Hardware
Designed and built by Forney, the CA-0397 RetroPak converts any manual machine to an automatic machine.
Forney RetroPak™ is an automatic control system that easily retrofits to most manual testing machines. It allows seamless conversion of a manual machine to fully automatic. It arrives pre-wired and pre-assembled making installation and connection quick and simple. RetroPak is the easiest way to upgrade a testing machine to fully automatic operation. It’s also the only one that works with ForneyVault.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Forneylink TA-1258 touchscreen HMI, hydraulic pump and Automatic (VFD) control system. The entire system is incorporated into a single console to allow easy field retrofit to existing manual compression testing machines. Comes assembled.
Convert to Easy Automatic Testing
The Forney automatic control system provides fully automatic, “one touch” testing for many construction material test specimens Push one button and the machine performs the complete test, including piston retract. Accurately controls the rate of load at the desired setting, thus no question about meeting ASTM (or other) specifications and ensuring repeatable results. Frees the operator to do other tasks while testing is in process.
Easy to Install
installation work consists of the removal of the existing hydraulic power pack and digital readout, along with the pressure transducer, hoses, and any other miscellaneous wiring.
The new system is connected via a single hose to the compression machine and then plugged into a standard electrical outlet (available for 110V or 240V). No further field modifications are required, except, at the customer’s request, or to incorporate non-standard features such as over-travel limit switches or specialized testing protocols.
The system works with typical compression testing machines utilizing 5,000 to 10,000 psi hydraulic operating pressures.
Hydraulic
The hydraulic unit is supplied as a complete, fully integrated assembly. The unit is pre-piped and pre-wired. It incorporates hydraulic valves, including an optional proportional valve for controlled piston retract required by code for Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio tests.
The ForneyLink human machine interface (HMI), hydraulic unit, E-Stop, and dump valve are directly connected to the unit. Single unit design permits easy installation and provides portability without disassembling of hydraulic or electrical components.
Electrical
A PC-based system utilizes a variable frequency drive to control the hydraulic pump motor. This maximizes efficiency – only running the pump at speeds necessary to achieve the desired pressure. This energy-efficient approach dramatically reduces heat build-up in the hydraulic system and greatly extends hydraulic component life.
Here are the main components of the system:
- Variable frequency drive (VFD)
- Windows-based touchscreen human machine interface (HMI)
- Pressure transducer that provides pressure feedback
- E-stop PB
- Limit switch
- Solenoid-operated dump valve
Safety Features
Several safety features are incorporated to protect both operator and testing machine:
- Maximum Capacity Protection: A high-pressure safety relief value protects the hydraulic circuit and load frame from exceeding maximum capacity.
- Overextension Protection: A piston over-extension limit switch system protects against piston extension beyond maximum travel.
Software
Easy Automatic Testing
push one button and the machine performs the complete test, including piston retract. Accurately controls the rate of load at the desired setting, thus no question about meeting ASTM (or other) specifications and ensuring repeatable results. Frees the operator to do other tasks while testing is in process.
Digital Control System
Setup of testing protocol, real-time display of test data, and post-test data transfer is accomplished through the ForneyLink touchscreen HMI. The operator can navigate options for:
- Test Run
- Test Setup
- Machine Setup
- Calibration
- Reporting and Data Transfer
- Diagnostics
Provides simultaneous display of force, stress, and rate of load and displays a real-time graph of Load vs. Time, or Stress vs. Strain. Standard functionality includes data collection by the ForneyLink HMI for printing and transfer. Data from optional extensometer and compressometer displacement transducers are also collected by the HMI. This data is captured with the same timestamp as the load data.
CMT Software Integration
Connected testing machines natively integrate with ForneyVault CMT software, improving important processes before and after an automatic test.
Before the test, Connected machines will:
- Enable positive specimen identification via barcode scan
- Provide pre-test “Smart Checks” based on preloaded sample and specimen data to validate sample date, ample size and type, and expected strength.
- Validate specimen geometry.
- Calculate preload settings based on actual and/or expected strength.
After the test, Connected machines will:
- Provide a detailed XY plot data for every test performed.
- Transfer data automatically to LIMS packages, QC systems, or other software.
- Alert to warn calibration expiration.
- Notify correction factor use, individual low breaks, and excessive variance.
- Enable intelligent workflows for detailed reporting and approvals.
Remote Support
With a user-provided Internet connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet), the RetroPak system is capable of real-time, online support from the Forney Support Team for basic settings and test setup to advanced troubleshooting, fault finding, and software updates.
We offer unlimited Remote Technical Support for all Forney Testing Machines during the two-year warranty period.
For ForneyVault® subscribers, post-warranty remote technical support fees are waived for the life of your subscription.
Please refer any special requirements to a Forney sales representative.
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.
