Check-line DX2/DXX, FX2, FX, RX/BX, RX2/BX2 Operating Instructions Manual

CHECK•LINE

®

BY ELECTROMATIC

DX2/DXX

Operating Instructions

Also applies to Special Purpose Models: FX, FX2,
RX/BX, RX2/BX2, DXFT, DX2FT, TX, TX2, KXB

Distributed by: ABQ Industrial LP USA

Tel: [phone] eFax: [phone]

Web: https://www.abqindustrial.net E-mail: [e-mail]

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CONTENTS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page

1.0 Overview & Operating Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2.0 Operating Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3.0 Thickness Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4.0 Quick Start Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

5.0 Calibration Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5.1 Calibration with “Standard” Filaments

5.2 Special Calibration

5.3 NIST Calibration

5.4 Calibration Verification Schedule

6.0 Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

6.1 High-Speed Guide Rollers

6.2 Lever Assembly

6.3 Air Dashpot Damping

6.4 Memory Pointer

7.0 Model Data & Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Appendix – DX2 Special-Purpose Models . . . . . . . 13

7.0 DX2 MODEL DATA & SPECIFICATIONS*

Accuracy** ± 1% of full scale or

± 1 graduation mark
on scale

Diameter of Scale 41 mm

Maximum Speed

(standard) 2000 m/ min
(optional) 3500 m/ min
(optional) 5000 m/ min

Outer roller distance, c:c

DX2-5 to DX2-EX 38 mm
DX2-200 to DX2-1K 100 mm
DX2-2K 150 or 200 mm
DXX-3K to DXX-5K 250 mm

Roller material

(standard) Hard-coated aluminum
(optional) Hardened steel (ST)

Chromed steel (W)
Ceramic (CE)

Plastic (PL)

Temperature limits 45–115 °F (8– 45 °C)

Humidity, maximum 85%

Housing material Die-cast aluminum

Dimensions 8.6 x 3.5 x 1.7 in.

(225 x 90 x 44 mm)

Weight

(up to DX2-1K) 1.1 lbs, (500 g) approx.

Weight

(DX2-2K) 2.0 lbs, (900 g) approx.

* Except for minor differences in physical dimensions, above specifications also

apply to DXX instruments.

** Using factory standard materials and procedures. Special calibration using

customer sample is available.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

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1.0 OVERVIEW & OPERATING PRINCIPLE

DX2 and DXX Tension Meters are hand-held, mechani­cal instruments which accurately measure the running
as well as static tensions of a wide variety of process
materials including yarns, fibers, wires, optical fibers,
tapes, etc. They employ the 3-roller principle for ten­sion measurement where the outer two reference guide
rollers remain fixed during measurement to establish a
wrap angle over the middle sensing roller. The middle
roller, acting against an internal calibrating spring, is
displaced relative to the running line tension. This
displacement is converted to a rotary motion to turn a
pointer on a scale to give a reading in grams tension.

NOTES: 1) While illustrations show the Type DX2

Tension Meter, all references also
apply to the Type DXX and Special­Purpose Tension Meters as well.

2) DX2 Special Purpose Types, including
FX2, TX2, DX2F, RX2/BX2 and KXB,
are shown in the Appendix at the end
of these instructions. They all use the
3-roller principle for tension measure­ment except that head configurations
and roller assemblies are different,
having been designed for special
applications, as noted in the
Appendix.

6.3 Air Dashpot Damping

DX2 and DXX Tension Meters incorporate a moderate
amount of movement damping to smooth out some
high frequency tension fluctuation. However, where
process fluctuations result in rapid pointer swings
which make it difficult or near impossible to read the
scale, an optionally-available Air Dashpot Damping
mechanism can be provided to slow down the pointer
swings to permit a reading.
In setting up the mechanism,
it is best to set the damping
rate just to the point where
a readable pointer results
with minimal pointer swings.
The amount of damping is
set by turning the small
slotted screw or hex-head screw of the damping
assembly located near the guide-roller mounting
bracket. The Air Dashpot must be installed at time
of original manufacture. It cannot be added later.

CAUTION: Do not set damping rate too high as
this will damage the movement.

6.4 Memory Pointer

The optional Memory Pointer
assembly retains the highest reading
obtained during a measuring period.
Before using the instrument, rotate
the knurled pointer knob clockwise
until the “memory” pointer tab
contacts the measuring pointer at
zero. During operation and after
instrument removal, the trailing
“memory” pointer will hold the maximum reading until
reset with the pointer knob.

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2.0 OPERATING ELEMENTS6.0 OPTIONS

6.1 High-Speed Guide Rollers

DX2 and DXX guide roller assemblies are rated 2000
meters/min., maximum. The following high-speed
roller assemblies are optionally available:

“K” Roller Assembly : 3,000 meters/min., maximum
“U” or “DHS” Assembly : 5,000 meters/min., maximum

All high speed roller assemblies must be initially
installed by the factory or an authorized service
facility.

6.2 Lever Assembly

On high-range instruments, the return spring force
must be strong enough to bring the outer rollers back
to their original position during measurement. The
average person will find it difficult to operate the
mechanism just with thumb pressure on the Thumb

Piece alone. (This is especially true with models rated
20 kg and higher.) Adding the Lever Assembly shown
here will greatly reduce the effort required to open and
close the 3-roller system. The Lever Assembly must
be installed by the factory or an authorized service
facility.

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3.0 THICKNESS COMPENSATION

The 3-roller system for
tension measurement relies
on the displacement of the
middle roller to give an
indication of line tension.
As the material diameter
or thickness changes, there
will be a change in tension
reading, even though line
tension has not changed. To
offset this effect, high-range
instruments (1000 grams and higher) are usually fur­nished with a Thickness Compensator, as shown here.
To determine whether the Compensator needs to be
used for a specific application, take readings with and
without the process sample in the Compensator using
a hanging weight approximately equal to the process
operating tension.

To set up the Thickness Compensator, proceed as
follows:

1. With the Thumb Piece pushed forward and held,
pass a sample of the process material through the
opening at the instrument end, as pictured here,
making sure it lies between the two visible
disc-like anvil surfaces.

2. Allow the Thumb Piece to SLOWLY return to its
original position.

CAUTION: Do not let the Thumb Piece snap

back as this may affect calibration and also
damage the instrument.

3. Secure the process sample ends under the spring
clip provided or with some tape. The instrument
is now ready to use

5.4 Calibration Verification Schedule

Frequency of calibration accuracy verification depends
on many factors. These include frequency and extent
of tension overloads, operating speeds, length of oper­ating times, environment, care in handling, etc. Such
determination is best made by the user’s Quality
Assurance Department based on the user's experience.
However, a quick calibration check near the anticipat­ed process tension levels should be done to confirm the
integrity of the instrument, as follows:

1. At the beginning of each work session

2. Every time a unit is dropped

3. Whenever process readings seem to be out of
tolerance for no apparent reason

The quick check can be made with a simple load stand,
as shown in 5.0, above, using a sample of the process
material and weights that are close to the tensions
encountered in the process. Be sure to move the
tension meter up and down slowly to simulate the
motion of the running process material. This will check
the condition of the guide roller ball bearings and
remove any inertia effect of the movement. Readings
that change with this motion reversal may indicate the
possibility of a guide roller ball bearing problem.

In the case of wire, which might be slightly deformed
by the action of the 3- roller system during static
measurement, always move to a fresh portion of the
wire each time a measurement is made. (In production,
the instrument always “sees” a fresh portion.)

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4.0 QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE: If tension meter is equipped with a Thickness
Compensator, first set up Compensator as indicated in

3.0, above.

1. Prior to engaging the material under test, part the
3-roller system by pushing and holding the Thumb
Piece forward.

2. Keeping the outer rollers extended, bring the
instrument behind or under the filament and move
it so that the Filament Guide bars contact the
process material.

3. Slowly release pressure on the Thumb Piece until
the outer rollers return to their original position.
This will automatically direct the material into the
guide roller grooves.

4. The scale pointer will show line tension directly in
grams or kilograms.

5. To remove the instrument from the process
material, push the Thumb Piece forward again to
open the 3-roller system. With the outer rollers
extended, move the instrument away from the
material.

6. Remove the instrument and SLOWLY release
pressure on the Thumb Piece, allowing the outer
rollers to return to their original position.

CAUTION: Do not let the Thumb Piece snap
back as this may affect calibration and also
damage the instrument.

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5.2 Special Calibration

Special Calibration is optionally available for a specific
material type and size so long as the material fits the
mechanical limits and range of the instrument. The
customer must supply a 10-ft sample (3 meters) of the
material. Such calibration can be performed with or
without using the Thickness Compensator if one has
been provided with the instrument. If not specified,
the calibration facility will use its best judgment.

Note: Special calibration is available for a single
sample only.

5.3 NIST Calibration

While all DX2 and DXX instruments are furnished
with a Calibration Certificate which certifies that they
have been calibrated in accordance with factory proce­dures and were found to meet all published accuracy
specifications, such calibrations do not fulfill ISO-9000
requirements since no record of measured values are
kept or are submitted. Where ISO-9000 requirements
are to be met, NIST calibration is optionally available
but must be specified at time of order placement or
after repair.

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5.0 CALIBRATION NOTES

The calibration process
involves hanging laboratory
weights from a fixed point,
engaging the vertical line
material which holds the
weights with the tension
meter 3-roller system, mark­ing a blank dial face where
the scale pointer comes to
rest for each weight used, dividing the spaces between
load “reading” marks and finish marking and number­ing to show calibration marks and “readings” on the
dial face.

The procedure requires specialized skills and the
following material:

1. A load stand to simulate the setup shown here.

2. A set of precision laboratory weights to cover the
tension range of the instrument.

3. Factory “standard” nylon monofilaments as shown
in the Table on page 7.

4. A Calibration Kit which includes an Alignment
Plate and two (2) special metric wrenches.

A full, detailed calibration procedure is available upon

request.

5.1 Calibration with Factory Standard Filaments

All DX2 and DXX Tension Meters are calibrated with
laboratory weights suspended from factory Standard
nylon monofilament sizes, as noted in the table below.
Any difference in process material size and rigidity
from the Standard materials may result in some error.
For over 95% of applications, the error is not signifi­cant and can be ignored since readings are generally
treated as production setup values or are used for
comparative purposes. In those cases where highest
accuracy is required, a correction chart showing
Readings vs. Actual Load should be made up by the
user or “Special” calibration should be specified when
an order is placed.

Standard Calibration Monofilament Sizes

Mono-

Range filament

Model Model (Grams) Diam. (mm)

DX2-5 DXX-5 5-50 1000 denier

or 0.15 max.
DX2-12 DXX-12 10-120 0.20
DX2-20 DXX-20 10-200 0.20
DX2-40 DXX-40 10-400 0.25
DX2-SP DXX-SP 20-1000 0.30
DX2-EX DXX-EX 100-1000 0.30
DX2-200 DXX-200 200-2000 0.50
DX2-500 DXX-500 400-5000 0.80
DX2-1K DXX-1K 2-10 kg 1.00
DX2-2K DXX-2K 5-20 kg 1.20

APPENDIX — DX2 SPECIAL-PURPOSE MODELS

Essentially, all DX2 Special
Purpose models operate in
a manner similar to the
standard Type DX2. In
addition, however, they
offer special rollers and
head configurations for
specific applications.

Warp — KXB

Limited Access — DX2F

Tapes — TX2

Webs & Tapes – RX2/BX2

Optic Fibers — FX2

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