1D Force Sensors - SPN02016
1D Force Sensors - SPN02016

1D Force Sensors - SPN02016

Hardware Installation


Required Tools and Components


Components:

  • Fz-1D Load Cell
  • Fx-1D Arm: horizontal arm, vertical arm, pivot base, springs
  • 1D+1D Arm kit : suspensions, insulator sleeve, slit sleeve, top cap, adaptor, insulator cap, mounting screw
  • Universal holder

Screws and Hardware:

  • (4x) 1.125 in Screws and Washers
  • Allen wrenches: 5/64", 3/16”

Introduction


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  • This type of Load Cell is composed of 2 different parts, each one responsible for one axis of force.
  • One arm with a piezo sensor will measure the friction force along Fx, while Fz will be applied and recorded by another component.
 

Arm montage (if dismounted)


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The Fx sensor should come pre-built. However, if you need to build it, follow the following steps:
  1. Firstly, attach the horizontal arm to the vertical arm.
    Screw the shoulder screw from the bottom hole with FHSHS 6-32 x .750” BM310271-08
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      There are 2 types of horizontal arms. The longer version is mostly used with environmental chambers. You need to select the arm depending on how long you want the ball holder to be.
  1. Fix the capacitive sensor to the vertical arm with 2 x 8-32 x .875” BM310290-11.
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      The sensor face with the threaded insert.
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  1. Attach the friction arm to the pivot base with 8-32 x .375” BM310280-05 with a 9/64 » allen key.
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Please refer to the 3 threads of the base which must point downward to ensure proper angular movement of the pivot base.

Mounting the Fz Load Cell


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  1. Quick-exchange attachement
  1. Sliding plate
  1. Block extension
  1. Fz load cell

Ensure that the quick-exchange plate is properly mounted on top of the load cell:


  1. Mount the fz load cell on the fast exchange plate and tighten the 4 captive screws.
    (4 x 10-32 x 1.250” long using 5/32 Allen wrench).
Incorrect
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  • The fast exchange plate’s notch should be pointing on the opposite side of the front load cell as this notch will fit into the back of the sliding support.
  • The front of the load cell is the face showing the Rtec logo and the unit calibration sticker.
(Optional) With Extension blocks:

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You can also use an extension block to reduce the distance between the load cell and the lower setup.
2" (left) and 4" extensions (right)
2" (left) and 4" extensions (right)
  1. Mount the block extension on the exchange plate with 4 4 x 10-32 x 1.250” long screws using 5/32 Allen wrench.
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  1. Install the load cell mounted on the extension block with the 4 captives screws.
    (4 x 10-32 x 1.250” long using 5/32 Allen wrench).
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  • The fast exchange plate’s notch should be pointing on the opposite side of the front load cell as this notch will fit into the back of the sliding support.
  • The component at the top of the picture is the fast exchange adapter.
  • The front of the load cell is the face showing the Rtec logo and the unit calibration sticker.
Incorrect
 
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Install the Fz load Cell


  1. Lower the Z-Axis all the way down using the jogbox Z-axis control.
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  1. Slide the FZ-1D arm into the quick-exchange mount.
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  1. Secure the arm by locking it in place.
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⚠️
Always power off the instrument before connecting or installing any load cell
or accessory.

Mount the Fx-1D Arm


  1. Remove the right panel of the MFT to access to the fixation hole and sticker
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  1. Position yourself at the right frame of the MFT and place the back of the arm (the pivot base)against the frame, making sure the base of the arm is pressed against it.
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      Refer to the alignment guide on the side of the instrument to determine
      the correct mounting holes.
      The level of the friction arm depends on the configuration.
      ex: For the block-on-ring configuration without heating chamber, use
      positions 5 and 7.
  1. Attach the friction arm to the instrument using the 1.125-inch screws and washers to secure the arm. (1/4-20 x 1.000” BM310340-09). Hand-tighten initially; fully tighten with the 3/16” Allen Key after final adjustments.
 

Mount the Spring Assembly


  1. Use a 5/64" Allen wrench to mount the springs to the front and back of the Fx-1D arm.
  1. Ensure proper tension and secure the spring assembly.
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Attach the Load Cell Cables


  1. Connect the Sensor Cable
  1. Connect the Fx Arm Cable to the Fz Load Cell
  1. Raise the Fz-1D Load Cel
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Pin/Ball holder preparation


The ball holder along with the provided collet can also accommodate circular pins.

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  1. Loosen the nut to free the ball.
  1. Insert the adjusting pin into the holder, then the ball.
    Provided for standard test: Ball, .250" (1/4") (6.350mm) Dia
    E52100 100Cr6 grade 25 Alloy Steel.
  1. Hold the holder vertically, so the ball is resting on the pin.
    Using a 1/8" Allen key, fasten the screw inside the holder to slightly push the ball.
  1. Once the ball is retracted enough, fasten the nut to secure it.
 
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For preliminary testing: The ball may be reused by rotating it to expose a unworn contact surface.
For final measurements: It is recommended to employ a new ball for each test to ensure accuracy and reproducibility.

Extension holder

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  • Use the extension only in particular cases where the ball holder cannot reach the sample.
  • Increasing the ball holder length can negatively affect test results, especially in reciprocating tests. Whenever possible, use the load cell extension block instead.
 
 
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(to reduce the distance towards the sample)

Universal Ball holder Overivew


 
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1. Test Ball or Pin

Rtec balls catalog


Upper Sample Holder for 1000℃ Chamber
Upper Sample Holder for  1000℃  Chamber
Part no.
0.5 inch ball
SPN030060-55
0.375 inch ball
SPN030060-54
0.25 inch ball
SPN030060-53
3 mm ball
SPN030060-56
6mm diameter cylinder
SPN030041-462
6.3mm diameter cylinder
SPN13108
9.5mm diameter cylinder
SPN030041-463
12.7mm diameter cylinder
SPN030041-464
15mm diameter cylinder
SPN030041-465
  • E52100 Alloy Steel / HRC60
  • 304 SSt / HRC25
  • 440C SSt / HRC58
  • WC Tungsten Carbide / HRC75
  • SiN Silicon Nitride
  • Nonporous Alumina Ceramic balls
  • PTFE
Available Ball size :

  • 1.6mm
  • 3.9mm
  • 6.3mm
  • 9.5mm
  • 12.7mm
 

2 . Nut

3. ER11 Collet

General metric range avalaible: from 1 mm to 7 mm (0.5 mm increments)
Each collet has a clamping range of 0.5 mm
ex: an ER11-3 mm collet can also clamp pins/balls with a 2.5-3.5 mm diameter.

4. Adjusting pin

This pin enables ball position adjustment within the collet.

5. Ball Holder

Holder Specification MSC 81197253
Collet Series
ER11
Shank Type
Straight
Through Coolant
No
Shank Diameter (Inch)
5/8
Minimum Collet Capacity (Decimal Inch)
0.0190
Maximum Collet Capacity (Decimal Inch)
0.2760
Overall Length (Inch)
3-1/2
Overall Length (Decimal Inch)
3.5
Actuator Type
Wrench
Shank Length (Decimal Inch)
3.0300
Collet Nut Diameter (Decimal Inch)
0.6200

6. Extension

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For additional information or to place an order, please contact Rtec Support (contact information provided at the end of this manual).
 

Ball holder Spring Setup


Sleeve, insulator cap and the adaptor are placed on the top of the holder.

in order to be used with the suspensions.
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For more information

A suspension is used to limit the vibration induced by the sample during testing. There are several variations of suspensions depending on the maximum load it can be effective on. .

It is recommended to select a suspension system with the closest higher load rating to the expected load.
For example, if you realize a test at 150N, you would need to use the 200N suspension. By doing so, you will mitigate the vibrations the most.
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Block holder Spring Setup


Sleeve, insulator cap and the adaptor are placed on the top of the holder.

in order to be used with the suspensions.
  1. Slide in the block holder adapter sleeve.
  1. Add the first cap to the top of the ball holder.
  1. Place the spring onto the cap.
  1. Add the top cap on top of the spring.

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The pictures below show the actual montage step directly on the arm.
Follow the next step to continue
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Self-Adjusting Block holder preparation


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The self-leveling block holder will ensure proper contact during the test.
  1. Firstly ,loosen the 2 tightening screws using /16” Allen key.
  1. Slide in the block sample into the block support
    1. Avalaible ASTM Rtec Block Catalog

      ASTM: D3704, G77, G176, D2714, D3704, D2509
  1. Level the block sufficiently into the holder.
  1. Tighten the securing screws on each side.
 

Block sample Quotation


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Rtec Test Block Size: 0.620 x 0.250 x 0.4

L x l x h in inches
Reference : MM000128-XX
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Dimension in inches
Dimension in inches
 

Installing the montage into the arm


  1. Unscrew the thumb screw/knob present on the front of the arm
    You can now open the securing block and insert the holder.
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  1. Insert the holer onto the arm and align the slot on the sleeve with the alignment pin on the arm.
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      The flange of the insulator sleeve must be positioned towards the top of the block holder
      For the block holder: Make sure that the notch matches the extrusion of the block holder
  1. Slide the sleeve into position and loosely secure it.
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Level the arm


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Use the built-in level on the 1D arm to ensure the arm is mounted horizontally.
 
  1. Manually press the arm so the ball holder contacts the sample, as the level must be evaluated when the pin/ball is in contact with the surface.
  1. Slightly loosen the tightening screw/knob.
  1. Adjust the arm position up or down until the level indicator shows proper alignment.
  1. Once the 1D arm and block holder aligned and level, tighten the sleeve
    securely.
    1. ⚠️
      The collets must be fully inserted into the arm
  1. The ball holder and arm can remain suspended
 

Confirm the assembly is secure and aligned


⚠️
Please verify this important aspect of the setup, as they can be easily forgotten or ignored, possibly affecting the quality of the testing and result.
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Ensure that :


  • the lower module and the universal sample holder (rotary/reciprocating..) are secured, chamber cables are connected if used.
  • Fz and Fz cables are connected.
  • Ball or Block are tightened on the holder.
  • Arm is leveled and the collet fully inserted and aligned.
  • Adequate suspension is used.
⚠️

Important Note for a Chamber Setup

Please dont remove the lids (top cover of your chamber) at this point, until the homing have been done, to avoid any collision during the displacement.
 
 

Hardware Final Notes


  • Always confirm all screws are hand-tightened and then secured with the appropriate Allen key.
  • Refer to the full user manual for safety precautions and maintenance schedules

Contact & Support


For technical support or further assistance, please contact:
Rtec-Instruments Support
support@rtec-instruments.com
+1 (408) 708-9226

Manual Versions


 
Manual Version
Date
Update Description
09/2025
Initial Manual Version