General

Benzwin 2000 Specific Gravity Test Software acquires test data, presents it in realtime graphical format and produces reports both graphically and in tables.

Reports can include test parameters, operator-selected results, average standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and maximum and minimum test results.

Reports can be graphic in the form of histograms which plot test results including deviation, memory, variation of tolerance, consistency, etc.

Test data can easily be exported to other programs that accept comma delimited files with the click of a button.

Data entry follows standard procedures common to many software programs, making Benzwin 2000 easy to run and learn and operators can easily configure test parameters and can later adjust them to reorganize test results for different needs.

Process control testing is simplified as the operator sets acceptable test limits (gate parameters). If data fails the tests, the failure is indicated in the test report.

Windows based program is believed to be the fastest and most feature-filled program of its kind.

Getting Started

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Setting up the system is simply a matter of connecting the serial cable from the tester to the proper COM port on the rear of the PC. The program uses COM2 as default. With the cable connected and the program running the Communication Indicator should be green.

Running Tests

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Because of the wide variety of test methods and configurations used for running a test, only a basic procedure will be given here. The actual procedure will depend on the application. Either a standard density test can be performed or a swell test can be performed on a prior test sample that has been conditioned.

1) From the Setup menu select Units and enter in the desired units that will be used for displaying the test data. Any test parameters to be entered will also be based on the chosen units. Test results can be viewed at a later time using any desired units.

2) From the Setup menu select Test Options and enter in the appropriate setup.

3) From the Setup menu select Sample and enter in the appropriate sample identification and parameters.

4) From the File menu select New and enter in the desired file name to be used for saving the test data. If you are performing a swell test you do not need to select a New test file. You will be prompted to select an existing test file to add the swell data to.

5) If required zero the Weight display.

6) To begin the test select Run Test from the main menu. The following window will appear:



If the head is not already in the upper position click the arrow button to raise it. Select the test type and click the Start Test button on the run test window. When prompted attach the pin followed by the pin and sample. After the sample is attached the head will be lowered and the wet weight will be obtained. The dry weight and wet weight will be displayed in the appropriate boxes and the Specific Gravity will then be calculated and diplayed. When the test ends all input parameters and test results will be saved to the filename selected previously. At this time the test results will also be available on the screen and can be printed if desired. If needed a comment can be added to the test data file.

7) You can continue to run more tests using the same configuration and filename by simply clicking the Start Test button on the run test window and attaching the next sample as described above.

Viewing Previous Tests

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Once tests have been run they can be viewed or printed at any time. To open test files for viewing select Open or Open Multi from the file menu and select the desired test(s). The test results can be displayed using any desired units. Select the results that you wish to be displayed from the Results menu under setup. If needed you can change or add a comment to the test data file. You can remove individual files from the display by removing them from the Test File Box .

New	[Previous] [Main] [Next]

Allows the operator to specify a filename and folder for storing a test or a series of tests. This must be done before any new test data can be saved. When a new file name is typed in a 000 suffix will automatically be added to the filename. During a series of tests the suffix will automatically be incremented. If an existing test file name is selected from the file list, the suffix will automatically be incremented to next available (non existing) increment up to 999. The current testfile will appear in the Test File Box and be enclosed by >> <<.

Open	[Previous] [Main] [Next]

Opens an existing test file and displays the test results on the screen for reviewing or printing.

Open Multi

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Opens multiple existing test files and displays the test results on the screen for reviewing or printing. When a series of files are found click on the top file and drag the mouse over all files that you want to view.

Export

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Test Results: Creates a comma delimited text file of the test results currently displayed on the screen for importing into spreadsheet programs. The file will be saved in the specified location with the specified filename.

Print

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Prints the test results currently displayed on the screen.

When you are ready to print, click on the print key and the information will be sent to the default printer.

Exit	[Previous] [Main] [Next]

Exits the program and allows the option to use the current configuration settings as default settings next time the program is started.

Units

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The desired units for the display of test data and inputting of parameters are selected here. Selection of certain units may enable or disable input fields on other setup screens.

Sample

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Allows inputting of various test sample parameters and custom identification labels and data. The sample identification box contains 15 input boxes initially labeled Other1 thru Other15. The labels of these boxes can be changed to display test sample information such as product, lot, coumpound, batch, alloy, pour, etc to suit your requirements. To change the label, simply double click on the label you wish to change and when prompted enter in the new label name. Once changed they cannot be changed again in order to maintain consistency when test results are displayed on future tests.

Test Options

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Sample Time: Enter the time duration in seconds for measuring the wet weight. The wet weight is averaged during this period. Use longer times if vibrations are present in the test area.

Dwell Time: Enter the time in seconds to wait before taking wet weight readings after the sample is submersed in the liquid. This allows time for any liquid motion to subside.

Liquid Density: Enter the density of the liquid that the sample will be submersed in. This will be used in calculating the specific gravity of the sample   

Gate Setup

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Allows the operator the ability to define acceptable high and low limits on particular test results. These gates can be input by the operator, perhaps a customer defined acceptable range, or automatically computed based upon a previously defined set of acceptable tests. When successive tests are run, the test report will show which tests are out of range and which gates were not passed.

As an example if a particular test result had a value that was higher than its corresponding limit, the out of tolerance condition would be flagged as Fail: XX+ in the gate column of the result table (XX is a two letter abbreviaton for the test result). Likewise if the test result value was lower than the corresponding limit the condition would be flagged as Fail: XX-. If all test results fell within the acceptable limits, OK will appear in the gate column.

GATES must be selected in results table for this to be displayed.

Gate parameters can be stored in "Gate Files". To create these files, either open a group of test files that fall within the acceptable range and click on CREATE, or enter a high and low value for each parameter selected. Create takes the average of each test parameter, based on the test files selected, and calculates a range of 10 percent. the value at 10 percent is then entered into each parameter. If individual values are not acceptable, the operator can then modify them before storage. When acceptable values have been entered, enter a filename for the gates or select an existing one from the list then click on SAVE to store these values

Load will load the Gate File and corresponding parameters selected from the drop down box.

Results

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Allows the operator to select desired test results to be displayed in the results window and on the printed report.

Click on the box next to each label to select or unselect each. If there is a check in the box next to a label, the corresponding data will be viewed on the results screen. Results from all tests selected will be listed in rows under the column headings selected, if there is no data corresponding to the column, NA will be printed in that row.

When a test is run, all test results on the list are calculated and saved even if they are unselected. Unselected results are simply not displayed.

Tile Vertically

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Displays all open windows with the screen split into equal vertical windows. You can resize the windows by dragging the window edges or corners with the pointer, or move the windows by dragging the title bars, according to standard Windows methods.

Tile Horizontally

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Displays all open windows with the screen split into equal horizontal windows. You can resize the windows by dragging the window edges or corners with the pointer, or move the windows by dragging the title bars, according to standard Windows methods.

Cascade

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Displays all open windows in a stacked format. Use the Cascade command when you want quick access to all open windows, but you want the active windows to take up most of the display area. You can resize the windows by dragging the window edges or corners with the pointer, or move the windows by dragging the title bars, according to standard Windows methods.

Click on any visible part of a window to bring it to the top of the stack.

Main Display Window

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The Main Display Window contains the menus and various display boxes.

Communication Indicator

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The communication status indicator is a small box located in the upper left corner of the
Main Window. It indicates the status of serial data communications between the tester and your PC. If communications are OK the indicator light will be green otherwise it will be red to indicate a problem. Before any test can be run the indicator must be green. If you are experiencing a problem check first ensure that the tester is powered up and that the serial cable between the test frame and the PC is properly connected. Also check for any loose or disconnected cables on the rear of the control panels on the tester. If you are still having problems check to see which COM port you are plugging into on your PC. The program defaults to COM2. If you need to change the default com port see Changing The COM Port

Load Cell Box

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Shows the type of load cell that is connected to the system if any.

Test File Box

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Shows a list of test files currently loaded or the pending file if New has been selected in the file menu. The full path and test file name and number are included. The current test file name that will be used if a test is perfomed will be enclosed by >> << ( if New has been selected only). Clicking the arrow brings up the list. To remove a file from the list, click on the desired file and press the delete key.

Weight Display

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Displays the actual weight on the load cell. Clicking the "0" button next to the display zero's the weight.

The Results Window

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The Results Window presents a list of selected test results, test parameters and sample information in a table format. To change the way the results window appears see Using The Results Window

Using The Results Window

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Test results of selected test files are displayed in a table format. You can select which results are displayed from the Results Menu. If more than two test files are being displayed 5 rows containing statistical information will be added.

To add a comment to a test file double click the row containing the file and enter the comment when prompted. Note: single clicking a row containing a test file will show that files filename and path at the top of the results window. You can add a comment immediately after a test or at a later time by opening that test file.

To see a bar chart or histogram of specific data move the cusor to the column containing the desired data (eg Peak Force), click on the starting row of the data and drag the cursor down until all the desired data is highlighted and release the mouse button. This will bring up the histogram window.

The Histogram Window

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The histogram window presents a graphical representation of trends in data selected from the results window. To change the way the histogram appears see Using The Histogram Window

Using The Histogram Window

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The Histogram graphically shows variations of test results.

If Distribution is selected the histogram will show the number of occurances of test results that falls within specified ranges. In the distribution mode you can use the Steps, XMin and XMax boxes to alter the range of the bottom axis. Use the Draw button to redraw the histogram after changing the values.

If Trend is selected the histogram will display the actual value of individual test results. If Sort is checked the test results will be shown ordered from highest to lowest.




Print Button: Prints the histogram


Bar Button: Selects bar type display


Line Button: Selects Line type display

Changing The COM Port

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The program uses COM2 by default. The default COM port can be changed by adding the desired COM port # to the shortcut used to start the program. Typically the shortcut is in the Window's Start menu under Programs. To access the shortcut, right click the Windows Start button. Left click "Open". Double click "Programs". Find the test program Icon and right click. From the list that appears click "Properties" . Select the shortcut tab at the top. In the target area add a space followed by the desired COM port # to the end of the file name. The program will now default to whatever COM port # that was entered.

As an example "program-name.exe 1" will use COM port 1.