Maintenance of LoadTrac  II / LoadTrac III


    There are no scheduled maintenance requirements for any of the LoadTrac-II/LoadTrac III equipment.  However, we do have some recommendations (as described below) for keeping your equipment in the best possible working condition.  The LoadTrac-II/LoadTrac III system comprises durable but precision components.  As with any precision laboratory equipment, it should be operated with care and only by a skilled user.  Have every person who will use the system become familiar with the functioning of the equipment through a study of this manual and the software manual, or through training by another skilled user.  Strongly discourage the curious worker who drops by and wants to see by trial and error what the system will do.


Frame


  1. Clean the exterior of the load frame with water and a mild dishwashing detergent.  Do not use abrasives or any cleaner that reacts with aluminum, such as those containing ammonia.  Do not use any abrasive scrubbing cloth.
  2. Avoid water dripping into the interior of the load frame.  Electronics inside the frame could be damaged.
  3. Avoid sliding objects which might cause scratches over the load frame case.
  4. Be careful to prevent objects from rolling beneath the load platen.  They can get crushed or damage the load frame case when the platen is lowered.
  5. Do not remove the load frame case unless you have been instructed to do so and know exactly what you are doing.
  6. Avoid changing the position of the cross head unless you are very familiar with the operation of LoadTrac-II/LoadTrac III and know what you are doing.  It is possible to damage an item on the platen if the cross head is too low.
  7. The fan slots on the back of the load frame may collect a lot of dust.  If this happens, turn the load frame power switch (on the back panel) off so that the fan is off.  Use a vacuum cleaner to carefully clean the dust from the slots.


Transducers


  1. Treat the force and displacement transducers with care.  They can be irreparably damaged.
  2. Keep moisture away from the transducers.
  3. Never plug the cable from the load cell into anything except the top connector on the back of the load frame.
  4. Be sure the load cell cable is positioned so that it cannot become entangled with anything on the platen or accidentally snagged by anything being moved by a worker


Computer

  1. Keep the computer and monitor screen free of dust.
  2. Clean the exterior of the computer with water and mild dishwashing detergent.
  3. Avoid getting liquids inside the computer.
  4. Avoid spilling liquids onto the keyboard.
  5. In dusty environments, cover the keyboard when not in use.

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