FAQs: All Questions

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

What are my technical support coverages and options?

The 3-phase pump motor on a hydraulic HVL testing frame will not operate.

(MATS II Controller) The pump will not come on and all the conditions of above are met.

Both up and the down push button switch indicators on the pendent station light when trying to move the crosshead on a HVL frame. (Note 24V DC sys only)

The pump will not start on a HVL Style machine with Partner or Merlin Software.

The position is not changing on the Display when the ram is raised. (String style encoder box devise).

Can Bluehill convert the data file into one which can be read by Microsoft Access?

What new calculations are there in Bluehill v2.0 that were not available in the first one?

Can I install Bluehill software onto the same PC that is running Series IX/Merlin and would it affect my validation?

What are the hardware requirements for Bluehill?

How do I calibrate a clip-on extensometer to get the value of Strain-1 using Bluehill Software?

What are the software requirements for Bluehill v1.0?

Can the layout and the colors of the report be changed?

All my data is in the *.mrd format. Can it be viewed in Excel?

Where does the author's name come from that is displayed in the method preview?

How do I prove my testing system is giving good results?

Do I need to regularly check my universal testing system?

Do I need to calibrate a machine after it has been moved?

When is Verification Required?

What if Adjustments or Repairs Are Required?

Is Instron accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by an agency that is a member of the ILAC agreement?

Are the calibrations you are doing for me within the scope of accredited services?

Can you manage the scheduling of all my calibrations and will you arrange in advance for all of my recalibrations?

Can you provide electronic calibration certification?

If software is used, is it validated and proven?

What's the backup plan if your local engineer is unavailable to perform a critical calibration?

Can you perform preventative maintenance on the equipment?

Are you insured?

Can you provide documentation to show traceability to national standards?

Are your calibration technicians properly trained and do they receive on-going training and competency testing?

How long have you been providing accredited calibration services?

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

What are the pin outs for my Load Cell or Extensometer?

Which load cell should I use?

What are my technical support coverages and options?

What is hysteresis?

How do I know what model I have? [GEN-106-SV]

How can I get a catalog of Instron's systems and accessories? [GEN-105-SV]

What are the Analog Out pin outs on my 4400 Console?

Can you repair and/or adjust an instrument on the spot if it doesn't pass verification? Do you have the necessary inventory of spare parts? Can you perform Preventative Maintenance on the equipment?

Do you take data manually or automatically? Manual data acquisition can be error prone. If software is used, is it validated and proven?

Can I save my graphs as pictures?

How do I change my password for the WSA agreement?

What is the backup plan if your local engineer is unavailable to perform a critical calibration?

Are you accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by an accrediting agency that is a member of the ILAC agreement?

Can you provide documentation to show traceability to national standards?

What is your scope of accreditation? Are the calibrations being performed within the scope of accredited services?

Are you insured?

Can you manage the scheduling of all my calbrations and will you arrange in advance for all of my recalibrations?

Can you print out a complete, signed report and certificate before you leave my site?

How experienced are your calibration technicians?

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

What are my technical support coverages and options?

What are the RS-232 settings for my Tester? [HAR-105-SV]

How frequently should I have my tester verified/calibrated/PM'd?

My 2000 tester has forced the indenter through the material into the anvil during the test cycle and the tester displays the error message "Motor Disabled: Loop Tracking." [HAR-107-SV]

Do the weights in my dead weight tester actually weigh the amount that is stamped on them?

I want to ship my dashpot/dead weight style hardness tester to another plant. Do you have any tips?

After sitting idle for approximatey 30 minutes of not being used, the display on my 2000 series tester has shut off.

What are the RS 232 settings for the U-Tronics 1024 printer? [HAR-106-SV]

Can you describe a Vickers indenter and what it is used for?

The material that I am testing is too thin causing dents on the underside of the specimen. Can I stack several of these test pieces on top of each other to increase the thickness?

My Tukon 2100 tester is not testing correctly. The control panel screen says "Waiting to Contact Surface" but the indenter is not moving.

What is the infinite hardness number for Superficial Rockwell scales?

Can you describe a Knoop indenter and what it is used for?

What is the depth of penetration for Superficial Rockwell scales?

What is the difference between Micro and Macro indentation?

Is there a minimum depth requirement for testing a case hardened specimen with an M200 or M250 handheld tester?

Is there a surface roughness requirement of a test piece when measuring with a M200 or M250 handheld tester?

How do you run the Self test feature on the small white U-tronics printer?

Q. Is there a table or chart that lists typical material types that are suitable for testing on Rockwell scales?

What is the depth of penetration for Regular Rockwell scales?

I have a Tukon Micro-Indentation tester and would like to have my tester calibrated to read indents smaller than 20 Microns.

I have a Digital Rockwell Tester and I'm using the automatic conversion feature but I can't do any conversion below HRB 30 or above HRC 68. My Wilson Conversion Wall Chart shows conversions which exceeds both of these limitations, is there something wrong with my tester?

Can I perform regular tests on my "Superficial" Rockwell tester?

Is there a minimum thickness of a test piece when using an M200 or M250 handheld tester?

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

What are my technical support coverages and options?

The load curve is starting at a point higher than zero

We have a new operator for our pendulum impact. How do we train them?

I am doing a rebound test with a Dynatup machine and rebound velocity readings are extremely high (approximately 5000 Ft/s)

I receive an error message of "Yield calculation error (code = -8)" with the Dynatup 930-I software when I run an impact test. What should I do? [IMP-103-SV]

It takes a longer time than before to shut down the Impulse software.

I am using a POE2000 pendulum tester with Impulse software and am not getting a velocity reading.

I receive an error message of "_E0156 RunTest()" with the Dynatup 930-l software when I run an impact test. What should I do? [IMP-106-SV]

How does the machine get mounted?

My machine did not pass the NIST Verification. What can be done?

My pointer on the dial of my SI 1 Series Impact machine does not swing to Zero what can be done?

How do I Install the Merlin Software? [MER-106-SV]

How do I determine the version of my Merlin Software? [MER-100-SV]

What is the first version of Merlin that is compatible with Windows 2000?

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

How do I print out a method in Merlin? [MER-104-SV]

What files do the Merlin installation program add/modify? [MER-108-SV]

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

When using calculations which use Cursor Points as an input to the calculation and when changing dimensions which affect the results for the current specimen after running a test, Merlin would not update the results for these calculations. For Example: Assume a tension method was set to use the Modulus calculation based on cursor points and display the modulus as a result. If one were to run a test and after the test completed change either the specimen width or thickness and then click the next button, Merlin would not update the Modulus value shown on the results table.

What are the minimum Operating System user rights required for normal operation of Merlin, Series IX and Series IX/s installed on Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP?

Should I unpack my Instron when it arrives at my facility? [GEN-102-SV]

What is Merlin?

When saving data using Merlin I get a message - 1860 that says "Cannot find the Raw data default directory C:\INSTRON\COM. The default directory has been reset to: C:\INSTRON\COM". Why is this message appearing?

Where can I find "Release Notes" for my version of Merlin or Series IX software?

What type of PC is recommended to run Merlin/Series IX?

How do I get rid of the test methods on the quick open screen?

Under certain circumstances, it was possible to get the 5500/3300 firmware into a state where the Activity LED on the controller would no longer flash. Once this happens, when restarting Merlin, Series IX, or Series IX/s - the software would report error 2911 - "Unable to communicate with controller....".

Under very rare circumstances when users would assess the file dialog box to do a Resume, Replay, Save As, etc., Merlin would disappear and the user would be left looking at the desktop.

When changing transducers while Merlin is running or when starting Merlin with transducers disconnected and then connecting them once Merlin is running can result in changes to the method setup if the transducer being connected is specified as one of the control modes or source of a test event {change over, test stop, etc}. The following scenario illustrates this issue: A Tension method were set up to use Strain1 as the Ramp1 control mode and Merlin were started with the Strain1 transducer disconnected. If the user connected the Strain1 transducer once Merlin was running, the user would observe the following behavior:> Merlin would detect that a "different" transducer was connected to the Strain1 channel.> Merlin would destroy the existing software transducer. This would eliminate Strain1 from all Control Mode and Event lists - thus changing the Ramp1 control mode to Tensile Extension.

Certain phenomena can delay or even fail to detect a valid changeover point due to strain going backwards or a swift drop in stress followed by an immediate reversion to an increasing slope.

How do I turn on Security, I do not see it on the menu in Merlin?

When using the "Rate of Load" end test criterion, the firmware may miss break events that the user would have expected it to catch. Per the documentation, the event should be triggered if the firmware detects a % drop in load over a 100ms window. On 5800/8800, the time window was set to 10 ms.

Only 5 of my 6 specimens are showing up on my graph. How do I get my 6th specimen to show also?

OLE interface does not open methods with spaces in the name. How can I resolve this?

Do you have to do compliance correction for each method?

One or more message boxes appear with the text "null window handle" when displaying or interacting with one of the Merlin labtools, after calculations have been performed including cursor selection in the graph.

On the 5800 and 8800 controllers, occasionally when the user balanced the load via Merlin, they would be presented with error message 2019 - "Unable to balance transducer". Clicking on retry would generally balance the transducer. Also there was no indication in TestLog as to the reason for the failure. The problem was due to the fast that Merlin would need to determine that the balance was underway after issuing the C108 command. If, for some reason, the balance took a few extra fractions of a second to start, Merlin would mistakenly think that the balance failed and raise the error.

Merlin screen shifts on Windows XP. During the execution of a long operation (e.g. end&save) if user is moving the mouse to system tray or just move around & click randomly the Merlin screens are shifted.

When setting focus to the Graph, Results, or Report labtool, its submenu may fail to appear.

When replaying or resuming a data file when Table 2 of the Results Table had no columns and when at least one of the specimens in the sample were set to be excluded, Merlin would generate a GPF in module O16LE41.dll at address 0006:002A.

The 3345 frame parameters were slightly less than the values in the specification for these systems.

When the Exclude Specimen is selected on the Post Test screen, Test Director often loses focus when the specimen’s exclusion state is changed and when Test Director returns to the Pre Test or Pre Sample screen.

Will Merlin run under Windows XP?

Should I unpack my Instron when it arrives at my facility? [GEN-102-SV]

I get this error on my Model DX machine: Test will not start Test aborts Pump shuts off Software post an error message stating "Position Loop Failure" How do I resolve this?

After starting a procedure on my Model DX machine, the live data and live graph appear on the computer monitor but the machine is not moving.

How do I get help with the Partner dialog boxes?

How do I get my raw data points into Excel?

How do I export my results to a text file? How do I get my results into Excel?

How do I get my graphs to display properly?

Should I unpack my Instron when it arrives at my facility? [GEN-102-SV]

How can I navigate through the wizard more quickly?

How do I store different procedures in different databases?

How do I zoom in on a graph?

What should the display read when performing a Cal Check? (5500 Systems)

Can I use specimen cueing during a test?

I have a Partner system with an Apex or Vertex controller. Why can't I upgrade my computer to the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 or Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional operating systems?

How often should I perform an auto calibration of the transducer being used? (5500 Systems)

How do I control animations in the wizard pages?

What are my export options in Partner?

How should the instrument be situated when performing an auto calibration? (5500 Systems)

Why should I back my files up in two folders?

How do I restrict calc data?

How do I copy, move and/or delete results?

How can I learn more about Partner's functions?

How do I make a working GenTest procedure?

How do I create a new results database?

When I try to save my results, I get a message saying "Microsoft® Access will not accept more than 255 fields in a table."

When running a test my system slows down and the hard drive runs a lot.

How do I know when to enter a number or an expression?

How do I add shortcuts to my Tools menu?

Can I perform mathematical operations on test tags after they have been saved to my results table?

Can I use existing instruments with my new 5500 system?

I'm trying to type in a test tag before I run a test, and the computer keeps beeping at me.

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

There is no reading on recorder (graph X -axis) from the extensometer.

What are my technical support coverages and options?

The 3-phase pump motor on a hydraulic HVL testing frame will not operate.

The pump will not start on a HVL Style machine

The position is not changing on the Display when the ram is raised. (String style encoder box devise)

The pump will not start on a HVL Style machine.

There is no change in the load reading on the Mark III + display when load is applied to the specimen.

What is operating frequencies of the Sontag Fatigue (SF) series machines?

How does the dynamic force of the Sontag Fatigue (SF) machine get adjusted?

How do I determine the amplitude of my Sontag Fatigue (SF) machine?

(MATS II Controller) The pump will not come on and all the conditions of above are met.

When a specimen is installed in a Sontag Fatigue (SF)machine how does the complementary weight get determined?

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

What are the pin outs for my Load Cell or Extensometer?

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

Why is my motor light lit on my 4200, 4300 or 4400 console? [EMH-105-SV]

Is there a specific order that I should turn on my 5500 machine and computer? [MER-109-SV]

Will my Load Cell need an adapter cable to work on another Instron Frame?

When I try to run Series IX on my 5500 machine, I get a series of error messages [MER-105-SV]

Why does my 1011 display reads "ERROR UNDERSPEED C"? [EMH-108-SV]

How do I use the Printer port on the back of my 4400 Console?

What can I do if my 4500 Frame stops before the end of a test?

While starting a test I get a message that says "L/S Control Requires Version 2 Proms and Proper Mux". Why do I get this message?

How do I find the serial number of my Series IX Software? [SR9-101-SV]

How do I do a "clean" installation of Series IX? [SR9-113-SV]

I am upgrading from a DOS version of Series IX to a Windows version. Are my methods and data files compatible? [SR9-107-SV]

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

How do I import existing methods/data files into Series IX? [SR9-108-SV]

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

Series IX will not open my data file [SR9-118-SV]

If I want to delete/copy data in Series IX, where can I find the files? [SR9-110-SV]

What are my technical support coverages and options?

What is the first version of Series 9 that is compatible with Windows 2000?

What version(s) of Windows is compatible with Series IX? [SR9-104-SV]

What is Series IX?

After a Series IX test failed to start due to various reasons, for example Load Calibration check, Frame Disabled, etc, subsequent tests would fail to start with an error message stating "UpdateRampSegment1 returned 28", even though the system was not in an error state, i.e. the reason the previous test failed has been resolved. The only way around this was to end the sample and then test a new sample.

Break not reported correctly. How do I resolve this?

Series IX is displaying a message, "Unable to open Operator or Report file" [SR9-117-SV]

How do I print out a method in Series IX? [SR9-111-SV]

Tests on a 4500 machine stop prematurely at fast data rates. Series IX checks that the crosshead is actually moving after 6 points are collected and half a second has elapsed. It will stop data collection if the crosshead hasn't moved yet. For fast data rates, it was stopping the test prematurely on some machines.

Error messages are displayed on an automation system when the video extensometer fails to run, stopping the testing.

When using a Series IX compliance file I receive a divide by zero error. How do I resolve this?

Series IX does not allow the average value calculation to have a start point selected at a displacement value from the first peak.

Do we have to use the data reduction on the software???

Series IX tries to run in load/strain control even if control is disabled on the 8800. How do I resolve this?

Flex test with cylindrical specimens stops at incorrect limits and runs at incorrect strain rate if running in strain control on an 8500/8800 machine. The flex equation converting flexural strain to displacement is incorrect; it has the span and diameter interchanged.

MoveToNewGaugelengthComplete OLE event does not return a status to indicate success or failure of the move.

When running in strain or load control on an 85/8800 machine, Series IX assumes that the user has already enabled such control on the console of the machine (MMI).

Does Series IX run in Windows XP?

While starting a test I get a message that says "L/S Control Requires Version 2 Proms and Proper Mux". Why do I get this message?

How do I calibrate when using Series IX on an 1100 Machine?

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

Why do I get an error message saying there have been three successive compliance errors?

Why does my test stop after a very short time?

What is a Virtual Instrument (VI)?

In Da/dN Calculations, why is the stress intensity larger than expected when the test starts?

Can I apply a filter to the logged data in MAX?

Why are the displays in the console updating slowly and response to mouse clicks is slow?

In DAX, why do I see >4096 and >2048 in the Data Points display and only part of a cycle in the graph?

DAX doesn't start collecting data when the waveform starts on the torsional axis. Why is this?

When using the compliance method for crack length calculation, can part of the load-LPD or Load-COD data be specified?

Why is the calculated crack length not the same as the notch length

How do I interpret the hysteresis loop data from the file? One side is the elastic part and the other is the plastic part, which part do I need to use to get the v/P values to calculate my compliance values?

Why do I get the 'Less than 4 data points remaining valid' message?

Can I use the Sefram 8800 data logger with the new version of JIC?

Why are the initial three unloads occurring at too high loads?

Is there a user-friendly method of entering another equation or a set of polynomial coefficients into the Da/Dn program that will enable the program to automatically calculate DeltaK for a non-standard specimen configuration?

LCF Algorithms

Why is the actuator going off during an overnight test?

Max: Can I apply a filter to the logged data?

WaveMaker: Unable to communicate with Eurotherm 2408 Controller

When is da/dN calculated?

Why are the command and feedback values very small or zero?

Is the "Knife-Edge Thickness" parameter the distance of the knife-edge from the specimen surface (in the 4-pt bend configuration)?

Why is there a lot of scatter in the da/dN values?

Da/dN: Why is the stress intensity smaller than expected at the start of the test?

Random Loading: Why are the command and feedback values very small or zero?

Da/dN: Why am I getting poor results for crack length towards the end of my threshold (decreasing deltaK) test?

Da/dN: What formulae are used to calculate the crack length for a 4-point bend specimen?

Da/dN: How do I interpret the hysteresis loop data from the file? One side is the elastic part and the other is the plastic part, which part do I need to use to get the v/P values to calculate my compliance values?

Da/dN: Is the “Knife-Edge Thickness” parameter the distance of the knife-edge from the specimen surface (in the 4-pt bend configuration)?

Da/dN: Do chevron notches affect the calculation of crack length?

Da/dN: When is da/dN calculated?

Da/dN: Why is the calculated crack length not the same as the notch length?

Da/dN: Why does my test stop after a very short time?

WaveMaker: Can I apply a filter to the logged data?

DAX: How is the size of the data buffer determined in DAX?

LabVIEW Drivers: What is a Virtual Instrument (VI)?

JIC: Can I use a COD gauge on the front face of a CT specimen?

JIC: What is slope correction?

JIC: Why are the J values too large and the load load-line displacement graph incorrect for my 3-point bend test?

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

What is the accuracy of the load cells in a 8500/8800? [SHH-103-SV]

What can I do if I do not get the correct max/min displays? [SHH-104-SV]

How do I find the system version for my model 8500 or 8800 ? [SHH-108-SV]

What does commissioning do? [SHH-101-SV]

My position cal light is flashing. How can I recall the calibration? [SHH-107-SV]

My HRDE (High Resolution Digital Extensometer) is not available on an 8500/8800 while using Series IX software. How can I use my HRDE with these systems?

I am using a strain gage extensometer on my 8500 or 8800 MMI. How do I enter a new gage length?

What type of hydraulic fluid do I use in my hydraulic power supply?

Why can't I get full pressure on the power pack of my 8800 machine after not using it for some time?

Why did my power pack stop when I tried to move the crosshead on my 8800 machine?

There is a communications error between my computer and the machine frame. What should I do?

The 3-phase crosshead motor on a hydraulic HVL testing frame will not operate.

The 3-phase pump motor on a hydraulic HVL testing frame will not operate.

(MATS II Controller) The pump will not come on and all the conditions of above are met.

Both up and the down push button switch indicators on the pendent station light when trying to move the crosshead on a HVL frame. (Note 24V DC sys only)

The pump will not start on a HVL Style machine with Partner or Merlin Software.

The position is not changing on the Display when the ram is raised. (String style encoder box devise).

What is your policy on no-shows?

What type of payments do you accept?

What discounts do you offer?

How can I register for a course?

What if the course I need isn't on the schedule?

I have an auditor asking for software verification documentation and Instron accreditation information. Where can I find this information?

What are my technical support coverages and options?

I wish to update my operating system to Windows 2000. Will my video extensometer be compatible with Windows 2000?

I have an ISA type video extensometer and want to transfer this to into a new computer.

My Video image has a lot of noise, see example picture.