Check-line PK2 Operating Instructions Manual Download Page 2

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of a PK2 Series portable stroboscope. 

You can use the Pocket-Strobe in a variety of industrial, laboratory, R&D and 
academic environments.

Most commonly, the Pocket-Strobe is used to make objects which are moving at high
speeds appear to be moving in slow motion. When this occurs, you can then safely
and easily analyze their motion, check for proper registration, determine sources of
unwanted vibration, etc.

Also, you can use the Pocket-Strobe to apparently “freeze” an object’s movement.
Without making contact, you can accurately measure the object’s rotational speed 
or reciprocation rate.

Unlike other portable stroboscopes, the Pocket-Strobe takes only one hand to 
operate—and because it is the world’s smallest industrial stroboscope—it is very 
convenient and portable.

Typical applications include use with:

High speed assembly lines, conveyor systems, bottling operations, etc.

Printing presses and cloth looms

Motors, fans, pumps and turbines

Calibration and inspection equipment

Monitoring laboratory & research applications

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16.0 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNING:

Stroboscopes give the illusion of stopped motion. 
Do not touch the machine or object being observed.

The use of stroboscopes may induce an epileptic seizure in 
those persons predisposed to this type of attack.

Explosion hazard. Do not use this product in the presence 
of an explosive environment.

CAUTION:

Do not use this product in wet or condensating environments.

Do not allow liquids or metallic objects to enter into the 
ventilation holes.

Wear adequate eye protection when using this product. 
Failure to do so could result in serious injury.

NOTICE:

The Pocket-Strobe is designed for battery operation only.
Do not operate  the instrument while it is recharging. Failure 
to do so will damage the unit and void its warranty.

Recharge the battery using a Pocket-Strobe lead-acid battery charger 
only.

DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE! 

To reduce risk of an electronic shock, do not open the Pocket-Strobe.
To replace the flash tube, refer to the section entitled “Replacing the
Flash Tube.” There are no user-serviceable parts inside.

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Caution

Although objects may appear to be moving slowly or frozen, 

NEVER touch any rotating or reciprocating element during testing.

Summary of Contents for PK2

Page 1: ...nce with all repacking and shipping expenses to the address below to be borne by the purchaser THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WAR RANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PUR POSE OR APPLICATION ELECTROMATIC SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE RESULTING...

Page 2: ...pment Monitoring laboratory research applications 19 16 0 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WARNING Stroboscopes give the illusion of stopped motion Do not touch the machine or object being observed The use of stroboscopes may induce an epileptic seizure in those persons predisposed to this type of attack Explosion hazard Do not use this product in the presence of an explosive environment CAUTION Do not use this...

Page 3: ... over the entire range Accuracy 0 01 and 1 digit over entire range Electrical Specifications Power Switch On Off mechanical switch Battery NiMH Operating Time minimum of 1 regardless of flash rate Battery Recharge 2 3 hours typical Battery Overcharge Protection Yes Low Battery Indicator Yes External Trigger 0 5 volt DTL TTL compatible 1 8 jack Output Signal OT models only 0 5 volt DTL TTL compatib...

Page 4: ... voltage contained within the Pocket Strobe the user should not attempt to service the device If your Pocket Strobe needs service or repair including the replacement of its internal battery please call one of our Technical Service Representatives Clean the external surfaces with a dry lint free cloth only DO NOT allow any liquids to enter into the instrument 14 0 OPTIONAL REPLACEMENT ACCESSORIES P...

Page 5: ...r a click and the plug connector will not move The charger is now ready for use To Change the Plug Connector To remove the connector from the battery charger slide the switch on the battery charger E up and the connector will pop out To insert a different plug connector follow the procedures described in Battery Charger Setup Charge the battery before first use or when the LOW BAT indicator shown ...

Page 6: ...ry before first use 2 Aim the PK2 at the moving object and turn it on There will be a delay of 1 2 seconds before the flash begins to operate If the LOW BAT symbol in the display is illuminated charge the battery 3 Adjust the flash rate by rotating the Flash Adjustment Knob until the image appears motionless as you approach the movement frequency the image appears to move more slowly This value wi...

Page 7: ... required 1 Starting from the maximum speed of the strobe slowly reduce the flash rate Look for singular frozen harmonic images 2 Find at least two images For greater accuracy find three Label these rates as X Y and possibly Z 3 Plug these values into a suitable equation see page 15 and calculate the object s RPM Step 1 As the speed is reduced the following images appear Image No 1 2 3 4 Flash Rat...

Page 8: ...550 Which is correct In order to determine the fan s actual speed a mark is added to one of the blades and the test is run again Image No 1 2 3 4 Flash Rate 3 300 1 650 1 100 916 6 Image No 5 6 7 8 Flash Rate 825 733 3 660 550 Using the orientation mark it is now clear that the images appearing at 3 300 825 and 660 RPM are multiple image harmonics In each of these cases three identification marks ...

Page 9: ...s not a harmonic of the object s actual rate Helpful Hints Knowing the approximate rate of the object in advance gives you a useful starting point If the object has a uniform shape like a multi blade fan or motor shaft you must give it an identifying mark using paint or reflective tape or equivalent in order to differentiate its orientation A singular image always appears at exactly one half of th...

Page 10: ...ise direction at a rate of 5 RPM Case 4 If you stand behind it and strobe it at a rate of 995 FPM it will appear to move in a counterclockwise direction at a rate of 5 RPM NOTE Typically stroboscopes are brightest and can therefore illuminate an object the best when the flash rate is between 2 000 and 6 000 FPM Often you can still make an object appear to be frozen or moving in slow motion within ...

Page 11: ...LECTROMATIC E Q U I P M E N T C O I N C 600 Oakland Ave Cedarhurst NY 11516 U S A TEL 516 295 4300 FAX 516 295 4399 CHECK LINE INSTRUMENTS POCKET STROBE Portable Digital Stroboscope Models PK2 PK2 OT CHECK LINE BY ELECTROMATIC ...

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