The TA.XTPlus Texture Analyser

The new TA-XTPlus Texture Analyser is extremely efficient, capable of high-speed testing and boasts a completely new comprehensive software package.

Many new features enhance the functionality of the TA-XTPlus.

Instrument Specifications

Totally Programmable Multi-stage Testing

Multi-stage test programming facilities so the user can define individual arm movement sequences at various speeds and distances. This unique control feature enables the most complex test protocols to be established. As a result, the Texture Analyser is no longer limited to fixed library tests. However, all the TA.XT2 tests are provided for your convenience and can be accessed with just a few mouse clicks.

Multichannel Data Acquisition

The ability to plug-in peripheral instruments has been incorporated into the design to provide multi-channel data acquisition. This allows for many other measuring devices to be used in conjunction with the TA.XTplus and their data simultaneously collected, such as temperature and humidity monitors.

Any Computer, Any Windows Operating System, Completely Portable with No A-D Card Required

The TA.XT Plus can operate on any Windows operating system (Win 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP-home, XP-pro) so it can migrate to new computers as you upgrade your computers. It communicates with your computer via the serial port, so it can be used with any desktop, laptop, or other extremely small computers.

Maximum Speed

High speed testing up to 40mm/s can be reached using 5kg and 30kg load cells. This will be of interest when matching specific operational conditions or imitating real-life situations.

Minimum Speed

The high resolution functionality from the established product range has been incorporated into the model as standard, allowing for a minimum speed of 0.01mm/s.

Constant Strain and Strain Rate

Speed can alter in proportion to the instantaneous height of the sample so that products can be tested at a constant strain rate in compression or tension.

Flash Updates of Firmware via the PC

New firmware can be downloaded ('Flash Upgraded') to the TA.XTplus by a quick and simple software interface so that new features can be added to enhance the instrument capabilities.

Calibration

The TA.XT Plus can be calibrated with any weight up to the load cell capacity installed in the Texture Analyser to provide optimum accuracy at the force range of specific interest to the user.

Load Cell Auto Detection and Force Filtering

Load cell information such as capacity, calibration and serial numbers is stored within the load cell and automatically detected upon installation. This makes load cell changing much easier and quicker and prevents potential user errors.

No Keyboard

The TA.XTPlus does not have or use a keyboard, so the instrument takes up less bench space.

Fabulous TA-XTPlus software - Texture Exponent. Among the advantages:

  • Reload all settings & analysis & reports by clicking of single project button.
  • Long file name support: make files easier to locate and understand
  • Copy & paste directly into any Windows-based program (eg Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
  • Dockable and customisable toolbars: allow the user to configure their own shortcuts and tools menu
  • Graphs: windows are tabulated so that all information relating to the graphs, such as test settings, parameters and results, are filed together in a user-friendly, accessible manner.
  • Projects, results and macros have all been enhanced
  • Reports have been redesigned to use a more familiar word processing environment
  • Test Maker utility program to assist user to write custom sequences
  • Thumbnails: allow the user to preview the file before it is opened.
TA.XTPlus Texture Analyzer Specifications
5 Kilo Load Cell 30 Kilo Load Cell 50 Kilo Load Cell
Max Force +/- 5Kg +/- 30Kg +/- 50Kg
Force Sensitivity 0.1 g 1 g 1-3 g
Load Cells

Directly interchangeable by the user. All loadcells store their unique calibration and identification information in 'onboard' non-volatile memory
Speed Range

0.01 - 40mm-second ( 20mm/second at 50kg max. range )
Speed Accuracy

Better than 0.1%
Position Range Setting

0.001-295mm ( or 545 mm with Extended Range TA.XTPlus)
Range Resolution

0.001 mm

Data Channels for acoustic, electrical, & any other digital signal desired to be captured & syncronized by user

Capture other data streams synchronised with force, distance & time readings and the same high 500 pps data acquisition rate
Filtered force at 20 bit; Distance at 24 bit; Unfiltered force at 16 bit
Two linear analogue inputs (range +/- 4.5v at 16 bit) or PT100 temperature probe inputs (range -50°C to +250°C)
Biphase digital encoder input at 24 bit suitable for any compatible linear or rotary extensometer.

External Instrumentation Channels

Four channels of RS485 using an industry standard MODBUS protocol. Each channel logs at one sample per ten seconds at 16 bit and is suitable for external sensing of temperature, humidity etc.
Operating Modes Measurement of force and distance in tension or compression.
Library Wide range of standard texture analysis programs including Stress-Strain tests, Sinussoidal tests, TPA, Adhesive, Fatigue Cycling and stress relaxation.
Statistics Mean and Standard Deviation (in the instrument) and virtually any calculation via the Texture Expert or Texture Expert Exceed software programs.
Data Aquisition Rate

Up to 500 points per second (pps) for each data channel.

Filtered Force

Oversampled at 8000 samples per second and digitally filtered to 500 pps at 20 bit resolution.
Video Playback Syncronizer Digital videos captured of products during testing can be automatically syncronized with the force, distance & time plots. This allows users to visualize exactly what occured during the test in syncronization with the plots, and thus to better understand the product behaviors.

Firmware updates

The firmware can be easily upgraded via FLASH upgrades from the PC, distributed by e-mail.

PC Interface

Interface to PC through a standard RS232 serial port at 115200 BAUD.
Atmospheric Laboratory conditions. Dust and splash resistant
Operating Temperature 0 - 40° C (32-104° F)
Overall Dimensions 665 mm (26.2") tall x 440 mm (17.3") deep x 280 mm (11") wide
Weight 16.2 kg
Power Supply

Universal mains input voltage ( 85-264 volts AC at 47-63 Hz )

Outside of North America please contact: Stable Micro Systems, Ltd.

The TA.XTPlus Texture Analyzer and Texture Expert Exponent Software are extraordinarily well designed, engineered and manufactured for long-term reliability and accuracy by Stable Micro Systems, Ltd in Godalming, Surrey UK. SMS has distributors thoughout Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. TTC is SMS' distributor in North America.