We wanted to see why our customers buy the TRX Strain Gauge Sensor Display and what they use it for. Prescott Instruments Ltd is one such customer. Located near Tewkesbury, they use the TRX to provide a value-added customer calibration service.
The role that the TRX played that enabled Prescott Instruments to offer aftersales support
The Prescott Instruments ‘Auto Load RHEO-LINE Multi-Function’ material testing machine (Fig 1.) is an engineering masterpiece. It takes in a rubber material sample and compresses it between two hot plates. With the rubber sample remaining compressed, the bottom plates slowly rotates back and forth, thus subjecting the sample to various torque forces while the rubber cures at a high temperature.
The video below demonstrates how the TRX, coupled with one of our CBES load cells (Fig 3.), is used to measure the initial and sustained compressive force that the initially uncured rubber sample would be subjected to.
Calibrating the Auto Load RHEO-LINE Multi-function materials tester’s compression force using a TRX display indicator and a CBES load cell.
The torque resistance versus time graph (see fig 2.), recorded during the curing process, determines whether the rubber sample meets the material specification required for the end-product that the rubber will go into making. The following video shows the Auto Load RHEO-LINE Multi-function machine in action. Note that the TRX and CBES load cell are not required for operational use.
Demonstration of the Autoload Rheo-Line Multi-function material tester being used after calibration.
The Prescott Instruments machine has its own built-in load cell that measures the compressive force that the rubber sample is subjected to, both in the initial compression and torque measuring phases. However, as part of Prescott Instruments value-added aftersales service, the machine is calibrated every six months. A TRX, paired with an Applied Measurements CBES load cell, is used to calibrate the built in load cell to ensure that the compressive force that the rubber samples are subjected to, are correct.
For Prescott Instruments customers, accurate and reliable material testing will pick up inadequate quality feedstock at an early stage. This prevents much more costly material wastage if the problem was detected at a later stage of production. Six monthly calibration schedules therefore provide peace-of-mind to these same customers. They are confident that poor quality feedstock will be detected and that good quality feedstock is not mistakenly categorised as poor quality feedstock either, as this could delay production or drive up material costs.
Could your business benefit by using the TRX?
The TRX Strain Gauge Sensor Display works with any strain gauge-based load cell, pressure sensor, displacement transducer or torque measurement device. It will not only display the measurement via an illuminated LCD display but can be easily connected to a PC for logging, monitoring or reporting purposes. Handheld or mounted, the TRX is portable and simple to use. Benefits to your business may include:
- Being able to offer a calibration service to your customers
- Saving on material costs, if developing a prototype
- Early warning system of impending mechanical failure
- Use within a quality control process
- As a diagnostic tool when addressing faults or breakdowns
Next step
If you think the TRX might help your business and you have any questions, then please get in contact with us. If required, we can also supply you with a large range of in-stock compatible sensors or bespoke sensors should your needs be very specific.
