Instron AVE2 - Using Bluehill Universal; Transverse Strain Using the Averedge32 Configuration

Chapter: Run tests
78 M16-16905-EN
Using Bluehill
®
Universal
Once calibrated, the video extensometer behaves like any other transducer when you
operate it with Bluehill
®
Universal software. For full details, refer to the Bluehill
®
online
help and reference. A summary of possible setup steps using Bluehill
®
Universal
software and an AVE2 is as follows:
1. Go to Measurement and create a physical strain measurement using Strain 1 as the
transducer configuration. The video extensometer is always connected to Strain 1.
You can name the measurement AVE2.
2. Go to Test Control > Strain and choose the new AVE2 measurement as the primary
source.
3. Go to Test Control > Pre-Test and enable auto-balance for the AVE2.
4. Setup the workspace to your requirements. You will probably want to assign one of
the live displays to show AVE2 strain.
Transverse strain using the AverEdge32™ configuration
When using AverEdge32™ to measure transverse strain you need to create a virtual
measurement in Bluehill
®
Universal software to ensure that the transverse strain gauge
width is set equal to the specimen width for each test.
1. Open the test method file.
2. Go to Measurements in the Method menu.
3. In the Measurement types list, select Virtual Measurements > Transverse strain.
4. Use the button to add the new measurement to the Selected measurements list.
5. Select the new measurement in the Selected measurements list and edit its proper-
ties as follows:
a If necessary, edit the name in the Description field.
bIn the Source for strain field select the appropriate connector name for the AVE2
connection to the load frame. Examples include
DIGITAL STRAIN 2 for 6800,
3400 and 5900 systems and
STRAIN 2 for 3300 and 5500 systems.
cIn the Transverse strain gauge width field select the button to open the
Expression builder.
d In the list of variables, open up the Specimen Properties list and select Width.
Add Width to the expression and select OK to close the Expression builder.
The transverse strain gauge width will now be set to the width of each specimen.
6. Go to Workspace in the Method menu and add specimen width and specimen thick-
ness to the list of Operator inputs so that the operator can enter a value of width and
thickness for each specimen as it is tested.