GTX-Plus Series User’s Manual
Table of Contents Table of Contents………………………………………………………… Introduction………………………………………………………………… Before Use………………………………………………………. Operation Overview………………………………………… Powering the GTX…………………………………………… Charging the Batteries……………………………………. Using the GTX…………………………………………………. Fitting Accessories…………………………………………… Mounting to a Test Stand………………………………… Powering up…………………………………………………….. Basic Functions………………………………………………… Main Menu……………………………………………………… SETUP…………………………………………………..
Introduction Thank you for choosing the Nextech GTX series instrument. With correct use and regular re-calibration it will give many years of accurate and reliable service. The GTX can measure tensile and compressive forces accurately, while being simple to use by the operator. Nextech offers software and accessories to make your force gauge even more versatile. Ask your Nextech distributor for additional information or visit our website at www.forcetorque.
Powering the GTX for the first time The GTX is supplied with a set of 4 Nickel Metal Hydride AAA rechargeable batteries pack. For safety reasons during transportation the batteries are shipped discharged. To obtain maximum battery life we recommend that you charge them with the charger/adaptor supplied for at least 14-16 hours when you first receive the instrument. Only use the adaptor/charger supplied. Battery Indicator Battery level > 5.0 V 5.0 V > Battery level > 4.9 V 4.9 V > Battery level > 4.8 V 4.
Using the GTX Fitting Accessories Couple fittings directly to the load cell stem or use an extension rod. The threads are 10-32 in capacities up to 1000 N, and 5/16-18 in the 2500 N capacity. Ensure that fixturing does not contact the force gauge case. Ensure that anything coupled to the gauge is screwed finger-tight only. Excessive torque can damage the load cell and is not covered by warranty. Mounting to Test Stand The two 10-32 threaded holes on the rear of the gauge can be used for mounting the gauge.
After the self test, providing no load has been applied to the instrument, the display will show all zeroes. This is because the gauge rezeroes itself during the self-test routine. If a force is applied via the load cell probe (hole at bottom of GTX), the reading on display will register the applied force. Forces may not show zero if it is moved during the self test routine. Once it is properly mounted and zeroed the reading will be stable. *Do not overload the load sensor.
For tensile force the indicator bar move from right to left. For compressive forces the indicator bar move from left to right. Zeroing the gauge During the operation of the gauge it is often necessary to zero the display – e.g. when you wish to tare out the weight of a grip, so it does not become part of the measured reading. Press and release the ZERO key.
Peak Tension symbol Figure 3b Peak Tension Peak-Compression mode Press MODES key until appeared on the display. The display will show the maximum compressive force. See Figure 3c Peak Compression symbol Figure 3c Peak Compression Dual-Peak mode Press MODES key until appeared on the display. The display will show the highest tensile force and the highest compressive force. The current load being applied to the load sensor is also displayed.
Invert Display The display may be inverted or “reversed”, so that the operator can read it more comfortably. Press and hold the MENU key while powering up the GTX to invert the display. This feature is remembered after power down. Perform the same steps again to restore the display to the opposite direction Saved reading to database Any reading can be saved anytime by press MEM/ENTER key. A total of 500 readings can be stored in the database include the reading unit, date and time of reading.
Computer Control of Force Gauge gauge by sending USB commands. USB Command “m” “u” “z” “r” A computer can control the force Action Changing measure mode. Changing measure unit. Zero the gauge. Reset the gauge. Main Menu Press MENU/ESC key to access the main menu. To move between the option listed on the main menu page, press UP and DOWN arrow keys to move the cursor. Press ENTER to select the sub-menus, activate feature and enter values.
1.1) AUTO-OFF An Auto-off feature can be enabled to conserve battery power where the gauge powers down after 5,10 and 15 minutes (depend on Auto-off time) since the last key press. The AO will appear in the main display if you activate this feature. To access AUTO-OFF menu, Press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to AUTO-OFF and press the ENTER key the display will show the auto-off menu page. Press ESC key to return the setup menu page.
example LOWER LEVEL = 0 N, UPPER LEVEL = 20 N Load The “UPPER” LED will ON. Another LED OFF. Upper level The “OK” LED will ON. Another LED OFF Time Figure 7a example LOWER LEVEL = 20 N, UPPER LEVEL = 0 N Load The “OK” LED will ON. Another LED OFF. Lower level The “LOWER” LED will ON. Another LED OFF. Time Figure 7b GTX-Plus Series User’s Manual REV 2.
example LOWER LEVEL = 10 N, UPPER LEVEL = 20 N Load The “UPPER” LED will ON. Another LED OFF. Upper level Lower level The “OK” LED will ON. Another LED OFF. The “LOWER” LED will ON. Another LED OFF. Time Figure 7c 1.3) DROP LEVEL 1st Peak facility- this is used to detect the force at which a sample breaks but is not necessarily the maximum force (e.g. detecting the force at which a tablet first begins to crack) or in capturing yield point of a material.
To set DROP LEVEL, Press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to DROP LEVEL and press ENTER key The display will show the Set Drop level menu page. Press ESC key to return the setup menu page. DROP LEVEL MENU DROP = 2.5 N Press Zero key to Reset value. Figure 9 Set Percent Drop Menu Use UP and DOWN keys to change the value, press and hold to scroll values. Use RIGHT ARROW key to change unit. When the correct value is reached press ENTER to save setting and return to setup menu page.
1.4) FILTERING This function selects the display throughput rate i.e. the amount of averaging performed by the internal electronics before the load reading is displayed. There are two levels HIGH and LOW LOW HIGH Display update every 100 ms with a little data averaging. Display update every 200 ms with a maximum data averaging. To set FILTERING, Press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to FILTERING and press ENTER key the display will show Filtering menu page.
To set the constant factor, Use LEFT ARROW key to move the cursor point to FACTOR constant. Use UP and DOWN keys to change the value, press and hold to scroll values. To set the unit factor, Use RIGHT ARROW key to change the unit, press and hold to scroll change. Press ENTER to save setting and return to setup menu page. *All Data in Database will be deleted if you change setting. 1.6) AUTO AVERAGING This function allows the average load reading to be displayed.
display will show Start, Stop option menu page. Press ESC key to return the auto averaging menu page. START,STOP OPTION 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 1/2 START,STOP OPTION 1/2 7) LOAD,TIMER OFF KEY,KEY KEY,LOAD KEY,TIMER LOAD,KEY LOAD,LOAD Figure 13a Start, Stop option Menu 1.6.1.1) OFF Disable the auto averaging function. 1.6.1.2) KEY,KEY Start Averaging and stop Averaging by press ENTER key. 1.6.1.3) KEY,LOAD Start averaging by press ENTER key and stop averaging by STOP LOAD threshold defined. 1.6.1.
Use LEFT ARROW keys to move cursor point to the desired value. Use UP and DOWN keys to change the value, press and hold to scroll values. Use RIGHT ARROW key to change the unit. Press ENTER to save setting and return to Setup menu page. 1.7) LOAD DEFAULT The GTX may be returned to its original factory default setting. To set factory default, Press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to LOAD DEFAULT and press ENTER key the display will show Load Default menu page.
2) DATABASE This use to view the saved record, delete last record, delete all record and calculate the statistics value of saved record. To access DATABASE menu, go to the main menu page press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to DATABASE and press ENTER key the display will show the Database menu page. Press ESC key to return to main menu page. DATABASE MENU 1) 2) 3) 4) VIEW DELETE LAST DELETE ALL STATISTICS Figure 15 Database Menu 2.1)VIEW This use to view all saved record in database.
DELETE LAST ? 1) NO 2) YES Figure 15a Delete last Menu Press UP and DOWN to select NO and YES, If you selected NO and press ENTER key the gauge will return to database menu page. If you selected YES and press ENTER key the gauge will delete last saved record and return to database menu page. 2.3)DELETE ALL This use to delete all saved record. To access DELETE ALL menu, Press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to DELETE ALL and press ENTER key the display will show delete all menu page.
SELECT RECORD SAVED RECORD: 002/200 MAX RECORD COUNT: 20 BEGIN RECORD: 001 END RECORD: 002 Figure 15c Select record Menu Press UP and DOWN key to select the record, press and hold to scroll select the record. Press LEFT and RIGHT key to change cursor between BEGIN RECORD and END RECORD, press and hold to scroll change. *BEGIN RECORD and END RECORD must be not equal 0. *BEGIN RECORD must be less than END RECORD. *The maximum of record for calculation must be not over 20.
SET DATE&TIME mm/dd/yy : hh:mm:ss Figure 16 : 09/19/05 15:32:26 Date&Time Menu Press UP and DOWN to change the value, press and hold to scroll values. Press LEFT and RIGHT key to move the cursor, press and hold to scroll move the cursor. Press ENTER key to accept the value and return to main menu page. 5) DIAGNOSTIC This use to check status of the load cell. If you suspect that your load cell transducer has sustained an overload it is possible to check the status of the load cell immediately.
6) ABOUT This shows the information of your gauge (Firmware revision, Model, Capacity, Serial number). To access ABOUT menu, Go to main menu page and press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to ABOUT and press ENTER key the display will show About menu page. Press ESC key to return to main menu page. ABOUT FIRMWARE REV. : 2.
GTX Specifications Capacity and Divisions Model No: GTX 5 GTX 10 GTX 25 mN N 5000 x 1 10000 x 2 25000 x 5 5x 0.001 10 x 0.002 25 x 0.005 50 x 0.01 100 x 0.02 250 x 0.05 500 x 0.1 1000 x 0.2 2500 x 0.5 GTX 50 - GTX 100 - GTX 250 - GTX 500 - GTX 1000 - GTX 2500 - kN 1x 0.0002 2.5 x 0.0005 Accuracy Accuracy: Operating temperature: Temperature shift at zero load: Data Sampling Peak Capture Rate : ADC Sampling Rate : Output USB: Digital: g-f kg-f oz-f lb-f 500 x 0.1 1000 x 0.2 2500 x 0.
Conversion Factor Unit mN N kN g-f kg-f oz-f lb-f mN N kN g-f Kg-f oz-f lb-f 1 1000 1e6 9.807 9807 278.01 4448.2 0.001 1 1000 9.807e-3 9.807 0.27801 4.4482 1e-6 0.001 1 9.807e-6 9.807e-3 278.01e-6 4.4482e-3 101.97e-3 101.97 101.97e3 1 1000 28.345 453.5 101.97e-6 101.97e-3 101.97 0.001 1 28.345e-3 0.4535 3.597e-3 3.597 3597 35.28e-3 35.28 1 16 224.81e-6 224.81e-3 224.81 2.205e-3 2.205 0.0625 1 25 GTX-Plus Series User’s Manual REV 2.
Dillon, a Weigh-Tronix Brand 1000 Armstrong drive Fairmont, Minnesota 56031 Sales (507) 238-8796 Service (507) 238-4461 www.dillonforce.com Made in Thailand GTX-Plus Series User’s Manual REV 2.
