Welcome to the Bluehill User Community Blog! The goal of this site is to provide Instron's Bluehill users with a central location to search for FAQ'S, how-to's and useful tips and tricks. If you don't find what you are looking for - just ask! If you have any recommendations for how we can improve our site - let us know that too!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Question from Oliver (in the Phillipines) - Testing to ASTM D1621

Oliver wrote:
We have Instron 3385H with bluehill2 software, I'm having difficulties in setting the test method for compressive strain for 1%, 5%, and 10%, this is in accordance to ASTM D1621 compressive test method of rigid plastic.By the way we are producing geofoam products, it is very important to us to have this particular test.

BUC response:
Thanks for the question, Oliver. For this particular question - I have two tips for you.
1. The calculation you are trying to do is what we call in Bluehill a "Preset Point". So if you go to "Calculations" in the method, you should be able to create a variety of different Preset Points for each of the strain values described above. I actually created a quick video for how to do this in a previous post - check it out under the "Training/How To" section. Post is called "Modulus at 300% Strain - How do I do that?"
2. We have much of the test method already created (as this is a pretty common test). It will likely need to be tweaked a bit for your specific application - but it might be worthwhile to see our approach. Send me a note if you are interested and I can email you.
Good luck!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Bluehill User Group - Dates & Locations Set

Our first round of Bluehill User Group Meetings are quickly approaching - the dates and locations have been set! Are you from the NJ, CT or MA area? Are you interested in learning some useful tips and tricks in Bluehill? Do you want to be a part of new product and feature development? If so - the Bluehill User Group Meetings are perfect for you! Here are the dates and locations:
October 5 in Somerville/Bridgewater, NJ
October 6 in Rocky Hill, CT
October 7 in Metro-Boston area

Contact me (meredith_platt@instron.com) if you would like more information!