BA - TMK 2.0 - Englisch

OPERATION MANUAL
TEMPERATURE MEASURING KIT

RHEOTEST® TMK 2.0
RHEOTEST Medingen GmbH

Rödertalstr. 1
D-01458 Ottendorf-Okrilla / BRD
Phone: +49 (0)35205-580 Fax: +49(0)35205-58297
e-mail: info@rheotest.de internet: www.rheotest.de
OPERATION MANUAL RHEOTEST® TMK 2.0
All rights reserved. No part of this operating manual may be reproduced in any form (by printing,
photocopying, microfilm or any other method) without the permission of RHEOTEST Medingen
GmbH. RHEOTEST Medingen GmbH is not responsible for damage or malfunctions resulting from
the use of accessories not supplied by RHEOTEST Medingen GmbH or authorized persons.
All rights reserved, including translation rights.
No part of this work may be reproduced in any form (by printing, photocopying, microfilm or any
other method) or processed, copied or distributed by electronic means without the written
permission of RHEOTEST Medingen GmbH. This does not affect the exceptions expressly
mentioned in §§ 53, 54 UrhG.
RHEOTEST Medingen GmbH bears no responsibility for any technical or printing errors or
incompleteness in these operating instructions.
We reserve the right to change this Operation Manual without previous announcement.
The reproduction of common names, trade names, product designations and the like in these
operating instructions does not give rise to the assumption that such names may be used by
anyone without further ado; they are often registered trademarks protected by law, even if they
are not identified as such.
Printed in Germany
© Copyright by
Rödertalstraße 1
Medingen
D-01458 Ottendorf-Okrilla (Germany)
© RHEOTEST, HÖPPLER, RN, RN4.1, RN 4.3, RN 5.1, RN 5.3, TMK

are trademarks of RHEOTEST Medingen GmbH
All rights reserved

Revision 04/2021
Contact
OT Medingen
Rödertalstrasse 1
D-01458 Ottendorf-Okrilla
Deutschland
Telefon: +49 35205 58-180
Fax: +49 35205 58-297
E-Mail: info@rheotest.de
www.rheotest.de
www.rheotest.de 2
CONTENTS
CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4
SCOPE OF SUPPLY .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
UNPACKING AND CHECKING .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
GENERAL TECHNICAL DATA .................................................................................................................................................................... 5
ELECTRONIC UNIT ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
STARTUP ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
CALIBRATION SOFTWARE ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
System Requirements............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Installation of the Calibration Software .................................................................................................................................... 6
CALIBRATION OF BASIC PLATE WITH AUTOMATIC DISTANCE ADJUSTMENT .................................................. 7
General remarks .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Program Window ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Communication Settings ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Temperature Calibration Using TMK 2 .................................................................................................................................. 8
Verification of Temperature Calibration ............................................................................................................................15
CALIBRATION OF PELTIER TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CYLINDER (PCS) .............................. 16
General remarks ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Program Window ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Communication Settings ...............................................................................................................................................................17
Temperature Calibration for PCS Using TMK 2 .............................................................................................................17
SERVICE ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
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INTRODUCTION
The temperature measuring kit is used for measuring, checking and calibrating the temperature
of the Peltier temperature control unit PP 5. The design of the temperature sensor depends on
the measuring geometry of the measuring plate P3. The material of the sensor was chosen
according to the thermal properties of bitumen in order to ensure measurement conditions that
are as realistic as possible. In connection with the Calibration Software temperature curves can
be recorded, displayed and stored. The program provides functions for communicating with the
measurement kit to calibrate using reference temperatures.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
 Read the Operation Manual before starting operation!
 Ensure that the stand surface is sufficiently stable, as vibrations such as falling from the table
could cause serious damage to the unit.
 Never operate at locations where there is a risk of liquid ingress (e.g. water) exists!
 Ensure sufficient distance to easily flammable or combustible objects.
 Connect the measuring kit only to the supplied plug-in power supply unit.
 Repairs may only be carried out by authorized personnel. Only original parts are to be used!
 Before starting measurements, please check and ensure that the material being measured
and the cleaning solution used for cleaning cannot damage the materials with which they
come into contact. The measuring pad consists of epoxy resin and glass fiber fabric.
Attention!
The device must not be put into operation in case of considerable external damages or heavy
noise during operation.
SCOPE OF SUPPLY
The temperature measuring kit RHEOTEST® TMK consists of:
 Electronic unit
 Measuring pad with calibrated precision resistance
 Plug-in power supply
 Interface cable USB (TMK – PC)
 Operation manual
 Installations USB flash drive with Calibration Software
 Packaging.
UNPACKING AND CHECKING

After removing the device and accessories of packaging, please check their completeness
according to the attached delivery list. In case of any transport damage, the forwarder and
Rheotest must be informed and a damage report must be drawn up.
Before starting the operation read the Safety Instructions!
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GENERAL TECHNICAL DATA

Temperature range -20 ... +130 °C (-10 ... +110 °C calibrated)
Temperature resolution 0,0003 K intern
0,001 K display and USB-communication
Measurement accuracy 0,03 K (within -10 … +110°C)
Voltage supply 6 … 12 V or via USB
Power supply 100 - 240 V AC; 49 ... 61 Hz at 9 V
Mass (net) 1,2 kg
ELECTRONIC UNIT
On the top side of the electronic unit there is a lighted LC display (1) for indicating the current
temperature of the measuring pad. On the left side wall are: the measuring pad connection
socket (2), USB interface to the computer (3) and the connection for the plug-in power supply (4).
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STARTUP
The installation shall take place at a location which should meet the following conditions:
 Safe position for electronic unit;
 Lay sensor cable loosely and without mechanical tension;
 Connection PC and electronic unit: data cable approx. 2m.
The working environment for the measurement kit should not be extremely hot, extremely cold
or extremely humid. Working at normal room temperature is recommended. Avoid places where
the temperature and / or humidity fluctuates greatly.
Protect the measuring kit from the effects of:

 Strong dirt and dust;
 Direct sunlight;
 Objects that radiate strong heat (e.g. radiators);
 Objects with a strong electromagnetic field (e.g. loudspeakers, motors, etc.);
 Liquids or corrosive chemicals.
Avoid any mechanical stress on the measuring pad and the supply cables (tension, pressure,
torsion).
CALIBRATION SOFTWARE
System Requirements
For the installation and operations with the Software the following requirements are necessary:
 Personal Computer with Windows 7 or higher

 Processor with a clock frequency of 1 GHz or higher
 Main storage at least 1 GB
 Memory at least 512 MB
 a USB interface is required for installation.
Installation of the Calibration Software

The software package is located on the supplied USB stick and is installed under WINDOWS.
Note: the software installation should be performed with administrator rights.
 Plug the USB stick into the appropriate computer port;

 Start file setup.exe in root directory;
 Carry out further installation according to the displayed instructions; Calibration Software is
installed under C:\Rheotest Calibration Tool\ by default, if other file folders are used,
problems with missing administrator rights may occur;
 Setup creates an entry in the start menu and a shortcut on the Desktop.
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CALIBRATION OF BASIC PLATE WITH AUTOMATIC DISTANCE

ADJUSTMENT
General remarks
Since the software can be used to calibrate the temperature of various instruments, when
running the software, you need to select the device PP5 that should be calibrated from the list:
Program Window
The program window is divided into the several fields:
1 - At the top left there is an Information on the interface numbers (COM ports), to which the
Peltier control unit, TMK and Rheometer RN5 will be connected.
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2 -Window at the top in the middle will show the values for temperature calibration constants
after the calibration is completed.
3 – The information window is at the top right. This window contains information and notes
about the step is currently being performed.
4 – The location / folder where the measured data will be recorded and stored is specified.
5 – The window for the graphical representations of the temperature differences between
bottom and top (blue line) and of the offset value for four set calibration temperatures: 10°C,
40°C, 70°C and 100°C.
6 – The window will show the four temperature values at which the temperature calibration of
the instrument is performed (10°C, 40°C, 70°C, 100°C), as well as the mean value of the bottom
and top temperatures at these temperatures, the value for the UK3 calibration constant and the
absolute values for the bottom and top temperatures.
7 – The development of the temperature during the calibration can be followed in the table (7)
and on the graphs (8) and (9).
8 –The curves for upper (blue) and lower (orange) temperatures in the last 5 minutes are shown
in this window.
9 – The graphs show the flow of temperature difference and offset curves over time.
10 – Software buttons
11 – The window shows the sequence of actions of the selected calibration test plan, which will
be performed step by step during the calibration process.
Communication Settings
In order to use the instrument and calibrate the temperature, communications with the Peltier
control unit PP5, TMK measurement kit and rheometer RN control unit must first be established.
This is done via the function "COM Ports" in the upper left corner of the software window.
The COM interfaces available in the system are displayed for selection in roll fields. The
corresponding serial interfaces must be selected. If the connection with the devices works
correctly, lines for these three devices are marked green.
Note: The correct interfaces to which the devices are connected can be determined in the Windows
Device Manager or with the identify Windows. It will show the COM Port of the Device when you plug
it in.
Temperature Calibration Using TMK 2
Before starting the program, prepare the rheometer with an automatic distance adjustment,
exchangeable measuring plate and the P3 measuring plate to perform the calibration.
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For ease of use, all actions required for temperature calibration are programmed and saved in
the software. The standard temperature calibration procedure for PP5 (testplan “PP5 default”)
consists of two steps: the calibration itself and verification of its correctness. This procedure is
loaded automatically when one starts the Calibration Tool and chooses PP5 as the device to be
calibrated. These two steps will be carried out consecutively one after the other. The sequence
of steps in performing the calibration is shown in the programme window right (11). Press the
START testplan button to perform the calibration:
The procedure will be started and carried out according to the tests shown in the table:
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You need to follow the instructions in the top right window of the programme and confirm if
required by the software (3).
If the steps are ticked, they will be executed automatically. The completed stage is marked with
a green colour on the left. If the stage is currently running, it is marked in blue. The steps
marked in red are those measurement steps that affect and change the temperature calibration.
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The lowest line in the software window shows the time remaining to the end of the test and
entire measurement:
The first temperature calibration steps are following:

 const_default: before the temperature calibration, the standard values for six temperature
constants K1, K2, K3, UK1, UK2, UK3 will be automatically set as:
 const_write: the default constants will be written and saved in the PP5 control unit.
 choose_folder: by pressing the button “choose folder” you need to select the appropriate
folder where the measurement data will be saved
and press “confirm” button:
 if you see following text in the information window:
please, fix the measuring plate P3 to the instrument drive by means of a quick connection. The
exchangeable measuring plate should also be connected to the basic plate and fix.
 m_to_bottom: the basic plate automatically moves downwards to the lowest end position,
a graph of the normal force appears on the screen:
 when appearing in the information window:
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lower the measuring head of the device with the adapter onto the basic plate and press it
slightly until the spring pressure ring goes down. Fasten the measuring head with the screw
on the right of the tripod. Close the open window of the adapter.
 m-zeropoint: the basic plate moves upwards to the measuring plate P3 until the zero
distance between the plates is set up. A graph of the normal force appears once more on the
screen.
 when the following text appears:
the TMK measuring pad should be installed between the measuring plates. For it:
 take the upper measuring plate out and lubricate its surface with a thin layer of
thermoconductive paste;
 the measuring surface of the exchangeable basic plate must be also lubricated with
thermal paste;
 remove the ball handle from the adapter using a screwdriver;
 turn the adapter to the left so that the open window of the adapter is on the left side;
 fix the measuring pad to the adapter with the screwdriver and two screws, the side of the
pad with the letter „O“ or “T” should be on top;
 turn the window of the adapter to the left until the measuring chamber is completely
closed and the upper temperature control with the measuring plate goes down.
After the TMK measuring pad is installed in the measuring chamber, press “confirm” in the
information window.
 setpoint “60”: a temperature of 60°C will be set in the measuring cell for one minute for
better distribution of thermally conductive paste over the surfaces and for better contact
with the temperature measuring pad.
 m_to_1: the distance of 1mm will be installed between the plates, then press “confirm”
button. An increase in the normal force value indicates tight contact between the measuring
plates and the TMK measuring pad:
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 clear_log: measuring data will be deleted from the display so that only the current
measurement appears on the screen.
 setpoint “10”: the measuring chamber will be temperate to 10°C. Once the system has been
sufficiently thermoregulated and the thermal equilibrium has been established, the
measurement data at 10°C are automatically enters into the software and the program goes
to the next temperature step. The temperature calibration is performed at four temperatures:
10°C, 40°C, 70°C and 100°C one after the other automatically. As calibration progresses, the
measuring data are displayed graphically in the charts (8) and (9). Diagram (8) shows the
temperature change of the top and bottom plates during the last 5 minutes:
 write_offset: works only in PP5 mode. Writes only the offset (UK3) based on the text field. Is
written continuously in control_offset.
 control_offset: works only in PP5 mode. Adjusts the temperature offset between top and
bottom to 0K. The requirement „after condition“ means here the temperature difference of
zero and temperature equilibrium.
Diagram (9) represents the changes of the temperature difference between upper and lower
plates and of the offset value over time:
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When data recording is started, the current temperature is entered into the table every second
and at the same time the entire temperature curve is displayed graphically in the diagram.
As each step is completed, Table 6 shows the measured temperature values for the top and
bottom plates and their average value.
Graphical presentation of the data at measurement temperatures can be seen in the chart (5):
 insert_data: measuring data are inserted into the software.

 const_calculate: the temperature calibration constants are calculated and will be displayed at
the top of the program:
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 const_write: the constants are automatically written into the Peltier control unit.
 save: the calibration constants are saved in the chosen folder.
Verification of Temperature Calibration

The verification starts automatically as soon as the calibration is completed.
After precooling the measuring system to 10°C for 30 minutes, the validation is carried out in the
temperature range from 10°C to 100°C with a step of 10 degrees. The verification process can be
tracked in the program window. The table on the right shows the test steps:
To evaluate the correct temperature calibration, use the table (6):
In this table the set, average temperatures and also the temperature difference between the top
and bottom plates for each temperature step are displayed. The difference between the upper
and lower temperature not exceeding 0,1 degree is an indication of calibration correctness.
After completion of the verification, the measurement data and calibration constants are saved
automatically in the chosen folder.
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CALIBRATION OF PELTIER TEMPERATURE CONTROL

SYSTEM FOR CYLINDER (PCS)
General remarks
Since the software can be used to calibrate the temperature of various instruments, when
running the software, you need to select the device PCS_TMK that should be calibrated from the
list:
Program Window
The program window is similar to the window for plate-plate system PP5 except number of COM
ports, and calibration constants:
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Communication Settings
In order to use the instrument and calibrate the temperature, communications with the Peltier
control unit PP5, TMK measurement kit with block for PCS must first be established. This is done
via the function "COM Ports" in the upper left corner of the software window.
The COM interfaces available in the system are displayed for selection in roll fields. The
corresponding serial interfaces must be selected. If the connection with the devices works
correctly, lines for these three devices are marked green.
Temperature Calibration for PCS Using TMK 2
For ease of use, all actions required for temperature calibration are programmed and saved in
the software. The standard temperature calibration procedure for PCS (testplan “PCS default”)
consists of two steps: the calibration itself and verification of its correctness. This procedure is
loaded automatically when one starts the Calibration Tool and chooses PCS as the device to be
calibrated. These two steps will be carried out consecutively one after the other. The sequence
of steps in performing the calibration is shown in the programme window right. Press the START
testplan button to perform the calibration:
The procedure will be started and carried out according to the tests shown in the table:
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The sequence for calibration is similar to the described above for plate-plate system. After
automatically set the three temperature constants K11, K21, K31 to the default values and write
these constants you need to select an appropriate folder for saving the measurement data by
pressing the button “choose folder”.
Temperature calibration is then carried out automatically. Setpoint “10”: the measuring chamber
will be temperate to 10°C.
Once the system has been sufficiently thermoregulated and the thermal equilibrium has been
established, the measurement data at 10°C are automatically enters into the software and the
program goes to the next temperature step. The temperature calibration is performed at the
temperatures: from 10°C to 100°C with 10°C step. As calibration progresses, the measuring data
are displayed graphically in the charts (8) and (9).
Once the calibration process is complete, the temperature constants will be automatically
calculated and shown in the display in the programme window at the top.
The verification procedure starts immediately after calibration with an intermediate cooling
down to 50 degrees.
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SERVICE
The TMK is a robust and at the same time sensitive measuring device. No special care is required
if the following rules are observed:
 Avoid hard impacts or blows
 No substance residues left on the measuring pad
 Avoid extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations
 Avoid strong dirt or dust
 No direct sunlight
 Do not operate near strong heat sources (e.g. radiators)
 Do not operate near objects with strong electromagnetic fields (e.g. loudspeakers, motors)
 Do not use chemical products such as strong solvents or acids to clean the device
 Do not allow liquids to penetrate the housing
 Do not bend the mains cable and connecting cable sharp-edged, subject them to high tensile
loads or temperatures.
In the case of a defect, please contact our representatives or directly:

Rödertalstraße, 1
D-01458 Ottendorf-Okrilla
Telefon: +49 (0) 35205 580
Fax: +49 (0) 35205 58297
info@rheotest.de
Repairs may only be carried out by specialists authorized by the manufacturer.
Never open the device yourself.
For each type of damage report, please always indicate the exact device designation engraved
on the type plate and the device number.
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BA - TMK 2.0 - Englisch

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OPERATION MANUAL

TEMPERATURE MEASURING KIT

RHEOTEST Medingen GmbH

All rights reserved, including translation rights.

© RHEOTEST, HÖPPLER, RN, RN4.1, RN 4.3, RN 5.1, RN 5.3, TMK

All rights reserved

UNPACKING AND CHECKING

Before starting the operation read the Safety Instructions!

GENERAL TECHNICAL DATA

Mass (net) 1,2 kg

Protect the measuring kit from the effects of:

 Personal Computer with Windows 7 or higher

Installation of the Calibration Software

Note: the software installation should be performed with administrator rights.

 Plug the USB stick into the appropriate computer port;

CALIBRATION OF BASIC PLATE WITH AUTOMATIC DISTANCE

Temperature Calibration Using TMK 2

The first temperature calibration steps are following:

and press “confirm” button:

 if you see following text in the information window:

 when appearing in the information window:

 when the following text appears:

 insert_data: measuring data are inserted into the software.

Verification of Temperature Calibration

To evaluate the correct temperature calibration, use the table (6):

CALIBRATION OF PELTIER TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Temperature Calibration for PCS Using TMK 2

In the case of a defect, please contact our representatives or directly:

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