be certain.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

User Information and Software Reference

100-194-692 B
 Copyright information © 2008, 2009 MTS Systems Corporation. All rights reserved.

Trademark information FlexTest, MicroConsole, MTS, RPC, Temposonics, TestStar, and TestWare are
registered trademarks of MTS Systems Corporation; MPT, Station Builder, and
Station Manager are trademarks of MTS Systems Corporation within the United
States. These trademarks may be protected in other countries.

Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft

Corporation. All other trademarks or service marks are property of their
respective owners.

Publication information MANUAL PART NUMBER PUBLICATION DATE MTS 793 SOFTWARE RELEASE
100-194-692 A November 2008 Version 5.1A or later

100-194-692 B August 2009 Version 5.1A or later

2 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

Contents
Remote Station Controller (RSC) 5

About the Remote Station Controller 5

Defining the RSC (.hwi file) 6
Cabling the RSC to the Controller 7
Enabling a Remote Station Controller 7
RSC Controls and Indicators 8
Interlock Indicator and Reset Button 9
HSM Controls 9
HPS Controls 10
Emergency Stop 11
Station Stop 11
Test Controls 12
Manual Control 13
Velocity Limiter 14
RSC Setpoint Control 14
Display Controls 15
Station Manager Page 17
Station Manager Page—Reference 17
How to Change Control Modes 18
How to Zero a Sensor Signal 18
Active Control Application 19
HSM Display 19
About Channel Groups 19
MultiPurpose TestWare Page 20
MultiPurpose TestWare Page—Reference 20
Message Window Displays 21
Message Window Displays—Reference 21

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller Contents 3

 Signal Lists and Pages 23
About Signal Lists and Pages 23
How to Create Signal Lists 23
How to Edit Signal Lists 24
How to Create Signal Pages 25

Index 27

4 Contents MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 About the Remote Station Controller

Remote Station Controller (RSC)

About the Remote Station Controller
The Remote Station Controller (RSC) is a portable device that can be used to:

• Reset interlocks

• Activate and disable system hydraulics

• Manually control your actuator

• Start and stop tests

• Monitor and zero sensor inputs

• Shut down the station in an emergency

Typically, the RSC is placed on a table or stand near your load frame or test table.

Remote Station Controller

810 Material Test System

m Power

TestStar™
IIs Command

647 Hydraulic Wedge Grip

647 Hydraulic Wedge Grip

Remote Station Control

F1 F2 F3 F4 Status

Interlock HSM HPS Test Manual Control

Enable /
Reset High High Run Disable

Emergency Stop

Low Low Hold

Off Off Stop

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 5

Defining the RSC (.hwi file)

Defining the RSC (.hwi file)

In order to use an RSC with your station, it must be defined in your .hwi file.
When you start the system loader utility, each RSC defined in the .hwi file is
reset and made ready to communicate with your station.

Note For information about editing the .hwi file to accommodate RSCs, see
the MTS 793 Utility Software manual (PN 100-147-132).

FTIIm/CTC/CTM/GT/ The .hwi file entry defines which port the RSC should be connected to, which
TSIIm firmware file is used, and the proper interlock chain.

GRES III connector Interlock Chain

RSC
NAME="RSC 1" HOST PORT="GRES COM 1" FILENAME="POD.HEX" INTERLOCK="1"

RSC name Identifies the RSC firmware

TSIIs/TSIIs AP The .hwi file entry for an RSC defines which port the RSC should be connected
to and which firmware file is used.

Europa Board

RSC
NAME="RSC 1" HOST PORT="EUROPA COM 1" FILENAME="POD.HEX"

RSC name Identifies the RSC firmware

6 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Cabling the RSC to the Controller

Cabling the RSC to the Controller

Note For more RSC cabling information, see the MTS Model 793 Controller
Hardware manual (PN 100-147-133).

TestStar IIs/AP For TestStar IIs and TestStar IIs AP controllers, you can connect a single RSC to
connector J50. The proper connectors must be defined in the .hwi file.

TestStar IIm For TestStar IIm Controllers, you can connect one or more RSCs (up to four) to
connector J50A–J50D on the Series 498 RS-485 transition module. The proper
connectors must be defined in the .hwi file.

Note The TestStar IIm Controller requires a Model 498.71B Global Resources
III module.

FlexTest Controllers For the following FlexTest controllers, you can connect one or more RSCs (up to
four) to connector J50A–J50D on the 498 RS-485 transition module: FlexTest
IIm, FlexTest II CTM, FlexTest II CTC, and FlexTest GT. The proper connectors
must be defined in the .hwi file.

Note All of these controllers require a Model 498.71B Global Resources III
module.

Enabling a Remote Station Controller

You must turn on your RSC when you open your station configuration file in
Station Manager.

In the Open Station window, select Enable Remote Station Control to turn on
the RSC connected to the selected interlock chain.

If a Remote Station Controller is not available on the interlock chain, the Enable
Remote Station Control check box is “greyed out.”

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 7

RSC Controls and Indicators

RSC Controls and Indicators

This section describes the various Remote Station Controller (RSC) controls and
indicators. The RSC control panel is available in two configurations; one
provides an E-Stop and HPS control, and the other provides a Station Stop with
no HPS control. Your system may have one or both of these panel configurations.

Contrast Adjustment
Remote Station Control
(located on rear panel)

Display Controls

Interlock Reset F1 F2 F3 F4 Status

Function Keys
Interlock HSM HPS Test Manual Control

Enable /
Reset High High Run Disable*

Emergency Stop

Low Low Hold

Off Off Stop

HSM HPS Manual Control

Emergency Stop Test
Controls Controls Controls

For descriptions of the RSC controls and indicators, see the following:

• “Interlock Indicator and Reset Button” on page 9

• “HSM Controls” on page 9

• “HPS Controls” on page 10

• “Emergency Stop” on page 11

• “Station Stop” on page 11

• “Test Controls” on page 12

• “Manual Control” on page 13

• “Display Controls” on page 15

8 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Interlock Indicator and Reset Button

Interlock Indicator and Reset Button

The Interlock indicator lights when an interlock has been triggered.

Interlock

Reset

To reset the interlock and clear the indicator, press the Reset button.

To override the interlock, press and hold the Reset button. While holding the
Reset button, you can apply hydraulic pressure and bring the actuator back into
range with the Manual Control dial. The interlock will reset when you release
the Reset button.

HSM Controls
The hydraulic service manifold (HSM) controls manage the pressure to the HSM.
If there is more than one HSM, the controls affect the HSM currently selected on
the RSC Station Manager page.

HSM

High

Low

Off

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 9

HPS Controls

Changing channels on the RSC changes which HSM is selected.

• Off—turns off the HSM.

• Low—applies low pressure, typically 2 MPa (300 psi).

• High—applies high pressure, typically 21 MPa (3000 psi).

Note The HPS must be on before the HSM can be turned on.

Group mode Selecting Group Mode on the RSC allows control of all HSMs in the group.
Indicators show the current state of each HSM. Press an HSM control button to
bring all HSMs in the group to the selected level.

HPS Controls
The HPS controls manage the pressure from the hydraulic power supply (also
called hydraulic power unit). Turning the HPS off also turns off all HSMs.

HPS

High

Low

Off

• Off—turns off the HPS.

• Low—applies low hydraulic pressure, typically 2 MPa (300 psi).

• High—applies high hydraulic pressure, typically 21 MPa (3000 psi).

10 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Emergency Stop

Emergency Stop
To immediately stop the test and disable station hydraulics, press the Emergency
Stop button.

Emergency Stop

To restore normal operation:

1. Reset the Emergency Stop button by twisting the dial as indicated by the
arrows on the dial.

2. Press the Reset button to clear the interlock indicator.

3. Activate hydraulic pressure.

Station Stop
To stop a test on a specific test station and turn off the test station HSM, press the
Station Stop button.

To restore normal operation of the test station:

1. Reset the Station Stop button by pressing once.

2. Press the Reset button to clear the interlock indicator.

3. Use the HSM controls to turn on the test station HSM.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 11

Test Controls

Test Controls
The Test buttons work similarly to the test buttons on the Station Controls Panel
for the Function Generator, External Command, Basic TestWare, and
MultiPurpose TestWare applications.

Depending on the application that currently has control of the system, the Test
buttons have a different function.

• When you select a specimen in the MultiPurpose TestWare application, the

controlling application shown on the RSC is automatically switched to
MultiPurpose TestWare control. For example, if the Basic TestWare
application is the controlling application shown on the RSC and then you
select a specimen in MultiPurpose TestWare application, the RSC is
automatically switched to MultiPurpose TestWare control.

Remote Station Control

Test

Station Manager <test.cfg : default>

Run Application: MPT
HSM 1
Stmgr-Exerciser
Channel 1 Displacement HSM 1

Hold

• The Application field displays which application is the source of the

test program.

Stop
• You can change the controlling application while it is stopped. Use the
or button to highlight the application field and use the F4 key
Remote Station to scroll through the list box and select an application.
Control buttons
• Only one application can have control at a time.

12 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Manual Control

Manual Control
Use the Manual Control dial to position the actuator. With hydraulic power on,
adjusting the manual control causes the actuator to extend or retract.

Manual Control

Enable /
Disable˜

You can use the Manual Control adjustment to:

• Install or remove a specimen

• Calibrate a sensor

The control mode for the Manual Control dial is selected in the Station
Manager page of the Remote Station Control module.

1. Use the F2 and F3 buttons to select the channel or channel group you want
to control.

2. Use the up and down buttons to select the Manual Ctrl field.

3. Press F4 to select the available control modes (setpoint, span, manual

command, or master span) until you find the one you want.
Note Setpoint must be enabled on the Station View Options tab to be
available as a control mode selection here.

4. Press Enable to activate the manual control mode and Manual Control
dial. The Manual Control indicator should be lit.
Note If you have selected Command (manual command) for Manual Ctrl,
enabling Manual Control disables the function generator. Also, both
Manual Command and Setpoint on the system controller PC are
disabled.

5. Use the Manual Control dial to position the actuator.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 13

Velocity Limiter

Velocity Limiter
Note For information about editing the .hwi file, see the MTS Series 793 Utility
Software manual (PN 100-147-132).

A 10 mm/sec velocity limit, required for CE compliance, can be enabled in the

.hwi file. Removing the comment symbols (/* and */) from the VELOCITY
LIMITER statement in the .hwi file enables the feature.

When enabled, CE velocity limitation is performed on manual command

adjustments, setpoint adjustments made from the RSC Manual Control dial, and
setpoints adjustments made with the Remote Setpoint Adjust control (optional).

RSC Setpoint Control

You can turn on RSC control of setpoint by selecting the Setpoint enabled on
RSC check box on the Station View Options tab in the Station Options window.

When Setpoint enabled on RSC is checked, you can select setpoint for Manual
Control on the RSC Station Manager page.

Enabling Setpoint on the RSC does not disable Setpoint on the system controller
PC. If having Setpoint active on both devices is a concern, disable RSC Setpoint
control by unchecking Setpoint enable on RSC.

14 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Display Controls

Display Controls
Use the RSC display controls to move the cursor and navigate through the pages
on the RSC display.

This bar indicates if all of the information is

The cursor highlights the field you displayed:
want to change or adjust.
• If the bar reaches the bottom of the
display, all information is shown.

Remote Station Control • If the bar does not reach the top or
bottom of the display, more
Station Manager <test.cfg : default> information is available. Use the up
Application: Function Generator and down buttons to reveal the hidden
Channel 1 Displacement HSM1 information.
Manual Ctrl: Displacement 1.0272 mm Up and down buttons move the
cursor around the display.
Channel 1 Current Value
Channel 1 Displacement 1.3188 mm Left and right arrow buttons step
Channel 1 Force -4.2111 kN between pages that show Station
Manager, MultiPurpose TestWare,
and Signal List information. Signal
Ch/Grp- -
Auto Offset Ch/Grp Ch/Grp + Select lists reside on Signal Pages created
in Station Manager (Channel
F1 F2 F3 F4 Status Options window).

The function buttons have appropriate The Status button brings the
functions for the page being displayed. Station Manager page to the top.

Changing what is You can change what is shown in the display. Use the left and right arrow buttons
displayed (along the right side of the RSC) to step between the following available page
displays.

• The Station Manager page shows the selected control channel, control
modes, and the current value of each input signal.

• The MultiPurpose TestWare page (only available when MultiPurpose

TestWare™ is running) shows the selected specimen, test procedure, and the
current state of the test.

• Signal pages are defined for RSC display in Station Manager. Each signal
page contains a created signal list, which is a group of signals and their
current values.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 15

Display Controls

Function keys The function of the F1–F4 keys changes depending on what application is
controlling the station.

16 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Station Manager Page

Station Manager Page

Station Manager Page—Reference

The title bar displays

the selected Remote Station Control Active Control
configuration file and Mode
parameter set.
Station Manager <test.cfg : default>
Control Channel Application: Function Generator
or Group HSM Under
Channel 1 Displacement HSM1 RSC Control
Manual Ctrl: Displacement 1.0272 mm

Channel 1 Current Value Manual Control

Control Channel Mode
Channel 1 Displacement 1.3188 mm
Input Signals Channel 1 Force -4.2111 kN

Ch/Grp- -
Auto Offset Ch/Grp Ch/Grp + Select

F1 F2 F3 F4 Status

Function Key Descriptions

FUNCTION KEY DESCRIPTION
F1 Auto Offset Press F1 to zero the output of the selected sensor signal. You can use the Auto
Offset feature if:
• The selected signal has the cursor on its output value.

• The selected signal offset must not be locked. Check the Offset/Zero tab
in Station Setup for the selected signal to ensure that Auto Offset Lock
is not enabled.
F2 Ch/Grp- Press F2 or F3 to step up or down through different channel/input signal
F3 Ch/Grp+ groups.
F4 Select Press F4 to step through a list of selections for the selected parameter.
• The selectable field has the cursor on its current selection.

• Each time you press F4, the highlighted selection changes, stepping
through the possible selections.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 17

How to Change Control Modes

How to Change Control Modes

To change the control mode for the manual control on the RSC module:

1. Ensure that the Manual Control indicator is not lit.

2. Use the F2 and F3 buttons to select the desired channel or group.

3. Press the or button until the manual control mode name is

highlighted (next to the Manual Ctrl label on the RSC display).

4. The display above the F4 button should show Select. Press F4 repeatedly
until the required manual control mode is displayed.

5. Press the Manual Control Enable/Disable button to light the indicator.

How to Zero a Sensor Signal

You can zero the output of a sensor from the RSC module when the Station
Manager page is displayed. This performs the same function as the Auto Offset
button found on the Offset/Zero tab on the Inputs panel in Station Setup.

1. Press the or button until the signal value you want to zero is
highlighted.

2. The display above the F1 button should show Auto Offset. Press F1 to zero
the highlighted value.

18 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Active Control Application

Active Control Application

The name of the application that is actively controlling the station is displayed on
the RSC display title bar and next to the Application label on the display.

The available applications are:

• Station Manager (External Command, Function Generator, or Auto Tuning)

• MultiPurpose TestWare (when running)

• Basic TestWare (when running)

The Run/Hold/Stop buttons in all other applications are disabled until the active
application stops the test. When a test is stopped, clicking Run from any
application locks out all other applications.

For more information See “Test Controls” on page 12.

HSM Display
The Station Manager page displays the current HSM under RSC control.

Note If the RSC is controlling the setpoint of a group of channels, the HSM
under control will not be displayed. In its place, the upper value of the
setpoint will be displayed.

About Channel Groups

Channel groups for RSC control are defined on the Master Command tab in the
Channel Options window.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 19

MultiPurpose TestWare Page

MultiPurpose TestWare Page

MultiPurpose TestWare Page—Reference

The title bar displays the

selected application for the
Remote Station Control
display along with the selected
configuration file. MPT <test.cfg>

Specimen: Spec1
Procedure Name: PROC2.000
Procedure State: Edit
Run Time: 00:05:31

New Reset Exec/Edit

F1 F2 F3 F4 Status

Function Key Descriptions

FUNCTION KEY DESCRIPTION
F1 New Press F1 to create a new specimen.
F2 Reset Press F2 to reset the current test so another test can be started.
F4 Execute/Edit Press F4 to toggle between the Execute and Edit modes of the procedure.

20 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Message Window Displays

Message Window Displays

Message Window Displays—Reference

Note While using the RSC, Warning

Remote Station Control
and Error windows will appear on
the display as they do on a PC.
Always acknowledge the Stn. Mgr <test.cfg : default>

message before issuing another

command from the software WARNING
application.
Station Exerciser window is closed. Do you
want to open and run it?

Yes No

F1 F2 F3 F4 Status

Remote Station Control

Stn. Mgr <test.cfg : default>

ERROR
The HPS must be enabled before turning on
the HSM.

OK No

F1 F2 F3 F4 Status

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 21

Message Window Displays—Reference

Warning messages A warning message will appear when the system detects a potential problem with
executing the current command. Press the F1 key to dismiss the window if “OK”
is the only selection. If there is a “Yes” and “No” selection, answer the question
by pressing the corresponding F1 or F2 button.

Error messages An error message will appear when the system detects an error and cannot
execute the requested command. The message tells you the cause of the error.
Press the F1 key to dismiss the window.

22 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 Signal Lists and Pages

Signal Lists and Pages

About Signal Lists and Pages

Signal lists are convenient for reducing the number of signals displayed on the
RSC or Station Manager Station Signals window. This section describes signal
list creation and editing, and the creation of signal pages.

On the RSC, this feature helps you avoid scrolling through long lists of signals on
the small display. By limiting each RSC signal list to five signals, you can avoid
scrolling to find the desired signal.

When you change control channels on the RSC, the corresponding input signal
list for the selected control channel will be displayed. This signal list corresponds
to the Included list for this channel on Signal Lists in the Channel Options
window.

How to Create Signal Lists

To create custom signals lists for use on the RSC display or Station Signals
window:

1. On the Station Manager Tools menu, select Channel Options to open the
Channel Options window.

2. Click the Signal Lists tab, and then click Add to create a new signal list. In
the Name box, rename the signal list (initially named “Signal List 1”) as
desired.

3. From the Available Signals list, choose the signals for your signal list. Hold
down the Ctrl key, and then select each required signal.

4. Click the > button to move the selected signals to the Included list.
Note Each signal list can include many signals, but only the first 10 signals will
be displayed on the RSC.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 23

How to Edit Signal Lists

How to Edit Signal Lists

1. In the Station Manager application Tools menu, select Channel Options to
display the Channel Options window.

2. In the Channel Options window, click the Signal Lists tab.

3. In the Signal Lists tab:

A. Create a new signal list or edit an existing signal list:

To create a new signals list, click Add and enter the new list Name.

To edit an existing list, select its name.

Note List Filter applies a filter to predefined signal lists, displaying only
Available Signals that are likely to be used with the list. Enter a whole or
partial text description of the type of signal(s) you want to display.

Note Use the < > and << >> buttons to move signals between Available
Signals and Included.

24 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

 How to Create Signal Pages

How to Create Signal Pages

You can create custom signal pages for display on the RSC up to a maximum of
three. Each signal page contains a created signal list, which is a group of signals
and their current values.

1. On the Station Manager Tools menu, select Channel Options.

2. Click the RSC tab.

3. In the Additional Pages panel, click Add to create a new signal page.
Rename the signal page (initially named “Signal Page 1”) as desired.

4. In the Current Signal List selection box highlight and select the desired
signal list for display on your newly created RSC signal page.
Note You have the option of hiding the application name and/or channel
information lines on the added page. Click the Hide Application or Hide
Channel Information check boxes as desired.

5. Press the Apply button to add this new signal page (and its assigned signal
list) to the RSC display.
Note If you forget to click Apply after making RSC display changes, closing
Channel Options displays a window that allows you to save your
changes.

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller 25

How to Create Signal Pages

26 MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller

Index

E S
Emergency Stop (RSC) 11 setpoint control (RSC) 14
error messages 22 signal lists
creating 23
editing 24
H Station Manager page (RSC)
function key descriptions 17
zeroing a sensor 18
Station Stop (RSC) 11
HPS controls (RSC) 10
HSM controls (RSC) 9
T
I
test controls (RSC) 12
interlock indicator (RSC) 9
V
M
velocity limiter 14
MultiPurpose TestWare page (RSC) 20
function key descriptions 20
W
R warning messages 22

Remote Station Controller 5

display controls 15 Z
Emergency Stop 11
enabling 7
enabling setpoint control 14 zeroing a sensor 18
HPS controls 10
HSM controls 9
interlock indicator 9
Manual Control 13
MultiPurpose TestWare page 20
Reset button 9
signal pages 25
Station Stop 11
test controls 12
velocity limiter 14
zeroing a sensor signal 18
Reset button (RSC) 9

MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller Contents 27

28 Contents MTS Model 493.05 Remote Station Controller
m
MTS Systems Corporation
14000 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344-2290 USA
Toll Free Phone: 800-328-2255
(within the U.S. or Canada)
Phone: 952-937-4000
(outside the U.S. or Canada)
Fax: 952-937-4515
E-mail: info@mts.com
Internet: www.mts.com

ISO 9001 Certified QMS