VICAT APPARATUS
VICAT APPARATUS
Introduction
The setting time determination of cement and mortars is one of the most important parameters for the quality inspection and verification.
Furthermore the production and use of new mortars, admixtures and similar materials with the research activity has highlighted the need of sophisticated test apparatus capable of performing a variety of independent test cycles and procedures on numerous specimens.
Our new VICAMATIC apparatus fully satisfies these requirements and is capable of performing tests with start delay, adjustable dropping rate auto-mode and free or driven drop. The driven drop option allows the adjustment of the drop or lifting time within 10 and 50 seconds. The VICAMATIC can also be equipped by the needle cleaning device with water container for testing in water as prescribed by EN.
The installed firmware allows the PC connection via the RS 232 port and the expansion to a Multiple Testing System with up to 16 apparatus via the RS 485 port.
The high versatility and flexibility of the VICAMATIC is summarised below.
Use of a single apparatus
Main advantages:
- Production of a test graph report on paper
- Display of test data in real time. See description of this unique feature in the firmware paragraph
- Possibility of connection to a simple serial printer (See accessories)
- Possibility of connection to PC via RS 232 port
All the above features represent the most advanced economical solution for general laboratory use.
Use of a multiple system
Main advantages (in addition to the above):
- Test system expandable any time to up to 16 units for PC connection
- The single units to be connected to the PC network can be located in different places and not necessarily all together (See the Software paragraph)
- Powering down one unit does not prevent the use of all other units in the network
- The units can be independently programmed
General description
The apparatus consists essentially of a mechanism of four different stepper motors which control the sliding weight with needle, the rotation and displacement of the table and the chart drum. The displacement of the sliding weight with needle is recorded by a pen in the chart drum and also read by an encoder for the data acquisition.
The automation of the system is obtained by an electronic control chard with microprocessor. The front control panel includes the membrane keyboard with large graphic display.
- Automatic test cycle
- Double recording: analogic on paper and digital by electronic sensor
- Storing of test results, settings and data
- Large graphic display to follow the test in real time
- RS 232 output for connection to PC and printer
- High flexibility in programming the test cycles as test start delay, dropping rate auto-mode, free or driven drop RS 485 network facility for connection to PC of up to 16 independent VICAMATIC for data acquisition and processing
- Fully conforming to EN, ASTM, AASHTO, BS and similar
- High versatility and vast applications: from the standard use in local laboratories to the multiple use in research and central laboratories
- Also suitable for tests on Gypsum conforming to EN 13279-2
Firmware specifications
The test parameters to be set are the following:
- Reference standards: EN, ASTM, General purpose, single drop
- Frequency of penetrations (to be selected between frequency input by user or calculated semiautomatically)
- Free fall mode or driven fall mode
- Adjustable test start delay
- Penetration measurement by encoder
- Test data: test number, operator, client, date, hour, cement type, water percentage, humidity, delay, mode (automatic or manual)
- Permanent memory for data storage
- Clock calendar
- 5 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian
Technical specifications
128x64 pixel display unit
Voltage: 230 V, 50-60 Hz, 1 ph. or 110 V, 60 Hz, 1 ph.
Dimensions (lxwxh): 180x300x440 mm
Weight approx.: 10 kg
Standard outfit
The V1CAMATIC apparatus is supplied complete with the needle (1.13 or 1 mm diameter depending on the version), mould (EN or ASTM depending on the version), glass plate, 5 pens and 1 pen holder, 100 printed charts.
Ordering informations
- 63-L0027/E - VICAMATIC
automatic electronic apparatus EN version for setting time measurement. 230 V. 50-60 Hz, 1 ph.
- 63-L0027/F - VICAMATIC
automatic electronic apparatus ASTM/ AASHTO version for setting time measurement. 230 V, 50-60 Hz, 1 ph.
- 63-L0027/EZ - VICAMATIC
automatic electronic apparatus EN version for setting time measurement. 110V,60Hz,1 ph.
- 63-L0027/FZ - VICAMATIC
automatic electronic apparatus ASTM/AASHTO version for setting time measurement. 110V,60Hz,1 ph.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Using a single VICAMATIC apparatus two options arc available for PC connection:
- PC connection by RS 232 serial cable code 63-L0027/E17 and data acquisition with standard PC software as example MS Hyper terminal
- PC connection by RS 485 cable code 63-L0027/E12 and data acquisition and processing with the VICASOFT code 63-10027/E11 for connection to up 16 units
Multiple configuration: Test software
The multiple option (from 2 to 16 units) has been carried out for PC connection with the testing software (See accessories) giving the following performances:
- Real time display of the setting curve of all connected units
- Zoom and curve displacement option and measurement of intervals between two selected points by graphic cursors
- Each curve window can be changed to the display of test data
- Memory storage of all test data and diagrams by exportable database
- Generation of test files
- Printing of test certificate including logo and client letterhead, setting curve and test data