ARIENSE SENSE YOUR WORLD. 3-Axis Force Sensor FSE103. User Guide. Version 2.1. July VARIENSE INC.

V ARIENSE SENSE YOUR WORLD 3-Axis Force Sensor FSE103 Version 2.1 July 2017 2016 VARIENSE INC.

Contents 1 Product Overview 2 2 Safety 3 3 Setup 4 3.1 Mounting the sensor........................................... 4 3.2 Wiring the sensor............................................. 5 4 Software 6 4.1 FSE Reader................................................ 6 4.1.1 Interface.............................................. 6 4.1.2 Commands............................................ 7 4.1.3 Recording............................................. 8 4.2 User integration.............................................. 9 4.2.1 Connection............................................ 9 4.2.2 Commands............................................ 9 4.2.3 Data format............................................ 10 5 Specifications 11 5.1 Mechanical dimensions......................................... 11 5.2 Technical specifications......................................... 11 6 Warranty 12 7 Contact 13

1 Product Overview The Variense FSE103 is a unique 3-axis force sensor, which means it can measure up to three components of force. It is a round sensor with a diameter of 39 mm and a sensing range of 100 N. All multi-axis force sensors work by exhibiting a variation of signal when forces are exerted on their surfaces; but the new digital FSE103 is based on capacitive technology that provides enhanced sensitivity without compromising signal integrity. The result is low system noise and reduced measurement errors. Intelligent functionality, maximum sensitivity and ultimate compactness ensure that this sensor will answer your needs. When buying a FSE103, you will receive the following items: Item Qty FSE103 sensor 1 USB cable (Type A to Micro-B) 1 Quick start guide 1 Please contact us at support@variense.com if you have any questions or concerns. X Loading area Y Z USB connector Figure 1.1: Overview of the Variense FSE103. Please note that the drawings and photos in this documentation are representative examples and the delivered product may not be exactly as depicted here. 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 2

2 Safety Please read the following information before using the FSE103. Always respect the environmental conditions presented in the table below. The FSE103 has not been tested for use in extreme environments. Always handle the FSE103 with care. It is made of metal and plastic and has sensitive electronic components inside, and can be damaged if dropped, burned, punctured or crushed. Do not force a connector into a port. Remember to check for obstructions, make sure the connector matches the port, and position the connector correctly in relation to the port. Do not try to open the FSE103. If opened, it will no longer be calibrated properly, and any warranty you may have with Variense will be voided. Please contact us if your sensor needs repairs. Any repairs should be done by Variense, unless otherwise specified. FSE103 Minimum storage/transit temperature -25 C Maximum storage/transit temperature 70 C Minimum operating temperature 15 C Maximum operating temperature 40 C Humidity (non-condensing) 20-80% RH Keep away from Dust, soot or water Corrosive liquids or gases Explosive liquids or gases Powerful electromagnetic interference 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 3

3 Setup 3.1 Mounting the sensor The FSE103 must be mounted using the threaded holes located on the bottom side of the sensor. 3 x M3x0.5 2,50 MOUNTING SURFACE THREADED HOLES USB CONNECTOR 27 Figure 3.1: Bottom view of the Variense FSE103 (measurements in mm) Tips: Mount the sensor as closely as possible to the area that will undergo the force you will be measuring. Make sure the base of the sensor is solidly fixed. 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 4

Attach the FSE103 to the force measurement point using the identified threaded hole situated on the top side of the sensor. M5x0.8 6 THREADED HOLE XY XY Figure 3.2: Top view of the Variense FSE103 (measurements in mm). 3.2 Wiring the sensor Use the included cable, or any Type A to Micro-B USB cable, to connect your FSE103 to your computer. X Sensor Y Z Micro USB Type B Female Micro USB Type B Connector Figure 3.3: Wiring diagram of the Variense FSE103. 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 5

4 Software 4.1 FSE Reader You can download our free software (FSE-3 Reader) from our website. 4.1.1 Interface 1 2 3 4 5 6 1- Menu bar 2- Tool bar 3- Connection status 4- Current forces display 5- Graph and recording display 6- Status bar 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 6

4.1.2 Commands Export as... Export recorded data as one of the available formats (.txt or.csv). Exit Close the application (warning: any unsaved recordings will be lost). Start Recording Begin recording incoming data. Stop Recording Stop recording. Recorded data can now be exported. Clear Recording Delete all recorded data. Any unsaved recordings will be lost. Initialize Sensor Initialize the sensor s baseline 1. Set Offset Set the current force as the new zero (this new zero will be lost upon application shutdown). Remove Offset Revert to the default zero. 1 If initialization is needed, it must be done while no forces are applied on the sensor. 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 7

Help... Open the. About FSE103... Display information about the connected sensor. 4.1.3 Recording The "Graph" tab displays the past few seconds of force data, even when it is not recording. While recording, the background changes color and the elapsed time is displayed in the status bar. The "Data" tab displays only the recorded data. The "Comments" column allows the user to enter notes after recording. The entered text will be exported along with all the data when "Export as..." is clicked. 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 8

4.2 User integration If you are not using our user interface, please note that the FSE103 will continuously stream data through the USB cable as soon as the cable is plugged in. However, no data is saved within the sensor itself. 4.2.1 Connection The FSE103 is seen as a serial device (COM port) when plugged into a computer. Since the sensor uses a USB CDC to emulate serial communication through USB protocol, no settings need to be specified when opening the serial port. 4.2.2 Commands Two types of data can be sent by the sensor: calculated forces raw values used to calculate the forces By default, the FSE103 sends the calculated forces as soon as the cable is plugged in. You can switch between the two modes by sending the following command: Name Command [Default] Stream calculated forces f or F Stream raw values r or R Initialize sensor z or Z 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 9

4.2.3 Data format The sensor uses the following format when sending calculated forces: Name Format Length Value Start of message Char 1 byte 0x0D Size of message Char 1 byte 0x14 Type of message Char 1 byte 0x66 Timestamps 1 Uint32 4 bytes... Force X Float 4 bytes... Force Y Float 4 bytes... Force Z Float 4 bytes... End of message Char 1 byte 0xFF The sensor uses the following format when sending raw values: Name Format Length Value Start of message Char 1 byte 0x0D Size of message Char 1 byte 0x14 Type of message Char 1 byte 0x72 Timestamps 1 Uint32 4 bytes... Raw 1 Float 4 bytes... Raw 2 Float 4 bytes... Raw 3 Float 4 bytes... End of message Char 1 byte 0xFF 1 The timestamps are represented by the number of milliseconds elapsed since the FSE103 was plugged in. 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 10

5 Specifications 5.1 Mechanical dimensions 39 XY 10 Loading Area XY V ARIENSE Z Z 1 21,12 Units: mm Figure 5.1: Dimensions of the Variense FSE103. 5.2 Technical specifications Feature Condition Value Unit Note Mechanical specifications Diameter Outer 39 mm Thickness 21 mm Weight 40 g Overload capacity Fz 200 % Signal specifications Sensing range Fx, Fy, Fz 100, 80, 80 N Signal noise < 0.8 N Drift < 1 N 72 hours Noise sensitivity Immune Electrical ratings Supply voltage DC 2.8-5.3 V Communication interface USB 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 11

6 Warranty Variense warrants the FSE103 against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of receipt when used as instructed. During the warranty period, Variense will repair or replace any defective product free of charge. If the equipment is sent to us during the warranty period and found to meet all published specifications, Variense will charge standard verification fees. The warranty will become null and void if the: Unit has been tampered with, repaired, or worked on by unauthorized individuals Screws have been removed Unit has been opened Unit has been damaged by misuse, neglect, or accident This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties expressed, implied, or statutory, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Variense be liable for special, incidental, or consequential damages. Variense shall not be liable for damages resulting from the use of the product, nor shall it be responsible for any failure in the performance of other items to which the product is connected or for failure in the operation of any system of which the product may be a part. Exclusion Variense reserves the right to make changes in the design or construction of any of its products at any time without incurring an obligation to make any changes whatsoever on units already purchased. This warranty excludes failure resulting from: improper use or installation, normal wear and tear, accident, abuse, neglect, fire, water, lightning or other acts of nature, causes external to the product or other factors beyond Variense s control. 2016 Variense, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 12