Sine the MTS Model 793.10 MultiPurpose TestWare is used newly at Chalmers laboratory, it took some days and a lot of testing specimens until the behaviour and the response of the machine have been understood. In order to avoid all those tries and errors, done during this master thesis, for the next operator, the way that I dealt with the MTS machine is explained briefly. There are also four electronic documentations, provided by the MTS TestStar, which is recommended as the main reference.
1. Introduction
The Model 793.10 MultiPurpose TestWare is an advanced test designer available to MTS Series 793 Controllers. With MultiPurpose TestWare, it is possible to
• Create complex test procedures that include command, data acquisition, event detection, and external control instructions.
• Generate programs based on profiles created with a text editor application, a spreadsheet application, or the Model 793.11 Profile Editor application.
• Acquire and monitor real-time trend or fatigue data.
1. Range of application
The MPT application is not a stand-alone application. It must be used in conjunction with other applications in the Model 793.00 System Software bundle. Before the MPT application is started, following steps should be done:
1. Create a station configuration file with the Station Builder application.
2. Start the Station Manager application and open the station configuration file.
3. Select MPT from the Application menu of Station Manager.
After following these procedures for the first time, the station manager should be opened and defined station should be selected.
(Station Manager is accessible through: Start/All Programs/MTS TestStar/Station Manager)
Performing a test:
Following steps are needed:
1. Turn on the MTS TestStardata processor (from the switch on the back) and run the TestStar Software from: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\MTS TestStar. Then click on Station Manager.
2. ''Open Station'' Window opens and Byggpress_Ext from the window and your Parameters Sets should be selected.
3. Turn on the hydraulic System of the machine by clicking on the 4 controlling buttons (Power low, Power high, Power low, Power high).
Note: If you see that Station Limits in the Station Option is in its upper limit, use one of methods stated in the manual: System Software Vol 1 pages 98 and 99 (Method 1 or method 2)
This sort of out range error usually happens when you start the machine after a long rest (like a day).
4. In order to let the machine to warm up and meet a stable condition, it is recommended to run the procedure ''Warm-up’ and let the machine to follow it for 10 minutes, as follows:
• Click on: Open Procedure
• Chose: Warm up
• Click on program stop (after 10 min)
Note: make sure that you do not have any specimen (or anything else) in the cross-head path
5. A new Test Procedure should be made or a prescribed Test Procedure should be applied.
6. Making a New Test Procedure: with a Test Procedure, the loading procedure is defined. Different modes such as force, strain, or displacement can be select.
- From the Process Palette, your desired command can be chosen for your procedure.
- the procedure should be saved after each edition.
Note: it is also possible to edit the Test Procedure during loading provided that the test should be stopped by ''Program Stop'' bottom and the Testing status should be unlocked by '' Toggle Execute/Edit mode'' bottom and the editor window can be opened by ''Procedure Editor''. After editing the procedure, the Procedure Window should be saved and closed in order to complete the edition. By clicking on '' Toggle
Note: the modification of Test Procedure during testing is not recommended, but it any case this edition should be done quickly in order to avoid creep and relaxation effect on the test.
7. In order to do a good monitoring of the test, six windows are needed to be opened as follows:
• Station Manager: this is the main window and includes all main function of testing.
• Signal Audio Offset: this window gives you the opportunity to set three parameters to zero: Axial, Displacement, Axial Force, and Axial Strain.
• Manual Controls: the cross-head of the machine can be manually controlled by this windows if the Active Mode set to Displacement and 'Enable Manual Command' become on.
• Scope 1: through this window the two parameters versus time are plotting simultaneously. It is wise to have Axial command-Time and Axial Strain-Time if the test is doing under strain control (or Axial command-Strain-Time and Axial force-Time if the test is doing under force control). Through this window the coincidence of Axial Command and measured value of one parameter can be monitor.
• Meters 1: Axial Displacement, Force, Strain, Command, error, and etc can be monitored by this window.
• cod plot: as long as you click on the '' Toggle Execute/Edit mode '' bottom, it starts to plot the defined plot file in the Test Procedure.
8. Preparing the Specimen: after putting the specimen on the cross-head, the upper cross-head can be controlled by the Remote Control Station if it is already enabled. It is recommended to set the axial force to zero before the upper cross-head touches the specimen, by ‘’Single Auto Offset’’ window on the monitor. In order to be sure that the specimen is in full contact with the upper cross-head properly, the specimen can be loaded up to a low value (e.g. 300 N), by either Remote station Control or Manual Control. It can be also done by Manual command in the monitoring phase, if it has been already enabled. After setting Axial Displacement and Axial Strain to zero, the test is ready to start.
9. Starting the testing: the test starts by ''Program Run'' bottom in the ''Station Manager'' Window and it will be switched off automatically after following all the predefined Test Procedure. After finishing the test, it should be unlocked by clicking on ''Toggle Execute/Edit mode''. The saved data of the test is accessible via:
C:\tsiis\mpt\Specimens
10. Turning off the Machine: all the windows excluded Station Manager should be closed. The Hydraulic System should be off by clicking on ‘’off’’ bottom in ''Station Controls'' panel of the ''Station Manager'' window; and finally the ''station manager'' can be closed by Path: File/Exit. The operator will be asked by saving the new setting
on the station manager. The TestStar Processor also should be off by its switch on the back.
Note: In the case of Cyclic loading, the test is mush more stable under displacement control rather than Strain or Force control. It also gives the opportunity to manually edit the test procedure during testing with a very slight effect of relaxation and creep which dose not influence the global behaviour and can not be seen in the Force-Strain diagram.