Series CTA

CAP TORQUE TESTERS

Users Guide

Series CTA Cap Torque Testers

Thank you!
Thank you for purchasing a Mark-10 Series CTA Cap Torque Tester. We are confident that you will get many years of service from this product. The CTA can be used to test cap torque for a number of different closure shapes and sizes, along with other types of samples. To maintain normal functioning of the tester, avoid repetitive overloads and shock loads. We hope that this Users Guide will provide a comprehensive explanation of the CTAs operation and sufficient detail on its specifications. However, if you have any other questions or concerns, our technical support and engineering teams will be eager to help you. Thank you again for your purchase and happy testing!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNPACKING AND SETTING UP ............................................... 3 LIST OF INCLUDED ITEMS ....................................................... 3 CONTROLS ................................................................................ 4 DISPLAY ..................................................................................... 4 POWER ....................................................................................... 5 SETTING UP THE SAMPLE ...................................................... 5 CONFIGURATION ...................................................................... 6 CALIBRATION ........................................................................... 7 OUTPUTS ................................................................................... 8 SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................... 9 DIMENSIONS ........................................................................... 10 WARRANTY ............................................................................. 10 OTHER MARK-10 PRODUCTS ............................................... 11

Users Guide

UNPACKING AND SETTING UP

1. Carefully unpack the CTA and check for any damage. Inspect the contents to ensure that you have received a tester complete with all accessories see List of included items below. Place the tester on a firm, flat and level working surface free from vibration. If preferred, the CTA can be secured to a work bench with screws through the four tapped holes in the underside of the base. Then fasten the sample gripping posts into the desired holes on the sliders (see Fig. 1).

2.

Quantity 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 Series CTA Torque Tester Sample gripping posts

Item

Flat jaws set (optional, see below) Adjustable jaws set (optional, see below) Carrying case (optional) AC adapter Battery Certificate of calibration

CT001 flat jaws (optional)

These jaws are designed for use with square or other shaped containers, in addition to round samples. The jaws are reversible; one side has a V-groove, while the other side is flat. These jaws can be mounted to the inside of the sliders, or the outside.

CT003 adjustable jaws (optional)

These jaws are designed for use with unique shaped samples. The four gripping arms per jaw may be independently repositioned in 45 increments to accommodate unique profiles. Loosen the screw at the top of the jaw to separate the arms and reposition as desired.

Series CTA Cap Torque Testers

CONTROLS
POWER / ENTER Turns power on and off. Also used to select configuration menu items. PEAK / ADVANCE Used to switch between Clockwise Peak, Counterclockwise Peak and Normal (real time) display modes. The actual peak readings are always captured and can be recalled at any time by pressing this button. Also used to step through configuration menu items. ZERO Zeros any tare value (up to the full capacity of the gauge) and clears the peak readings stored in memory. DATA Used to output the torque data point currently displayed. UNITS Changes measurement units between lbin, Ncm, and kgmm.

DISPLAY
The display consists of a 4 1/2-digit section and several indicators. Their functions are listed below. LO BAT CW CCW CW PEAK CCW PEAK LBIN, NCM, KGMM - - - - (dashes) Low battery voltage indicator Clockwise torque indicator Counterclockwise torque indicator Peak clockwise torque indicator Peak counterclockwise torque indicator Units of measurement Overload (>110% of range) Reduce torque immediately

Users Guide

POWER
The CTA can be operated by the included 9V non-rechargeable battery or by the included AC adapter. Battery life is approximately 30 hours. Do not use adapters other than supplied or instrument damage may occur. There are three levels of low battery voltage indication. At the first level the display shows a steady "LO BAT" indicating approximately one hour of charge remaining. The second level is indicated by a flashing "LO BAT" indicator. At the third level the whole display except the "LO BAT" indicator will flash for three seconds after which time the instrument will turn itself off. This prevents the instrument from working at voltages too low for reliable operation. To access the battery, loosen the four screws on the bottom plate.

SETTING UP THE SAMPLE

Place the sample between the posts or jaws of the tester, and tighten, using the knob. Posts can be placed in any of the holes on the sliders (see Figs. 1 & 2 below). Ensure that the sample is gripped firmly, however, excessive tightening of thin-walled closures may result in sample deformation, possibly affecting test results. When the sample is secured, gradually exert torque by hand. Sudden torque application may produce incorrect readings.

Fig. 1 Posts can easily be moved between holes

Fig. 2 Optional jaws offer alternative gripping methods

Series CTA Cap Torque Testers

CONFIGURATION
Series CTA torque testers have several features with programmable options allowing many user-specified choices. To enter the configuration menu, perform the following: 1. Turn off the tester 2. Press and hold PEAK 3. Turn on the tester 4. Release PEAK The version number of the internal software will be displayed for a short time. The following secondary functions of keys are used during the configuration process: ENTER ADVANCE Used to select a menu choice Used to step through menu choices

NOTE: Once the menu has been entered, it can only be exited if changes have been made. The following list shows all configuration options. Italics indicate factory settings. 232 - RS-232 settings sub-menu 232d Output Disabled 232E Output Enabled 300 600 1200 2400 4800 9600 7-1E 7-1o 7-2E 7-2o 7-2n 8-1E 8-1o 8-1n 8-2n Ft F Ft n 300 baud 600 baud 1200 baud 2400 baud 4800 baud 9600 baud 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, even parity 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, odd parity 7 data bits, 2 stop bits, even parity 7 data bits, 2 stop bits, odd parity 7 data bits, 2 stop bits, no parity 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, even parity 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, odd parity 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity 8 data bits, 2 stop bits, no parity Full data (numeric + units) Numeric data only

bcd - Mitutoyo BCD settings sub-menu bcdd Output disabled

bcd E Mitutoyo BCD output enabled

Users Guide
AoFF - Automatic shutoff settings sub-menu no Disabled 1 1-minute automatic shutoff 5 5-minute 10 10-minute 20 20-minute " " 30 30-minute " " init - Initial (default) settings sub-menu LBIN Pound-inch as default unit KGMM Kilogram-millimeter as default unit NCM Newton-centimeter as default unit CCW Real time display at turn on PEAK CW Peak clockwise display at turn on PEAK CCW Peak counterclockwise display at turn on CAL - Calibration sub-menu. See CALIBRATION section.

CALIBRATION
To properly calibrate the CTA, application of a precise torque value equal to the full capacity of the tester in pound-inches (regardless of the displayed units) is required. While holding PEAK, turn on power to the tester. When CAL appears on the display, press ENTER three times to select the calibration mode. At the null prompt, press ZERO. At the SPAn prompt, apply the calibration torque and press ENTER. The display will show uuuu or nnnn if the calibration torque is insufficient or excessive, respectively. If this happens, the only way to terminate the calibration mode is by momentarily disconnecting the battery or connecting the AC adapter to the tester without plugging the other end into a wall outlet. This will stop the calibration procedure without making any changes to the previous calibration data. Successful calibration is indicated by donE on the display. Press ENTER to save the changes and resume normal operation.

Series CTA Cap Torque Testers

OUTPUTS
RS-232
Data transmission can be initiated by pressing DATA or through an external device by sending ASCII "?". The tester will respond by sending the current reading in either full or numeric format, depending on the configuration setting (see Configuration section). Polarity sign indicates CW (+) or CCW (-) torque. The transmitted string has the following format: [POLARITY (SPACE OR -)][DATA][SPACE][UNITS (IF ENABLED)][CRLF]

Mitutoyo BCD
This output is useful for connection to data collectors, printers, multiplexers or any other device capable of accepting Mitutoyo BCD data. The transmission is initiated by pressing DATA or by the receiving device.

I/O connector pin diagram

1 6

2 7

3 8

4 9

DB-9P

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

RS-232 receive RS-232 transmit Mitutoyo request Mitutoyo clock Signal ground No Connection No Connection Mitutoyo ready Mitutoyo data

Input Output Input Output Output Output

Users Guide

SPECIFICATIONS
Accuracy: Sampling rate: Display update rate: Safe overload: Outputs (optional): RS-232: Mitutoyo: Connector: Power: Battery life: Weight: Capacity x resolution: CTA12 CTA50 CTA100 12 x 0.01 lbFin, 140 x 0.1 kgFmm, 135 x 0.1 Ncm 50 x 0.05 lbFin, 580 x 0.5 kgFmm, 570 x 0.5 Ncm 100 x 0.1 lbFin, 1150 x 1 kgFmm, 1150 x 1 Ncm Baud rates between 300 and 9600 Standard Mitutoyo BCD output 9-pin D-type male 9V battery or AC adapter 30 hours of continuous operation 6.5 lb [2.9 kg] 0.5% of full scale 1digit 65/s 2.5/s in normal mode, 65/s in peak mode 150% of gauge capacity. Display shows ---- (dashes) above 110%.

Series CTA Cap Torque Testers

DIMENSIONS
in [mm]
7.8 [199.3]

WITH OPTIONAL FLAT JAWS:

5.9 [149.9] MAX 1.3 [33.0] MIN
4.4 [111.8] MAX 0 MIN

WITH OPTIONAL ADJUSTABLE JAWS:

4.6 [116.8] MAX 0 MIN

10.7 [270.5]

7.5 [189.4] MAX 0.5 [12.7] MIN

6.0 [151.9] MAX 1.3 [33.0] MIN 4.4 [111.8] MAX 0.25 [6.35] MIN

4.8 [121.8]

WARRANTY
Mark-10 Corporation expressly warrants to its buyer for three (3) years from the date of delivery that the goods sold are free from defects in workmanship and materials. Mark-10 Corporation will, at its option, repair or replace or refund the purchase price of goods found to be defective. This remedy shall be the buyers sole and exclusive remedy. Any modification, abuse, exposure to corrosive environment or use other than intended will void this warranty. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for an intended purpose. In no event shall Mark10 Corporation be liable for any incidental and consequential damages in connection with goods sold or any part thereof.

10

1.3 [33.0]

Users Guide

OTHER MARK-10 PRODUCTS

A full line of force and torque measurement products and related items, including force gauges, torque gauges, force and torque test stands, sensors, grips, software, and more.

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Mark-10 Corporation has been an innovator in the Force and Torque measurement fields since 1979. We strive to achieve 100% customer satisfaction through excellence in product design, manufacturing and customer support. In addition to our standard line of products we can provide modifications and custom designs for OEM applications. Our engineering team is eager to satisfy any special requirements. Please contact us for further information or suggestions for improvement.

We make a measurable difference in force and torque measurement Mark-10 Corporation 11 Dixon Avenue Copiague, NY 11726 USA 1-888-MARK-TEN Tel: 631-842-9200 Fax: 631-842-9201 Internet: www.mark-10.com Email: [email protected]

32-1105 REV 2 0710