Vernier Structures & Materials Tester (VSMT)

Specifications and User Guide

Troubleshooting

• Primary Test: The VSMT Force sensor will auto-ID with supported releases of software.
  ⚬ Logger Pro: version 3.9 or newer
  ⚬ Logger Lite: version 1.8 or newer
  ⚬ LabQuest App
   ▸ Original LabQuest: version 1.7.3
   ▸ LabQuest 2: version 2.5 or newer
   ▸ LabQuest 3: any
• Secondary Test: The VSMT Displacement sensor will not auto-ID, but can be selected from the list of digital sensors with supported releases of software.

Logger Pro 3 experiment files
⚬ Structure Prototype—testing a single structure or beam as part of an engineering design process
⚬ Structures Comparison—running a class competition where results can be compared side-by-side
⚬ Elastic Modulus Moment of Inertia—testing a uniform beam for force and displacement in order to calculate the Modulus of Elasticity or Moment of Inertia

Additional Troubleshooting

• How do I get my structures and materials tester displacement sensor to work?
• Can I use TI Nspire to collect data from the Vernier Structures and Materials Tester?
• Will the VSMT work with SensorDAQ and LabVIEW?
• Why are the force readings on my Structures and Materials Tester (VSMT) noisy?
• Is the tackle kit for Vernier Structures & Materials Tester (VSMT-TK) able to handle 1000 N of force?
• Why is my VSMT force sensor stuck at a high reading (>1000 N)?
• How do I remove the force sensor from the Vernier Structures and Materials Tester (VSMT)?
• Why won't the bar graph show results for my bridge competition?
• How do I tighten the force sensor in my Structures and Materials Tester (VSMT)?
• Truss Tester Accessory for Structures & Materials Tester Troubleshooting and FAQs
• Can I use the Vernier Structures and Materials Tester with Logger Lite?
• Can I use my Structures & Materials Tester to conduct 3-point and 4-point flexural testing?
• Can I use the Structures Tester for the Science Olympiad Boomilever event?
• How can I use my Structures & Materials Tester with Graphical Analysis Pro?

Specifications

• VSMT Force sensor (Load Cell)
  ⚬ Operational Range: 0 to 1,000 N
  ⚬ Maximum force (without damaging sensor): 1,300 N
  ⚬ Resolution: 1 N
  ⚬ Stored Calibration (linear)
   ▸Slope: 241.9 N/V
   ▸Intercept: –107.6 N
• VSMT Displacement sensor (Encoder)
  ⚬ Range: 0 to 7 cm
  ⚬ Resolution: 0.1 mm (22.5º of wheel rotation)
• Dimensions
  ⚬ Overall: 45 cm x 50 cm x 20 cm
  ⚬ Weight: 22.15 lbs
• Tackle Kit Threaded Connections: ¼ – 20 thread

Calibration

Calibrate? No. The VSMT Displacement sensor cannot be calibrated. The VSMT Force sensor generally does not require calibration; however, a 2-point calibration can be done for more accurate results. For more information, see How do I calibrate my sensor?