sauter FL series Instruction Manual

Sauter GmbH

Ziegelei 1
D-72336 Balingen

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Tel.: +49-[0]7433- 9933-0
Fax: +49-[0]7433-9933-149

Internet: www.sauter.eu

Instruction Manual
Digital Force Gauge

SAUTER FL

V. 1.4

11/2017

GB

FL-BA-e-1714

PROFESSIONAL MEASURING

2 FL-BA-e-1714

GB

SAUTER FL

V. 1.4 01/2017

Instruction Manual Di git al Force Gauge

Summarize:

1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 3

2 Before Use ...................................................................................................... 3

3 Operation Overview ....................................................................................... 3

4 Battery Indicator ............................................................................................ 3

5 Fitting Accessories ........................................................................................ 3

6 Mounting to a Fixture or Test Stand ............................................................. 4

7 Powering on ................................................................................................... 4

8 Basic Functions ............................................................................................. 5

9 Main Menu ...................................................................................................... 8

10 Measurement Practice ................................................................................. 12

11 Detailed technical description of FL .......................................................... 12

11.1 Output / Output rating / Hardware adj u stments .................................................................. 13

11.2 RS 232 interface occupancy .................................................................................................. 13

12 Adjustment procedure ................................................................................. 13

FL-BA-e-1714 3

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.sauter.eu

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.

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.
The FL is supplied with a set of 4 Nickel Metal Hydride AAA 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.

4 Battery Indicator

battery supply > 4.8 V

4.8 V > battery supply > 4.7 V

4.7 V > battery supply > 4.4 V

4.4 V > battery supply > 4.0 V
battery supply < 4.0 V

If battery level is less than 3.9 V, The “battery empty” message will be displayed and
the gauge will power down automatically.

5 Fitting Accessories

Couple fittings directly to the load cell stem or use an extension rod. The threads are
M6 and have capacities up to 2500 N.

4 FL-BA-e-1714

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.

6 Mounting to a Fixture or Test Stand

The four M3 thread holes on the rear of the gauge can be used for mounting the
gauge to a SAUTER test stand. 4xM3 screws are included in delivery.

Backside housing and dime nsi ons o f the force gauge:

Instruments, starting from FL 5 inclusive FL 1K, have got an integrated measuring
cell: Starting from FL 2K, the measuring cell is external , please find dimensions
down below:

7 Powering on

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

Stärke

Messzelle:
19mm

51mm

29mm

76mm

FL-BA-e-1714 5

Figure 1

To power up the gauge, the ON/OFF key has to be pressed. A short self-test will start
during which the capacity in Newton will be shown.
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.

8 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

6 FL-BA-e-1714

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

Reversible display

The display can be turned about 180° . Th e fol l owing has to be done:
When the gauge is turned off, the button “Menu/Esc” has to be pressed and held. In
addition, the button “On/Off” has to be pressed and the gauge will turn on and like
this, the display reversion has been performed.

Changing the unit of measurement

You can choose the following units of measurement depending on the capacity of
your gauge:
milliNewton, kiloNewton, Ne wton, gram-force, kilogram-force, ounce force or pound­force.
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

FL-BA-e-1714 7

Peak-Tension mode

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

Peak-Compression mode

Press MODES key until appears on the display. The display will show the
maximum compressive force. See Figure 3c

RESET the gauge

Press RESET key to clear both maximum registers and prepare for detecting the next
maximum readings.

Backlight Display

If any key is pressed or forces are applied to the load sensor bigger than 0.5 % of full
scale, the backlight will be activated for 60 seconds.

Saved reading to memory

Any reading can be saved anytime by pressing MEM/ENTER key. A total of 500
readings can be stored in the database included the reading unit.

Computer Control of Force Gauge

A computer can control the force gauge by sending RS-232 commands.

RS232 output signal

The displayed reading of the FL may be transmitted to a PC by pressing the PRINT
key or sending request command from PC to the force gauge.

8 FL-BA-e-1714

9 Main Menu

Press MENU/ESC key to access the main menu. To move between the option listed
on the main menu page, press UP and DOWN arrow keys to move the cursor. Press
ENTER to select the sub-menus, activate feature and enter values. Within sub­menus UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys will also change numerical values.
Press ESC to return to the main menu page.

Figure 4

1) AU TO-OFF

Press the MENU key, the display will show the main menu page and use UP and
DOWN to move the cursor point to AUTO-OFF.
Press the ENTER key. The display will show the Auto-off menu page.
Press ESC key to return to the main menu page.
An Auto-off feature can be enabled to conserve battery power where the gauge
powers down after 5,10 and 15 minutes (depending on Auto-off time) since the last

FL-BA-e-1714 9

key has been pressed. The AO will appear in the main display if you activate this
feature.

Figure 5

Use UP and DOWN key to move the cursor. Press the ENTER key to select auto-off
option and return to main menu page.

2) PASS-FAIL

The Pass-Fail feature used to set a defined acceptable maximum and minimum
forces gap for measuring. It is activated by setting the lower level and upper level
forces limit. If the forces value is within the gap level, the display will show message
PASS. Any reading values outside this gap (higher or lower), the display will show
message FAIL. If you activate this feature the PF symbol will be shown on main
display.
To access PASS-FAIL menu, Press UP and DOWN to move the cursor point to
PASS-FAIL and press the ENTER key the display will show the Pass-Fail menu
page. Press ESC key to return to the main menu page.

Figure 6

Use LEFT ARROW keys to move the cursor point to the desir ed value.
Use UP and DOWN keys to change the value, press and hold to scroll values. Use
RIGHT ARROW key to change the unit. Press ENTER to save the settings and return
to main menu page.

*Pass-Fail feature will automatically be disabled if you set LOWER and UPPER = 0
N.
*LOWER must be less than the UPPER.

Example LOWER LEVEL = 0 N, UPPER LEVEL = 20 N

10 FL-BA-e-1714

Example LOWER LEVEL = 10 N, UPPER LEVEL = 20 N

Example LOWER LEVEL = 10 N, UPPER LEVEL = 20 N

3) MEMORY

This is used to view the saved record, delete current record, delete all record and
print data of the saved record.
To access MEMORY menu, go to the main menu page press UP and DOWN to
move the cursor point to MEMORY and press ENTER key the display will show the
memory page. Press ESC key to return to main menu page.

Figure 7a Memory Page

Press UP and DOWN to change memory page, press and hold to scroll change
memory page. Press PRINT key to print the memory to the serial port. Press ZERO
key to access the DELETE menu.

Figure 7b Delete last Menu

Press UP and DOWN to select the delete option. If you have selected NO and press
ENTER key, the gauge will return to memory page. If you selected DELETE and
press ENTER key the gauge will delete current saved record and return to memory

FL-BA-e-1714 11

page. If you selected DELETE ALL and press ENTER key the gauge will delete all
saved record and return to memory page.

4) ADJUSTMENT

Experienced staff should adjust the instrument only.
To get into the adjustment mode, y ou ne ed to enter a password, which is is 7780.
You can find a detailed description of this procedure in chapter 12 at the end of this
instruction manual. Take care that you need weights to adjust the force gauge. For
more details, please contact your SAUTER distributor or SAUTER GmbH directly per
phone (number mentioned above) or by e-mail.

5) DIAGNOSTIC

This is used to check the status of the load cell. If you suspect that your load cell
transducer has sustained an overload, it is possible to check the status of the load
cell immediately.
Place the gauge horizontally on the flat level surface and go to main menu page. Use
UP and DOWN key to move the cursor point to DIAGNOSTIC and press ENTE R key
the display will show Diagnostic menu page. Press ESC to return to main menu
page.

Figure 8 Diagnostic Menu

If the % offset is between 5% - 10 % please contact your supplier to arrange a
recalibration of your gauge.
If the % offset is greater than 10% please contact your supplier to arrange for load
cell replacement.
These values are given as an indicator only – the need for calibration / repair may
vary according to the individual characteristics of the load cell.

6) SELECT OUTPUT

In this menu, you can choose the output port between USB or RS232

12 FL-BA-e-1714

The FL-series have an analog output +/- 2V,
In normal operation use analog values depend on the reading value of TRACK,
PEAKT and PEAKC mode. If PASS-FAIL function is used analog value = 2V when
PASS, and analog value = 0V when FAIL.

7) ABOUT

This shows the information of your gauge (Firmware revision, Model, Capacity, Serial
number). To access ABOUT menu, go to main menu page and press UP and DOWN
to move the cursor point to ABOUT and press ENTER key the display will show
About menu page. Press ESC key to return to main menu page.

Figure 9 About Menu

10 Measurement Practice

For best measurement accuracy, keep the compression/tension forces in line with
the force gauge. Alleviate bending loads and torque loads applied to the load cell as
these can adversely affect measurement performance.
Always keep the gauge below the capacity limit shown on the front of the gauge. If
the gauge is used above this capacity in either tension or compression, even for a
short time, permanent load cell damage can result. An overload damage will not be
covered by warranty.

11 Deta iled technical descripti on of FL

Accuracy: ± 0.2 % of rated capacity

Operating temperature: 60 ºF - 95 ºF (15 ºC - 35 ºC)

Temperature shift at zero load: ± 0.04 % of full-scale/ºC

FL-BA-e-1714 13

11.1 Output / Output rating / Hardware adjustments

RS-232 and USB:

- 8 data bits

- 1 Start bit, 1 Stop bit

- No parity

- Baud rate: 9600

- Peak Capture Rate: 0.100 S

- ADC Sampling Rate: 1,000 Hz

11.2 RS 232 interface occupancy

12 Adjustment procedure

Introduction

This instruction describes the calibration procedure, where a calibration password
has to be entered, to enter certain modes of the software.
Note: Throughout this procedure, all masses used to apply a load to the load cell,
should be calibrated.

Temperature Acclimatization

Inspect the instrument for damages and check all ordered requirements before
placing in the calibration laboratory. Before any calibration can start, the instrument
has to become acclimatized to the operating temperature of the calibration laboratory
for at least two hours.

Preparation

Fit a full set of charged batteries into the gauge’s battery compartment or plug in a
standard power supply.

14 FL-BA-e-1714

Calibration

1. Turn the gauge on

2. Go to main menu by pressing the MENU key and press the UP and DOWN key to
move the cursor to point to CALIBRATION and press ENTER key, then the ENTER
PASSWORD page will be displayed.

ENTER PASSWORD

4 DIGIT

PASSWORT : 0000

Fig. 1 Enter Password Page

* Permanent Password= 7780

Press UP and DOWN to change the numerical, press and hold to scroll change.
Press LEFT and RIGHT to change the digit, press and hold to scroll change digit.
Press ENTER key to accept your password. If your password is correct, the display
will show the Calibration menu page; if not, the display will return to main menu page.

Fig. 2 Calibration Menu Page

3. Select the correct load cell capacity for the gauge. To set load capacity, press UP
and DOWN key to move the cursor to point to MAX CAPACITY and press ENTER
key. Max capacity menu page will be displayed.

Fig. 3 Max Capacity Menu page 1

Fig. 4 Max Capacity Menu page 2

FL-BA-e-1714 15

Press UP and DOWN to change max capacity, press and hold to scroll change.
Press ENTER key to save selected and return to Calibration Menu page.

4) Tension Calibration. At the Calibration menu page, press UP and DOWN key to
move the cursor to point to TENSION GAIN and press ENTER key. Tension gain
menu page will be displayed:

Fig. 5 Tension Gain Menu page

4.1) Tension Zero

- Set the gauge up with the necessary supports to carry out tension calibration

- Pre-stress the load cell to 100% of the instrument’s capacity.

- Remove the masses but retain the supports.

- When the counts have settled, press ZERO key to store the zero counts

4.2) Tension Maximum

- Apply 100% of the instrument’s capacity load onto the support(s) for tension.

- Press UP , DOWN, RIGHT A RROW or LEFT ARROW key to adjust tension gain
until the gauge displayed max capacity count.

- Press ENTER key to store the counts for full-scale tension.

5.) Compression Calibration. At Calibration menu page, press UP and DOWN key to
move the cursor point to COMPRESSION GAIN and press ENTER key. The display
will show compression gain menu page.

Fig. 6 Compression Gain Menu page

5.1) Compression Zero

- Set the gauge up with the necessary supports to carry out compression calibration.

- Pre-stress the load cell to 100% of the instrument’s capacity.

- Remove the masses but retain the supports.

- When the counts have settled, press ZERO key to store the zero counts

5.2) Compression Maximum

16 FL-BA-e-1714

- Apply 100% of the instrument’s capacity load onto the support(s) for compression.

- Press UP, DOWN, RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW key to adjust compression
gain until the gauge displayed max capacity count.

- Press ENTER key to store the counts for full-scale compression

6) After your successful calibration, remove any accessories, which have been
mounted to the gauge and place the gauge on its back on a level surface.
Go to TENSION GAIN menu page, press ZERO key to store the original Offset, Date
and Time of calibration and clear the Overload Counter.

Annotation:
To have a look at the CE Declaration of Conformity, please click onto the following
link: https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/de/DOWNLOADS/