CHATILLON DFS Series
Digital Force Gauge With Integral Loadcell

The CHATILLON® DFS Series offers the best price performance of any digital force gauge available today. This compact, easy-to-use force gauge is designed for basic and complex applications. Ideal for handheld or test stand applications, the DFS may be equipped with integral loadcells or smart remote sensors for load measurement or torque measurement. Measurement accuracy is better than 0.1% full scale.

A large, easy-to-read, high resolution dot matrix LCD display supports a variety of standard gauge functions including normal and peak readings, high/low limits, setpoints, pass/fail results, statistical results, load averaging, load comparisons, % and sharp break detection, loadcell actuation and direction. Loads are displayed in ozf, gf, lbf, kgf and N units. The display can be inverted and displayed results may be "hidden" from the operator. The DFS gauge comes standard with an RS-232 cable, carrying case, battery adapter/charger, testing accessories and NIST Certificate of Calibration with data.

Features

• Eight Models and Capacities
• Advanced Operating Modes
  • Normal
  • Peak Tension and Compression
  • % or Sharp Break Detection
  • Load Comparisons & Load Averaging
  • Contact Closure
  • Load Limits
  • Pass-Fail Limits
• Statistical Calculations
  • Mean with Maximum and Minimum Values
  • Coefficient of Variation with Mean and Standard Deviation
  • Standard Deviation with Variance and Mean
  • % Differentiation
• Integral Loadcells
  • Accuracy ±0.1% Full Scale
  • Mechanical Overload Protection to 150% Full Scale
• Simple Operator Interface
  • High Resolution Display
  • Menus, Prompts and Function Keys for Easy Use
• Standard Outputs
  • RS232 Serial Data, Mitutoyo Digimatic, ±2Vdc Analog
• NIST Calibration with Data
  • Available IEC/ISO17025 Cert with Uncertainty
• 2 Year Warranty

Easy-to-Read Display

A large, easy-to-read 128 x 64 dot matrix display can display up to 8 lines of information. The high resolution display features contrast adjustments and can be inverted when required. The display can even be "hidden" at the press of a button. A load bargraph indicates load direction, measured load and safe load and helps prevent overloads. The integral loadcells feature mechanical overload protection at 150% Full Scale.

Single Touch Operation

The rubber keypad features dedicated and dynamic function keys. The function keys correspond to displayed options and guide the user during operation. A navigation pod lets you navigate through the menus and to scroll and change values quickly. The innovative "i" key can be used to display critical information on the gauge such as gauge capacity and resolution, battery life remaining, loadcell overload history, even service information including last calibration date, or the location of service centers.

Dependable Measurements

The DF Series features an integral loadcell sensor that delivers repeatable, accurate results. The innovative load bargraph shows dynamic load, direction of load and warns you of pending overload conditions. Smart technology in the gauge even keeps track of overload history to aide in maintenance and troubleshooting.

Comprehensive Results

The DF Series supplies you with comprehensive results that are easy to view and understand. The gauge displays:

• Measured Result with Units
• Operating Mode
• Pass-Fail Result
• High and Low Load Results
• Break Detection
  • Sharp Break
  • Percentage Break
• Contact Closure
• Load Averaging
  • Time Based
  • Load Based
• Saved Results
• Statistical Calculations
  • Average with MIN and MAX Results
  • Cv with Average and Standard Deviation
  • % Differentiation between Successive Results
  • Standard Deviation based on Total Population or (n-1)

Outputs

The DFS Series comes standard with digital and analog outputs. RS232 outputs are supported with baud rates from 4800 to 115,600. Simply select the baud rate and whether or not you want to gauge to transmit with or without units. You may select the Mitutoyo output when communicating with a Mitutoyo device. Or, you may use the ±2V analog output to drive alarms or other ancillary devices.

Validated Calibration

The DF Series comes standard with a Certificate of Calibration with data certified to NIST. Calibration Certificates with uncertainty calculations are also offered since AMETEK is an ISO17025 accredited manufacturer.

Calibrate and Verify Status

The DF Series incorporates flash memory and hosts a set of self-diagnostic functions for monitoring the display, keypad and electronics. Using the "i" key, you have immediate access to battery conditions, including estimated battery life remaining. You can also view loadcell status, including the number of overloads that have been applied to the gauge. Zero offset verification is standard and a step-by-step calibration procedure is built-in allowing you to calibrate your DF gauge with certified standards.

Normal and Peak Modes

The DF digital gauge will display Normal and Peak tension and compression loads. Results may be displayed in ozf, gf, lbf, kgf or N units. Use the UNITS key to sequence through the available units. You may define and establish your Default Units during instruments setup. You can increase the size of the displayed information using the keypad.

High & Low Load or Pass-Fail Limits

The DF Series may be configured with High and Low Load Limits or Pass-Fail Limits. Load limits allow you to establish setpoints for your testing. If the gauge exceeds a setpoint value, the gauge can provide a visual and audible alarm. You can also setup the gauge to operate as a pass-fail system. You can setup a pass-fail limit based on a limit range or on a nominal value with a % bandwidth. Based on your setup, the gauge will provide you with a Pass-Fail indication.

Contact Closure

The contact closure feature can be used to freeze the display at a load value equal to the "make" or "break" on an electrical contact.

Statistical Results

You may save and store up to 10 results in instrument memory for later recall or to calculate statistical results. The gauge labels each results and indicates memory capacity. The gauge will alert you when memory is full. Statistical results include:

• Calculate Mean and also show you the MAX and MIN values for your calculation
• Coefficient of Variation is calculated and displayed with the Mean and Standard Deviation value
• Standard Deviation is calculated and displayed with the Mean and the Variance value. Total Population and Sample (n-1) methods are supported.

Simplified Setup

Menus and intelligent prompts make gauge setup fast and easy. Gauge options are presented in a "List Format". Using the navigation pod and function keys, you simply select the functions and parameters required. The gauge will guide you through the setup process. Default settings are provided and a "Quick Reset" allows you to re-establish defaults with a single key press. Using the standard RS232 output, you can print your gauge setup parameters for record archiving or to use as a setup template for other DFS force gauges in your plant.

Load Averaging

Two methods of load averaging are standard with your DFS. Load averaging is useful to determining load characteristics of long test periods or for samples with characteristically noisy load readings.

Load Method
This method allows you to define a load threshold. The gauge will begin taking readings once the load threshold has been reached and will continue to take and average readings until the measured load falls below the threshold value.

Time Method
The Time method allows you to establish your load averaging based on a load threshold and time duration. The load threshold determines the start of the averaging, while the time duration defines the length of the test period. The gauge will begin taking readings when the threshold is reached and will continue to take and average readings until the time duration has expired.

Percentage and Sharp Break Detection

Break detection is provided and two types of breaks are supported. A sharp break can be used to detect whenever the load measurement drops 5% from a peak load. Alternatively, you may override the sharp break and setup the gauge with a % break detector. The % break detector allows you to set the drop percentage that is used to define a break. This type of break is useful on samples with high elastic characteristics.

Load Comparison

Load comparisons of up to two sets of 5 results may be measured using the DFS. The gauge will measure and store up to 5 results for each of two tests (10 results). The gauge will then display the first set of results with the second set of results and calculate statistical relationships such as % difference, COV, variance and standard deviation. This feature is ideal for functional capacity testing.

Automate with Nexygen Software

Your DFS can make use of our Nexygen software for gauge applications. With Nexygen software, you can perform tests and graph results automatically using a personal computer. Load results may be shown graphically versus time. Tabular results are displayed and can be used to create relationships, queries or used to produce reports. You can format the display to match your requirements and establish pre- and post-test questions that require the operator to answer questions based on the test setup. Setup is easy too. Menus, radio buttons and prompts guide you through instrument and test setup. Since Nexygen software is OLE2 compatible, information can be exchanged transparently with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Specifications

Accuracy: ±0.1% of full scale
Certification: Calibration with NIST Data, IEC/ISO17025 optional
Data Sampling Rate: 5000 Hz
Peak Capture Rate: 5000 Hz
Display Update Rate: 10 Hz
Tare Capacity: 10% full scale
Overload Protection: 150% full scale
Display Characteristics: High resolution, dot-matrix LCD, 8 lines, 40 characters, adjustable contrast, invert and "hide" capability
Automatic Shut Down: Configurable time. May be disabled.
Data Storage: 10 results, Optional NEXYGEN™ software for unlimited storage and automated testing and analysis
Outputs: RS-232, Mitutoyo (Digimatic) and +2Vdc Analog
Power: Battery or direct AC operation. Universal Power 120V/230V, Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (supplied)
Battery Life: Approximately 30 hours, continuous use. Gauge may be operated with direct AC Power Source.
Instrument Weight: 1.5 lbs (0.7 kg)
Operating Temperature: 40 to 100°F (4 to 38°C)
Warranty: 2 year

Available Models and Accessories

DFS Series with Integral Load Sensor

Note: Gauge is supplied with a 120V Charger/Adapter and US Mains Plug. Use the following prefixes if you require a UK or EU Mains Plug.
- UK 230V UK Style Mains Plug (Example: DFS-100-UK)
- EU 230V EU Style Mains Plug (Example: DFS-050-EU)

DFS Series Accessories

Note: *Accessories are Model dependent.
100 lbf (500 N) capacities and below use a #10-32 fitting
200 and 500 lbf (1 kN and 2.5 kN) capacities use a 5/16-18 fitting

Interface Cables, Adapters and Software

Specification SS-FM-3004-0904, September 2004
AMETEK, CHATILLON and NEXYGEN are registered trademarks of AMETEK, Inc.