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23
PART NO: 860029-001
Last Revised 01/06/15
13.0 TROUBLESHOOTING
What if the above calibration process doesn’t work, if there is not enough gain for the desired
output, or if a consistent 0.000 V ±10 mV cannot be achieved?
13.1 Insufficient Gain
When recalibrating for a sensitivity, measuring range, or target different from factory calibration
specifications, there may be insufficient gain control.
Another cause for insufficient gain could be excessive loading of the sensors by conductive
material (other than the target) within the field of the sensors. The sensor’s field is
approximately three times its diameter.
13.2 Can’t Zero
The KD-5100 is an extremely stable measuring system - long term drift is less than 2 micro-
inches per month. If the unit does not work, this would most likely be discovered during the
Abbreviated Function Test, Section J. Our experience in numerous applications over years of
use is that these systems either work or don’t, and are not subject to “quirky” or “drifty” behavior.
If unable to calibrate the system in no more than two iterations, the problem is most likely poor
mechanical repeatability in the fixturing or actuating mechanisms.
13.3 There is a way to check it out:
Do not make any adjustments to the calibration controls. Record how much time the next step
takes.
Perform 12 to 15 iterations of moving the target from null to full range and back to null. Record
the output at null each time. If successive readings of the output at null constantly very with no
clear trend (drift) in one direction or the other, the problem is mechanical repeatability.
Now, stabilize the target at null and record the output. Leave the target at null for the same
length of time it took to accomplish step two and monitor the output.
If the output remains constant, this confirms the problem was mechanical repeatability.
If the output drifts, the problem could be:
drift in the fixturing
drift in the target positioning servos
drift in the KD-5100
If you can positively eliminate all other variables as the source of the problem, contact Kaman
Precision Products. Remember, if unable to calibrate the KD-5100 and it passed the
Abbreviated Function Test, it is the least likely source of the problem.
