Vernier GDX-FOR Users guide
Go Direct®Force and
Acceleration
(Order Code GDX-FOR)
Go Direct Force and Acceleration couples a 3-axis
accelerometer with a stable and accurate force sensor
that measures forces as small as ±0.1 N and up to
±50 N.
Note: Vernier products are designed for educational
use. Our products are not designed nor are they recommended for any
industrial, medical, or commercial process such as life support, patient
diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial testing of any kind.
What's Included
l Go Direct Force and Acceleration
l Hook
l Bumper
l Nylon screw
l Accessory rod
l Micro USBCable
Compatible Software
See www.vernier.com/manuals/gdx-for for a list of software compatible with Go
Direct Force and Acceleration.
Assembly
The hook and bumper attach to the sensor by screwing them into the post.
Hook attached
Getting Started
Please see the following link for platform-specific connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-for
Bluetooth Connection USB Connection
1. Install Vernier Graphical
Analysis™ on your computer,
Chromebook™, or mobile device. If
using LabQuest®, make sure
LabQuest App is up to date. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for Graphical
Analysis availability or
www.vernier.com/downloads to
update LabQuest App.
2. Charge your sensor for at least
2hours before first use.
3. Turn on your sensor by pressing the
power button once. The Bluetooth
LED will blink red.
4. Launch Graphical Analysis or turn
on LabQuest.
5. If using Graphical Analysis, click
or tap Sensor Data Collection. If
using LabQuest, choose Wireless
Device Setup > Go Direct from the
Sensors menu.
6. Select your Go Direct sensor from
the list of Discovered Wireless
Devices. Your sensor's ID is located
near the barcode on the sensor. The
Bluetooth LED will blink green
when it is successfully connected.
7. Click or tap Done. You are now
ready to collect data.
8. This is a multi-channel sensor. To
change the channel selections, see
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-for
1. If using a computer or
Chromebook, install Vernier
Graphical Analysis. If using
LabQuest, make sure LabQuest
App is up to date. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for Graphical
Analysis availability or
www.vernier.com/downloads to
update LabQuest App.
2. Connect the sensor to the USB
port.
3. Launch Graphical Analysis or turn
®
on LabQuest. You are now ready to
collect data.
4. This is a multi-channel sensor. To
change the channel selections, see
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-for
Note: This sensor does not work with
the original LabQuest. It works with
LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3.
Bumper attached
Charging the Sensor
Connect Go Direct Force and Acceleration to the included Micro USB Cable
and any USB device for two hours.
You can also charge up to eight Go Direct Force and Acceleration Sensors
using our GoDirect Charge Station, sold separately (order code: GDX-CRG).
An LED on each Go Direct Force and Acceleration indicates charging status.
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Charging
Orange LED next to battery icon is solid while
sensor is charging.
Fully charged
Green LED next to battery icon solid when
sensor is fully charged.
Powering the Sensor
Turning on the sensor
Putting the sensor in sleep
mode
Press button once. Red LED indicator next to
Bluetooth icon flashes when unit is on.
Press and hold button for more than three
seconds to put into sleep mode. Red LED
indicator stops flashing when sleeping.
Connecting the Sensor
See the following link for up-to-date connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-for
Connecting via Bluetooth
Ready to connect Red LED next to Bluetooth icon flashes when
sensor is awake and ready to connect.
Connected Green LED next to Bluetooth icon flashes when
sensor is connected via Bluetooth.
Connecting via USB
Connected and charging Orange LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connected to Graphical Analysis via
USB and the unit is charging. LED next to
Bluetooth icon is off.
Connected, fully charged Green LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connect to Graphical Analysis via USB
and fully charged. LED next to Bluetooth icon is
off.
Charging via USB,
connected via Bluetooth
Orange LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connected to charger via USB and the
unit is charging. Green LED next to Bluetooth
icon flashes when sensor is connected via
Bluetooth.
Identifying the Sensor
When two or more sensors are connected, the sensors can be identified by
tapping or clicking Identify in Sensor Information.
Using the Product
Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual.
Channels
Go Direct Force and Acceleration has seven measurement channels. The channel
names are
l Force
l X-axis acceleration
l Y-axis acceleration
l Z-axis acceleration
l X-axis gyro
l Y-axis gyro
l Z-axis gyro
Force
The default channel that is active when the sensor is connected is Force. The
force channel measures pushes and pulls along the main axis of the sensor body.
Use the hook attachment for pulling and the bumper attachment for pushing.
Pulls are registered as positive forces and pushes are registered as negative
forces, unless sensor readings are reversed in Graphical Analysis.
Acceleration
There are three acceleration channels, measured by a single chip, which is
located under the 3-axis icon on the label. The icon shows the positive direction
for each axis, with the x-direction of acceleration parallel to the pulling force on
the force sensor and the z-direction straight up through the label. Each direction
of acceleration can be measured separately.
If you choose to activate all three acceleration channels at once, you can create
a calculated column for the total acceleration magnitude.
Gyroscope
Use the gyroscope channels to measure the rotation rate of the unit. Measured
values are positive when the rotation is counter-clockwise relative to the axis
directions indicated by the 3-axis icon on the label. For example, when placed
label upward on a turntable rotating clockwise, the x- and y- gyroscopes will
read close to zero and the z- gyroscope will show a negative reading.
If you choose to activate all three gyroscope channels at once, you can create a
calculated column for the total magnitude of angular velocity.
Collecting Data with Go Direct Centripetal Force Apparatus
Slide Go Direct Force and Acceleration onto the Go Direct Centripetal Force
Apparatus beam. Attach the mass carriage to the apparatus and secure the sensor
at the desired location. As you turn the spindle to rotate the apparatus beam, the
sensor will apply the force necessary to pull the carriage in a circular motion.
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