Setting up the testing system with ZwickRoell's unique System Configuration Builder

If the materials testing machine has several test areas, each test arrangement will be assigned a particular test area.

The crosshead position of the materials testing machine as well as the upper and lower soft limits are saved in each system configuration, providing additional safety for the machine and the user. The crosshead stops automatically once it reaches the set values. When switching on the materials testing machine, the crosshead drives to the set start position for the selected system configuration and testing can start immediately. After the test, the crosshead will drive back automatically to the start position. Due to the individually adjustable quick return speed, the next test can be started without delay.

Additional safety settings are preset to protect the extensometer

• This prevents, for example, that the sensor arm extensometers are mechanically damaged by the specimen grip or that a sensitive specimen is damaged due to too much pressure.
• The testing software warns the operator when the clip-on extensometer must be detached in a timely manner during tensile testing.

You can set force limits for the entire testing system via the sensor configuration. For example, the logical force limit for a materials testing machine with a force of Fmax 5 kN in combination with a load cell with the same performance would be Fmax 5 kN. If the mounted test tools or specimen grips are designed for loading only 2.5 kN however, the machine will be warned and stopped before reaching Fmax 2.5 kN. This ensures that the weakest link is always protected from being overloaded. 

testXpert III also offers an overview of the status of the load cell. 

• Saving the system configuration: All safety related settings for the testing system, such as the force limits or crosshead positions, are saved in a system configuration. The system configuration also notes the serial numbers of the connected sensors. 
• Checking the connected sensors: Checking this information ensures maximum safety for the testing system and for the user. If different load cell was used in the previous test, the system will warn you and require you to change the load cell. The test cannot be started until all the defined information in the system configuration matches that in the existing testing system. 
• Traceability of the test arrangement: The information about the connected sensors is saved for each individual specimen and can be viewed at anytime.

Each saved system configuration can be assigned a test program. If a new tester would like to repeat the same test the following day he will be required to use the exact test arrangement that was saved. This ensures that all tests for a standard are performed under the same conditions. As a result, the test conditions are reproducible and the test results are repeatable.