Hanatek AFT User manual
AFT Manual V2.2
10-11-2016
ADVANCED FRICTION TESTER
MODEL AFT
OPERATING MANUAL
Rhopoint Instruments
St. Leonards on Sea
TN38 9AG
Tel. No. +44 (0)1424 739623
Fax No. +44 (0)124 730600
www.hanatekinstruments.com
AFT Manual V2.2
10-11-2016
Who measures slip/friction?
Friction testing is extensively used in the packaging industry to measure the
“slippyness” of a product, with the aim of predicting feeding and runnning
speed on an automatic gluing, erecting, filling or packaging line.
Other industries that test for slip include the paper industry (for the automatic
feeding of photocopy paper, envelopes and banknotes), flooring manufacturers
(for the anti slip properties of polishes), plastic manufacturers (the frictional
properties of packaging).
What is slip/ friction?
A products "slipiness" is characterised by it's coefficients of friction-
Static coefficient of friction = Fs/N
Dynamic coefficient of friction = Fd/N
Where Fsis the maximum static frictional force and the Fdis the average dynamic
frictional force. N is the Normal force, ie the force of gravity acting on the sample
and test sled.
In practical terms, the static slip relates to the force required to get two resting
surfaces moving, dynamic slip is the smaller force that is required to keep the
surfaces moving once this initial "inertia" is overcome.
These values are expressed as ratios and do not have units, they are quoted as
a decimal value between 0 and 1, for example a surface might have static slip
coefficient of 0.35 and a dynamc slip coefficient of 0.18.
How is Coefficient of Friction Measured (COF)?
All methods of COF measurement involve preparing a sample into two flat
pieces, the samples are placed together and a weight is applied (the normal)
force. One of the samples is held in a fixed position, a force is applied to the other
sample until they begin to slip against one another.
Flat Bed Friction Testing
To measure Static and Dynamic coefficients of friction it is necessary to use a
fixed bed instrument. These instruments use a motor to pull a sled across the
sample, using a load cell to measure the forces.
Original slip testing instruments were converted tensile testers that used a cord to
pull the sample. The use of a cord has now been removed from most friction
measurement standards due to the uncertainty added by its own elasticity and
problems with sample positioning.
The Advanced Friction Tester from Hanatek uses mechanical linkages to apply
the force and uses automatic sled placement for very accurate sample
positioning with variable dwell time before testing.
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How can Coefficient of Friction (COF) Values relate to packaging speeds?
COF can often be related to the feeding and running attributes of products, for
example food cartons have a slip coefficient that is related to the type of varnish
applied, how well it has been cured and how thickly it has been applied.
Cartons that have a very low static coefficient of friction may have handling
difficulties as they will tend to slide apart and are difficult to place into feeding
hoppers.
In contrast products which have a high coefficient of friction will tend to stick
together and can prone to misfeeding due to multiple cartons entering the
packaging line.
Different packaging lines will often require products with specific surface
frictional profiles to achieve their highest running and feeding speeds, it is only by
measuring and specifying these values that a manufacturer can achieve
maximum productivity
What parameters affect Coefficient of Friction (COF) Values?
COF is primarily influenced by the chemical composition of the surface and its
physical profile.
In packaging the surface chemistry is often related to coatings applied to a carton
or the additives in a plastics film.
In the paper and board making industries the friction characteristics are related to
the physical profile of the sample- paper fibres, coating composition and
smoothness etc.
How can detailed Frictional Force measurement help
improve Productivity?
In addition to simple static and dynamic COF values the Hanatek Advanced
Friction Tester produces detailed force curves which detail the surface
characteristics across the test area.
These force curves identify any inconsistencies on the sample surface that may
reduce packing or feeding performance in the production environment by
The unique strength of the Hanatek Advanced Friction Tester is that profiles
can be overlayed for comparison, allowing identification of substrate or coating
changes that can cause problems with product runnability.
This powerful feature can highlight subtle differences in substrates or coatings
that allow the user to fine tune their product for their production
conditions giving optimum feeding, running and packing speeds.
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PACKING LIST
AFT Friction Tester
2 x Magnetic Sample Mounting Bars
2 x USB Data Cables
Touch Screen Computer
Mouse and Keyboard
Computer Power Supply
Hanatek USB Data Pen
1x AFT Mains Cable
Friction Template
200g Film Sled
Calibration Pulley Attachment
100g Calibration Test Weight
Foot Adjustment Spanner
Pulley Attachment Screwdriver
Craft Knife
Bulls Eye Spirit Level
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Tear Test Kit (Optional)
Peel Test Kit
Block Test Kit
ISO 15359 Paper and Board Test Kit
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WARNING – THE HANATEK AFT HAS MOVING PARTS WHICH MAY
CONSTITUTE A PINCHING RISK FOR FINGERS.
REASONABLE CARE MUST BE TAKEN AT ALL TIMES – DO NOT
TOUCH THE MOVING PARTS DURING OPERATION AND ENSURE
HAIR AND CLOTHING IS KEPT CLEAR.
ASSEMBLY
1.0 Unpack the unit carefully and check the contents against the packing list.
2.0 Place the instrument on a suitable bench.
Avoid using the instrument in areas where vibration may affect the
readings; i.e. close to heavy machinery.
3.0 Ensure the instrument is level before use.
Place a spirit level central on the measurement platen and adjust the feet
until the spirit level bubble remains central. This is important and must be
periodically checked and adjusted every time the equipment is moved.
4.0 Plug the instrument and touch screen into a suitable main supply using the
supplied mains leads.
5.0 Plug the two data cables (USB type B) into the back of the friction tester
instrument.
Data and motor control cables in the back of the AFT
AFT Manual V2.2
10-11-2016
6.0 Plug the other end of the cables into any two free USB ports on the touch
screen unit (the bottom RHS ports are suggested).
For normal operation and testing there is no need to plug in supplied
mouse and keyboard.
USB cables on bottom RHS of touch screen.
POWER UP
BEWARE – THE HANATEK AFT IS FITTED WITH A 20N LOAD CELL.
ANY FORCE ABOVE 2KG APPLIED TO THE LOAD CELL MAY
RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE.
CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID CRASHING THE LOAD CELL INTO
OBSTRUCTIONS LEFT ON THE PLATEN DURING MEASUREMENT
OR RETURN TO HOME POSITION.
HIGHER FORCE LOAD CELLS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST-
CONTACT HANATEK FOR MORE DETAILS
1.0 Press the power up button on the touch screen.
The instrument and touch screen will power up.
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SET UP/ADD PRINTER
Follow the set up instructions supplied with the instrument for a windows
vista PC. It may be necessary to plug in the keyboard and mouse to
successfully complete this installation.
The Hanatek AFT software will automatically print to the default printer.
See windows help for more details.
START SOFTWARE
1.0 Double tap on the friction tester ICON on the main screen and the
software will start, the instrument is now ready for use.
PASSWORD PROTECTION
If you want to run password protection on the instrument (this stops the
operator altering and deleting test methods and results), a password
should be set up now.
1.0 Go to MAIN MENU>OPTIONS>PASSWORD PROTECTION
Press the help button for graphical instructions.
2.0 The instrument will prompt for a password- the factory default password is
“Rhopoint” (note: capital R).
3.0 Type this password in using the on-screen keyboard. The instrument will
now allow the user to change and activate password protection.
Before running a test it is advisable to become familiar with the test
methods and equipment used.
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CALIBRATION CHECK
If required it is possible to check the instrument calibration.
A period calibration check is recommended (every 1-2 months).
1.0 Go to MAIN MENU>OPTIONS>CALIBRATION CHECK
Press the help button for full graphical instruction.
CALIBRATION
The instrument has a four point calibration that is used to linearise the
loadcell.
The loadcell should be calibrated on an annual basis.
Go to MAIN MENU>OPTIONS>CALIBRATION
WARNING- CALIBRATION SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED BY
AUTHORISED CALIBRATION PERSONNEL. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO
A PRESET CALIBRATION ROUTINE WILL RESULT IN ERRONEOUS
READINGS AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE INSTRUMENT.
CONTACT HANATEK FOR MORE DETAILS.
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VIEW TEST INSTRUCTIONS
1.0 Go to MAIN MENU>OPTIONS>TEST INSTRUCTIONS
Press the help button for graphical instructions.
All tests methods have full graphical instructions.
Optional tests require additional equipment- peel testing; tear testing,
block testing and ISO 15359 Paper and Board Testing.
For further information and purchase information contact Hanatek.
CREATING AND EDITING TEST METHODS
Hanatek friction tester ISO/ASTM/TAPPI/FINAT test methods contain
information about test set up only- dwell times, speed, distance etc.
For full details on running tests within the listed standard it is always
advisable to purchase a copy of the standard. The full standards
contain details about sample preparation, conditioning and testing
that it is not possible to list within the AFT software.
Testing standards are updated and reviewed constantly; it is the
user’s responsibility to ensure test methods are up to date, accurate
and relevant to their industry.
1.0 Go to MAIN MENU>CREATE/MODIFY TEST METHOD
Press the help button for graphical instructions.
2.0 Select the relevant test method and create/modify as required.
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RUNNING A TEST
1.0 Go to MAIN MENU>PERFORM TEST
Press the help button for graphical instructions.
. EXPORTING/PRINTING RESULTS
2.0 Go to MAIN MENU>VIEW PREVIOUS TEST RESULTS
Press the help button for graphical instructions.
Press the DETAILS button.
To EXPORT results plug a suitable USB data pen into any free USB port.
Press the EXPORT button. The results will be as a .txt file that can be
imported into any commercial spreadsheet software.
To PRINT results ensure a windows printer is attached and correctly
setup. Press the PRINT button.
.
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