MTS 651 User Manual

be certain.

m

Series 651 Environmental Chambers
Product Information

Model 651.04
Model 651.05
Model 651.06
Model 651.10

015-200-501 D

Copyright information © 1999, 2008 MTS Systems Corporation. All rights reserved.

Trademark information MTS is a registered trademark of MTS Systems Corporation within the United

States. This trademark may be protected in other countries.

Eurotherm is a registered trademark of Eurotherm Controls Ltd.

Partlow is a registered trademark of Partlow Corporation.

Teflon is a registered trademark of Du Point Company.

Publication information

Manual Part Number Publication Date

015-200-501 B January 1999

015-200-501 C September 1999

015-200-501 D March 2008

2

Manual Template 4.3

Contents

Technical Support 5

How to Get Technical Support 5

Before You Contact MTS 5

If You Contact MTS by Phone 6

Problem Submittal Form in MTS Manuals 7

Preface 9

Before You Begin 9

Conventions 10

Documentation Conventions 10

Introduction 13

Installation 17

Using the Environmental Chamber Cart 19

Installing the Environmental Chamber 20

Connecting Liquid Nitrogen to the Chamber 22

Operation 27

Series 651 Environmental Chamber Contents

3

4

Contents

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Technical Support

How to Get Technical Support

Start with your

manuals

Technical support

methods

MTS web site

www.mts.com

E-mail [e-mail]

Telephone MTS Call Center 800-328-2255

Fax [phone]

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 Us > Service & Technical Support

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

Please include “Technical Support” in the subject line.

Before You Contact MTS

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

Know your site

number and system

number

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

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.

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 site number: 571167

Example system number: US1.42460

5

Know information from

prior technical

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

assistance

• MTS notification number

• Name of the person who helped you

Identify the problem 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?

Know relevant

computer information

Know relevant

software information

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.

If You Contact MTS by Phone

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.

6

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

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.

Identify system type 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

Be prepared to

Prepare yourself for troubleshooting while on the phone:

troubleshoot

• 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.

Write down relevant

Prepare yourself in case we need to call you back:

information

• 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.

After you call 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.

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

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

be e-mailed to MTS)

7

8

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Preface

Before You Begin

Safety first! 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.

Other MTS manuals 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 651 Environmental Chamber

9

Conventions

DANGER

WARNING

CAUTION

Conventions

Documentation Conventions

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

Hazard conventions 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 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 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 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 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.

Special terms The first occurrence of special terms is shown in italics.

Illustrations Illustrations appear in this manual to clarify text. It is important for you to be

Electronic manual

conventions

10

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.

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

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 651 Environmental Chamber

11

Conventions

12

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Introduction

Instrumentation

Port

Window

Upper Access Hole

Electrical Box

Temperature

Controller

Fan Motor

Fan

Baffle

Hinges

Lower Access Hole

Door
Latch

Lifting

Eyes

This manual describes how to install the Series 651 Environmental Chambers
onto a load unit and how to work with liquid nitrogen (LN

The MTS Series 651 Environmental Chambers let you test materials and
components within a range of temperatures, from -129–540° C
(-200–1000° F). Cooling is accomplished with the use of gases introduced to the
chamber. Heating is accomplished with two electrical heating elements. An
electric fan and baffle diffuse the heat for uniform temperatures. A customer­specified temperature controller (Eurotherm or Partlow) is mounted in the
electrical box.

).

2

What you need to

know

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

MTS Systems Corporation assumes that you know how to use your controller.
See the appropriate manual for information about performing any controller­related step in this manual’s procedures. You are expected to know how to
perform the following procedures.

• Position the crosshead.

• Install instrumentation.

• Use your grips and fixtures.

• Install a specimen.

• Set up limit detectors.

• Run a test.

13

Note Clean any debris produced from testing away from the environmental

WARNING

chamber. For example, carbon fibers can short the heater elements
which causes them to stop working.

The environmental chamber is not rated for combustible liquids.

When heated, flammable and combustible liquids can explode and cause
personal injury, or equipment damage.

• Do not use flammable or combustible liquids in the environmental

chamber.

• Always operate the chamber with the door closed.

• Do not override any safety features.

• Do not modify the chamber without consulting MTS Systems

Corporation.

Documentation The Series 651 Environmental Chambers include a temperature controller. Both

the environmental chamber and temperature controller have manuals provided by
their original manufacturers (along with this manual). The following
documentation should be included with the chamber:

• The vendor’s product manual for the environmental chamber

• The vendor’s product manual for the temperature controller

If you did not receive a temperature controller manual, contact the vendor:

Eurotherm Controls Ltd Head Office (eastern hemisphere)
Telephone: [phone]
URL: http://www.eurotherm.co.uk/controls
or

Eurotherm Controls (western hemisphere)

Telephone: [phone]
URL: http://www.eurotherm.com

Partlow West Corporation

Telephone: [phone]
URL: http://www.partlow.com/home/homef.htm

• A schematic of the environmental chamber

• A configuration drawing listing the original configuration of the

temperature controller

• A dimensional drawing of the general layout of the environmental chamber

14

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Chamber models The following table lists the differences between the environmental chamber

models. Each environmental chamber can be used with any load unit but is
recommended for specific load units.

ODEL

M
N

UMBER

651.05C-02
Tabletop

651.06E-03
Standard

651.04E-01
1000 Hz Elastomer

651.06E-01
400 Hz Elastomer

651.10E-04
1000°F

651.06E-04
Stretch

* The dimensions are specified as width x depth x height.
† The weights are approximate.
‡ These are typical uses; some load units can accommodate any chamber.

§ The last two digits specify color; -02 is gray, -03 is brown.

TEMPERATURE
R

ANGE

-75–275°C
(-100–525°F)

-129–315°C
(-200–600°F)

-129–200°C
(-200–400°F)

-129–315°C
(-200–600°F)

-129–540°C
(-200–1000°F)

-129–315°C
(-200–600°F)

INTERIOR

D

IMENSIONS

305 x 305 x 457 mm
(12 x 12 x 18 in)

356 x 432 x 559 mm
(14 x 17 x 22 in)

305 x 305 x 305 mm
(12 x 12 x 12 in)

305 x 305 x 406 mm
(12 x 12 x 16 in)

356 x 432 x 660 mm
(14 x 17 x 26 in)

356 x 432 x 813 mm
(14 x 17 x 32 in)

*

WEIGHT

95 kg
(210 lb)

122 kg
(270 lb)

86 kg
(190 lb)

104 kg
(230 lb)

200 kg
(440 lb)

140 kg
(310 lb)

†

LOAD UNIT

358.02
359

318 513150-02

331.05 424780-02

331.02 446662-02

318 513150-02

318 513150-02

‡

CART PART

N

UMBER

Custom

513150-03

424780-03

446662-03

513150-03

513150-03

§

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

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Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Installation

Environmental chambers are installed in load units using a mobile cart designed
for the chamber. The chamber is installed from the rear of the load unit.

Most of the environmental chambers have U-plugs. Removable sections (U­plugs) in the top and bottom walls of the chamber allow the cart-mounted
chamber to be placed in position around the specimen and grips. Each U-plug
consists of two pieces, one stationary and the other removable. The front piece is
removed to install the environmental chamber after the specimen and all of its
instrumentation are installed in the load unit. When the specimen is ready to be
tested, the U-plugs are replaced.

Note The Model 651.05-02 and Model 651.04-01 Environmental Chambers

have no U-plugs. These units must be installed before the grips and
specimen are installed.

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

17

Load Unit Crosshead

Force Transducer

Extension Rod

Load Unit Column

Upper Grip

Environmental Chamber

Lower Grip

Extension Rod

Chamber Cart

Hydraulic Actuator Rod

Load Unit Baseplate

25.4 mm
(1in)

minimum

Component Identification

18

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Using the Environmental Chamber Cart

Eurotherm

2404

The environmental chamber is typically installed onto an MTS load unit. A
mobile cart accessory provides a stable, easy-to-move platform for the
environmental chamber and allows the chamber to be quickly and easily installed
onto, or removed from, a load unit. The mobile cart has casters to move the cart
and adjustable feet to stabilize the cart when the environmental chamber is
stationary. It also has a hand-operated screw jack for raising and lowering the
chamber.

The mobile cart is the most popular mounting method, particularly when the
tasks of installing and removing specimens, or installing extensometers,
thermocouples, or other instrumentation are difficult to perform within the
confines of the chamber.

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

19

Installing the Environmental Chamber

WARNING

To install the environmental chamber onto an MTS load unit:

1. If you have an environmental chamber with U-plugs, you can install the
grips and specimen before installing the chamber. See your grip manual.

2. Set the environmental chamber onto the mobile cart.

3. Arrange the cables and hoses so that they do not interfere with cart
movement.

When moving the chamber and cart assembly it is possible to damage
cables or hoses.

Damage to the cables or hoses can cause unpredictable system operation
which can result in personal injury or equipment damage.

Do not allow the casters to run over cables or hoses when positioning the cart.

Note The protruding hardware on some environmental chambers and the

limited clearance between the columns of some load units require the
chamber door to be removed to pass the chamber between the load unit
columns. Chamber doors have “lift-off” hinges.

4. If present, remove the U-plug assemblies from the chamber.

5. Move the mobile cart into position so that the actuator’s piston rod is
centered with respect to the access ports of the chamber.

20

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

6. Use the hand-operated screw jack to adjust the height of the chamber so that

Eurotherm

2404

CAUTION

the cart’s lift arms are slightly higher than the top surface of the load unit’s
baseplate.

Note The Model 651.05-02 Environmental Chamber includes feet for tabletop

applications. Adjust the height of the feet for the application.

7. If you have an environmental chamber without U-plugs (Models 651.04-01
and 651.05-02), install the grips now. See your grip manual.

Do not change the position of the chamber after the crosshead has been
adjusted and the displacement limits have been set.

Damage to the chamber or fixtures can result.

After the environmental chamber is installed, see your test controller and grip
manuals for information about installing a specimen.

8. Install the specimen.

9. If desired, install extensometers, thermocouple wiring, and any other

10. Reinstall the U-plugs in the chamber removed in Step 4.

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

specimen instrumentation on the specimen at this time.

21

11. Route cables and wires for the thermocouple, extensometers, and so forth

Hydraulic Actuator’s Piston

Flange Adapter (Flat End)

Extension Rod

Environmental
Chamber

Upper Insert
(optional)

Grips, Plates, or
Other Specimen
Fixture

Environmental
Chamber

Bottom

Low Insert
(optional)

Insulation

To p

Flange Clamp

Stud

Load Cell

out through the small access ports provided in the walls of the chamber, and
then plug the ports with insulation or port plugs.

12. Pack mineral insulation (MTS part number 011-335-202) around the grip
extension rods in the access ports.

Note Optional inserts are available from MTS Systems Corporation. They can

also be custom made. Teflon can be used for applications up to 204° C
(400° F). Machinable ceramics are used for higher temperatures.

Connecting Liquid Nitrogen to the Chamber

Prerequisites • Review lab safety procedures and review any safety data furnished by the

LN

supplier.

2

• Ensure that the area around the chamber is well ventilated.

• Ensure that the vent line is large enough. Do not put the outlet end of the

vent line near a fresh air intake for the building.

• Use the circulator fan to replace the atmosphere in the chamber with room

air before opening the chamber after a test.

22

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

The environmental chamber is not rated for combustible liquids.

WARNING

Male, 1/2 inch,
45° Flare
Connector

WARNING

When heated, flammable and combustible liquids can explode and cause
personal injury and equipment damage.

• Do not use flammable or combustible liquids in the environmental

chamber.

• Always operate the chamber with the door closed.

• Do not override any safety features.

• Do not modify the chamber without consulting MTS Systems

Corporation.

To connect an LN

1. Connect a supply of clean, water-free liquid nitrogen to the coolant input

Use of LN2 gas in the chamber will result in a lack of oxygen in and around
the chamber.

A lack of oxygen can cause dizziness or blackouts.

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Esure that the area around the chamber is well ventilated.

supply tank to the chamber:

2

connector.

The cooling gas supply tank should be pressurized to 0.15 MPa
(22 psi) for LN

cooling. If the supply tank pressure is greater than the

2

recommended pressure, install a pressure regulator between the supply tank
and the coolant solenoid.

23

2. Connect a coolant gas exhaust line to the vent on the rear of the chamber to

WARNING

carry exhausted cooling gases away from the test site. The exhaust line must
have an inside diameter at least as great as the diameter of the vent, and
should be as short as possible, with as few bends as possible to prevent back
pressure in the chamber.

3. Turn the liquid withdrawal valve on the supply tank on before beginning a
test.

Note When cooling is not being used, the liquid withdrawal valve on the supply

tank should be kept closed to prevent leakage of the coolant.

Check the operating temperature range of each component in the
environmental chamber. All components must be able to operate at the
temperature of the test.

Damage to equipment can occur.

Do not set a testing temperature that is higher or lower than the temperature
rating of any component (grips, fixtures, and so forth.) inside the chamber.

Setting the testing

temperature

Set the desired chamber temperature or temperature range with the temperature
controller. See the temperature controller manual.

Note Do not set a testing temperature colder than -129°C (-200°F). Loss of

temperature control to the chamber will cause nitrogen “snow” to fill the
chamber, invalidating test results.

Do not set a testing temperature higher than the design operating range
(see specifications). If the temperature in the chamber exceeds the
design operating range by approximately 28°C (50°F), the high
temperature limit switch will disconnect power from the heater elements.

24

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Venting the LN

CAUTION

after use

After using LN2 cooling, complete the following steps to prevent coolant from

2

becoming trapped in the line between the supply tank gas valve and the coolant
solenoid valve.

This procedure must be performed after each test if another test will not be
started within a few minutes.

Do not leave LN2 coolant in the line after use.

LN

left in the line could rupture the line or damage the solenoid when the

2

liquid warms up and expands.

Always bleed off any LN2 that may remain in the supply line after testing.

1. When testing is completed, close the liquid withdrawal valve on the supply
tank.

2. Use the controls on the temperature controller to open the solenoid valve.
This allows the coolant in the line to bleed off into the chamber.

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

25

26

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

Operation

WARNING

To remove a specimen from the environmental chamber following a test:

The chamber interior and the specimen can be very hot or very cold
following a test.

Working in the chamber before it has returned to room temperature can
cause burns or freezing injuries.

Take precautions to avoid touching hot or cold surfaces with bare skin. Use
appropriate tools and personal protection equipment. Consult your lab’s safety
guidelines and procedures.

1. Stop the test and turn the chamber switch off.

2. Open the chamber door. Allow the specimen to return to room temperature,
if possible.

3. Remove the specimen from the grips following the instructions in the
appropriate grip manual.

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

27

28

Series 651 Environmental Chamber

m

MTS Systems Corporation

14000 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344-2290 USA
Toll Free Phone: [phone]

(within the U.S. or Canada)

Phone: [phone]

(outside the U.S. or Canada)
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.mts.com

ISO 9001 Certified QMS