36
Troubleshooting
Unable to set a gap, Lid seems stuck
If the Gap Motor cannot raise/lower the Lid, it is possible that the sample may have set solid between the shear
windows. By melting the sample it may be possible to part them and this should be tried first. In the event
that this does not work, the following procedure should be used to force the Lid away from the Bottom. This
procedure will almost certainly damage one or both of the windows. Make sure you have the appropriate spare
windows in ready for the replacement.
1. Remove the instrument from the microscope and take out the external window, (see ‘Changing the Win-
dows, page 26). Place it on the Stand.
2. Using the two Jack Screws and hexagonal key provided place the Jack Screws in the holes marked Lid Jack
Screws,
3. Tighten the Jack
Screws by hand until they
come to a stop.
4. Place the hexagonal key into one of the Jack Screw.
5. Turn the key a quarter of a turn and then do same to the other. Alternate with quarter turns so that the lid
comes straight up. This will reduce the risk of any damage to the gap mechanism.
6. Clean the area around the two windows carefully before replacing them. See the section ‘Changing the
Windows, page 26’.
Do not use compressed air to clean the instrument as this may blow small fragments of glass into the various
mechanisms.
Comm port message
The following message appears: ‘Check to see if another application is using the Comm port selected or that
you have the Comm port fitted to your computer?’ Change the Comm port used by either moving the RS232
computer lead to another Comm port or by selecting a new Comm port using the menu.
Select and click:
Setup > Comm Port
and then selectg a new Comm port number (See Linksys32
Manual).
Motor doesn’t start
The shear motor will not start if the Lid is off or the temperature is open circuit. It may have trouble starting if
the speed selected in the Jog Window is in excess of 7.5rad/s. This can be overcome by increasing gradually
from a lower velocity of say 4.0rad/s up to the desired speed
,
clicking the scroll bars.
It may have trouble starting if the data in the Shear Motor Profile results in a high shear rate. Decrease the
value in the shear rate cell.
Lid Jack Screws
