C E M E N T - M O RTA R

E044N
VICATRONIC
AUTOMATIC COMPUTERISED TROPICALIZED VICAT RECORDING APPARATUS
STANDARDS: EN 196-3:2005 / EN 13279-2 (gypsum) / EN 480-2 / ASTM C187, C191 / DIN 1168, 1196 / BS 4550 / UNE 80102
NF P15-414, P15-431 / AASHTO T129, T131
The Vicatronic apparatus, that is designed and manufactured using the most recent and sophisticated technology, is used for the initial and
final setting time determination of cements or mortar pastes.
The unit is manufactured with “anticorrosion and tropicalised” components to be used in places with humidity not below 90% and 20°C.
controlled temperature as required by EN Specifications.
section E

The entire test is made in a fully automatic way and gives a very precise and repeatable result. The results are printed on the incorporated
printer and this eliminates the manual operations of installing and zeroing the paper graph on the drum.
The use of the appliance is extremely simplified by the guiding menu that is available in english, french, spanish, german, polish, italian lan-
guage.

E044-45

314

DISPLAY
The large high contrast LCD display (negative
blue) has a high resolution and shows the test
data together with the general functions of the
appliance. It visualises for the first time in real
time the graph of the test (see picture) replac-
ing and simulating what the old fashioned pen
tracing on the paper. The appliance has a clock
calendar that is used to program the test cycles.

E044N
FIRMWARE
The Vicatronic is supplied with the standard programs to
make automatically, all the tests according to the following Standards:
EN 196-3:2005 / EN 13279-2 gypsum / EN 480-2 / ASTM C191
DIN 1164 / DIN 1168 gypsum / NF P15/431 / BS 4550 / AASHTO T131
Further programs can be developed by the operator using the specific menu “free tests” available on the base firmware; the user has the
possibility to set 5 totally free test profiles defining the number of penetrations and the coordinates of each penetration (ray in mm of the
circle where the number of penetrations have to be distributed) and number of circles. This possibility is particularly useful when testing
new mortars, additives and to make research tests that requires sophisticated and flexible applications.

90 penetrations program ASTM EN

material testing equipment

 C EMENT - MORTA R
TIMER 0 – 999 MINUTES
The firmware allows activating a delay on the appliance to the
beginning of the test. This program is particularly useful when the
approximate setting time of the mortar is known and the operator
wants to start the working of the Vicatronic after a certain time in
order to concentrate the penetrations with a short interval of time
between them and have
better measuring values.

section E
PROBES TEST RESULTS
The mobile probe weighs 300 g (1000 g following the EN, NF The Vicatronic can memorise
Standards), the penetration needle has 1,13 mm diameter (1 mm all the test parameters and
following ASTM Standard) and its fall can be programmed in free results and keeps a file with a
fall or in guided fall. Totally flexible as far as the time is concerned, capacity of more than 50 com-
the penetrations time can be selected between 0,5 minutes and plete tests.
999 minutes (fix interval between two penetrations of a test) or In case of a power cut, even
315
can change during the test up to 5 different phases with different a short one, during the test
interval time; it can even change automatically during the setting execution, the test will be
time fixing a penetration depth. The two options described here invalidated and the appliance
above can be combined together. will be automatically stop
The penetration measure is read by a very accurate encoder having keeping the set data.
a resolution of 0,1 mm. At the end of the test the
The Vicatronic also calculates, visualises and prints: appliance will print auto-
- The time from the moment of the sample preparation matically by the incorporated
(set by the operator). printer a report with all the
- The time the test starts. data concerning the last test
- The residual time to the next penetration. made including a graph tracing
- The residual time to the end of the test each single penetration with its
- The number of penetrations made and the residual penetrations values of time and penetration
to be made. number (see example printed).

PRINTING EXAMPLE
material testing equipment
 C E M E N T - M O RTA R
PC CONNECTION AND NET OPTIONS - Automatically download the final results at the end of the test on
Despite the totally independent working of the machine that all the connected Vicatronic.
includes an incorporated printer, the Vicatronic has been designed - Process and file at the same time all the tests without obliging
for a PC connection (RS232) with the possibility to download the the operator to move from his working place.
test data using a common program (Microsoft Hyper Terminal) that Additionally the firmware has many other functions detailed in the
is normally incorporated with the Windows package of the PC. In technical chart that will be transmitted to the user interested to
this case the data processing will have to be made by the operator. know more about it.

The “Vicat-Win” software (accessory mod. E044-11) allows receiv- The Vicatronic is supplied complete with the incorporated printer,
ing, managing, processing and completing the test dates; it will trace two hardened needles (one with 1 mm diameter and one with 1,13
section E

automatically the graph, personalise and print the test report. mm. diameter), two conical moulds EN and ASTM, a glass plate to
hold the conical mould.
The Vicatronic offers the possibility, buying the kit “Vicat-Net” Power supply: 230 V 1 Ph 50/60 Hz. 50W
(accessory mod. E044-12), to connect up to 20 appliances on a net Dimensions: 400 x 200 xh 470 mm. h.
managed by a PC through two pins RJ45 with RS485 protocol. This Weight: 13 kg.
allows obtaining a complete remote control from the PC of each
single Vicatronic. E044-03 N
The details of the performances are following: VICATRONIC, identical to mod. E044 N, but with possibility of
- Transfer each single control or function of the Vicatronic on the PC continuous penetrations each 15 seconds..
- Verify in real time each phase of the test being made.

316
ACCESSORIES:

E044-11 Software “VICAT-WIN” complete with connection E044-12 Kit “VICAT-NET” to connect up to 20 Vicatronic on
cable of 3 metres that allows by the RS232 port a net by means of two connectors RS485 managed
downloading, processing, printing and managing all the by a PC. The kit includes: the software, the RS232/485
data directly from the PC. converter and the cable for the connection of “one
appliance”. For net connection of additional Vicatronics
(up to max. 20) see the below accessory mod. E044-13

E044-13
Complete kit with cable for serial connection RS485, 5 metres long
for the connection of one Vicatronic to the PC or to a net (cables
with different length are available on demand).
material testing equipment
 C EMENT - MORTA R
E043 with temperature range from room to 35°C. +/- 1°C.
MOULD TANK to test the speci- Power supply: 230V 1ph 50Hz 1050W
men immersed in water. The test Dimensions: 375x335x420 mm
must be performed in room having Weight: 12 kg
a controlled temperature of 20° C.
± 1° C. The saturated humidity
is obtained by the immersion in
water of the specimen as required
E043 by the standard EN196-3.

section E
E044-20 + E044N + E043

E044-25 + E044 N + E043

Gypsum test: EN 13279-2 / DIN 1168

317
E044-40 N
CONICAL PENETRATION NEEDLE,
having 8 mm. diameter and 50 mm. long,
to make gypsum tests following EN, DIN E044-40 N
Specifications.
E044-20 E044-41 N
THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM PROBE 100 g, to make test on gypsum
The device produces water at a controlled temperature of 20° C. following EN, DIN Specifications.
± 1° C. that is circulated into the tank E043 to perform the test at
controlled temperature and humidity as required by the Standard E042-02N Consistency plunger dia. 10x50 mm
EN196-3. Can be used only with one single Vicatronic. E042N Needle for final setting 1,13 mm. diameter, BS, EN 196-3:2005
Power supply: 230V 1F 50Hz 1300W E042-01N Needle for final setting ASTM 1 mm. diameter.
Dimensions: 300x440x650 mm. Weight: 31 kg. E044-45 Additional 700 g weight (EN, NF)
E055-04 Plastic mould Ø 80/90 x 40 mm. high following UNI
E044-21 E055-11 Brass mould Ø 80/90 x 40 mm. high following BS
THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM E055-13 Plastic mould Ø 65/75 x 40 mm. high following DIN
Same as the mod. E044-20 but can be used simultaneously for
“TWO” Vicatronic. ACCESSORIES AND SPARE PARTS FOR E044N
E044-30 E044-30
NEEDLE CLEANING DEVICE
It removes the residual cement
particles from the needle keeping
it constantly lubricated.

E044-25
THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED HEATING SYSTEM
WITH COOLING COIL. SPARE PARTS:
The apparatus heats water from room temperature to 20 +/- 0,1°C. E046N 1,13 mm. Ø hardened needle (EN 196-3:2005)
The unit consists of a stainless steel water bath 10 litres capacity E046-01N 1 mm. Ø hardened needle (ASTM)
with wool insulation, immersion heater with digital thermostat, E055-05 Plastic mould Ø 60/70 x 40 mm. high following ASTM
motor pump, inlet/outlet system to circulate the water into the E055-07 Glass base plate
E043 tank, cooling coil device current water operated, to maintain E055-10 Plastic mould Ø 70/80 x 40 mm. high following EN, NF
a constant temperature of the bath when room temperature is E042-06N Probe 300 g to EN 196-3:2005
slightly higher. E044-48N Tang to fix the needle to the probe
The E044-25 unit is also a general purpose laboratory water bath C127-11 Thermo-paper roll for printer (pack of 10 rolls)
material testing equipment