Before Homing, please ensure that the X, Y and Z stages are not physically obstructed.
Remove the chamber lids before homing as the upper holder may collide with it during homing.
Once the configuration is updated ,The sofware has restarded.
Press Expert Mode.
Do the homing by clicking on the HOME icon on the bottom right.
X, Y and Z move to their respective home position (Z goes to the top before the XY homing).
Add a Standard Step into the recipe
Ex: Standard-Timing 5min-20N constant (approach time is by default excluded from the duration time defined)
Click on the new recipe created to select.
Click Add in the middle column.
Click NEXT in the top left of the Window.
The Next Windows appear.
Click ADD on the bottom left.
Standard step is edited by default.
Define the duration of the step in the DURATION Section.
Define a constant or linear force within the range of the sensors and suspension.
⚠️
Remember to stay below the limits of your load cell and suspension.
(Refer to the load cell manual, suspension section for help)
Activating the Modules in the same Step
1. Activating the Drive
In the same Window, Click on DRIVE.
Click on Idle to unroll the list.
Select Continous.
Insert the Frequency (Hz) Value into Frequency.
Insert Acceleration and Decceleration time (or leave default).
2. Activating the Heating Chamber
In the same Window, Click on TEMPERATURE.
Click on Idle to select Lower Chamber.
Enter the C° temperature to reach for.
This temperature will be reach at the start of the step.
Click NEXT in the top left of the Window to go to the next Windows.
Selecting the Components
1. File Management
Click NEXT 2 times to skip Parameters (Using default parameters for this test)
In the DATA LOGGING Winow Select the file format (or leave Default).
Click OPEN LOG FILE to name the result file and its location before starting.
Define the Sampling Rate according to the Drive Frequency previously defined following this proportion. Sample Rate (kHz) : Drive frequency (Hz) / 2 Ex: 10 Khz for a drive frequnecy of 20hz.
Select an Avergaing of 5.
2. Select the components to monitor
Double-click to see the animated instructions
On the right are the components monitored
Select Fx line.
Click ADD to add the components onto the right column.
Same manner, for the components below
Add COF.
Add Temperature.
(Optional) Add Z Position.
(Optional) Add LVDT is this option have been purchased.
Click NEXT in the top left of the Window to go to the next Windows.
Click NEXT again to skip the Sample Info window (Optionnal for this Basic preliminary Test)
Running the test
1. Do a Coarse Approach to ensure proper alignement
In the Run Window, all the components selected in the previous window return their real-times signals.
Lower the Z-Stage using the jogbox to ensure the the upper holder reach the sample through the chamber opening window.
Move the X-Y axis to choose the working area on the sample.
2. Manually activate the drive
Machine manual control right window
By clicking on the ON button, you can enable or disable the drive.
Select the a Low Velocity value (ex: 1)
Click on one of the violet round arrow icon to start the drive motion.
Click on the red square to stop the motion.
Using the manual activation, ensure the upper holder stay within the working sample area during the reciprocating motion.
3. Start the Test
In general, perform a coarse approach manually to reduce the distance from the sample, thus the approach time during the recipe start.
Bias the Fz sensor by clicking on the red icon next to the Fz signal on the right side.
Bias the Fx sensor.
Start the test by clicking on the Play Icon.
Test control window
Analyzing the Result with Rtec Viewer
Minimize the Rtec Software to return to the Desktop.
Double-Click on the Rtec Viewer Icon.
Press Open
Navigate to the explorer to import the .CSV result file now exported.
Select the components to review Ex: Fz, COF, Temperature
You can press CTRL to review multiple components on the same graph.
Right-Click on the Graph and Set Scale to Defaut.
Troubleshooting
This part summarizes the common errors which could happen on the software and hardware of the instrument.
Very common software and usage issues:
Could not get the Fx Value: click on another edit section to refresh the Run section/ Graph window
Drive is not recognized after switching off and on the instruments: restart the software.
Lambda head detected in the drive manager, but not detected in the software: Verify and confirm the 2 USB cable from the Imaging Head are properly connected to USB 3.0 slot on the Rtec Computer
The Run section Graph appear black: Verify and confirm the number of chart is not exceeding 6.
Heating Chamber:
The Chamber struggle to reach the defined temperature: Make sure to select the Temperature Option the closest to the specified value
The Heating Chamber is not instantly activating: it is because the force first is reached, then the temperature is increasing.
Misc. and generals tester/module issues:
Motorized Stage is Not Recognized
At the start of the instrument, the software may not recognize the motorized stage if the software starts too quickly after the start of the instrument. The controller may need some time to activate the electronics controller for DAQ acquisition.
Please re-start the instrument in the following steps:
re-start the instrument (Switch ON and OFF) and the PC (restart of the PC)
wait for 10 seconds
open the MFT software
check that all drivers and modules are successfully detected
Lower Module is Not Recognized
The lower module may be set up in the function “AutoDrive,” where it automatically recognizes the module present. In case of miscommunication with the hardware, the lower module may not be recognized easily.
There are two possible solutions:
restart the MFT software (the software will restart the automatic recognition of the module)
select the lower module present manually: go to “Tools”, and select
Click on “Tools”
Selection of the Lower Drive
In the case that the lower drive is not detected, an error message will appear. If the wrong drive is selected, it will not allow the start of the measurements with the corresponding motion.
The tribometer measurement cannot be started when the lower drive is not detected, but no harmful incident can occur to the instrument.
Do not forget to push “Save Configuration” to save the lower drive selected.
Possible manual selection of the lower drive
Temperature Sensor is Not Detected
ℹ️
When the temperature sensor is not detected, it would indicate a temperature of -999°C.
⚠️
Do not start the heating system or temperature control if the temperature sensor is not well detected.
Please restart the instrument and check the temperature value again.
Please check that the temperature sensor is well detected in the configurator.
Click on “Tools”
, then select “Temperature,” “Type,” and see if another temperature sensor is available and able to measure the temperature.
In the case it is not resolved, please contact Rtec-Instruments or one of the official distributors for support.
The Offset Value of the Force Sensor is Too High
Please check the force sensor values.
If the offset value of the force sensor is too high. It may be caused by two errors:
Wrong reading of the force sensor:
If the force value is wrong after verifying the force sensor (the range selected is correct, and all cables are well connected), please contact Rtec-Instruments for further support.
Wrong offset of the force sensor:
Offsets of the force sensor are set for values of the standard ball holder. The offset can vary with time and applications. It can be re-initialized with the window “Advanced” in “Configure” for its corresponding force range.
The force sensor has a calibration certificate and also values indicated in the sensor. Please verify that the force range selected in the software corresponds to the force range installed.
Verification of the Force Sensor range
When no signal on the temperature is indicated, you may restart the instrument first and then the PC. If the error is not corrected, please contact Rtec-Instruments or its representative.
It is important not to start the heating tests if the temperature sensor is not displaying the correct value.
Wrong Display of Sensor Signals
The window with the display of all sensor channels may be wrongly displayed. (“Subset” is shown or not).
Wrong indication of the sensor signals
It is possible to correct this error of display by clicking on “Verify”.
Please go to the window “Data logging,” click on “Verify,” and then go back to the display window for all sensor channels. The signal sensors must be correctly displayed.
Checking of Signals on the Rtec Controller and COM Port
It is possible that the COM Port of the 3D Profilometer or other option on the instrument is not correctly detected.
Verification of the Com Ports on the instrument
Verification of the installed setup
Verification of the motorized stage
Rtec-Instruments Controller
Rtec controller software communicates between the tester and the PC. When MFT.exe is opened, the controller tab is also opened automatically. If the Rtec controller software is closed, the tester will stop responding to commands. In case of any issue with XYZ drives, Open the Rtec controller to see color codes (Green means OK, Red means Faulty state).
Why do I get DAQ polling error?
This error typically occurs when communication to the DAQ box is interrupted or lost. To resolve it, restart the software or reconnect the USB cable from the DAQ box.
Why is my run screen frozen?
DAQ communication is not present. Close the MFT software, reconnect the USB cable from the motion box and turn on the MFT software again.
Why isn’t my lower drive moving?
Check if the 20 Amp switch from the back side of the motion box is enabled.
Check if the lower drive power and encoder cable are connected to the tester.
Check if power switch is enabled in the motion box.
Why is my test not starting from the same location?
Tester is not home. Users need to home the tester.
How do I check if the force numbers are correct?
All load cells are factory-calibrated. For further assistance, please contact support@rtec-instruments.com.
Why is my temperature channel showing -999°C?
There is no communication with COM8. Please close the MFT software and Rtec-Instruments controller, unplug the COM8 USB cable from the motion box, and reconnect it again. Once the USB cable is connected again, Turn on the MFT software.
Why is no Fz channel present?
The DAQ board may be on a different Dev channel. Please open the national Instruments NIDAQ max software and rename the channel to Dev1.
3D Profilometry
Inline Imaging not accurate
In the case where the inline imaging is not showing an accurate image of the test position (test not centered on the image), the user should realize a new calibration of the inline test to image position.
To perform this calibration, make an indent by moving the Z-stage (using Z distance in 2.1.4.2 will increase the load in small increments) and applying a force on the sample with the tip or ball in position. It is also possible to realize more than one indent or a cross (After applying the force, use X and Y distance adjustment to follow the pattern X=+1mm; X=-0.5mm; Y=-0.5mm; Y=+1mm; Y=-0.5mm) to find the indent location more easily.
Please observe the load in the run tab of the software. This load should not get near the limits of the load cell. The required load to have an observable indent will depend on the material used for the test. It is recommended to use a soft but rigid sample material (copper, aluminum…).
After the indent is made, click on “Reset” in the machine manual control.
Then click on “Test → Image” and click on “Profilometry” on the top of the MFT software. The sample moves to the microscope position. Using the lowest objective magnification, center the indent on the image using the jogbox or the blue arrow on the center of the screen.
Use the highest magnification available and fine tune the center of the indent. When the indent is centered in the field-of-view, click on “Save” in the machine manual control: 2.1.4.2.
Now, the distance (in XY position) between indenter and microscope is calibrated.
It is recommended to redo the calibration after the force sensor is removed or when the tip is changed. Without redoing the distance calibration, a small offset may be observed.
No Automatic MountainsMap Report creation in Rtec Lambda
The “Open” button of the “Report” window in Rtec Lambda is greyed out:
Make sure that you have purchased and installed MountainsMap and that the USB dongle is inserted in the PC. If the button still cannot be pressed, please contact Rtec-Instruments customer service.
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