MTS Acumen - Manual (Page 151)

Important:
When you apply a program command manually (by applying the command via the manual command
controls or the function generator in the Generate Command element of the Set Up node), and
stop the command using the Stop button on the control panel, the actuator may move unexpectedly.
The occurrence depends on the relationship between program command and specimen
characteristics. In general, this condition is more likely to occur with higher specimen mass, higher
command frequency, and higher command amplitudes.
Install Fixturing
Quick access:
Explorer tab > Set Up > New Specimen > Install Fixturing
The Install Fixturing element contains the following tasks:
1. Setting Load Cell Position
2. Setting Signal Polarity
3. Balancing the Fixturing
4. Setting Fixture Limits
5. Setting Specimen Limits
Important:
Do not use Force as the active control mode when installing fixturing or before tuning the force servo
loop.
The Install Fixturing element allows you to indicate where the load cell is mounted on the frame and to
set physical limits to protect the fixtures.
Note:
Ensure that the Active Control Mode is Stable Displacement before attempting to install fixturing.
Note:
The Axial Displacement and Axial Force virtual frames on the Situational Awareness Panel provide
a general purpose view and show controls that may not be appropriate for the tasks you will be
doing for the selected element in the Explorer tab. For example, when you click the Install Fixturing
element, you typically set the physical limits, which are shown on the left side of the virtual frame.
You do not set or enable the specimen limits at this time, which are shown on the right side of the
virtual frame.
Setting Load Cell Location
Quick access:
Explorer tab > Set Up > New Specimen > Install Fixturing
In the Install Fixturing panel, click the radio button that indicates where your load cell is mounted. If you
have mounted your load cell to the actuator, click the top radio button. Note that the Axial Displacement
diagram now shows the load cell positioned on the top (see the following figure below).
MTS Acumen ™ | 151
Best Practices for Other System Configurations and Tests