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Rhopoint UFT Operating Instructions Manual

Universal friction tester
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Operating Instructions
Universal Friction Tester
(UFT)
Thank you for purchasing this Rhopoint product.
Please read these instructions carefully before operating this product and retain them for future
reference. The images shown in this manual are for illustrative purposes only.
Manufactured by Rhopoint Instruments in the United Kingdom

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Summary of Contents for Rhopoint UFT

  • Page 1 Thank you for purchasing this Rhopoint product. Please read these instructions carefully before operating this product and retain them for future reference. The images shown in this manual are for illustrative purposes only. Manufactured by Rhopoint Instruments in the United Kingdom...
  • Page 2 © Copyright 2023 Rhopoint Instruments Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Rhopoint is a registered trademark or trademark of Rhopoint Instruments Ltd in the UK and other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owner.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Unpacking / Setup Power Switching the Unit On/Off Taring the Instrument Friction Testing Peel Testing 180° Peel Testing T Type Peel Testing 90° Peel Testing Seal Testing Tear Testing Settings Menu Full Analysis Software Software Installation Software Functionality Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 4: Storage And Handling

    The instrument’s metal body and touchscreen are resistant to a variety of solvents; however, the recommended cleaning method is by using a soft damp cloth. Only use approved accessories and spare parts. All spare parts are available from Rhopoint Instruments Ltd and approved distributors.

  • Page 5: About The Universal Friction Tester

    About the Universal Friction Tester The Universal Friction Tester (UFT) is an easy-to-use instrument designed for the measurement of static and dynamic coefficient of friction, peel, tear and seal adhesion testing. The instrument is designed for use in the production environment as a simple QC checking instrument.
  • Page 6 How can detailed Frictional Force measurement help improve Productivity? In addition to simple static and dynamic COF values the UFT-LAB produces detailed force curves which detail the surface characteristics across the test area. These force curves identify any inconsistencies on the sample surface that may reduce packing or feeding performance in the production environment.

  • Page 7: Accessories

    Accessories The instrument is supplied as a standard package complete with all accessories required to power and operate the unit. Universal Friction Tester (UFT) Universal Friction Tester • Traceable calibration certificate • 1 x bulls eye spirit level • 2 x sample securing clamps, 4 x sample securing magnet pins •...

  • Page 8: Functional Overview

    Functional Overview Label No. Function Display and touch-screen Sample securing magnets/clips Levelling feet Sled traverse arm Sled Automatic sled placement pins USB socket Ethernet connector PSU Connnector / Power Switch LED status indicator Mains connection Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 9: Icons Used

    Emergency Stop Traverse arm, return to home position WARNING THE UFT HAS MOVING PARTS THAT MAY CONSTITUTE A PINCHING RISK FOR FINGERS. REASONABLE CARE MUST BE TAKEN AT ALL TIMES DO NOT TOUCH THE MOVING PARTS DURING OPERATION AND ENSURE HAIR AND CLOTHING IS KEPT CLEAR.

  • Page 10: Unpacking / Setup

    This is important and must be periodically checked and adjusted each time the equipment is relocated. Power The UFT is powered by a low voltage DC power supply that must be connected to an appropriate mains power input connector. Switching the Unit On/Off The UFT has a built in CPU which takes approximately 30 seconds from power up to boot into measurement mode.
  • Page 11 Turn the power switch off, the instrument can now be safely disconnected from the power supply. WARNING THE UFT IS FITTED WITH A PRECISION LOAD CELL, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THE SLED TRAVERSE ARM IS NOT BLOCKED BY ANY OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE TEST BED WHEN IN MOTION.

  • Page 12: Taring The Instrument

    ENSURE THE SLED IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE INSTRUMENT Once the UFT has tared the traverse arm will require resetting to its home position. The screen will display an icon as shown below, press the icon to reset the traverse arm.

  • Page 13: Friction Testing

    Test distance Applied weight Dwell time Enable / disable sled lift for test. Each standard test can be edited by pressing the button to allow certain parameters to be adjusted to suit the sample size being tested. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 14 Parameters that can be adjusted are displayed in white. To change a parameter press the corresponding numeric entry box A keypad will be displayed, enter the value required and press to return to the previous menu. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 15 Take care not to touch the actual surfaces to be measured When using the UFT for friction testing, one sample is mounted on the instrument test bed and the other on the sled. Clamps either end of the instrument test bed allow a sample of 70mm x 350mm(min) to be secured onto the test bed.
  • Page 16 Repeat for the other end.. Non-Flexible samples Cut the sample to 63.5 x 63.5mm (template available as optional extra). Place the sample on the sled using thin double-sided tape. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 17 Making a measurement With the samples correctly mounted onto the test bed and sled a test can be made. Ensure the test parameters have been setup correctly for the test required. Press to return to the home screen. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 18 , a warning message will be displayed advising to check that test track is clear, press it again to return the traverse arm to its home position REMOVE THE SLED FROM THE LOADCELL. PLACE AWAY FROM THE TEST BED OF THE INSTRUMENT Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 19: Peel Testing

    Peel tests available are 180, T, 90, S Each standard test can be edited by pressing the button to allow certain parameters to be adjusted to suit the sample being tested. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 20 A keypad will be displayed, enter the value required and press to return to the previous menu. Press to save the value(s). The display will return the settings menu. The UFT allows for one custom test method to be configured and stored in the instrument. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 21: 180° Peel Testing

    It is suitable for testing a flexible material that is bonded to a rigid substrate. Screw in the test fixture post at one end of the UFT and slide one of the clamps onto the post. Fit the other clamp onto the traverse arm, taking care not to put excessive load or twist the arm.
  • Page 22 When the test has successfully completed the screen below will be displayed and the Force and test distance will be shown on the left side of the screen Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 23: Type Peel Testing

    The T type test measures the force required to separate two flexible substrates that have been bonded together. Screw in the test fixture post at one end of the UFT and slide one of the clamps onto the post as shown. Fit the other clamp onto the traverse arm as shown, taking care not to put excessive load or twist the arm.
  • Page 24 Press , a warning message will be displayed advising to check that test track is clear, press it again to return the traverse arm to its home position Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 25: 90° Peel Testing

    Cut the sample to 25mm x 200mm (template available as optional extra). Making a measurement With the sample correctly mounted onto the UFT a test can be made. Ensure the test parameters have been setup correctly for the test required.
  • Page 26 Press , a warning message will be displayed advising to check that test track is clear, press it again to return the traverse arm to its home position Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 27: Seal Testing

    Screw in the test fixture post at one end of the UFT and slide one of the clamps onto the post as shown. Fit the other clamp onto the traverse arm as shown, taking care not to put excessive load or twist the arm.
  • Page 28 Press , a warning message will be displayed advising to check that test track is clear, press it again to return the traverse arm to its home position Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 29: Tear Testing

    The Tear test is the force required to make a tear in a sample. Screw in the test fixture post at one end of the UFT and slide one of the clamps onto the post as shown. Fit the other clamp onto the traverse arm as shown, taking care not to put excessive load or twist the arm.
  • Page 30 Press , a warning message will be displayed advising to check that test track is clear, press it again to return the traverse arm to its home position Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 31: Settings Menu

    Settings Menu The instrument settings menu allows general configuration of the UFT. Settings Menu Home Taring Options Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 32 Press to perform a load cell check Press to re-tare Press to return to home menu Sled lift and traverse arm operation – Press to return traverse arm to home position (with emergency stop) Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 33 Press to set traverse arm at 0mm home position Press to set traverse arm 50mm from home position to check distance travelled is correct. Press to return to home menu Display configuration Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 34 Press to select language Ethernet connection configuration (Only active when using LAB software) Press to connect to PC, indicator will turn green when connected and display connection details. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 35 System information Displays system configuration information and diagnostics Factory menu for firmware upgrades Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 36: Full Analysis Software

    Multiple tests can be run per file and a graphical trace given for each. A master or reference file for the material can be overlaid to give a quick visual comparison of batch-to-batch consistency and quality. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 37 Multiple tests can be run per file and a graphical trace given for each. A master or reference file for the material can be overlaid to give a quick visual comparison of batch-to-batch consistency and quality. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...

  • Page 38: Software Installation

    Copy all files to any desired location on the PC’s hard drive. Click setup to run the software. Included with the software is a USB to ethernet converter and an ethernet cable. Plug one end of the ethernet cable into the converter and the other into the ethernet connector on the UFT. . Ethernet Connector Plug the USB connector on the converter into an available USB socket on the PC.
  • Page 39 To connect the PC to the UFT, click the red antennae icon in the top left-hand corner of the display, a connection prompt will be displayed Click the icon to refresh the connection list, then click Connect. Note: as there is only one device directly connected to the PC there will only be one address displayed.

  • Page 40: Software Functionality

    To edit a test click this will allow access to the Add, Delete and Save buttons. The data entry boxes underneath will become accessible. When a test has completed, measurement data is displayed in the top right-hand section. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 41 When selected (2) the measurements are displayed on the displays central area. Multiple results can be displayed for comparison, to change the colour of each measurement click on the coloured area (3) next to the tick box. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 42 To print click the button a new window will be displayed This window allows the results to be output in various formats. The main comments area allows the user to enter details about the sample. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 43 file containing previously saved measurement results for comparison. Click to return to the main screen In the top left-hand corner of the screen the settings icon can be used to set the user interface. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 44 .jpg format to be used in all reports. The size can be in a ratio of 2084x248 pixels. As long as the ratio is the same, the scaling will be correct. Lastly the data delimiter can be set. Notes Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 45 EU 2015/863 Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS Directive) 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive Rhopoint Instruments Ltd 29 August 2023 ……………………………………… Tony Burrows, Managing Director Authorised representative within the EU – Rhopoint Komponenten GmbH, An der Kanzel 2, D-97253 Gaukonigshofen, Germany. Rhopoint Universal Friction Tester...
  • Page 46 Rhopoint Instruments Ltd Rhopoint Americas Inc. Rhopoint Instruments GmbH 1000 John R Road, Rhopoint House, Enviro 21 Park, Seebauer Office Center, Queensway Avenue South, Suite 209, Troy, Am Weiglfeld 24, St Leonards on Sea, TN38 9AG, UK MI 48083, USA...

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