MTS Acumen - Manual (Page 165)

Install Specimen
Quick access:
Explorer tab > Set Up > New Specimen > Install Specimen
Specimen Protection
Specimen Protection mode limits the current to the motor, which limits the force available from the actuator.
You can specify the maximum tension and compression force values. Since the available force is also
affected by other system components (such as the mass of the load cell, grips, and fixtures), it is important
to re-balance your fixturing if any changes are made to the fixturing after the initial installation. For example,
if you initially install and balance your fixturing, then you remove several grips, the system will be unbalanced
and the maximum tension and compression force values exerted by the system may not accurately match
the limits you specified in the software. For more information about balancing fixturing, see
Balance Fixturing
(p. 155).
The Specimen Protection mode includes an option that allows you to temporarily turn off any specimen
limit detectors. When you turn detectors off, you reduce the possibility of inadvertently triggering detectors
while installing the specimen.
You can only turn specimen protection mode on when the state of the actuator is Power Low. When
specimen protection mode is on, the following actions will turn specimen protection mode off:
• Clicking the Turn Specimen Protection Mode Off button.
• Changing the actuator power state from Power Low to Power High.
• Selecting a different window, such as “Tune for Specimen” or “Install Specimen" windows.
• Changing the active control mode. The active control mode can be specified on either the frame handset
or on the Situational Awareness panel.
• Selecting a new test.
When the specimen protection mode is turned on, the Stable Displacement control mode becomes active.
If any of the cases listed above occur and specimen protection mode is turned off, the control mode remains
Stable Displacement. However, if you change the active control mode (Force or Displacement), the active
control mode will remain in the state you specified.
Important:
• Actual forces applied may exceed the Maximum Tension and Maximum Compression values
entered.
• The operator should observe all safety measures when the state of the actuator is Power Low.
Even in Power Low, there is enough force to harm the operator or damage the specimen. When
the state of the actuator is Power Low, the actuator can still move quickly.
MTS Acumen ™ | 165
Best Practices for Other System Configurations and Tests