As the core tool for hardness testing of soft materials such as rubber and plastic, the accuracy and stability of the Shore hardness tester directly affect the testing results. This article focuses on daily maintenance, common faults, and solutions to help users extend equipment lifespan and ensure testing accuracy.
1、 Key points of daily maintenance
Needle cleaning and rust prevention
The pressure needle is a component that directly contacts the sample and is prone to contamination with oil or material residue after long-term use. It is recommended to use a dust-free cloth dipped in alcohol to gently wipe the pressure needle after each test, avoiding scratching with hard objects to prevent damage to the needle tip.
When storing, keep the pressure needle dry and apply rust proof oil (such as Vaseline) and cover it with a protective sleeve to prevent oxidation and rust.
Spring and pointer calibration
The spring elasticity of the hardness tester directly affects the testing force, and its rebound performance needs to be checked regularly. If the pointer returns to zero slowly or is stuck, it may be due to spring fatigue or internal dust accumulation, and the spring needs to be disassembled, cleaned, and replaced (it is recommended to replace it every 2 years).
Pointer zeroing calibration: Place the hardness tester in a pressure free state, adjust the pointer to the "0" scale, and if the deviation exceeds ± 1HA, it needs to be zeroed again.
environmental control
Avoid using in high temperature, high humidity, or strong magnetic field environments to prevent internal component deformation or electronic component failure. The optimal operating temperature is 23 ± 5 ℃, and the humidity is ≤ 80%.
2、 Common faults and solutions
Pointer not moving or stuck
Reason: Needle jamming, spring breakage, internal gear wear.
Solution: Disassemble and inspect the pressure needle and spring. If the pressure needle is bent, it needs to be replaced; Gear wear requires factory repair.
Unstable reading (fluctuation>2HA)
Reason: The contact surface between the indenter and the sample is uneven, the testing platform is loose, and the indenter is worn.
Solution: Check if the surface of the sample is smooth and tighten the screws on the testing bench; If the wear of the pressure needle exceeds 0.1mm, it needs to be replaced.
Large deviation in hardness value
Reason: Failure to calibrate regularly, failure of standard blocks, and insufficient rebound speed of pressure needles.
Processing: Use standard hardness blocks (such as 70 ± 5HA) to calibrate once a month; If the standard block wears out, it needs to be replaced (usually with a validity period of 1 year).
Damaged casing or display screen
Reason: Structural deformation caused by falling or squeezing.
Solution: Minor deformation can be attempted to reset, severe damage requires contacting the manufacturer to replace the casing or display screen.
3、 Suggested maintenance cycle
Daily: Clean the pressure needle after each use and check that the pointer returns to zero.
Weekly: Check the stability of the test bench and tighten the screws.
Monthly: Use standard blocks to calibrate the hardness tester and record the deviation values.
Every year: Thoroughly disassemble and clean, replace vulnerable parts such as springs and seals.
By standardizing maintenance and timely troubleshooting, the reliability and service life of the Shore hardness tester can be significantly improved. If encountering complex problems (such as internal circuit failures), it is recommended to contact professional maintenance personnel or manufacturer technical support.