MTS 311 User Manual

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MTS Series 311 Load Frame

Product Information

Model 311.11

Model 311.21

Model 311.31

Model 311.41

Model 311.51

Model 311.61

Model 311.71

011-183-705 D

Publication information

MTS is a registered trademark of MTS Systems Corporation within the United States. This trademark may be protected in other countries.

All other trademarks or service marks are property of their respective owners.

MANUAL PART NUMBER	PUBLICATION DATE

111837-05A	June 1985

011-183-705 B	April 2001

011-183-705 C	April 2009

011-183-705 D	November 2010

Contents

Technical Support 5

Preface 9

Conventions 10

Introduction 13

Component Identification 15

Functional Description 17

Specifications 19

Safety 21

Installation	33

Unpacking the Load Frame			34
Connecting Cables 38
Connecting Hydraulics		39
Removing the Shipping Collars 40
Operation 41

Lift and Lock Controls		42
Crush Point Hazards		43
Installing a Specimen		44
Maintenance	47

Routine Maintenance Overview Checklist 48
Maintenance Intervals		51
Making Daily Inspections			52
Cleaning the Columns		53
Preventing Rust	54

Checking the Accumulators’ Precharge				55
Bleeding the Hydraulic Lift Cylinders				56
Adjusting the Hydraulic Locks			59
Aligning the Force Transducer			61
Servohydraulic Load Frame Maintenance and Service Logs 67

8 Hours/Daily 68
40 Hours/Weekly		69
80 Hours/Biweekly		70
500	Hours: Crosshead and Frame 71
500	Hours: Actuator 72
500 Hours: HSM		73
500	Hours: Hoses and Cables		74
500	Hours: Overall Complete System			75
500	Hours: Grips	76

1000	Hours 77
2000	Hours: Annual Maintenance 78

Addendum 79

Technical Support

How to Get Technical Support

Start with your manuals

Technical support methods

MTS web site

www.mts.com

E-mail

Telephone

The manuals supplied by MTS provide most of the information you need to use and maintain your equipment. If your equipment includes MTS software, look for online help and README files that contain additional product information.

If you cannot find answers to your technical questions from these sources, you can use the internet, e-mail, telephone, or fax to contact MTS for assistance.

MTS provides a full range of support services after your system is installed. If you have any questions about a system or product, contact MTS in one of the following ways.

The MTS web site gives you access to our technical support staff by means of a Technical Support link:

www.mts.com > Contact MTS > Service & Technical Support

techsupport@mts.com

MTS Call Center 800-328-2255

Weekdays 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Central Time

Fax 952-937-4515

Please include “Technical Support” in the subject line.

Technical support outside the U.S.

For technical support outside the United States, contact your local sales and service office. For a list of worldwide sales and service locations and contact information, use the Global MTS link at the MTS web site:

www.mts.com > Global MTS > (choose your region in the right-hand column) > (choose the location closest to you)

Before You Contact MTS

Know your site number and system number

MTS can help you more efficiently if you have the following information available when you contact us for support.

The site number contains your company number and identifies your equipment type (material testing, simulation, and so forth). The number is usually written on a label on your MTS equipment before the system leaves MTS. If you do not have or do not know your MTS site number, contact your MTS sales engineer.

Example site number: 571167

When you have more than one MTS system, the system job number identifies which system you are calling about. You can find your job number in the papers sent to you when you ordered your system.

Example system number: US1.42460

Series 311 Load Frame

Technical Support

Know information from prior technical assistance

Identify the problem

Know relevant computer information

Know relevant software information

If you have contacted MTS about this problem before, we can recall your file. You will need to tell us the:

•MTS notification number

•Name of the person who helped you

Describe the problem you are experiencing and know the answers to the following questions:

•How long and how often has the problem been occurring?

•Can you reproduce the problem?

•Were any hardware or software changes made to the system before the problem started?

•What are the model numbers of the suspect equipment?

•What model controller are you using (if applicable)?

•What test configuration are you using?

If you are experiencing a computer problem, have the following information available:

•Manufacturer’s name and model number

•Operating software type and service patch information

•Amount of system memory

•Amount of free space on the hard drive in which the application resides

•Current status of hard-drive fragmentation

•Connection status to a corporate network

For software application problems, have the following information available:

•The software application’s name, version number, build number, and if available, software patch number. This information is displayed briefly when you launch the application, and can typically be found in the “About” selection in the “Help” menu.

•It is also helpful if the names of other non-MTS applications that are running on your computer, such as anti-virus software, screen savers, keyboard enhancers, print spoolers, and so forth are known and available.

Technical Support

Series 311 Load Frame

If You Contact MTS by Phone

Identify system type

Be prepared to troubleshoot

Write down relevant information

After you call

Your call will be registered by a Call Center agent if you are calling within the United States or Canada. Before connecting you with a technical support specialist, the agent will ask you for your site number, name, company, company address, and the phone number where you can normally be reached.

If you are calling about an issue that has already been assigned a notification number, please provide that number. You will be assigned a unique notification number about any new issue.

To assist the Call Center agent with connecting you to the most qualified technical support specialist available, identify your system as one of the following types:

•Electromechanical materials test system

•Hydromechanical materials test system

•Vehicle test system

•Vehicle component test system

•Aero test system

Prepare yourself for troubleshooting while on the phone:

•Call from a telephone when you are close to the system so that you can try implementing suggestions made over the phone.

•Have the original operating and application software media available.

•If you are not familiar with all aspects of the equipment operation, have an experienced user nearby to assist you.

Prepare yourself in case we need to call you back:

•Remember to ask for the notification number.

•Record the name of the person who helped you.

•Write down any specific instructions to be followed, such as data recording or performance monitoring.

MTS logs and tracks all calls to ensure that you receive assistance and that action is taken regarding your problem or request. If you have questions about the status of your problem or have additional information to report, please contact MTS again and provide your original notification number.

Series 311 Load Frame

Technical Support

Problem Submittal Form in MTS Manuals

Use the Problem Submittal Form to communicate problems you are experiencing with your MTS software, hardware, manuals, or service which have not been resolved to your satisfaction through the technical support process. This form includes check boxes that allow you to indicate the urgency of your problem and your expectation of an acceptable response time. We guarantee a timely response—your feedback is important to us.

The Problem Submittal Form can be accessed:

•In the back of many MTS manuals (postage paid form to be mailed to MTS)

•www.mts.com > Contact Us > Problem Submittal Form (electronic form to be e-mailed to MTS)

Technical Support

Series 311 Load Frame

Preface

Before You Begin

Safety first!

Other MTS manuals

Before you attempt to use your MTS product or system, read and understand the Safety manual and any other safety information provided with your system. Improper installation, operation, or maintenance of MTS equipment in your test facility can result in hazardous conditions that can cause severe personal injury or death and damage to your equipment and specimen. Again, read and understand the safety information provided with your system before you continue. It is very important that you remain aware of hazards that apply to your system.

In addition to this manual, you may receive additional MTS manuals in paper or electronic form.

If you have purchased a test system, it may include an MTS System Documentation CD. This CD contains an electronic copy of the MTS manuals that pertain to your test system, including hydraulic and mechanical component manuals, assembly drawings and parts lists, and operation and preventive maintenance manuals. Controller and application software manuals are typically included on the software CD distribution disc(s).

Series 311 Load Frame

Preface

Conventions

Documentation Conventions

Hazard conventions

Notes

Special terms

Illustrations

Electronic manual conventions

The following paragraphs describe some of the conventions that are used in your MTS manuals.

As necessary, hazard notices may be embedded in this manual. These notices contain safety information that is specific to the task to be performed. Hazard notices immediately precede the step or procedure that may lead to an associated hazard. Read all hazard notices carefully and follow the directions that are given. Three different levels of hazard notices may appear in your manuals. Following are examples of all three levels.

Note For general safety information, see the safety information provided with your system.

DANGER

Danger notices indicate the presence of a hazard with a high level of risk which, if ignored, will result in death, severe personal injury, or substantial property damage.

WARNING

Warning notices indicate the presence of a hazard with a medium level of risk which, if ignored, can result in death, severe personal injury, or substantial property damage.

CAUTION

Caution notices indicate the presence of a hazard with a low level of risk which, if ignored, could cause moderate or minor personal injury, equipment damage, or endanger test integrity.

Notes provide additional information about operating your system or highlight easily overlooked items. For example:

Note Resources that are put back on the hardware lists show up at the end of the list.

The first occurrence of special terms is shown in italics.

Illustrations appear in this manual to clarify text. It is important for you to be aware that these illustrations are examples only and do not necessarily represent your actual system configuration, test application, or software.

This manual is available as an electronic document in the Portable Document File (PDF) format. It can be viewed on any computer that has Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.

Preface

Series 311 Load Frame

Conventions

Hypertext links The electronic document has many hypertext links displayed in a blue font. All blue words in the body text, along with all contents entries and index page numbers, are hypertext links. When you click a hypertext link, the application jumps to the corresponding topic.

Series 311 Load Frame

Preface

Conventions

Preface

Series 311 Load Frame

Introduction

The Series 311 Load Frames are designed to perform high-velocity tension or

compression testing, high-frequency fatigue testing, as well as other tests. The

load frame must be configured with optional actuators, servovalves, force

transducers, grips, and other components from MTS Systems Corporation.

Contents

Component Identification 15

Functional Description 17

Specifications 19

Base Mounted Actuator

Crosshead Mounted Actuator

Custom T-Slot Baseplate

Model 311.31 Load Frame

Series 311 Load Frame

Introduction

What you need to know

Component Identification

	Lifting Rings
	Crosshead
	Crosshead
	Locks
	Force
	Transducer
	Crosshead
	Lifts
	Actuator
	Control
	Panel
	Servovalve
	Manifold
	Accumulator
	LVDT
	Isolation
	Pads
Series 311 Load Frame	Introduction	15

Component Identification

	Component Descriptions
Item	Description

Lifting rings	Allows the load frame to be moved by lifting the entire load frame.

Crosshead	Moves up and down the columns to accommodate different sized specimens
	and fixtures. The crosshead is stiff and light weight; it is one end of the force
	train.

Crosshead locks	Clamps the crosshead to the columns. The crosshead locks are hydraulically
	powered.

Force transducer	Measures the axial forces applied to specimen.

Crosshead lifts	Raises and lowers the crosshead hydraulically to accommodate different
	specimen sizes. The lifts are small hydraulic actuators.

Actuator	Applies axial forces to specimens. The actuator is a hydraulically powered
	device that provides linear displacement of (or forces into) a specimen. Grips
	and fixtures can be mounted to the actuator.

Control panel	The Emergency Stop button is standard; the other controls are optional. See
	“Lift and Lock Controls” on page 42 for more information.
Crosshead lift	Controls the crosshead lifts to raise and lower the crosshead hydraulically.
control	Clamps and unclamps the crosshead to lock it in place or to unlock it so the

Crosshead locks	crosshead can be repositioned.
	Removes hydraulic pressure from the load frame and issues an interlock signal
Emergency Stop	to the controller to stop the test program.

Servovalve	Controls both the flow rate and the direction of fluid entering the actuators. It
	determines how fast the actuator extends or retracts.

Manifold	Serves as the junction point between the hydraulic power unit (HPU),
	accumulators, servovalve, and actuator. The actuator manifold controls the
	hydraulic circuit that connects the hydraulic components.

Accumulators	Stores hydraulic fluid under pressure to increase the actuator’s response time.
	Accumulators also minimize line pressure fluctuations. One accumulator
	connects to the pressure line; the other to the return line.

LVDT	Measures the displacement of the actuator’s travel. The linear variable
	displacement transducer (LVDT) is located inside the actuator.

Isolation pads	Dampens the natural frequency to about 20 Hz. Optional air inflated isolators
	dampen the frequency to about 2 Hz.

Introduction

Series 311 Load Frame

Functional Description

Load frame

Crosshead lifts and locks

Actuators

Servovalves

Hydraulic manifold

The load frame is a stand alone testing structure. The following components are used with the load frame:

•Crosshead lifts and locks

•Actuator

•Servovalves

•Hydraulic manifold

•Transducers

–Force

–Displacement

The load frame is the basic structure which provides the reaction mass for the force train. The base of the load frame is one end of the reaction mass and the crosshead is the other end of the reaction mass. Installing a specimen and other fixtures or components between the load frame base and the crosshead create a force train.

The crosshead is mounted above the base by four columns. A control panel lets you operate the crosshead lifts, locks, and grips to assist in specimen installation procedures.

The crosshead can be positioned anywhere along the load frame columns. It is moved along the column with hydraulic lifts. When the crosshead is in an appropriate test position, it is hydraulically clamped to that position. This lets you change the load frame to accommodate specimens of different lengths.

The actuator can be located in the middle of the load frame base or crosshead. It is a hydraulically powered piston that applies displacement of (or force into) a specimen. It can apply equal power in tension and compression. One end of the test specimen is installed into a fixture which is mounted to the end of the actuator rod.

A servovalves regulates the direction and flow of the hydraulic fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator. The servovalve responds to the polarity and magnitude of the command signal generated by the controller.

A hydraulic manifold (also called an actuator manifold or hydraulic service manifold) controls the hydraulic pressure to the load frame. The manifold includes solenoid valves that control the hydraulic pressure (off, low, or high). An actuator manifold is mounted directly to the actuator on the load frame. A hydraulic service manifold (HSM) is located near the load frame and connects to the actuator with hydraulic hoses.

Series 311 Load Frame

Introduction

Functional Description

Transducers The load frame usually includes a force transducer and an LVDT (or other displacement measurement device.

Force The force transducer (also called load cell or force sensor) measures the amount of tension or compression and rotational torque applied to it. It has four strain gages that form a balanced Wheatstone bridge. When forces are applied to the bridge, it becomes unbalanced and produces an electrical signal that is proportional to the force applied to it. The force transducer is a resistive device and requires a DC conditioner to process the axial signal from the Wheatstone bridge.

LVDT The LVDT measures the linear actuator’s travel. The LVDT consists of a transformer with one primary and two secondary coils wound on a common cylinder. The coil is stationary inside the actuator. A core is attached to the piston rod of the actuator. As it moves inside the coil, it produces an electrical signal that represents the position of the piston rod. The phase of the signal indicates the direction the actuator rod is moving. An LVDT requires an AC conditioner to process the signal.

Introduction

Series 311 Load Frame

Specifications

This section provides some of the specifications of the Series 311 Load Frame. Other specifications can be found on the assembly drawings specific to each load frame.

Parameter

Specification

Force rating

311.11250 kN (55 kip)

311.21500 kN (110 kip)

311.311000 kN (220 kip)

311.412500 kN (550 kip)

311.515000 kN (1100 kip)

311.617500 kN (1650 kip)

311.7110,000 kN (2200 kip)

Crosshead weight

approximate weight

311.11180 kg (400 lb)

311.21320 kg (700 lb)

311.31680 kg (1500 lb)

311.411680 kg (3700 lb)

311.513175 kg (7000 lb)

311.615450 kg (12,000 lb)

311.717300 kg (16,000 lb)

Total weight*

approximate weight

311.11900 kg (2000 lb)

2000 kg (4500 lb)311.21

311.31	3500 kg (8000 lb)
311.41	8500 kg (19,000 lb)
311.51	16,000 kg (36,000 lb)
311.61	27,000 kg (60,000 lb)
311.71	36,000 kg (80,000 lb)

* The weight specification is for lifting and moving purposes. The weight includes a typical actuator, force transducer, and grips. The actual shipping weight must be determined by a scale.

Series 311 Load Frame

Introduction

Specifications

Introduction

Series 311 Load Frame

Safety

General Safety Practices

This section provides information about safety issues that pertain to servohydraulic systems in general. These issues include statements to the intended use and foreseeable misuse of the system, the hazard zone, definition for the graphical hazard labeling that is affixed to your product, and other (more general) safety information that relates to the high-pressure and highperformance characteristics of MTS servohydraulic systems.

MTS test systems are designed to generate motions and forces and impart these motions and forces into a test specimen.

When you prepare to operate the system and during system operation, ensure the following:

•Do not use or allow personnel to operate the system who are not experienced, trained, or educated in the inherent dangers associated with high-performance servo hydraulics and who are not experienced, trained, or educated with regard to the intended operation as it applies to this test system.

•Do not disable safety components or features (including limit detectors, light curtains, or proximity switches/detectors).

•Do not attempt to operate the system without appropriate personal safety gear (for example, hearing, hand, and eye protection).

•Do not apply energy levels that exceed the maximum energies and velocities for the system design. Refer to the system specifications.

•Whenever possible, use tongs or similar device to handle specimens during specimen installation.

•Do not test a specimen that exceeds the minimum (if applicable) or maximum allowable mass. Refer to the system specifications.

•Do not use specimens that are combustible, flammable, pressurized, or explosive.

•Do not use humans as specimens or allow humans to ride in or on the test specimen or the test system for any purpose unless the system is man-rated and all associated safety conditions are strictly enforced.

•Do not modify the system or replace system components using parts that are not MTS component parts or effect repairs using parts or components that are not manufactured to MTS specifications.

•Do not operate the system in an explosive atmosphere.

•Do not use the system in a test area where uncontrolled access to the test system is allowed when the system is in operation.

•Do not operate the system unless an interlock is installed to monitor supply pressure into the HSM and initiate a system interlock if a low or no pressure event occurs.

Series 311 Load Frame

Safety

If you have system related responsibilities (that is, if you are an operator, service engineer, or maintenance person), you should study safety information carefully before you attempt to perform any test system procedure.

You should receive training on this system or a similar system to ensure a thorough knowledge of your equipment and the safety issues that are associated with its use. In addition, you should gain an understanding of system functions by studying the other manuals supplied with your test system. Contact MTS for information about the content and dates of training classes that are offered.

It is very important that you study the following safety information to ensure that your facility procedures and the system’s operating environment do not contribute to or result in a hazardous situation. Remember, you cannot eliminate all the hazards associated with this system, so you must learn and remain aware of the hazards that apply to your system at all times. Use these safety guidelines to help learn and identify hazards so that you can establish appropriate training and operating procedures and acquire appropriate safety equipment (such as gloves, goggles, and hearing protection).

Each test system operates within a unique environment which includes the following known variables:

•Facility variables (facility variables include the structure, atmosphere, and utilities)

•Unauthorized customer modifications to the equipment

•Operator experience and specialization

•Test specimens

Because of these variables (and the possibility of others), your system can operate under unforeseen circumstances that can result in an operating environment with unknown hazards.

Improper installation, operation, or maintenance of your system can result in hazardous conditions that can cause death, personal injury, or damage to the equipment or to the specimen. Common sense and a thorough knowledge of the system’s operating capabilities can help to determine an appropriate and safe approach to its operation.

Safety Practices Before System Operation

Before you apply hydraulic power to the test system, review and complete all of the safety practices that are applicable to your system. The goal, by doing this, is to improve the safety awareness of all personnel involved with the system and to maintain, through visual inspections, the integrity of specific system components.

Read all manuals Study the contents of this manual and the other manuals provided with your system before attempting to perform any system function for the first time. Procedures that seem relatively simple or intuitively obvious can require a complete understanding of system operation to avoid unsafe or dangerous situations.

Safety

Series 311 Load Frame

Locate and read hazard placards/labels

Locate Lockout/tautog

points

Know facility safe procedures

Locate Emergency

Stop buttons

Know controls

Have first aid available

Know potential crush and pinch points

Be aware of component movement with hydraulics off

Know electrical hazards

Find, read, and follow the hazard placard instructions located on the equipment. These placards are placed strategically on the equipment to call attention to areas such as known crush points and electrical voltage hazards.

Know where the lockout/tagout point is for all of the supply energies associated with your system. This includes the hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and water supplies (as appropriate) for your system to ensure that the system is isolated from these energies when required.

Most facilities have internal procedures and rules regarding safe practices within the facility. Be aware of these safe practices and incorporate them into your daily operation of the system.

Know the location of all the system Emergency Stop buttons so that you can stop the system quickly in an emergency. Ensure that an Emergency Stop button is located within 2 meters (6 feet) of the operator at all times.

Before you operate the system for the first time, make a trial run through the operating procedures with the power off. Locate all hardware and software controls and know what their functions are and what adjustments they require. If any control function or operating adjustment is not clear, review the applicable information until you understand it thoroughly.

Accidents can happen even when you are careful. Arrange your operator schedules so that a properly trained person is always close by to render first aid. In addition, ensure that local emergency contact information is posted clearly and in sight of the system operator.

Be aware of potential crush and pinch points on your system and keep personnel and equipment clear of these areas.

Remember, when hydraulic power is interrupted on a servohydraulic system, it is likely that stored accumulator pressure will persist for some time within the system. In addition, it is likely that as stored energy dissipates, gravity will cause portions of the system to move.

The crosshead can slowly drift down the columns if the locks are turned off and when hydraulic pressure is turned off. The crosshead can damage any test fixtures, grips, and specimen in its path. Unlock the crosshead only to reposition it. Always lock the crosshead after you have repositioned it and never leave the crosshead unlocked.

The actuator rod can also drift down when hydraulics are turned off hitting anything in its path. This uncommanded movement is because of oil movement between the pressure/return ports and oil blow by across the piston hub. Be aware that this can happen and clear the area around the actuator rod when hydraulics are turned off.

When the system electrical power is turned on, minimize the potential for electrical shock hazards. Wear clothing and use tools that are properly insulated for electrical work. Avoid contact with exposed wiring or switch contacts.

Whenever possible, turn off electrical power when you work on or in proximity to any electrical system component. Observe the same precautions as those given for any other high-voltage machinery.

Series 311 Load Frame

Safety

Keep bystanders safely away

Wear proper clothing

Remove flammable fluids

Know compressed gas hazards

Keep bystanders at a safe distance from all equipment. Never allow bystanders to touch specimens or equipment while the test is running.

Do not wear neckties, shop aprons, loose clothing or jewelry, or long hair that could get caught in equipment and result in an injury. Remove loose clothing or jewelry and restrain long hair.

Remove flammable fluids from their containers or from components before you install the container or component. If desired, you can replace the flammable fluid with a non-flammable fluid to maintain the proper proportion of weight and balance.

Most servohydraulic systems contain accumulators that require a high-pressure gas precharge (pressures that exceed 138 bar [2000 psi]). In addition, some systems can contain devices, such as static supports, that are pneumatically operated. High-pressure devices are potentially dangerous because a great amount of energy is available in the event of an uncontrolled expansion or rupture.

Observe the following safety practices when you work with high-pressure air or gases:

•When you charge an accumulator, follow all the charging instructions provided in the appropriate product information manuals. When precharging accumulators, properly identify the type of gas to be used and the type of accumulator to be precharged.

Use only dry-pumped nitrogen to precharge nitrogen-charged accumulators. (Dry-pumped nitrogen can also be labeled “oil pumped” or “dry water pumped.”) Do not use compressed air or oxygen for precharging: the temperature increase caused by rapid gas compression can result in highly explosive conditions when hydraulic fluid is in the presence of oxygen or compressed air.

•Always follow the recommended bleeding procedures before you remove or disassemble components that contain pressurized gas. When you bleed a gas or remove a fitting, hose, or component that contains a gas, remember that many gases cannot support life. Therefore, as the ratio of released gas to oxygen increases, so does the potential for suffocation.

•Wear appropriate safety devices to protect your hearing. Escaping air or gas can create a noise level that can damage your hearing.

Safety

Series 311 Load Frame

Check bolt ratings and torques

Practice good housekeeping

Protect hoses and cables

•Ensure that all pressurized air or gas is bled out of a pneumatic or gascharged device before you start to disassemble it. A thorough understanding of the assembly and its pressurized areas is necessary before you undertake any maintenance. Refer to the appropriate product information for the correct bleeding procedure.

It might not be obvious or intuitive which bolts or fittings are used to restrain a pressurized area. On some assemblies, you must remove a cover plate to gain access to the structural bolts. Sometimes, to protect you from a rapid release of trapped gases, a small port is exposed when you remove this cover plate. Exposing this port ensures that the gas precharge is fully bled before disassembly. However, this is not the recommended procedure for bleeding a pneumatic or gas-charged device, because it can expose you to the dangers of escaping compressed gas and particulates that are expelled from the chamber or around the seals. Do not assume that cover plates and ports are installed in all the critical locations.

Consult MTS when in doubt about the safety or reliability of any system-related procedure or modification that involves devices that contain any type of compressed gas.

To ensure a reliable product, fasteners (such as bolts and tie rods) used in MTSmanufactured systems are torqued to specific requirements. If a fastener is loosened or the configuration of a component within the system is modified, refer to the system and component assembly drawings (located on the System Documentation CD) to determine the correct fastener, fastener rating, and torque. Overtorquing or undertorquing a fastener can create a hazardous situation due to the high forces and pressures present in MTS test systems.

On rare occasions, a fastener can fail even when it is correctly installed. Failure usually occurs during torquing, but it can occur several days later. Failure of a fastener can result in a high velocity projectile. Therefore, it is a good practice to avoid stationing personnel in line with or below assemblies that contain large or long fasteners.

Keep the floors in the work area clean. Hydraulic fluid that is spilled on any type of floor can result in a dangerous, slippery surface. Do not leave tools, fixtures, or other items not specific to the test, lying about on the floor, system, or decking.

Protect electrical cables from spilled hydraulic fluid and from excessive temperatures that can cause the cables to harden and eventually fail. Ensure that all cables have appropriate strain relief devices installed at the cable and near the connector plug. Do not use the connector plug as a strain relief.

Protect all system hoses and cables from sharp or abrasive objects that can cause the hose or cable to fail. Never walk on hoses or cables or move heavy objects over them. Consider hydraulic distribution system layout and route hoses and cables away from areas that expose them to possible damage.

When removing hydraulic hoses for equipment repair or changing testing components (for example, hydraulic grips), make sure to cap the hose ends to avoid spilling hydraulic fluid.

Series 311 Load Frame

Safety

Provide proper hydraulic fluid filtration.

Protect accumulators from moving objects.

Record changes

If the system is equipped with a non-MTS hydraulic power unit, ensure proper filtration to the hydraulic distribution system and testing components. Particles present in hydraulic fluid and cause erratic or poor system response.

Protect accumulators with supports or guards. Do not strike accumulators with moving objects. This could cause the accumulator(s) to separate from the manifold resulting in equipment damage and personal injury.

If you change any operating procedure, write the change and the date of the change in the appropriate manual.

Provide test area guards

Use protective guards such as cages, enclosures, and special laboratory layouts when you work with hazardous test specimens (for example, brittle or fragmenting materials or materials that are internally pressurized).

Do not exceed the Maximum Supply Pressure

Do not disable safety devices

For standard MTS systems, ensure that hydraulic supply pressure is limited to a maximum 21 MPa (3000 psi). If you system has a custom application that requires higher pressure, make sure you limit supply pressure to that rated for the custom components.

Your system might have active or passive safety devices installed to prevent system operation if the device indicates an unsafe condition. Do not disable such devices as it can result in unexpected system motion.

Use appropriately sized fuses

Whenever you replace fuses for the system or supply, ensure that you use a fuse that is appropriately sized and correctly installed. Undersized or oversized fuses can result in cables that overheat and fuses that explode. Either instance creates a fire hazard.

Provide adequate lighting

Provide means to access out-of-reach components

Ensure equipment is secure

Ensure adequate lighting to minimize the chance of operation errors, equipment damage, and personal injury. You need to see what you are doing.

Make sure you can access system components that might be out of reach while standing on the floor. For example ladders or scaffolding might be required to reach load cell connectors on tall load units.

Make sure the equipment is secure or provide vibration isolation. Some testing can be performed at resonant frequencies that might cause the equipment to vibrate and move during testing.

Safety Practices While the System Is in Operation

Wear appropriate personal protection

Wear eye protection when you work with high-pressure hydraulic fluid, breakable specimens, or when anything characteristic to the specimen could break apart.

Wear ear protection when you work near electric motors, pumps, or other devices that generate high noise levels. Some systems can create sound pressure levels that exceed 70 dbA during operation.

Wear appropriate personal protection equipment (gloves, boots, suits, respirators) whenever you work with fluids, chemicals, or powders that can irritate or harm the skin, respiratory system, or eyes.

Safety

Series 311 Load Frame

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