Starrett DFC-2, DFC-10, DFC-5, DFC-20, DFC-50 Quick Reference Manual

PKG08812- QRGDFC

Quick Reference Guide

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2 PKG08812-QRGDFC 01/18 PDF

DFC DIGITAL FORCE CONTROLLER

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

PKG08812-QRGDFC 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction 6

Keypad and Navigation 8

On/Off/Menu Key 8

Zero Key 8

Softkey 1 8

Softkey 2 8

Controller Display Formats 11

Using Tolerance Limits 12

Saving Results 12

Clear Results from Memory 13

View Statistics 13

Export Results 13

Gage Setup 13

Charging Battery 14

4 PKG08812-QRGDFC

DFC DIGITAL FORCE CONTROLLER

THIS IS A STARRETT QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

FOR THE DFG DIGITAL FORCE CONTROLLER.

ALL SPECIFICATIONS IN THIS DOCUMENT
ARE CORRECT AT TIME OF PRODUCTION AND
ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CONTACT

STARRETT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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ENGLISH

Thank you for choosing the DFC Force Controller.
This Quick Reference Guide is an overview of the basic

functions available with your instrument. For detailed
instructions on instrument setup and operation, please refer
to the electronic user manual. You may download a copy
of the user manual at http://www.Starrett.com/u?dfc-um.

INTRODUCTION

The DFC may be used as a classic digital force gage. It may
also be used as a digital controller when connected to the
FMM Digital Force Tester.

The DFC, as a controller, is the only gage available that
lets you setup an automated test, including the operating
parameters of the force tester. Configure speed and
distance limits through the DFC.

STARRETT DFC ADVANCED FORCE GAGE

SPECIFICATION DFC

Accuracy, Full Scale 0.1%

Data Sampling (Hz) 25,000

Display Resolution 10,000:1

Safe Overload, Full Scale 200%

Maximum Tare 10%

COMMUNICATIONS

®

Bluetooth

USB 2.0 Yes

RS-232 Yes

Digital I/O 2 channels

Memory, saved results max. 99

OPERATING MODE

Machine Control

Real Time Yes

Peak Compression Yes

Peak Tension Yes

Load Limit Yes

Break Limit Yes

Load Average Yes

Load-Time Average Yes

Cyclic Count, Max. 99,999

Cyclic Duration, Max. 27 Hrs.

Hold Duration, Max. 27 Hrs.

Coefficient of Friction Yes

POWER, ENVIRONMENTAL

Battery Type Lithium Ion

Battery Life, @ 20% brightness >30 hours

Charge Time, using 110/240V Mains <3 hours

Display (OLED) 320 x 240

Operating Temperature

Thread, for adapters (Metric) M6, M10

Instrument Weight (approx.)

CE COMPLIANCE

EN61010-1 Safety for Electrical Equipment Yes

EN61000-6-3 EMC Generic Emissions Yes

EN61000-6-1 EMC Generic Immunity Yes

NOTES

1. Machine control is exclusive to the DFC. When
connected to the FMM digital force tester,
configuration of force gage and tester is
performed through the gage.

1

Yes

Yes

40°F to 110°F

(4°C to 43°C)

3 lbs

(1.36 kgs)

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0.91 (23.0)

7.50 (190.5)

DFC - ADVANCED FORCE CONTROLLER

MODEL

DFC-2 10 1 2 32 900 0.013 0.33 M6 x 1-6H SPK-FG-A

DFC-5 25 2 5 80 2,200 0.007 0.18 M6 x 1-6H SPK-FG-A

DFC-10 50 5 10 160 5,000 0.006 0.15 M6 x 1-6H SPK-FG-S

DFC-20 100 10 20 320 9,000 0.008 0.20 M6 x 1-6H SPK-FG-S

DFC-50 250 25 50 800 23,000 0.015 0.39 M6 x 1-6H SPK-FG-S

DFC-100 500 50 110 1,600 45,000 0.024 0.60 M6 x 1-6H SPK-FG-S

DFC-200 1,000 100 225 - - 0.021 0.54 M6 x 1-6H SPK-FG-M

DFC-500 2,500 250 550 - - 0.028 0.70 M10 x 1.5-5H SPK-FG-L

NOTES

Load measurement accuracy is ±0.1% of load cell capacity. Display resolution is 10,000:1.

3.30 (83.8)

Thread

0.31 (8.0)

2.25 (57.2)

LOAD CAPACITY FULL SCALE DEFLECTION THREAD ACCESSORY

N KGF LBF OZF GF IN MM MM KIT

1.63 (41.3)

0.50 (12.7)

A

A

1.70 (43.2)

2.00 (50.8)

0.55 (14.0)

2.00 (50.8)

M4x0.7-6H  0.30

Ø0.20  0.18

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KEYPAD AND NAVIGATION

The DFC keypad is multi-functional. There are four keys.

ON/OFF/MENU KEY

This key is used to power the gage on/off. Press to
power the gage on. Press and hold for 3 seconds to
power the gage off.

This key is also used to access the Setup Menu. When
the gage is powered ON, press to access the Setup Menu.

This key is also used to navigate UP when in the
Setup Menu. p

ZERO KEY

This key is used to zero the displayed values. Press
to zero load and if connected to the FMM digital force
tester, zero distance.

This key is also used to navigate DOWN when in the
Setup Menu. q

SOFTKEY 1

This is the left arrow key. It is used to move out of a
setup when in the Setup Menu. t

This key may also be mapped to a specific function.
The Setup Menu has a Key setup function where you

may assign how Softkey 1 performs. For example, you
can assign a SAVE function to the key. When pressed,
the measured values are "saved" to memory.

SOFTKEY 2

This is the right arrow key. It is used to move in to a
setup when in the Setup Menu. u

Like the Softkey 1, it also may be mapped to a specific
function. For example, you can assign a MODE
function to the key. Pressing the key can change the
operating modes of the gage. You can switch from
Real Time to Peak Tension by pressing Softkey 2.

DISPLAY LAYOUT

The force gage features a high-resolution OLED color
display with adjustable backlight. The backlight may
be adjusted from a setting in the Main Menu.

The DFC features a primary and secondary
display window.

DISPLAY TYPES

PRIMARY DISPLAY SECONDARY DISPLAY

Real Time Peak Measurement

Peak Tension Real Time Measurement

Peak Compression Real Time Measurement

Average

Average (Functional Capacity) Peak Measurement Time Duration

Static COF Kinetic COF

Kinetic COF Static COF

Peak Measurement Preload to
Start Average

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lbf

7

4

7

lbf

lbf

7

Real time load being
placed on load cell

Compression Direction

Shown: Real Time view showing Peak Compression

Peak/Max Compression

0.00

16.89

16.84

Real Time Mode Indicator

Real Time value

lbf

5.66

5.71

Peak Tension Mode Indicator

Shown: Peak Tension view with Tolerance result

Peak/Max Tension

22.29

Tensile Direction

Shown: Peak Tension view

Peak/Max Compression

Compression
Direction

21.10

Peak Compression Mode Indicator

Shown: Peak Compression view

Real Time value

19.24

Peak Tension Mode Indicator

Real Time value

21.06

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Battery Status
Shows remaining battery life.

Primary Result

Shows load direction using a symbol for
Tension or Compression.

Shows functions mapped to softkeys
1 and 2. Menu function is always
center key.

Softkey 1
Associated with above Function
Use to navigate LEFT and move out
of setup option.

Zero key
Use to zero the display
User to tare the force gage
Use to navigate DOWN

Softkey 2
Associated with above Function
Use to navigate LEFT and move out of setup option.

Shows functions mapped to softkeys 1 and 2.
Menu function is always center key.

Shows Load measured by load cell
Shows Distance measured by encoder
on the FMM Test Frame.

Unit of Measure
Shows unit of measure for displayed results.

Shown: Display in Classic mode

Secondary Display

Load Bargraph
Shows active load on sensor.
Shows direction of load.

Softkey 2
Associated with above Function
Use to navigate RIGHT and INTO setup option

On/Off/Menu key
Use to power gage ON/OFF
Use to access the SETUP MENU
Use to navigate UP

Softkey 1
Associated with above Function
Use to navigate RIGHT and INTO setup option

Shows setpoint target that completes
the test method.

Shows Load unit of measure.
Shows Distance unit of measure.

Load Bargraph
Shows active load on sensor
Shows direction of load

10 PKG08812-QRGDFC

Shown: Display in Controller mode used with FMM Test Frame

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9

5

5

5

Average Load Average Load

lbf

3.65

N

7.15

4

Shown: Functional Capacity result

Start Load

8.71

1.00

Average Mode IndicatorShown: Average view

Countdown TimerAverage Load

7.15

8.1

Average Mode Indicator

Kinetic COF

Static COF

33.45

CONTROLLER DISPLAY FORMATS

As a Controller, the DFC will display both load and
distance information and results. The gage will serve
is the universal interface for the "system" and will be
used to setup the force gage and the tester.

The DFC force gage will display load information, as
measured by the load cell.

The DFC force gage will display distance information,
as measured by the FMM digital force tester.

Start/Stop Test SoftkeyLoad Limit Target

100.00N

Active Load

L
D

Shown: Load Limit Test results

Active Load

L8.80
D

16.55

16.64

Distance Limit Target Start/Stop Test Softkey

8.78

N

mm

50.00mm

N

mm

Active Distance

Active Distance

Shown: COF result

µ
µ

k

s

33.450

17.055

5

Average Mode Indicator

Shown: Distance Limit Test results

Break Limit Target

Active Load

L 27.45
D

Shown: Break Limit Test results

28.28

PKG08812-QRGDFC 11

Start/Stop Test Softkey

50%

N

Active Distance

mm

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4

USING TOLERANCE LIMITS

Use tolerances to setup "pass" and "fail"
measurements. You may specify a Limit 1 and a
Limit 2 to create a tolerance band. Measured results
that equal or fall within the range created by the two
limits are considered "pass" results. If the measured
result falls outside the band created by the two
Limits, the result is considered a "fail" result. A "fail"
results displays in RED.

PressqMove to TOLERANCE
PressuSelect ENABLE

q

Press
Press
Press
PresstMove out of Limit 1
Press
Press
PresstMove out of LIMIT 2
PresstMove out of TOLERANCE

Move down to LIMITS

q

Move down to LIMIT 1

u

Select Limit 1 value using qp

q

Move down to LIMIT 1

u

Select Limit 2 value using qp

Real Time value

lbf

5.66

5.71

Peak Tension Mode Indicator

Shown: Peak Tension view with Tolerance result

SAVING RESULTS

The DFC feature an internal memory for saving
results for the purpose of calculating and displaying
statistics. You may save up to 99 individual results
in memory.

To save results to memory, you must configure
a softkey with the SAVE function. Press the SAVE
softkey to save the displayed results to memory.

Results saved to memory MUST be of the same type.
You cannot have mixed type results. For example, you
cannot save tension results with COF results. Results
MUST be of the same type.

Results obtained using the TESTS feature are saved in
pairs. For each test, there is a Load and Distance result
(L-D). You cannot save results from different types of
tests. For example, you cannot save results from a
Load Limit test with results from a Break Limit test.
Each load-distance pair of results must have come
from the same test type: Load, Distance or Break.

RESULT TYPE MEMORY TYPE

MODES

Real Time Real Time

Tension Peak Tension Peak

Compression Peak Compression Peak

Average Average

Static COF Static COF

Kinetic COF Kinetic COF

TESTS

LOAD LIMIT TEST

Distance @ Limit Distance @ Limit

Load Limit Load Limit

DISTANCE LIMIT TEST

Load @ Limit Load @ Limit

Distance Limit Distance Limit

BREAK LIMIT TEST

Load Max (Peak Load) Load Max (Peak Load)

Distance @ Load Max Distance @ Load Max

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Management of the DFC memory is important to
ensure correct statistical analysis. Always clear old
results that are from a different test method.

CLEAR RESULTS FROM MEMORY

Results in memory may be cleared individually
or collectively. To clear an individual result from
memory, go to the STATS view. Select the results you
want to clear. Select the "X" (delete) key.

To clear all results from memory, go to the Memory
setup and select CLEAR. This will erase all results for
the gage's memory.

VIEW STATISTICS

You must configure a softkey with STATS to view
statistics. When results are saved to memory, you
press the STATS softkey to view results in memory
and the statistics for those results.

EXPORT RESULTS

You must configure a softkey with SEND to export
to an external device via Bluetooth, RS232 or USB.
Press the SEND softkey to export the displayed result.

GAGE SETUP

MODES

p
u

for Menu
for Modes

t to exit setup

Press
Press
Select your Mode, press

UNITS

p
q

for Menu
for Units

t to exit setup

Press
Press
Select your Units, press

MEMORY

p

Press

for Menu

Pressqfor Memory

u

Press
Press
Press
Select your Units, press

*You must configure a softkey to display memory and statistics.

to Display results from memory

u

to Clear results from memory

u

to Export results from memory

t to exit setup

TESTS

p

Press
Press
Press
Press
Press

*Refer to the User Manual for detailed instructions on using
the TESTS feature in your DFC.

for Menu

q

for Tests

u

to Enable Tests

q

to your Test Method

u

to enter specific Test Method options

TOLERANCE

p

Press
Press
Press

for Menu

q

for Tolerance

u

to Enable Tolerance
Pressuto setup Limit 1, select Limit 1 value pq
Pressuto setup Limit 2, select Limit 2 value pq
Presstto exit setup

KEYS

p

Press
Press
Press

for Menu

q

for Keys

q

to specify a Sound for key presses
Pressqto specify Softkey 1 function

q

Press
Press

*Certain gage functions require a softkey to be setup in order
to use the function- Memory, Statistics, Tests, Export (Send)

to specify Softkey 2 function

t

to exit setup

SETTINGS

p

Press
Press

for Menu

q

for Settings, select Settings Type

COMMUNICATIONS

Pressqfor Communications (Comms)

Press

Press
Press
Press
Press
Press

results: USB, RS-232, or BT (Bluetooth®)

q

to select RS-232

q

to select RS-232 Baud Rate

q

to setup direction sign (- default for Compression)

q

to transmit Units

q

to transmit Tolerance Limits

to specify the Data Channel method for exporting

u

Presstto exit Comms setup

DISPLAY

q

Press
Press
Press

Press

Press
Press

for Display

u

to setup Auto Off

u

to setup Backlight Brightness
to setup Flip orientation (required for

u

TESTS feature)

u

to setup Radix

t

to exit Display setup

FILTERS

q

Press
Press
Press

for Filters

u

to specify filter rate

t

to exit Filter setup

ABOUT

q

Press

Press

Press

*The About setup is read-only.

for About
to view the gage’s characteristics, serial

u

number, overload history and more.

t

to exit setup

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MEMORY

q

Press

u

Press

pq

Press

t

Press

LANGUAGE

Press
Press
Press

for Password
to Enable a Password
to select the Passcode
to exit setup

q

for Language

q

to your preferred display language

t

to exit setup

CHARGING BATTERY

Connect the USB cable supplied with your DFC to the
USB connector at the base of the gage. Connect the
opposite end of the cable to the USB connector on a
source device, i.e., personal computer, USB adapter.

If the DFC is connected to an FMM test frame
and power to the frame is ON, the DFC battery is
continuously charged.

Communicating with External Devices
The DFC can communicate using Bluetooth, USB 2.0

and RS-232. Select the Data Channel type to be used.

PROTOCOL WHERE TO USE

Bluetooth

USB 2.0

RS-232

RS-232USB 2.0

Gage Setup Menu Structure

MODES UNITS MEMORY TESTS TOLERANCE KEYS SETTINGS

Real Time ozf Display Enable Enable Enable Comms
Peak Tension lbf Clear Load Limit Limit 1 Softkey 1 Data Channel
Peak Compression gf Export Type Limit 2 Send RS-232
Averaging kgf Target Sound Units Xmit Comp ­ Time Avg N Speed Save Xmit Units
COF User Distance Limit Mode Xmit TOL

Type Stats Display
Target Start/Stop Auto Off
Speed Return 0 Backlight
Break Limit Softkey 2 Flip
Type Send Radix
Minimum Break Units Filter
% Drop Save About
Auto 0 Mode Password
Auto Return Stats Language
Auto Save Start/Stop English

Control

Print via Bluetooth printer

®

Export data to an external device
Charge DFC Battery
Upload firmware and new features to DFC
from a PC
Export data to a printer
Export data to a PC
Communicate with a serial printer
Communicate with a serial external computer
or hard drive
Controls the crosshead direction and velocity
the FMM from the DFC gage

Return 0 Deutsch

Espanol
Portugues
Francais
Italiano
Chinese
Russian
Polski
Czech

14 PKG08812-QRGDFC

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PKG08812-QRGDFC 15

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