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TFA
General Description
The
TFA is an advanced paper test instrument controlling relative humidity for testing and evaluating
mechanical properties of planar type materials. Such materials include paper, plastics, corrugated,
composites, textiles, elastomers, etc. The load frame (load control) applies mechanical
force and measures the resulting stress. Extensometers provide strain data allowing data
analysis of yield, energy, modulus and Poisson's ratio. Sample
measurements include load, and the X, Y, and Z deflections.
Applications
- A paper test lab certifying their product.
- A research organization testing recycled material properties.
- A packaging company simulating corrugated box performance.
- An electronics company testing for moisture effects.
- A fabric manufacturer testing moisture related strengths.
- A publisher solving ink registry problems caused by dimensional
changes during printing.
- An adhesive label manufacturer analyzing humidity effects on glued
paper.
Test Types
The
tests can be conducted under various environmental conditions. Relative humidity profiles
include steady state, steady state plus steps, square wave with ramp control (trapezoid),
sine wave, saw-tooth (triangle) wave, swept frequency waves. Custom profiles such as
actual recorded data from a process or warehouse can be used. The test types are as
follows:
- Load such as tensile, compression, creep, stiffness, biaxial
(required biaxial test frame).
- Short column (edgewise compressive corrugated fiberboard)
(required short column fixtures).
- Dimensional stability (four axis, X, Y, XY
and Z).
- Moisture migration, curl, air permeability studies.
Electronics
The
TFA has numerous subsystems. The power is distributed through a high
current sub-panel located in the utility cart. The test unit also contains
an uninterruptible power supply, computer and electronics. Numerous
sensors allow the real world to interface with the computer. The computer
is a current generation running Microsoft®
Windows 7®.
The analog interface electronics uses 16 bit precision.
Software
The Microsoft®
Windows 7® based HMI (Human Machine Interface) software controls
the TFA. Concurrent multithreaded processes ensures high level of performance and self
monitoring. The program is custom designed for this machine. Data storage is in the form of an ASCII
text comma separated values (CSV) file that can be read by any software that can read a
text file. The custom software semi-automates sensor calibration. Data can be played back
with a second program using a similar screen for review or demonstrations.
Other
Information
The
internal load frame uses hydraulic clamps that are pressure adjustable. The external load
frame (biaxial) uses glue tabs. The vacuum system provides sample restraint and air
flow. Maximum air flow results in minimal restraint. The TFA consists of two units.
The
first component is called the Test Unit. The second unit is called the Utility Cart.
The
Utility Cart contains heat and noise generating devices such as motors, pumps,
dehumidifier, etc. that can be located remotely from the Test Unit. The two units are
connected with umbilical cables and pipes. The separation distance between the two
components depends on the application and the installation configuration.
Key Benefits
- In-plane compression testing.
- Precision load system using load control.
- Multitude of test types.
- Fine single pass RH control.
- Modern computer control.
Links
Pictures
Picture (high resolution control
screen)
Specifications
Versions
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