Tensile Test Machine at MUC
Setup
Entire setup is in 133 UC2.
Contains: brand=MTS, model=QTest 50 LP, test machine capable of 50 kilonewtons (11,200 pounds of force) for either tensile or compression. The machine is capable of precise amounts of crossarm movement, while force is read by the load cell on the crossarm. There is also an extensometer, which is optional, which provides accurate length readings on about a 2-inch region of the test sample.
There are two types of grips for this machine: flat grips and round grips. The grips take about 15 minutes to change (need allen wrench, needle-nose pliers, and nickel grease, all of which should be in the lab; to change: remove 4 allen bolts, remove 4 guards, remove tiny caps on spring posts, remove 4 springs, remove 4 grips, then replace everything in reverse order). Both types of grips have "teeth" on them to grip a sample. When you place a sample in the grips, turn the grips to tighten on the sample. The grips will slightly pull up, placing tension on the sample (around 25 to 90 pounds).
Compression can be trickier. The grips are not designed for compression tests. Most users bring some metal plates to be placed below and on top of the sample to help make the compression more even. Some users even make "T plates" that can be gripped for more stability. When using T plates, please place some paper between the the plates and the flat part of the grip to prevent lockup.
Contains: 1 Controller. This device sits on the floor. On the back of this device are several cables connected to the MTS machine, and a parallel port cable connected to the Compaq computer (see below). Their is a handheld device cabled to the controller with many buttons and a knob. The "|" button turns the MTS machine on, and the "O" turns it off. The arrow buttons can be used to manually adjust the crossarm. The knob can be rotated to fine adjust the crossarm.
Contains: 1 Compaq computer (username="Administrator", password="oakland") with Windows 2000 and Office 2000 on it. Program to run the test=TestWorks 4 (please turn on the MTS machine before starting TestWorks 4. Login as "James" (this account has a lot of editing priveleges). Upon startup, the program will probably ask for calibration of the load cell. Simply make sure a sample is not loaded and proceed (will only take a few seconds).
Tests are done according to a "Method". A method describe the sequence of events. The best way to perform a test is to find a method similar to what you need, and save under a different name that you can remember. Then edit the test to do what you need to do, and sae it again. From this point on, whenever you need to run this test, just load this new method.
Saving Results
In TestWorks 4, in top toolbar, open up Edit, Edit Method, and Channels. Click on the Export Order button. You should enter into a window that allows you to select which data you want saved. "Time" should be selected, as well as "Load", at least one of "Extension" and "Crosshead", and then maybe "Strain" and "Stress" (if you know these last two have the right formula for your particular test). Click on OK.
After each test, click on the "I" button (Export Sample). Then click on the "III" button (Export Specimin). The results are now saved as a .txt file in the TestWorks Export folder.
To get the results in a nicer appearance, open up Excel. Select "Open file", then click on "Type" and select "all files". Click on "Favorites", and then click on "Export". Select the most recent (highest number) sample file. You will be given some options as to appearance of the file. Select "delimited", "Next", "Comma", "Finish". Your results should now look nice and orderly. Click on "Save as" and choose a file name and location that suits you (location can be on your USB memory stick).
