KERN & SOHN FL 1KG User Manual

Sauter GmbH

Ziegelei 1
D-72336 Balingen
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Instruction Manual

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Before Use

3. Operation Overview

4. Powering the FL

5. Battery Indicator

6. Fitting Accessories

7. Mounting to a Test Stand

8. Powering up

9. Basic Functions

10. Main Menus
AUTO-OFF
PASS-FAIL
MEMORY
CALIBRATION
DIAGNOSTIC
ABOUT

11. Measurement Practice

12. FL Specifications

13. Conversion Factor

14. Declaration of Conformity

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the SAUTER FL series instrument.
With correct use and regular re-calibration it will give many
years of accurate and reliable service.
The FL can measure tensile and compressive forces
accurately, being simply used by the operator. It may be
used handheld or mounted on a fixture or test stand.
SAUTER offers software and accessories to make the
force gauge even more versatile. Ask your SAUTER
distributor for additional information or visit our website at
www.kern-sohn.com

2. Before Use

After having received the unit please check that no
physical damage has occurred to the packaging material,
plastic case or the instrument itself. If any damage is
evident, please notify SAUTER immediately.

FL

Tel: +49-[0]7433- 9933-199
Fax: +49-[0]7433-9933-149
Internet: www.sauter.eu

3. Operation Overview

The most common used features (such as displaying
force, peak hold, zero and changing of displayed units) can
all be done by pressing a single dedicated key identified on
the front panel-see the Basic Functions section.

You can press a menu key to access the gauge
configuration- see the Main Menu section.

4. Powering the FL

The FL is supplied with a set of 4 Nickel Metal Hydride AA
rechargeable batteries. For safety reasons during
transportation the batteries are shipped discharged. To
obtain maximum battery life we recommend that you
charge them with the charger/adaptor supplied for at least
14-16 hours when you first receive the instrument.

5. Battery Indicator

If battery level is less than 3.9 V, The “battery empty”
message will be displayed and the gauge will power down
automatically.
Important: Only use the adaptor/charger supplied

6. Fitting Accessories

Couple fittings directly to the load cell stem or use an
extension rod. The threads are 5mm and have capacities
up to 2500 N.
Ensure that the fixing does nor contact the force gauge
case. Ensure that anything coupled to the gauge is
screwed finger-tight only. Excessive torque can damage
the load cell and is not covered by warranty.

7. Mounting to a Fixture or Test Stand

The two 10-32 threaded holes, or fours 3mm thread holes
on the rear of the gauge can be used for mounting the
gauge. A versatile stand mounting plate is available to
couple the force gauge to many brands of test stands.

8. Powering up

As shown in Figure 1 the control panel has eight keys.

FL-BA-e-1210 1

Sauter GmbH

Ziegelei 1
D-72336 Balingen
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Instruction Manual

Figure 1

As shown in Figure 1 the control panel has eight keys.

To power up the gauge, the ON/OFF key has to be
pressed. A short self-test runs during which the display will
show the capacity in Newton.
After the self test, providing no load has been applied to
the instrument, the display will show all zeroes. This is
because the gauge re-zeroes itself during the self-test
routine.
*If a force is applied via the load cell sensor (hole at the

bottom of the FL), the reading on display will register the
applied force.
*Forces may not show zero if it is moved during the self
test routine. Once it is properly mounted and zeroed the
reading will be stable.

*Do not overload the load sensor. This will cause
irreparable damage. Forces greater than 120% of full-scale
will produce an audible beep and OL symbol will blink on
the display until load is release and RESET key is pressed.
To power down the gauge press the ON/OFF key.

*All the current settings are saved when the gauge is
turned off and the gauge will function in the same mode
when powered up again.

9. Basic Functions

Tensile forces are displayed on the FL and recognized by
the symbol. Compressive forces are displayed on the FL
and recognized by the symbol.

Display of Tension/Compression

FL

Tel: +49-[0]7433- 9933-199
Fax: +49-[0]7433-9933-149
Internet: www.sauter.eu

For tensile force the indicator bar is moving from right to
left. For compressive forces the indicator bar is moving
from left to right.

Zeroing the gauge

During the operation of the gauge it is often necessary to
zero the display – e.g. when you wish to tare out the
weight of a grip, so it does not become part of the
measured reading. Press and release the ZERO key.

Changing the unit of measurement

You can choose the following units of measurement
depending on the capacity of your gauge:
milliNewtons, kiloNewtons, Newtons, gram-force, kilogram­force, ounceforce or pound-force.
To change the display units, press the UNIT key. Each
successive key pressed will select the next available units
until the gauge returns to its original setting. The FL
automatically converts readings as a new unit of
measurement is selected.

*Note: All units may not be displayed depending on the
capacity of the gauge.

Changing the mode of measurement

You can choose the following modes of measurement:
Track, Peak-Tension, and Peak-Compression, to change
the display mode press MODE key. Each successive key
pressed will select the next available modes until the
gauge returns to its original setting.

Track mode

Press MODE key until the appeared on the display. The
display will now indicate forces applied in both directions
as they are applied to the load sensor and maintain the live
display. See Figure 3a

Peak-Tension mode

Press MODE key until the
display. The display will show the maximum tensile force.
See Figure 3b

appears on the

A load indicator bar alerts the operator to how much load
has been applied to the load sensor.

FL-BA-e-1210 2