FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

When the microscope focal point is adjusted and the stage is moved to under the indenter before a test is started, if the indenter touches the sample or the indenter does not reach the sample during a test (“Loading now” is not displayed even after the displayed indentation depth exceeds 20 μm), indenter height adjustment is required.
Adjust the indenter height according to the procedure below:
1. Remove the objective lens cover.

  

2. Set the reference hardness sample on the stage. Lower the sample surface by approx. 10 mm from the focal point.
3. Move the sample to under the indenter.
4. Start the test program, and select [Adjust] - [Adjust]. Then, select "Adjust balance".

  Force:0.98mN, Speed:1.0mN/s, Hold time:999s, Depth scale:10um

   

5. Click [Execute] then the indenter will start to go down. And it will stop once at the moment when the depth detector output reaches 0μm.
  Make sure that the depth value is in the range 2±1μm, when the indenter stops once. If the depth value is not 2±1 μm, perform the adjustment in "Balance Adjustment/Depth Detector Adjustment" first.

  Clich here for "(DUH) Balance Adjustment/Depth Detector Adjustment". 

6. Put a weight which is approximately 1g onto a horizontal part of loading unit carefully to go down the indenter.

  

7. Watching at the clearance between the indenter and the sample and raise the stage slowly to approach the sample to the indenter until just before touching them.
8. After approaching the sample to the indenter, raise further the stage slowly while watching depth value.
  When the stage rises and contacts the indenter, the depth value will start decreasing. Then continue to raise the stage slowly until the depth value reach at 7±3μm.
9. Click the [Stop test (F12)] button and remove the weight which was put on the loading unit in procedure 6. Then the indenter will separate from the sample and will rise to standby position.

10. Move X-Y stage and click [Execute] again at new position of sample surface. After that, the indenter will stop once, then so click [Continue]. Then the indenter will continue to go down and will touch the sample surface. At the time make sure that the depth value is in the range 7±3μm.

  If it is not 7±3 μm, repeat adjustment from procedure 7. again.

  

11. Switch the revolver from the x50 objective lens to blank mount to avoid collision between lens and sample. (If optional x10 objective lens is attached, switch to the optional lens.)
  Next slide the stage to observation position. then switch the revolver to x50 objective lens while watching clearance between lower end of the objective lens and the sample. If they are likely to collide, raise the lens by turning the lens adjustment ring beforehand.

12. Adjust the focal point for the x50 objective lens by turning the lens adjustment ring.

  

13. When the optional lens is attached, the identical focal point adjustment.

  Click here for "(DUH) Identical Focal Point Adjustment".

14. To check the adjustment result, lower the stage, adjust the focal point, and re-start a test.
15. If the indenter touches the sample surface at a position of 7±3 μm, the indentation height adjustment procedure is completed.
  The indentation depth detector’s measurement range is 20 μm max. To ensure 10 μm effective measurement length, the indenter - sample surface contact position must be 10 μm or less. However, if the indentation depth is small due to a hard sample or small test force, the contact position can be set to less than 10 μm. For example, when you use a sample whose indentation depth is always expected to be 5 μm or less, the indenter - sample surface contact position can be set to 4 to 15 μm. Therefore, adjust the indentation height according to this range.

  Adjust the indentation height according to the test purpose.

  If the indenter - sample surface contact position is deviated from 7±3μm, repeat the above procedure from Step 4.
16. Mount the lens cover.
17. Then, perform magnification adjustment.

  Click here for "(DUH) Magnification Adjustment".