TRICOR's Model 961 Displacement Force Resistance Test Station

Overview

The Model 961A Universal DFR (Displacement/Force/Resistance) Test Station is designed to easily obtain precise force or force-and-electrical resistance measurements relative to displacement. It simultaneously performs tests for up to 13 separate operator-programmed electrical and mechanical parameters using up to eight resistance channels.

The 961A is used to test switches, elastomeric and conventional keypads, springs, rubber, plastic snap-virtually any components where accurate D/F/R measurements are required.

Three operating modes are featured:

Local - standalone operation;
PC - a personal computer interfaces with the 961A and is used to configure test parameters, as well as view and store test results; and
Engineering - test data having a displacement resolution of 0.00254 mm (0.0001 inch) is accessible by the user.

In the Engineering mode, up to 5,000 data points are obtained and stored during a single test. Test data can be displayed and printed in tabular or graphic formats. Different force sensors can be used without requiring recalibration of the unit; the sensor being used is simply specified as part of the 961A configuration menu. Force sensors ranging from 0 to 75.0 g (0 to 2.65 oz) to 0 to 20.4 kg (0 to 45.0 lb) are available.

Invaluable as a test tool for engineering investigation, quality inspection, and life-study tests, the 961A can also be used in automated production areas. When integrated with an automatic feed or an x-y positioner, the 961A functions as a cost-effective automated test station ideal for a wide variety of production applications. The DFR Operations® for Windows™ software package controls and monitors up to eight 961A test stations simultaneously. It also provides for storage, viewing, and printout of test results, statistical analysis, and graphic representations. Accurate, in-depth test data is recorded to support statistical process control (SPC) systems. This data can easily be transferred to database, spreadsheet and SPC programs using the ASCII conversion utility program.

The 961A is one of the most versatile, accurate, and cost-effective test stations of its kind. It features accuracy levels equal to or exceeding those of much more expensive dedicated systems.

System Components

Control Unit	28.6H x 48.9W x 50.8D cm (11¼H x 19¼W x 20D inches) 16.7 kg (37 lb)
Test Fixture	42.5H x 45.7W x 45.7D cm (16¾H x 18W x 18D inches) 25.2 kg (56 lb)
Software	DFR Operations® for Windows™ control and analysis software package requiring IBM-compatible PC with 80386-or-higher processor and Windows® 3.1 or later
Options	Tactile Mode: Calculates tactile ratio based on force or force/resistance ASCII Conversion Utility Program: Converts test data to comma-delimited ASCII text for transfer to database, spreadsheet and SPC programs Software and Hardware Modifications Quoted upon request

Specifications and Features

Power Requirements	115/220 V ac, 50/60 Hz, 230 VA
Test Speed	As fast as 8 mm/s (0.32 inch/s); as slow as 0.0254 mm/s (0.001 inch/s)
Measurement Units	Metric or English - user selectable
Resistance/Voltage Measurement Channels	Eight

Displacement*
Range:	0 to 62.51 mm (0 to 2.46 inches) programmable
Resolution:	0.00254 mm (0.0001 inch) programmable
Abs Accuracy:	±0.00762 mm (±0.0003 inch) max ±0.00254 mm (±0.0001 inch) typ
Repeatability:	±0.00762 mm (±0.0003 inch) max ±0.00254 mm (±0.0001 inch) typ

Force*
Range:	0 to 3.60 kg (0 to 127 oz); other available ranges include 0 - 75.0 g (0 - 2.65 oz), 0 - 360 g (0 - 12.7 oz), 0 - 2.00 kg (0 - 70.6 oz) and 0 - 20.4 kg (0 - 45.0 lb)
Resolution:	1 g (0.035 oz)
Abs Accuracy:	±0.25% of fsc max, ±0.2% of fsc typ
Repeatability:	±0.1% of fsc max, ±0.025% of fsc typ

Resistance/Voltage*
Range:	0 to 4 Ohms; other available ranges include 0-1 k Ohms, 0-16 k Ohms and 0-4 V
Resolution:	1 mOhms
Abs Accuracy:	±0.25% of fsc max, ±0.1% of fsc typ
Repeatability:	±0.1% of fsc max, ±0.05% of fsc typ

PC and Local Operating Modes - Automatic Tests
Force vs. Displacement	Inward maximum force and displacement from free position Outward minimum force and displacement from free position
Force-and-Electrical Resistance vs. Displacement	Parameters tested include: actuation window, blackout, contact resistance (min, max & avg), free position, movement differential, operating force, operating point, overtravel, pretravel, reset force, reset point, reset travel, and simultaneity.
Engineering Operating Mode Option	Performs all PC and Local mode automatic tests (listed above) Provides access to test data having a displacement resolution of 0.00254 mm (0.0001 inch) - up to 5,000 data points per test
Operation Manual	Included

Sample Screenshots


Test Configuration	Test Result	Engineering Data

Model 961 Displacement Force Resistance Test Station Contact Information

Europe

Ian Ridpath
Nicomatic (UK) LTD
United Kingdom
[44] (146) 267-7886
Fax [44] (146) 267-7499
ian.ridpath@nicomatic.co.uk

South America

Carlos Guimaraes
Nicomatic South America
Brazil
[55] (11) 387-22791
Fax [55] (11) 367-28830
carlos.guimaraes@nicomatic.com.br

All other inquires contact TRICOR directly.