previous menu, that is the Submenu in option MEMORY. 5.6 Light This menu option allows activating or disactivating the screen light. This option is very useful because it improves the reading of the screen when the background illumination in the work area is not good. User s Manual Page 27

28 When the user activates the HL-1300 light, an icon will appear on the lower right hand side of the screen, identifying the light is on. 5.7 Turn off The HL-1300 has tree different ways by which it can be turned off; one press the on/off key, other is the automatic turn off to save battery life, and the other is by using the turn off option. Automatic turn off will occur after six minutes the instrument hasn t been used in any operation. If the operator wishes to turn off the instrument using the turn off option, he will have to press ENTER. User s Manual Page 28

29 6. Help function When PLUS key is pressed while positioned in any menu option in the Main Menu, as well as in options within Settings and Memory menus, the operator will find a clarification about the selected function. Its text appears on the lower part of the screen and moves from right to left. When on the measurement screen, the PLUS key also serves to visualize the stored values of the last measurements. In other words, if the user is taking up to 4 samples per Batch and he wishes to visualize the measurements already taken and stored, by pressing the PLUS key the following screen will appear: Values shown on the HL-1300 are those of the last Batch on which the user is positioned, and ten is the maximum amount that can be shown and stored per Batch. User s Manual Page 29

30 7. Connectors One of the connectors is for the HL-1300 impact unit and is supplied with the instrument. The other connector is the RS232 outlet to a PC; its cable is supplied with the unit. Where I connect the RS232 cable? RX TX GND Connect the plug DB9 to the PC Connect the DB9 to the Hardness Tester User s Manual Page 30

31 8. Maintenance The lower part in the backside of the equipment contains the battery compartment, and has engraved the direction pressure to be applied in order to take off the battery holder and replace the batteries. Replacement should be made when the battery condition shows a 10% charge is left. If the batteries are not replaced, the HL-1300 will shut down automatically. Replacement batteries needed are four. Suggestion For best equipment performance, always replace all five old batteries with new ones. DIGIMESS Model HL-1300 electronic unit does not require any special maintenance. It only needs the care and good use given to precision instruments. A reference test block is provided to verify the calibration of the instrument. Such calibration must be always maintained throughout time. If the instrument is not going to be used during a long period of time, it is recommended to take away the batteries from the battery holder so as to prevent possible damage due to battery aging. The impact unit does not require lubrication of any sort; it only requires the cleaning of its inside, for which we recommend using light solvents free of greases. The element to be controlled throughout time is the impact body. This has a tungsten carbide tip whose useful life is approximately impacts on 600 HLD. When this ball flattens, the hardness tester will make erroneous readings because the energy absorbed upon impact will be inadequately distributed between the part and the impact body. This situation does not allow corrections and requires changing the impact body ball. When this is needed please contact our Service Department. Impact body User s Manual Page 31

32 Cleansing of the impact device The impact device must be cleaned using the brush supplied with the equipment and as indicated in the following picture: CAUTION: Under no circumstance must any part of the device be lubricated. 9. Measuring Once the measurement parameters have been set, and after selecting and confirming the MEASURING option by pressing ENTER, we are now able to take hardness measurements on the part. Please remember to verify the calibration of the hardness tester using the reference test block supplied with the equipment, with a frequency reasonably in accordance to the number of hardness measurements to be performed, and according to the quality procedure required. (see the next figure). User s Manual Page 32

33 Preparation of the part In order to take a correct measurement, the part must be clean. Should the part have some type of coating, this must be scraped off in an area of 20 to 30 mm 2, until a roughness equal to, or less than, 10 μm on Rtmax is achieved. Maximum roughness 10μm Rt Once the part is prepared in accordance to the above take the measurement as shown in the figure Take the impact device and attach the impact body by pushing it in.. User s Manual Page 33

34 Hold the device with both hands and avoid moving it when taking readings. Press the push button situated on the top end of the impact device and the test will have been performed; simultaneously the instrument s screen will display the hardness value in the chosen scale. As recommended for any control procedure, take a minimum of three samplings separated by a distance of no more than 4 mm from each other; the readings must not differ by more than +/- 6 HLD units. Should this difference be greater, please check the support the impact device has and if the tested part is correctly held on. If the lack of repeatability is accompanied by below-real-value readings, this indicates that the mass of the part is too small or that some of the impact energy is being absorbed by whatever supports the part. Because this is a dynamic-type test, it is important that the part be perfectly held and supported. Parts having a mass of less than 3 kgs can be measured against a support having a larger mass, provided the part and the support are perfectly coupled one to the other and that no greases or lubricants are in between them because such materials would act as absorbents at the time of impact. This technique requires a certain prior experience and a very good finish on the surfaces to be coupled. User s Manual Page 34

35 10. DP Capture Data Acquisition Program DP Capture is a program designed to be a complementary tool for the user. This program will allow you to transfer to your computer all data stored in the equipment, to analyze statistically the obtained measurements, to enter protocols and test reports, as well as to save these data on your computer, retrieving them at any time. Minimum System Requirements Pentium II microprocessor RAM Memory: 128 Mb or more. Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98,2000, XP. CD-ROM Drive. Hard disk space required: at least 10 Mb Installation of the Data Acquisition Program To install the program, you need to complete the following steps: Insert the CD in the CD-ROM drive Launch the Windows Start-up menu Open the Run submenu Next, click on the Browse button and locate the CD-ROM drive. Select Setup.exe Using DP Capture In order to run DP Capture, you need to: 1. Open the Start menu on the taskbar. 2. Then, click on the button All Programs. 3. Click on the program folder in which DP Capture has been installed. The default folder is DP Capture. 4. Run DP Capture. The user can also access the program using the shortcut installed on the desktop. Otherwise, you can click on the shortcut created on your desktop. At the top of the screen, you will see a menu bar and a shortcut bar to program tools, whereas at the bottom of the screen, you will see the status bar, in which you will find the system time and the status of the COM port assigned to receive the data packet. User s Manual Page 35

36 Shortcuts: By clicking on the following icons, you will access directly to the different features and tools available in DP Capture File Menu This menu contains options for managing your files and will allow you to: Read, Open, Save As, Save, Export to Excel, Print and Exit. User s Manual Page 36

37 Read (F4) This option allows you to receive data sent from the equipment. To do this correctly, you need to complete the following steps: 1. Connect the equipment to the serial port (COM) of your computer using the cable provided with the equipment. 2. Run DP Capture. 3. Click on the option The program is now ready to receive data. In the status bar, the message: Waiting for Data will be displayed. 4. At this moment, data will be sent from the equipment. See Chapter If you notice that the equipment has not started sending data, click on the option Read (F4) again. 6. During data reception, the status will switch to: Receiving Data Once data transmission and loading have been completed, the message: No Connection will be displayed.... and you will immediately see on the screen the measurements that have been transmitted. If an error occurs during transmission, you will see the message: An error occurred while loading file. Please try again. If this happens, you will need to repeat the steps 3, 4 and 5. Note: If you have already received data and you want to retransmit a set of measurements from the equipment, you will only need to press the F4 key or the transmission icon and DP Capture will be ready to receive a new data packet. WARNING: Before running a new transmission, the program will ask you if you want to save the previously received data. If you do not save these records, they will be lost when the new transmission is received. Recovery of overwritten data will not be possible. User s Manual Page 37

38 Data acquisition screen Once the data have been imported into the computer, DP Capture will bring you to the following screen, where you will see the set of measurements done with its corresponding evaluation charts, among which we can mention: Description of the evaluation charts a) Table of values In this table of values you can see how the measurements were stored in the equipment and the distribution they have. These measurements are saved as a group of values called batch. Sample positions are identified as # n. Every time a new batch is created, it is automatically listed in a consecutive order. IDs will allow you to create labels identifying the set of batches containing sample measurements. This label is a number entered by the user into the equipment and is useful to separate sets of measurements. User s Manual Page 38

39 In this example, three IDs have been created. ID 0 has 3 batches, ID 100 has 18 batches and ID 200 has 3 batches. Each batch contains one measurement for each sample. b) Graphic Representations There are two kinds of graphic representation: linear or bar graphs. They will allow you to quickly analyze the measurements found in the table of values. In both representations, the Y axis stands for the obtained values of hardness, whereas the X axis represents the number of measurement corresponding to each value of hardness. c) Statistics In this window you will see, among other parameters, the statistics of the measurements, the settings with which they were taken and the alarm levels established. 1 Selection of Values This dialog box allows you to select the set of data that will be taken into account to calculate the statistical parameters and to construct the graph. User s Manual Page 39

40 All: all values included in the table are considered. No filter for ID or Batch is used. ID: only the values corresponding to the selected ID are considered. The selected ID will appear highlighted in red color in the table. To select an ID, you only need to click on any value belonging to that ID. Batch: only the values corresponding to the selected batch are considered. The selected batch will appear highlighted in green color in the table. To select a batch, you only need to click on any value belonging to that batch. 2 Statistics This section shows the statistical data corresponding to the set of measurements included in the Selection of Values chart. Among the statistical parameters available, we can mention: Maximum: highest value of the selected set of values. Minimum: lowest value of the selected set of values. Range: difference between the maximum and the minimum values. Mean: average value of the selected set of values. Standard Deviation: average hardness distance with regard to the average hardness. Sample size: number of samples constituting the selected set of values. OK: percentage of samples falling within the established alarm levels. Besides, when you click on a value in the table, you will see that value in the HL (Leeb) and HB (Brinell) units, as well as the traction resistance for that hardness value. The estimation of the traction resistance is made according to the standard DIN This value is indicative, since the accurate value can only be obtained by performing the pertinent mechanical analysis. User s Manual Page 40

41 3 Settings This section shows the settings used in the equipment to make the measurements. Angle: direction in which the sample piece was measured. Unit: hardness unit to be used. By default, the hardness unit to be used is HL. Material: material which hardness was measured. Equipment: impact device with which the measurements were recorded. 4 - Observation By means of this tool, you will be able to make an observation concerning a measurement. To access this tool, you only need to select the target measurement in the chart, complete the field Observation and then click on the Accept button. The value with an observation will appear highlighted in yellow color in the table. Observations have a 50 character length limit. 5 Alarms This tool allows you to establish quickly and dynamically two tolerance limits for the hardness of the test pieces. To define tolerance limits, you only need to enter the values in this dialog box, in which: Acceptable maximum: this value allows you to establish an upper limit for the set of measurements. Acceptable minimum: this value allows you to establish a lower limit for the set of measurements. The values entered into these fields must be expressed in the hardness unit that has been previously selected. Otherwise, alarms will display absurd results. For example, if the Current Hardness Unit is HRC and the alarms are expressed in HLD, all values will be out of scale. Once you click on the Accept button, you will see these values in two colors, both in the table and in the graph: Black: samples within the acceptable maximum and minimum limits will appear in black. Red: samples not falling within the acceptable range will appear in red. User s Manual Page 41

42 Two lines laid across the graph will indicate the range of tolerance established. You can modify this range as many times as you wish, and you can also modify this range for previously saved measurements. 6 Statistical Graphs DP Capture offers two kinds of statistical graphic representations: a) Histogram: In this graph you will be able to see how many values fall within a range of 1σ (standard deviation) of the mean. At the bottom of the graph, you will be able to see the following distribution: mean, mean ± 1σ, mean ± 2σ and mean ± 3σ. In this example, you can see that there are 18 values falling between M (mean) and M-1σ; and there are 20 values falling between M-1σ and M- 2σ. b) Deviation: This kind of representation depends on the values chosen in the Selection of Values dialog box, that is to say: All: ID: each coordinate of the graph will be formed by points resulting of the average value for each ID created, which is to say, one point for each ID. Each coordinate of the graph will be formed by points resulting of the average value for each batch belonging to the ID. In the example, the option All has been chosen. Three IDs have been created. Each Point represents the average value for each ID created, with respect to mean (Blue Circle). Batch: In this graph, there is one point for each value of the selected batch. This graph displays the deviation of each point with respect to the mean of the set of values selected in Selection of Values. The blue circle stands for the mean (M) of the selected set of values. The green circles represent M ± 1σ, the orange circles represent M ± 2σ and the red ones represent M ± 3σ. User s Manual Page 42

43 7 Units This tool allows you to select the unit in which you wish to represent values. The unit can only be modified when the option All is selected in the Selection of Values dialog box. If the change of unit takes any value out of scale, this will be represented in the table as ---. This value is not lost. The sign - -- only indicates you that this value does not fall within the range of the hardness unit that has been selected Open (Ctrl + A) This option allows you to load a set of data that has already been stored. can only open files with a.pht (Portable Hardness Tester) extension. These files are generated by the program itself Save As This option allows you to store a transmission that has already been made, by choosing the path where it will be stored. This option will be available whenever a transmission has been made. The program will save the transmitted measurements in a.pht extension file Save (Ctrl + G) This option allows you to save modifications directly on the file that is being used. This may be, for example, because the language has been changed or an observation has been added to a certain value Export to Excel This option allows you to export the values of the table into an Excel spreadsheet (.xls), while maintaining the same structure Print By selecting this option, you will access the Print dialog box, where you will be able to configure the general appearance of the final document. You will be able to print a report containing the data that have been selected in the Selection of Values dialog box (graph, values, statistics, etc.). The report editing can be accomplished following the procedure detailed in 4.4. You can access the report editing option through the menu Options. User s Manual Page 43

44 This dialog box allows you to determine how you want the report to be printed, by checking the options you want to be included in it. User Data In this section you will see the names of the company and the user, as well as the serial number of the equipment the measurements were performed with. These data cannot be removed when printing the report. Graph This section allow you to choose the graph type that will be printed: linear or bar graph. This option cannot be disabled. You must select one of these two types of representation. Observations When this option is checked, the printed report will contain the observations made in the selected set of values. In the printed report you will see the measurement coordinates (ID, batch and sample number # ) with their respective observations. Report This is the conclusion about the measurements that have been obtained. Values This section allows you to decide whether to print or not the values selected in the Selection of Values dialog box. Batch Mean: this option allows you to print the column with the average for each batch. Batch Range: this option allows you to print the column with the range for each batch. User s Manual Page 44

45 Test Piece Data This option allows you to activate the printing of: Printing example: Test Piece: name of the test piece (maximum 20 characters). Supplier: company that provides the test piece (maximum 20 characters). Lot Number: lot to which the test piece belongs (maximum 10 characters). Number: number of test piece in the lot (maximum 10 characters). Description: brief comment on the test piece (maximum 80 characters) Exit (Ctrl + X) This option allows you to exit the program. If you have not saved data, the program will prompt you to do so. If you don t, data will be lost and will be unrecoverable Options Menu This menu has four options: Language, Graph, Port and Report. User s Manual Page 45

46 Language This option allows you the change the language in which the user interface is displayed. The tick indicates the current language. You will also be able to change the language using the shortcuts, by clicking on the corresponding flag Graph For any given set of values that is being analyzed, you will be able to choose two different types of graph: Linear or Bar (the last one is the default graph) Bar Graph This type of graph shows you a bar for each measurement, in which the height indicates hardness value. The color of each bar is a function of the established alarm levels. The red bars correspond to values falling out of the acceptable range, whereas the black ones stand for values falling within the acceptable range. User s Manual Page 46

47 Linear Graph In this graph, a point (red or black) is obtained for each measurement, depending on the established alarm levels. Each point is joined to the next forming a continuous line. The scale of the Y axis (hardness value) is self-adjusted to fit the maximum and minimum acceptable values for the selected set of values. If you click on any point in the graph, you will see, in the graph status bar, the position of the selected value and its corresponding hardness. Besides, you will see the established alarm levels Port This option allows you to change the port number from which the transmission will be effected. By default, the program will use the first COM capable of receiving measurements. If the port number you want to use is higher than 4, you need to click on the option Select and type the corresponding port number. User s Manual Page 47

48 If the port number is correct, the program will be ready to receive a new set of data. If not, you will see a dialog box displaying the message: Invalid port number. This dialog box prompts you to choose another port, since the one you chose is not valid or is already being used by the computer Report This option allows you to edit the fields that will appear in the report. Company Data: Test Piece Data: Report: Company: company name (50 characters). User: person in charge of making the measurements (50 characters). Equipment serial number: serial number of the equipment with which measurements were made (7 characters). Test Piece: name of the test piece (maximum 20 characters). Supplier: company that provides the test piece (maximum 20 characters). Lot Number: lot to which the test piece belongs (maximum 10 characters). Number: number of test piece in the lot (maximum 10 characters). Description: brief comment on the test piece (maximum 80 characters). Conclusion about the measurements that have been obtained (limited to 10 lines). User s Manual Page 48

49 10.5 Help This option shows you the software version. User s Manual Page 49

50 Keyboard Handheld Durometer Quick reference guide to the HL-1300 (Portable impact Hardness tester) Function keys Start up key. When pressed, it turns on the equipment which then proceeds to show the unit settings, material and device, after which the main display appears Key for the selection of menu options and data entry confirmation (i.e. alarms) This key also works for canceling, allowing the exit from any display and return to the main menu. NOTE: when data is entered, before doing so you must confirm its entry with the ENTER key. Help key: pressing this key in any of the menu options, calls up help mode from the equipment. The help text is displayed at the bottom of the screen - moving along- from left to right. It clears by pressing any key. When you are on the measurements screen, the PLUS key also serves to visualize the stored values of the last measurements. This key is used for label the measurements that the user wants. The labels are used to identify any measurements for any reason. The batch is the number of stored groups of samplings, and pressing this key the user will create differents groups of samplings. Using the manual way, to store the data the user must press this key every time a measurement is taken. When the user is in the option Capture using the manual way, and no measurements is taken, if he press this key the HL-1300 keeps the last value taken. This key is used to find a datum that the user wants to overwrite, when he is on the memory option. User s Manual Page 50

51 Cursors group Cursor keys have a primary function, that is let the user moves along the menus and the secondary function is Edit. In editing, it increases the digit in the data entry In editing, it decreases the digit in the data entry. In editing, it moves the cursor to the right, when entering data. In editing, moves the cursor to the left, when entering data. Pressing this key you adjust the contrast Pressing this key the user turn on and turn off the light. Main menu options Measuring: Access to hardness measuring screen Settings: This option allows the changing of the hardness-measuring parameters (device, material, unit, and impact direction) Alarms: Access to the editing screen of high and low alarms. Memory: This option has the memory management functions. Light: Access to the turn-on/turn off menu of the screen light. Off: Shuts down the equipment User s Manual Page 51