Heavy duty compression testing machine

The compression testing machines are very simple to use and allow even inexperienced operators to perform the tests very easily. All settings, handling and tests are done through the web based SCADA software that is built into each machine and does not need to be installed on a computer.

All you need to do is connect the electronic control unit to a router or your company's network. After this, a user can operate the press through a PC or laptop, a tablet or even a smart phone provided that all of the above devices are connected to the network.

Each machine consists of the following:

• Four column heavy duty loading frame.
• Hydraulic power pack
• Hydraulic cylinder equipped with safety limit switch
• Upper platen Φ300 mm with self-adjusting ball seating assembly
• Lower platen Φ300 mm
• Distance pieces Φ 205x25 mm, Φ 205x50 mm and Φ 205x80 mm
• Front and rear protective safety doors. Front door has a safety limit switch.
• Electronic control unit
• Standard, web based SCADA software

• 0130 liter oil tank with level and temperature indication.
• 02Two-stage oil pump inside the tank consisting of a) Low pressure gear pump b) High pressure radial piston pump. Thanks to the two-stroke pump the time until the specimen reaches the upper plate is reduced and accordingly the total duration of each test. The high-pressure pump’s revolutions are adjusted by an inverter accordingly to the desired rate of loading.
• 03The maximum operating pressure is 400 bar, which is the activation limit of the safety valve.
• 04The motor power of the pump is 380V / 50hz / 0.75Kw.
• 05The system also has an external oil filter that collects any particulates inside the circuit.

The control unit of the press includes:

• 01Telemecanique PLC with PROTEM special PID software to automatically adjust the rate of loading.
• 02High accuracy pressure transducer 0,05% FS made by the Swiss company KELLER. This is a digital sensor that communicates with the PLC via RS485, bypassing the usage of analog converters (A/D) that usually distort the measurements.
• 03The sensor measures the ambient as well as the oil temperature, and automatically compensates for temperature variations providing the same accuracy in any ambient temperature conditions.
• 04Telemecanique or Fuji inverter. The rate of loading is controlled by changing the pump motor rotation speed.
• 05PROTEM’s SCADA software for monitoring and controlling the machine, specimen crushing and calibration. No installation required because it is a web application running through the browser on any device (PC, laptop, Tablet).
• 06Plug & Play ready to be connected to PROTEM’s optional Laboratory Management Software, Betolink® Laboratory.

The machines are very simple to use and allow even unexperienced operators to perform the tests very easily and without mistakes.

As soon as the specimen is placed and centered with the aid of the centering lines, the only required actions are:

• 01Selection of specimen type and rate of loading through the software (if these parameters are different from the standard).
• 02Pressing the START button on the screen or on the machine’s front panel. If the front door is not closed the test does not start.
• 03The machine automatically starts a rapid approach until the specimen touches the upper plate and then begins to load the specimen at the selected rate (loading speed) and stops when the specimen breaks. During loading process, the machine automatically maintains the charging speed within the limits required by EN 12390-4. The screen shows the maximum loading force in KN, the corresponding Mpa value and the average loading rate in Mpa/sec.
• 04When the Betolink® Laboratory software is in place, the whole operation is completed through this software, while the charging diagram (crushing protocol) is also recorded.

The calibration of the press is also a very easy procedure through our built-in calibration Software routine.

• 01The hydraulic power pack together with the electronic control unit is not integrated into the press frame. It is an independent module and only requires the connection of the piston through a high pressure hose (included in the equipment), a 220V/10A main supply and an Ethernet connection.
• 02The press operates at extremely low noise levels (<60 dB).
• 03It does not require any special maintenance. The access at all points for inspection or repair is very easy.
• 04Each press is delivered pre-calibrated and ready for the official calibration, as defined by the regulation which states it must be done at the final installation place.
• 05Each press is accompanied by operation manual and installation instructions in English and Greek.