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NEULOG FORCE PLATE SENSOR GUIDE
NeuLog force plate plate sensor
NUL-225 Carolina # 369654
The NeuLog force plate plate sensor can be used for any science experiment or
activity which involves both constant and changing forces such as in the fields of
Physics, Physiology, Mechanics, Biomechanics, etc.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start experimentation right out of the box
using any of the following guides. The sensor can easily be recalibrated if you want to
change your experiment parameters following the recalibration guide in this document.
Just a few of the thousands of possible experimental subjects that can be done with
the NUL-225 sensors are: Newton’s Laws of Motion, kinetic and potential energy,
gravitational force strength, impulse, elastic and inelastic collisions, and many more.
The fore plate’s native unit of measure is measuring force is Newtons.
Recalibration:
The force plate sensor comes pre-calibrated however after use you may find that the
sensor is slightly off or you may want to run an experiment that requires you to zero
the sensor with a constant applied force to it.
To zero the sensor:
1. Connect the NUL-225 force sensor to a computer/tablet/smart device
following one of the guides below.
2. Open the NeuLog software.
3. When your sensor has been detected click on the force plate sensor icon
(on the left side of your screen)
4. Remove all weight from the sensor and click reset to zero your force sensor.
5. Your force plate sensor is now recalibrated.
Note: You can zero the scale with a constant force being applied to it to set that
value as your new “zero” Arieh – In the future you may want to consider
renaming this function “Tare”
Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
NUL-225 Force Plate Sensor
USB-200 USB Module
A USB to mini USB cable (which comes with the USB-200)
Your force plate sensor needs to be connected to a USB-200 module. The USB-200
module then connects to a computer via a USB to mini-USB cable.
Resident PC software and browser based software can be downloaded for free at
www.NeuLog.com/dowload as well as a full software user guide. Note: Make sure not
to download and install both types of software, they will conflict on the computer.
Procedure:
1. Install the NeuLog software
2. Connect the USB-200 module to the PC or Mac
3. Connect the force plate sensor to the USB-200 module (they directly plug
together). Please note there is no calibration required for this sensor.
4. Open the NeuLog software.
5. Once a force plate sensor logo appears on the left side of the screen the
probe has been automatically identified and you can begin experimentation.
6. If the force plate sensor is not automatically identified then click the “Search
for sensors” icon to find the sensor.
7. Select the “On-line experiment” button; this will open a graph below.
8. Click on the “Module setup” button located on the force plate sensor icon in
the module window to change the sensor settings if need be.
9. Click on the experiment set up button to change the experiment settings if
need be (experiment duration for example).
10. The force plate sensor will give a live reading in the box to the left of the
screen while plugged in.
11. To run an experiment and collect data click “Run experiment”.
12. To end data collection early, click “Stop experiment”.
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NEULOG FORCE PLATE SENSOR GUIDE
Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
NUL-225 Force Plate Sensor
WIFI-201 WIFI module
BAT-200 Battery
Your force plate sensor needs to be connected to a WIFI-201 module. The WIFI-201
module will create a closed NeuLog wifi network which will stream the NeuLog data to
a device of your choosing. Once your device is wirelessly connected to the NeuLog
network you can run experiments and collect data through a browser of your choosing.
Procedure:
1. Connect the force plate sensor directly to the left side of a WIFI-201 module
(no wires required).
2. Connect a BAT-200 module to the right side of the WIFI-201 module.
3. Although not required, we recommend plugging the BAT-200 to an outlet
using a USB to micro USB charger (such as a typical cell phone charger).
The WIFI-201 module will run for 15-75 minutes (depending on the sensor)
without being plugged in.
4. For further WIFI-201 instructions or the WIFI-201 quick start guide please
visit www.NeuLog.com/download.
5. The WIFI-201 indicator lights will flash; take no action until the LED to the
far left turns blue.
6. Take your tablet or smart phone and go to the Wi-Fi settings and select the
NeuLog network which matches the WIFI module ID found on the back of
the WIFI-201 device. (NeuLogXXXX for example)
7. Give your device 1-2 minutes to connect to the WIFI-201 network.
8. Once the device is connected go to your browser and type in the website
wifi201.com into the URL bar, then wait for 30-60 seconds.
9. You will see a “Control mode” icon in the browser, click on this icon.
10. The browser will then load a new screen and begin to auto detect the
sensors, this can take a few minutes.
11. If the browser does not auto detect, select “Search for sensors”
12. Once the sensor is found you will see an icon on the left side of the screen
for the force plate sensor. The icon will display data in real time.
13. To set the force plate sensor’s settings click on “Module setup” button
located on the force plate sensor icon on the left side of your screen.
14. To change the experimental settings click the “Experiment setup” button
(experiment duration for example).
15. To run an experiment and collect data click “Run experiment”.
Operation with NeuLog viewer
Materials needed:
NUL-225 Force Plate Sensor
VIEW-101 Viewing Module
BAT-200 Battery
Procedure:
1. Connect the force plate sensor to the left side of the viewer.
2. Connect the BAT-200 module to the right side of the viewer.
3. The VIEW-101 will auto detect the sensor and you will see it appear on the
left side of the screen.
4. Once the sensor appears it will be monitoring data in real time.
5. To run an experiment and collect data click the run button (little green
person).
Off-line experiments
(Off-line experiments are for when you do not have a sensor connected directly to a
computer, tablet, smartphone, or NeuLog viewer).
Materials needed:
NUL-225 Force Plate Sensor
BAT-200 Battery
Materials needed to configure your offline experiment:
USB-200 USB Module or WIFI-201 WIFI module or VIEW-101 Viewing Module
A USB to mini USB cable (which comes with the USB-200)
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NEULOG FORCE PLATE SENSOR GUIDE
Sensor specifications
Range and operation modes
-800 to +2000 N
ADC resolution
10 bit
Resolution
0.3 N
Max sample rate (S/sec)
100
Procedure:
1. Connect the force plate sensor directly to the left side of a charged BAT-200
module.
2. When ready to collect data press the “Start/Stop” button on the force plate
sensor, a red light will turn on for the duration of the experiment.
3. To change the experiment settings first connect to your chosen device (PC,
Mac, tablet, smart device) and select the “Module setup” button. (For more
information on how to change the experiment settings view quick start
procedure section for your chosen device in this document.)
4. After the experiment has concluded (when the “Start/Stop” button is pressed
again or the data collection period ends) connect the sensor to your chosen
device. (full instructions in each device’s quick start procedure section)
5. Open NeuLog software.
6. Click the “Off-line experiment” button.
7. Click the “Load data from sensors” button.
8. Select which experimental data to upload. (5 experimental runs can be
stored at one time on the NUL-225 force plate sensor)
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the USB-200 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or smart device.
2. Connect the force plate sensor to a USB-200 module (they directly plug
together).
3. Open the NeuLog software.
4. Click the “Tools” icon.
5. Click “Restore sensor’s factory defaults” icon.
6. If prompted to clear the graph, click either the “Off-line experiment” or “On-
line experiment” (whichever you are using).
7. Click “Clear experiment results”.
8. Resume from step 4.
Included with sensor:
NeuLog NUL-225 force plate sensor guide (this document).
Force plate attached to the sensor by a durable rubber-coated wire.
Sensor features:
Fully digital data.
Rugged plastic ergonomic case.
Push button switch for Start/Stop experiments in off line mode.
LED indicator of experiment status (blinks while collecting data).
Pre-calibrated sensing equipment.
Strong metal force plate attached to the sensor by a durable rubber-coated
wire.
The force plate takes measurements in two directions for both pushing and
pulling experiments.
Note: NeuLog products are intended for educational use.
Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be found at www.NeuLog.com
http://www.NeuLog.com/Products/forceplateloggerSensor.aspx
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NEULOG FORCE PLATE SENSOR GUIDE
Technical background:
The philosophy behind NeuLog’s plug and play technology is based on each sensor’s
ability to store its own data due to an internal flash memory chip and micro-controller
in each plastic NeuLog body. This technology allows the sensor to collect and then
store the digital data in the correct scientific units (oC, oF, Lux, %, ppm, for example).
The sensor is pre-calibrated at the factory. The built-in software in the logger can be
upgraded for free at any time using the provided firmware update.
When a weight is applied to the force plate, because it doesn’t move, you can assume
the normal force pushing up from the ground is equal to the force which is being
applied to it. This is the basis for how the force plate sensor accurately and quickly
measures applied forces. Several strain gauges inside of the force plate’s body take
readings and are compared to one another to give a total force measurement.
Maintenance and storage:
Never submerge the NeuLog plastic body in any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into either the sensor’s or the force plate’s body.
After use, gently wipe away any foreign material from the force plate and
sensor.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
Avoid storing the force plate with direct weight on it.
Warranty:
We promise to deliver our sensor free of defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of 3 years from the date of purchase. Our warranty does not cover damage of
the product caused by improper use, abuse, or incorrect storage. Sensors with a shelf
life such as ion selective proves have a warranty of 1 year. Should you need to act
upon the warranty please contact your distributor. Your sensor will be repaired or
replaced.
Thank you for using NeuLog!
Flexible, simple, fast, forward thinking.
W: www.neulog.com
E: info@neulog.com
A: 850 St Paul Street, Suite 15, Rochester, NY 14605
P: 1.866.553.8536
V04302013
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