MTS Series 609 Alignment Fixture - Manual (Page 68)

Series 609 Alignment Fixture Product Information 68
Check the Alignment
Alignment Procedure
Your gaged specimen may not be strong enough to handle the full test force
without being damaged.
You may have to use lower clamping and tensile forces than you will use on actual
specimens.
2. Adjust your grip supply to apply a clamping force sufficient to hold the
gaged specimen under the tensile force you will apply.
3. Apply a force that is as close as possible to the test force you will use on
your actual test specimens.
4. Record the strain readings at each gage level. Calculate each level’s
maximum bending strain and, if necessary, its direction.
5. Reduce the force applied to the specimen back to zero.
• If all strains fall within specifications, continue this procedure.
• If any strain does not fall within specifications, return to Step 3.
6. Check the level of non-repeatability. Clamp and unclamp the specimen and
note the level of scatter.
• If the strains are within specifications, continue this procedure.
• If the strains are not within specifications, return to Step 3.
7. Unclamp the specimen. Rotate it 180° and reclamp the specimen.
8. Again apply a force that is as close as possible to the test force you will use
on your actual test specimens.
Do not apply so much force that you damage your gaged specimen.
9. Record the strain gage readings at each level. Calculate each level’s
maximum bending strain and, if necessary, its direction.
• If all strains fall within specifications, continue this procedure.
• If any strain exceeds specifications, return to Step 3.
Note Now that you have completed the alignment, do not move the crosshead.
If you do, your alignment may change and you will have to repeat this
entire alignment procedure.
10. Unclamp and remove the specimen.
CAUTION