BMS T-UD2 Operational Manual

T-UD2 ULTRASONIC HARDNESS

TESTER

BMS Bulut Makina Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti.

İkitelli Organize Sanayi Bölgesi Dolapdere Sanayi Sitesi

Ada 4 No:7-9 Başakşehir / İSTANBUL-TURKEY

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

web: www.bulutmak.com e-mail : [email protected]

OPERATIONAL MANUAL

2

1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 4

2. Appointment ............................................................................................. 4

3. Specifications ........................................................................................... 4

3.1. Calibration scales............................................................................... 4

3.2. The limits of permissible basic error of measurement ...................... 4

Working conditions: ................................................................................. 4

3.3. Overall dimensions ............................................................................ 4

3.4. Weight of the instrument and probe .................................................. 5

3.5. Power supply ..................................................................................... 5

3.6. Requirements of the test material ...................................................... 5

4. Packing list ............................................................................................... 5

Information processing unit ...................................................................... 5

5. Principle of operation ............................................................................... 5

5.1. UCI method ....................................................................................... 5

6. Preparations for operation ........................................................................ 6

6.1. Battery supply .................................................................................... 6

6.2. Connection of probes ......................................................................... 6

7. Basics of operation ................................................................................... 7

7.1. Keys ................................................................................................... 7

7.2. The choice of measurement method. ................................................. 7

8. Operation .................................................................................................. 7

8.1. Preparation of the test material .......................................................... 7

8.2. Features of the methods of measurement of metal hardness: ............ 7

8.3. Device menu ...................................................................................... 8

9. Hardness measurement ........................................................................... 10

9.1. Using of the UCI method ................................................................ 10

10. Measurement modes ............................................................................. 13

10.1. Normal mode ................................................................................. 13

3

10.2. Statistics mode ............................................................................... 13

10.3. Smart mode .................................................................................... 14

10.4. Signal mode ................................................................................... 14

11. Calibration ............................................................................................ 14

11.1. Main calibration............................................................................. 14

11.2. User (additional) calibration .......................................................... 16

12. Technical maintenance, special conditions of operation ...................... 18

12.1. Probe maintenance......................................................................... 18

12.2. Information processing unit maintenance ..................................... 18

12.3. Battery maintenance ...................................................................... 18

12.4. Storage ........................................................................................... 18

12.5. Transportation................................................................................ 18

12.6. Putting into operation after storage and transportation ................. 19

12.7. Special operation conditions .......................................................... 19

13. Precautions and trouble shouting.......................................................... 19

4

1. Introduction

The following operation manual explains the preparation, setup, principles of
operation, usage, and troubleshooting of the hardness tester.
Please, read this instructions carefully for operate the hardness tester functions
quickly and effectively.
In doing this you will be able to take full advantage of the function range of the
instrument. At the same time, you will also avoid errors and wrong operation
which in turn would cause incorrect test results and thus could lead to injury and
damage.

2. Appointment

The hardness tester is handy, easy to operate and can carry out tests quickly
without any difficulties.
Hardness tester is mainly suitable:

• for measurement hardness of low and non-alloyed steels;

• for measurement hardness of high-alloyed steels;

• for measurement hardness of nonferrous metals.

3. Specifications

3.1. Calibration scales

Device has 20 calibration scales of hardness that conventionally divided into four
scales and five materials for each:
Each of the scales can be additionally calibrated by 1 or 2 points.
Also, the unit measures in Leeb scale (with rebound probe) and Tensile strength,
through the automatic recalculation of the Brinell scale.

3.2. The limits of permissible basic error of measurement

Hardness scale

Error

Rockwell C

±2

Brinell

±10

Vickers

±15

Leeb

±15

Tensile strength

Not rated

Working conditions: -20°C to +40°C

3.3. Overall dimensions

Name

Overall dimensions, mm

Information processing unit

125x65x25

UCI probe

Ø25х100

5

3.4. Weight of the instrument and probe

Name

Weight, kg

Information processing unit

0,15

UCI probe

0,125

3.5. Power supply

Battery operation: two 1.5V AA cells
Batteries: AlMn (approx.15 hours operation);
Alkaline: at 20° C and max. 500 measurements - 8 hours,
NiCd (approx. 15 hours operation) or NiMH (approx. 20 hours operation)
To save battery charge in the menu there is setting of device auto switch off.

3.6. Requirements of the test material

Surface roughness, not more, Ra
UCI (10N) probe U1
UCI (50N) probe U1

1,5
2,5

Radius of curvature of the surface, mm
UCI probe U1

5

Weight of the test material, not less, kg
UCI probe U1

0,1

Thickness of the test material, not less, mm
UCI probe U1

1

4. Packing list

Information processing unit 1 pc
Probe
UCI (10N) __ pc
UCI (50N) __ pc
Charger 1 pc
Battery 2 pc
USB cable 1 pc
Operation manual 1 pc
Carrying case 1pc

5. Principle of operation

5.1. UCI method

The Vickers diamond is fixed to the tip of a round metal rod. This metal rod is
excited, to its resonant frequency of approx. 78 kHz, into longitudinal oscillations.
When the Vickers diamond contacts the sample surface, the resonant frequency
will change. This change happens in relation to the size of the indent area from the
Vickers diamond. The size, in turn, is a measure for the hardness of the tested
material. Resonant frequencies can be measured very accurately. This is why the

6

UCI method is suited to make the evaluation of Vickers indents, and thus of the
complete test procedure, so much easier and quicker.
There are also two additional advantages:

-the measurement is made under load. (No impairment of the measurement due to

elastic resilience);

-the hardness measurement is based on the area of the indent and not on the length

of the indent diagonals.
The measurement is thus less affected by surface roughness; even gunmetal­finished surfaces can be measured.
Concerning the UCI method, the measurement value is also dependent on the
Young’s modulus of the material.

6. Preparations for operation

6.1. Battery supply

The hardness tester is powered by batteries or accumulators. For this you need two
AA 1.5 V:

-dry cells (AlMn) or rechargeable (Nickel-Cadmium or Nickel-Metalhydrid).

Manufacturer recommended to use the Nickel-Metallhydrid batteries, because the
operation time is increased by 60%.
Using of batteries and accumulators.
You can insert batteries (AlMn) or accumulators (NiCd, NiMH).

- Open the battery compartment.

- Insert the batteries, observing the correct polarity.

- Close the battery compartment.

Used or defective batteries are special refuse and must be disposed of according to
the governing laws!

6.2. Connection of probes

Socket for the probe is at the top of the information processing unit. Connect the
probe cable to the socket in accordance with the marks on the connector.

7

7. Basics of operation

7.1. Keys

Turn on/off; left soft key

Right soft key

X

Modes switch

H

Selection of hardness scale

Navigation key; increase

Navigation key; decrease

7.2. The choice of measurement method.

7.2.2. UCI method of measuring hardness is appropriate for:

- testing objects with low mass and small wall thickness;

- testing objects with a glossy surface (with special requirements to the minimum

size of the imprint);

-surfaces of the testing objects with hardened layers.

8. Operation

8.1. Preparation of the test material

The surface must be clean and free of oil, grease and dust.
The surface roughness of the material should meet the requirements of a specific
probe (paragraph 3.8).

8.2. Features of the methods of measurement of metal hardness:

8.2.1. UCI method:

Distinct reading variations may especially occur with a mass lower than 0.1 kg
and a specimen thickness of less than 1 mm if the test material is excited to
resonance or sympathetic oscillations. Otherwise, such test materials must be

8

fixed to a solid base, e.g. using a viscous paste. The same applies to the hardness
test blocks.

8.3. Device menu

After connecting the probe, hold TURN ON button
until logo appears on the display:

Then, you get to the main menu of the device:
The menu consists of 6 sections:
Measuring
Calibration
Archive
Settings
Memory card

Information Scroll through the menu using the navigation keys and ,

for entering press soft key SELECT using .

8.3.1. Measuring

Selecting Measuring, you go to the measurement of
hardness mode, depending on the probe at the top of the
screen will display the angle of the, or the state of the
diamond indenter (for UCI probe).

Detailed description of the measurement of hardness, see
paragraph 9.

8.3.2. Calibration
Selecting Calibration, you go to the table of calibrations
where the scale conventionally divided into four hardness
scales: Rockwell (HRC), Brinell (HB), Vickers (HV), User
(U1). Each of the scales can be calibrated to 5 conventional
materials: Steel (ST), Alloy Steel (AST), Stainless steel

(SST), Cast Iron (CI), User material (U1).
Detailed description of the calibration process, see paragraph 11.

8.3.3. Archive

Selecting Archive you go to the list of saved
measurements, which displays Measurement name, Scale,
Material and Average Value.

Soft keys

9

You can store in memory up to 1024 measurements.

Scroll through the list using the navigation keys and

.

8.3.4. Settings

Selecting Settings you go to the settings menu, there are 2:

- Measurement settings: -Device settings:

8.3.4.1. Measurement settings
By selecting Measurement settings you can configure the
following settings:
Result: displaying measurement results can be Current
(display instantaneous values of measurements) and

Average (unit accumulates the series of measurements and display average value
of hardness).
Tolerance, %: This parameter is used only for Smart mode. Set the % value
adjusts the range of deviations of measurements to be included in the calculation
of the average for the series in Smart mode. Detailed description of the Smart
mode, see paragraph 10.3.
Material: choose the material of the testing object (pre-calibrated in the
calibration mode).
Retro: allows you to return to the measurement mode with saved last
measurements after restarting of the device.

8.3.4.2. Device settings
Language: selection language of the device menu
(available English and Russian).

Brightness: setting the brightness of the backlight.

Sound: there are 4 modes of device sound (Off, Key, Measurement, Key and

Measurement)
Auto Off: setting of the automatic shutdown device when it is not in use.

10

8.3.5. Memory Card

Selecting Memory Card you go to the menu of memory.

8.3.5.1. Create backup copies of calibrations.
After calibration of the probe is recommended to create a
backup copy of the calibration (usually the manufacturer
makes the calibration of 1-2 scales, to check the probe).
This is done in order to be able to resume adequate

calibration after incorrect settings in the future.

8.3.5.2. Load backup copies of calibrations.
After the initial save of calibrations you can always
download it to the probe. This function is needed for the
resumption of adequate calibration in case of wrong
settings of the probe.

8.3.5.3. Clear SD card

Clearing saved records in the archive, after clearing SD
card the archive will be empty.

8.3.5.4. Memory state

This menu displays the total, used and empty memory
cells.

8.3.6. Information

In this menu you can view information about the
manufacturer and offices around the world. Scroll through

the list using the navigation keys and .

9. Hardness measurement

9.1. Using of the UCI method

The design of UCI Probe is shown in Figure 1a. Probe has a special removable
collapsible nozzle with the puck (Figure 1b). The puck provides the convenience
of positioning the probe relative to the testing object and a clip for the
measurements

11

.

Figure 1a. UCI Probe U1
1 – Probe’s body; 2 – Collapsible nozzle;
3 – Puck; 4 – Place for fingers

Figure 1b. Demounted nozzle
1 – Probe’s body; 2 – Nozzle main part;
3 – Puck; 4 – Protective tube;
5 – Diamond.

One side of the puck is flat to using probe on flat surfaces. Another side has
grooves for using a probe on cylindrical surfaces.
It is marked slots designed for ease of measurement of hardness on cylindrical
products of various diameters. Probe with demounted nozzle is usually using to
measure hardness in difficult places, such as narrow or deep groove.
The probe may be removed from the nozzle is used for measuring the hardness in
the narrow and hard to reach places.

Figure 2

Turn on the hardness tester pressing , and select the

measurement mode by pressing

X

. Detailed description

of the modes, see paragraph 10.

Then select the scale and material hardness for which there is a proper calibration
(How to calibrate device see paragraph 11). For select the hardness scales press

H

and chose the scale that will be used by keys and , then press

Material

Scale

The state of the diamond indenter (ready for measurement)

12

H

. For material selection back in main menu: press , chose EXIT to

return to the main menu, then select Settings:

Chose Measurement settings: Device settings
And select the required material:

Go back to the measurement mode.
During the measurement you can select other hardness scale. The displayed
measurement reading will be converted according with the new hardness scale if it
is calibrated.
NOTE! Calibration is carried out by the direct method, so the conversion is
carried out on the basis of pre-calibration, and does not correspond to any
standard.
Install the probe puck on the sample surface, keeping it in the tough skirt as shown
in Figure 3a. By clicking on the skirt thrust both hands to bring the diamond tip of

the probe perpendicularly to the sample
surface to the touch (Figure 3b). Slowly
(in about 0.5 seconds) by pressing with
a force of (5 or 1 kg depending on probe
type) thrust skirt, push the diamond tip
into the metal surface, preventing
swinging (Figure 3c). After the beep,
remove the probe from the tested object.

a b c
Figure 3

The display shows the value of hardness. The result of measurement is displayed
on the display until the next measurement.

This symbol indicates that the diamond indenter is in
contact with the testing object or device is not ready
for the next measurement

13

WARNING! Not allowed a sharp click and scratching sample by indenter, this
may lead to exceeding the allowable value of error and damage the diamond
indenter.
You can get the value of the current measurement or the average for the series of
measurements, depending on the settings in Measurement settings menu Current
or Average:

After the measurement, you can save measurement (series
of measurements) in the archive by pressing SAVE with

key .

Move the cursor over the keyboard with keys and

and selecting a symbol by pressing the . Then select

SAVE by cursor. The record is stored in the archive.

10. Measurement modes

To selecting the measurement mode go to the Measurement and press

X

. The

device will offer you the following measurement modes:

- NORM – normal operation mode;

- STAT – statistics mode;

- SMART – mode of filter incorrect measurements;

- SYGNAL – the display signal mode (only for Leeb).

To select the measurement mode, press

X

.

10.1. Normal mode

In normal mode, the device
displays the current measurement
value or average of series of
measurements, depending on

selected the Current or Average in Measurement settings menu:

10.2. Statistics mode
Statistics mode allows to monitoring the following
parameters of measurement series:

- Maximum;

- Minimum;

- Deviation;

- Average;

- Number of measurements.

14

10.3. Smart mode
Smart mode allows the user to identify the general
sequence of measurements. The device selects the first
three series of measurements that do not exceed the
specified tolerance. After that, the following

measurements that exceed a given tolerance will be excluded from the series and
will not be taken into account when calculating the average of the series.
Filled with the color readings indicate that the device has fixed the general
sequence and Smart mode is active.

To set the tolerance of Smart Mode, go to

Measurement Settings:

And set the percentage tolerance values from 1 to 10.

10.4. Signal mode
Mode is active only for Leeb probe and shows the voltage
produced during the impact and rebound of impact body.
M is the maximum value of the conditional code number
which corresponds to the received signal.

11. Calibration

11.1. Main calibration

To calibrate the probe you will need 3 samples of material with a known hardness.
Hardness range should be wider than the hardness of the materials which will be
measured (The values should be the maximum or more, minimum or less and
average).

Select in the main menu Calibration:
The device goes to the table, each cell of the table
corresponds to the certain scale of calibration for the
certain material:

15

All calibrations of the device can be calibrated for any materials and any scales,
and are divided in this way just for practicality.
Cells can have 3 states:

User calibration (1 or 2 point)

Calibration

Empty cell

Press the buttons and to choice cell for calibration, for example HRC
for Alloy Steel:

Press SELECT by and EDIT, the table appears:

The device, making the measurement, gets the nominal codes, the purpose of
calibration - is to find the correlation between the nominal code and hardness
values (construction of the relation function).

To start the calibration, enter the real values of the samples. Press EDIT by
and select EDIT in the window:

Stainless Steel

Cast Iron

Alloy Steel

User 1

Steel

Current value

of the code

The resulting value of the

function (polynomial)

Number of

measurements

16

Press the buttons and for setting real values
of hardness, to go to the next digit number, press EDIT by

:

Press the buttons for
adjusting the values of the next

samples.
Then, move your selection on the hardness value
according to the sample, and make at least 5
measurements. Make sure that the value of X would not
varied by more than 5%.
If you get an obvious error measurement, press EDIT by

and press DELETE, the last measurement will be

removed from the series. Go to the next nominal pressing

, and make the same procedure with other samples,

you end up with:

To save, press BACK by , window will appear:

Press YES by . Calibration is saved. Select the appropriate material and
scale, and device is ready for operation.

11.2. User (additional) calibration
Each of the saved main calibration may be further corrected. Additional
calibration is recommended in the following cases:

- If the measurements of the device on the samples are constant, but differ from
the nominal value of the standard block;

- After extended storage (more than 3 months.);

- After intensive operation;

- With a significant change in the operating conditions (temperature, humidity,
etc.).
For the calibration of hardness needed one (single-point calibration) or two (two­point calibration) standard hardness test with the maximum and minimum values
for the controlled range of the hardness.
For example, we have two steel sample of known hardness of HRC, and device
shows a stable deviation for hardness measurements on it. For making user two­point calibration select in main menu Calibration:

17

Press SELECT by , and then select USER. The table
appears:

Press EDIT for select the number of calibration points, as

we have two sample - set 2 with pressing button

and , then again EDIT by :

Move the cursor by pressing to select the first row
in the column Nominal value:

Take about 5 measurements on the first sample, the
instrument will display the average of the series in
accordance with the current calibration:

Press EDIT by and by pressing and
set the nominal value of the sample. To go to the next

digit number, press EDIT by . After adjusting the

value of the first sample you get:

Press to adjust the second sample value, and
perform the same operation. In the end, get:

To save, press BACK by , window will appear:

Press YES by . Calibration is saved. Select the

appropriate material and scale, and device is ready for
operation.

About the stored user calibration will symbolize the next
state of the cell:

18

To delete user calibration, go to the user calibration mode
and set to 0 for Num. Of points:

12. Technical maintenance, special conditions of
operation

On the whole, hardness testers do not require any special maintenance. However,
for the purpose of hardness tester stable operation, regular maintenance is
advisable.

12.1. Probe maintenance
Clean hard metal ball and diamond pyramid from dust, mud and oil traces. Use
soft cloth impregnated with alcohol solution.
Check the probe operation regularly by conducting hardness measurements on
hardness reference blocks. Do not use reference test block with expired period
between verifications (more than 2 years).

12.2. Information processing unit maintenance
To clean from any pollution, use soft dry cloth. Do not use the water, since the
hardness tester is neither spray-proof nor water-proof due to the joints on its body.
Do not use any solvents, they can damage indication signs and writings on the
front and back sides of the body.

12.3. Battery maintenance
The battery average life is not less than 3years. The battery used in compliance
with the "C" or "AA" international standard. It is done for the convenience of its
replacement when it is required or sharp reduction of the continuous operation
time (paragraph 3.6) independently of the country. Replacement is possible only
by the battery with similar characteristics in compliance with the marking on it.
From environmental protection point of view, the best thing is to use the battery.

12.4. Storage

12.4.1. Hardness tester shall be kept in the carry case, the probe and the batterys
shall be disconnected.

12.4.2. If hardness tester is kept in the carry case for than 14 days, the battery shall
be taken out from its compartment in the information processing unit.

12.4.3. It is recommended to keep hardness testers in closed premises with the
relative humidity not more than 80%, there shall be no mold, paints, acids,
chemical agents and other chemicals, the evaporation of which my give a harmful
effect. Sharp fluctuations of temperature and humidity which can result in dew
formation are not allowed.

12.5. Transportation

12.5.1. Hardness tester transportation in the carry case shall be only in closed
vehicles, where the possibility of mechanical damage or atmospheric precipitation
is excluded.

19

12.5.2. The way packed in carry cases hardness testers are located inside the
vehicle shall exclude.

12.6. Putting into operation after storage and transportation

12.6.1. After storage or transportation under the temperature lower than -5°C,
before starting hardness tester operation, it is necessary to keep it is not longer

than 1 hour under the temperature higher than +10°C and not less than 2 hours

under the temperature higher than 0°C.

12.6.2. Before operating hardness tester which was stored for more than 3 months
and transported for more than 2 months, it is necessary to check such hardness
tester on the reference hardness test blocks. If the measured AVEARGE value of
the hardness tester does not correspond to the reference hardness test block
NOMINAL value within the error limits, it is necessary to calibrate the hardness
tester.

12.7. Special operation conditions

12.7.1. Increased dust content and humidity. Put the information processing unit
of hardness tester into a transparent plastic bag. Tighten it at the level of
connective cable a bit lower than the probe plug.
After the work under such conditions is finished, information processing unit shall
taken out of the plastic bag and air it.

12.7.2. Frost (<0°C). Information processing unit is the most sensitive to low
temperature part of hardness testers, especially LCD. If there is a possibility, keep
hardness tester closer to your body and protect id with your coat or keep in the
inside pocket, taking it out time from time for inputting the data into the archive.

13. Precautions and trouble shouting

Treat the hardness tester with care. Any wrong treatment may result in the
violation of the present Technical Reference and Operation Manual regulations
and, thus, lead to the manufacturer hardness tester warranty cessation.
Always check the integrity of the cables, Information processing unit and probes.
Provide immediate replacement of the damaged parts by the original ones. This
job shall be performed by skilled personnel.
Do not expose the hardness tester to aggressive chemical medium.
Do not leave the hardness tester in the direct Sun.
Do not sink the hardness tester into any liquids. If the hardness tester gets wet,
take the battery out and leave for 24 hours to get dry. If the hardness tester is used
under the increased humidity or dust conditions, place the information processing
unit into the plastic bag. After work period is over, it is mandatory to get the
hardness tester dry.