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Heavy Duty Rockwell Tester AT-Series

Rugged Heavy duty models – Ideal for Production Environment

The AT-Series Rockwell Hardness tester is a unique hardness tester with features that allows for quick, easy and accurate Rockwell tests in the toughest testing environments. These unique advantages are the result of three innovative design features; clamping capability, test surface referencing and top loaded configuration.

Clamping Capability

The ability to clamp test pieces is a great feature that saves a lot of time and increases the accuracy compared to using other methods like jack screws or cutting the test piece.

The penetrator of the AT-Series hardness testers is protected by a unique clamping shield. The clamping shield allows operators to clamp parts as heavy as 240 ponds (110kg). Simply place the part on the anvil of the tester and clamp the part in the desired test spot by raising the anvil. The part will be securely clamped between the shield and anvil.

Test-Surface Referencing

The most common cause of bad Rockwell test results is deflection of the test piece during the application of the main load. The deflection of the test piece can be caused by greasy samples, dirt left behind on the anvil or simply by the test piece not being perfectly flat. Even a human hair under a test block will ruin the test results using most Rockwell testers on the market.

All AT-Series models features the Test-Surface Referncing which is a unique solution to the problem of sample deflection. The indenter is surrounded by an indenter shroud that serves the purpose of sensing the position of the indenter relative to the test surface when the preload has been applied. If the test specimen deflects under the major load application, the shroud travels with the test surface to compensate by maintaining that precise reference position with the test surface, keeping the test result accurate.

The test surface reference feature also makes the AT-Series models ideal for automation solutions, since sample deflection is the toughest challenge when designing an automatic Rockwell testing solution.

The shroud moves with the indenter at the beginning of the test, as the shroud and indenter makes contact with the test piece the indenter retracts and the specified preload is applied
The major test load is applied, should the sample deflect the shroud will move with the sample eliminating errors in the test results caused by deflection.
The major load is removed and the Rockwell Hardness value is calculated according to principal.

Top Loading Configuration

Top-loading testers apply both the preload and major load through the test head. The pre-load is not applied through the elevating screw as with other Rockwell hardness testers on the market.

The entire load system is modular and self contained which makes the AT-series Rockwell testers extremely versatile and offers many advantages over traditional systems.

A single pull of the lever will perform the entire test cycle, applying both the pre-load and major load and present the test results in as little as two seconds without operator influence.

Key Advantages

Modular design, test heads and test frames can be combined to solve most hardness testing needs
Heavy Duty Clamping
Test tapered parts and other difficult geometries using the wide variety of available anvils
Protected Diamonds, the protective clamping shield reduces the risk of damaging the diamond indenter
Test results unaffected by dirt or specimen deflection
Easy to automate
Low maintenance
Big Capabilities, the top-loading design allows for large parts to be tested
Quick and Easy, the AT-series tester can complete the full test cycle in as little as 2 seconds

Testing Procedure

Select the required testing load by rotating the handle located on the top of the test head
Install the proper indenter
Select desired scale on the front keypad
Clamp the test specimen between the clamping shield and anvil.
One easy pull of the lever delivers the preload, major load and complete the test cycle
The test result is displayed on the tester and can be exported to external printer

Technical Specifications

The AT-series Test Heads are available in two versions, an advanced digital version AT-200 or a basic digital version AT-130. Both of these test heads are available in either regular Rockwell or superficial Rockwell configuration.

Advanced Digital test head AT 200 DR and AT 200 DRS

Adjustable high/low tolerance indicator
Time-at-load settings from 0-99 seconds
Direct Display of average and standard deviation
Direct Reading of Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers Hardness
Data transfer, either to printer or bidirectional communication with a computer
4000 memory capacity
Bi-directional RS-232 output
Large LCD display
Automatic hardness scale conversion
Minimum thickness calculation
Programmable lot numbers for printouts
Automatic averaging every “N" tests

The user can control the following features through the keyboard: Selectable scales, tolerances, minimum measurable thickness, calibration, statistics, graphics, print, file configurations etc. Possibility of setting 7 different alpha numerical character strings (max 50 characters) for each test report, lot number, type of material, customer name, component description etc.

Basic Digital Test head AT 130 DR and AT 130 DRS

Adjustable high/low tolerance indicator
Time-at-load settings from 0-99 seconds
Direct Display of average and standard deviation
Direct Reading of Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers Hardness
Data transfer, either to printer or bidirectional communication with a computer
2400 memory capacity
RS-232 output

The electronic part of the AT 130 test head is based on a PIC micro processor, Serial RS-232 output ports for printer or computer. Tolerances can be set using the key board, and visualized with diode lights on the test head. Each scale can be calibrated independently.

Regular Rockwell, AT 200 DR, AT 130 DR

Preload: 10kgf (98N)
Rockwell Loads: 60kgf (612N), 100kgf (980N), 150kgf (1471N)
Brinell Loads: 62.5kgf (612N), 125kgf (1226N), 187.5kgf (1839N)
Available Scales: HRA, HRB, HRC, HRD, HRE, HRF, HRG, HRH, HRK, Brinell HB30
Additional Scales upon request (HB2.5, HB5, HB10, kg/mm2, N/mm2, Vickers)
Test Head Accessories: Rockwell diamond indenter, Rockwell ball indenter 1/16" (carbide), Brinell ball indenter 2.5mm, Rockwell test block, Brinell test block

Superficial Rockwell, AT 200 DRS, AT 130 DRS:

Preload: 3kgf (29.4N)
Rockwell Loads: 15kgf (147N), 30kgf (294N), 45kgf (441N)
Brinell Loads: 10kgf (98N), 15.6kgf (153N), 31.2kgf (306N)
Available Scales: HR15N, HR30N, HR45N, HR15T, HR30T, HR45T, HR15W, HR30W, HR45W
Additional Scales upon request (HB2.5, HB5, HB10, Vickers)
Test Head Accessories: Rockwell diamond indenter, Rockwell ball indenter 1/16” (carbide), Rockwell test block

Test Frames

Combining the AT series test heads with any of the below test stands allows for a very versatile hardness testing solution.

	Stand T	Stand N	CAR Mobile	MUR wall mount
Description	The most versatile stand. With clamping capability, adjustable head carriage height, heavy duty elevating screw, extendable frame	The conventional bench frame, with clamping capability and heavy duty elevating screw	Mobile floor frame, With clamping capability, mobile wheel base, large testing plate with beveled front for on pallet testing	Wall mount frame with clamping capability, 33” vertical travel of test head.
Vertical Capacity	16”, 28” or 36” (420, 720, 920mm) without elevating screw	8.5” (220mm)	30” (750mm)	Unlimited
Horizontal capacity	8.5” (220mm)	8.5” (220mm)	12” (300mm)	12” (300mm)
Dimensions wxdxh	9”x22”x34” (240x560x857mm) without extension	8”x20”x25” (200x520x620mm)	10”x38”x53” (300x750x1350mm)	9”x23x42” (200x700x1050mm)
Shipping Weight	303lbs (140kg)	120lbs (53kg)	340lbs (140kg)	208lbs (90kg)

Test Frame Accesssories

The T and N frame includes 2” flat anvil, spot anvil, two vee anvils, vinyl dust cover. All frames include set of allen wrenches and accessory kit.

AT-300 Motorized Heavy Duty testes designed for high volume manual testing, and in-line hardness testing solutions.

The AT-Series of Heavy Duty Rockwell testers is also available in a motorized version. The AT-300 is a motorized hardness tester that has been especially designed for high-volume testing (approx 1000 pieces per hour). This tester can also be integrated into custom in-line solutions for a completely automated testing process. The motor driven test head can significantly reduce the testing time.

During the development of this new instrument, special attention has been paid to ergonomics and safety.

The unique hollowed shape of the front case and the built-in lighting of the test area permit the operator a high level of control of the testing process.

The backlight of the control panel can be adjusted to suit ambient conditions, the control panel can also be detached and placed away from the testing area.