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Timer plus
User Guide
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 3
2 CONNECTIONS ........................................................................................ 3
2.1 SENSORS...........................................................................................................3
2.2 POWER CONNECTION .........................................................................................3
2.3 CONNECTION TO A COMPUTER ............................................................................ 3
3 THE TIMER LAYOUT................................................................................ 4
4 QUICK START .......................................................................................... 5
5 LCD DISPLAY AND ICONS ......................................................................6
6 MEASUREMENTS .................................................................................... 7
6.1 WORKING WITH THE PHOTOGATE........................................................................ 7
6.2 TIME ................................................................................................................7
6.2.1 One gate..................................................................................................7
6.2.2 Two gates................................................................................................7
6.3 VELOCITY...........................................................................................................8
6.3.1 One gate..................................................................................................8
6.3.2 Two gates................................................................................................8
6.3.3 Smart pulley ............................................................................................8
6.4 ACCELERATION ..................................................................................................8
6.4.1 Two gates................................................................................................8
6.5 DISTANCE ..........................................................................................................9
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6.5.1 Distance sensor ......................................................................................9
6.5.2 Smart pulley ............................................................................................9
7 FRONT PANEL BUTTONS ..................................................................... 10
7.1 SENSOR BUTTONS ............................................................................................10
7.2 MEASUREMENT BUTTON...................................................................................10
7.3 RANGE BUTTON ...............................................................................................11
7.4 OPERATING BUTTONS ......................................................................................11
8 SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................... 12
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1 Introduction
The Fourier microprocessor based Timer plus is a versatile stand-alone timer
that will meet all of your needs for time and motion measurements in
kinematics: time, velocity, acceleration and position.
The timer is very easy to use. When you plug in a sensor, the timer
automatically recognizes it. Press one button to select the measurement you
want and you are ready to start recording.
The Timer has large 6 digits display. The display include information about the
active sensor, the type of measurement and units
You can use four different sensors: one photogate, two photogates, smart
Pulley and distance sensor
2 Connections
2.1 Sensors
The sensor inputs are located at the upper side of the Timer. In the same
order they appear in the sensor buttons on the front panel.
2.2 Power connection
The Timer is powered by an AC adaptor. Connect the adaptor to the power
input on the left side of the Timer.
2.3 Connection to a computer
The Timer is also equipped with a PC communication socket for future use.
The 9-pin D type female socket is located on the left side of the Timer.
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3 The Timer layout
Sensor inputs
1
s
t
Photo gate
2
n
d
Photo gate
Smart
Pulle
y
Distance
PC connection
Socket
Power input
(
Use AC adaptor)
LCD
Display
Sensors
Buttons
Measurement
Button
Precision Button
Start / Stop
Button
On / Off
Button
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4 Quick start
Make sure that the Timer is connected to the power (use the AC adaptor,
connect it to the power input on the left side of the Timer), and follow the next
five easy steps:
While in recording mode, the sensor icon on the display will blink or become
animated. Press the Start / Stop button to stop recording. The animation stops
and the display show the last recording.
Note: When you plug in a sensor, the timer automatically recognizes it. But if
you plug more than one sensor you will have to press the sensor’s button.
1. Turn the
Timer on
2. Plug in the
sensor
4. Select
Precision
5. Start
recording
1
s
t
Photo gate
2
n
d
Photo gate
Smart
Pulle
y
Distance
3. Select
measurement
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5 LCD display and icons
The Timer has large 6 digits display. Above the data display there is an icon
bar that indicates the active sensor. The units (and the measurement type)
are shown in the right side of the display.
One Photogate Two Photogates
Smart Pulley Distance sensor
When the Timer is recording the sensor icon will blink or become animated.
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6 Measurements
6.1 Working with the Photogate
For best results the object that blocks the gate should be matte black.
The object should pass through the gate as near as possible to the IR
receiver, which is located on the arm that is connected to the mounting rod
(the fixed arm in the adjustable Photogate).
6.2 Time
6.2.1 One gate
Measures the time interval between entering and exiting the 1st (A) photogate.
6.2.2 Two gates
Measures the time interval between entering the 1st (A) photogate and
entering the 2nd (B) photogate.
From: To:
From: To:
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6.3 Velocity
6.3.1 One gate
Measures the velocity between entering and exiting the 1st (A) photogate. The
calculation is done assuming that the moving object width is 3cm. Use the
3cm motion card for all velocity and acceleration measurements.
6.3.2 Two gates
Measures the velocity in both photogates and Timer displays the velocities
alternately. Use this mode for collision experiments with one or two carts. The
calculation is done assuming that the moving object width is 3cm. Use the
3cm motion card.
6.3.3 Smart pulley
Measures velocity of a string tangent to the pulley.
The pulley has 10 slits, and the attached photogate monitors the pulley
rotations.
6.4 Acceleration
6.4.1 Two gates
Measures the average acceleration of an object between two photogates.
From: To:
3
c
m
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The timer measures the time the object blocks the 1st (A) pulley – ∆t1, the time
between entering the 1
st
photogate and entering the 2nd photogate – ∆t, the
time the object blocks the 2nd (B) pulley – ∆t2 and then calculates the
acceleration:
t
t
x
t
x
a
∆
∆
∆
−
∆
∆
=
12
Where cmx 3=∆ is the motion card width.
The calculation is done assuming that the moving object width is 3cm. Use the
3cm motion card.
6.5 Distance
6.5.1 Distance sensor
The distance sensor is ultrasonic radar. It sends ultrasonic pulses to the
moving body and measures the time it takes the reflecting waves to return to
the sensor. Knowing the sound velocity, 340m/s, it then calculates the
distance.
Note: the sensor – body distance should be more than 40cm.
6.5.2 Smart pulley
Measures the position of a string tangent to the pulley.
The photogate head attached to the pulley counts the number of slits that
passes through it and the timer calculates the distance the string traveled.
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7 Front panel buttons
7.1 Sensor buttons
A
Measures time or velocity with one Photogate
A
→ B
Measures time or acceleration between two
Photogates.
Measures velocities in each of the photogates and
displays it alternately.
Pulley
Smart Pulley. Measures velocity or distance of a
string tangent to the pulley
Distance
Sonic ranger, measures distance to a moving object
7.2 Measurement Button
Select the quantity you want to measure:
m
Distance
m/s
Velocity
m/s
2
Acceleration
s
Time
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7.3 Range Button
Precision
Select precision from 1 digit after the decimal point
to four digits after the decimal point.
7.4 Operating Buttons
On/Off
Turning the Timer On and Off
Start/Stop
Start or stop recording
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8 Specifications
Time Range 0 to 99.9999 seconds
Velocity Range 0 to 100m/s
Acceleration Range 0 to 100m/s2
Resolution
Timer Display: 100µs
PC Software (Optional): 2µs
Accuracy
Timer Display: 100 µS
PC Software (Optional): 2µs
Photogate
Detector rise time: 180ns
Detector fall time: 180ns
Infrared source: Peak at 800 nm
Standby Current consumption: 25mA
Adjustable Photogate
Width: adjustable from 2cm to 9cm
Recommended width: from 3cm to 8cm
Standby Current consumption: 55mA
Distance sensor
Range: 0 to 10m
Resolution: ±1.4mm
Smart Pulley
Velocity range: 0 to 50m/s
Distance range: 0 to 99m
Distance accuracy: ±0.0151m
Memory Up to 50 samples
Communication PC-Serial port connection (RS-232)
Power Supply External mains power supply 12V, 300mA
Display 6 digit LCD display
Software (Optional) Sensing Science Timing software
Windows® 3.x and Windows® 95/98/NT compatible.
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