PLX-Benchtop Standard Testing Procedure
This procedure outlines the standardized method for conducting functional and performance testing of components or systems using the PLX-Benchtop testing platform. It ensures consistent test conditions, reliable data collection, and proper verification of product quality, performance, or compliance with specifications.
Conestoga College - SMART Centre
07/15/2025
PLX-Benchtop Standard Testing Procedure
This procedure outlines the standardized method for conducting functional and performance testing of components or systems using the PLX-Benchtop testing platform. It ensures consistent test conditions, reliable data collection, and proper verification of product quality, performance, or compliance with specifications.
Safety Precautions
- While machine is operating don't have any limbs where the sample piece is getting pressed. - When it is scanning the indent don't hit the scanning arm.
Incase of emergency hit the E-Stop located on the right side of the machine.
Start Up Procedure
1. Turning on the power to the system this is NOT GENRALY NEEDED as this should usually be on by default. 2. Ensure that the E-stop is not active. If the E-Stop is active turn clockwise until it pops out.
The push the power button located on the computer in-between the monitor and the PLX-Benchtop.
1. Open up the CORSICA software. 2. Select the PLX-Benchtop when the window appears. 3. PLX-Benchtop is ready when the LED lights on it turn a solid blue.
BEFORE PUTTING THE SAMPLE THAT IS GOING TO BE TESTED IN THE PLX-BENCHTOP RUN THE CALIBRATION
Calibration
This is necessary ever time you start up the PLX-Benchtop or every 3 hours.
1. To start the the calibration press the blue start/play button. 2. Press "Preform calibration" on the window that appears.
NOTE: The "Profilometer Calibration Sample" should only ever have one intent on it.
1. When "Preform calibration" button is pressed it will ask to "Place the calibration sample ... below the indenter." 2. Locate the small pelican case on the top of the computer 3. The box containing the calibration sample should be in the right most slot and its labeled "Profilometer Calibration Sample".
1. Place the calibration sample into the green centering jig below the indenter. This should place it relatively close to centered with only minor adjustments necessary from this point. When placing the jig in be careful not to hit the small probe. 2. Press "Start" in the window that appears. 3. When the next dialog box shows up double check that the indent depth on the text box is the same as on the "Profilometer Calibration Sample" box, then hit okay. 4. Now wait until the PLX-Benchtop find the surface height of the calibration sample. 5. Use the arrows on the window that popped up to line-up the tip of the probe to the center of the indent. TIP: To get the forward/backward distance as close to center as possible you can use a phone camara to take pictures from the side as its hard to get an angle into there. 6. Once lined-up hit "OK" and wait for the Calibration to finish.
1. When the next window pops-up press "Finish" as the calibration is done. 2. Once the Indenter is fully lifted up put the calibration sample back into its case, and put the case back into the small pelican case and close the latches. 3. Now the PLX-Benchtop is ready for testing samples.
Testing Samples
1. With the CORSICA software open and the machine ON, press the blue start/play button on the main page. 2. Place the sample roughly where you want the indentation to go, MAKE SURE THAT THE THICKER PROD TO THE RIGHT OF THE INDENTER IF ALSO STILL ABOVE THE PART. For more information of how to place the sample and other sample requirements check pg. 10-11 in the PLXBenchtopManuel.pdf in MaintainX. 3. On the window that pops up select the options best suited for the scan. 3.1. Give the file a new name. 3.2. Select a file location for the new file. 3.3. Select whether it will also the do a Brinell Hardness Test. 3.4. Select the type of material the sample is. 3.5. The "Populate PLXUS data" allows for the input of specific compositions and conditions if the sample isn't on the given list. 4. Once all the desired options are selected press "Start". The indenter should now begin to lower. 5. Once the new window pops up now is the final chance to make any minor adjustments on where the indent is going to be placed. Once happy with the indent location press continue on the window. 6. Once no hands are in the test space press "Yes".
It will now preform the tests automatically.
1. Once the window pops up after the scanning finishes to go to the data analysis press the "Transfer to Data Analysis" button. 2. When the new tab shows up right side of the screen you will see the Stress-Strain curve first and above it 3 more tabs of data collected 3. The second of the tabs shows the path traced. 4. The last of the three will show the Brinell Hardness Test if that option was selected earlier. 5. On the left is other data gathered from the test as well as data export options and an option to open previous test. 5.1. Has some more data gathered from the test. 5.2. Are the export options for the data as either a PDF from the "PDF Report" option or a CSV from the "Data Export" option. The data when neither of these two options are used is a .json file. 5.3. Is how to open previous tests .json files.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE COMPUTER HAS DEEP FREEZE INSTALED, THIS WILL WIPE ALL DATA IF THE COMPUTER SHUTS DOWN. TO SAVE YOUR DATA EITHER EXPORT IT TO A EXTERNAL DRIVE FIRST BEFOR SHUTTING DOWN THE COMPUTER OR SAVE IN THE ALOCATED THAW SPACE IN THE T:\ LOCATION.
Shutting Down The PLX-Benchtop
When done with the PLX-Benchtop take the sample of the test platform. To shut down the PLX-Benchtop. 1. Press the 'x' in the top right of the CORSICA software window. 2. Press "Yes" on the window that pops up. The light bar on the PLX-Benchtop should now be off. Shut down the computer when done with the PLX-Benchtop for the day.
Source: Conestoga College - SMART Centre (Community Member)