Bruker Nano, Inc

Bruker Nano Surfaces Division

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San Jose, CA 95134-2109

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Fax: +1 408-376-4050
Customer Service: +1 800-873-9750
Email: TMT. [email protected]
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©2016 Bruker Nano, Inc

This operating instructions document is not subject to revision control. Distribution and
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All rights reserved for registration of patent, utility patent and design.
 Table of Contents

Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................. 1-1
1.1 STARTING THE VIEWER SOFTWARE .................................................................. 1-1
1.2 OPENING A DATA FILE ........................................................................................ 1-2
1.3 THE VIEWER INTERFACE................................................................................... 1-4

2 TOOLBARS ........................................................................... 2-1

2.1 GENERIC TOOLBAR ............................................................................................ 2-1
2.2 TOOLS TOOLBAR................................................................................................ 2-8

3 MENU BAR ............................................................................ 3-1

3.1 FILE MENU ......................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 EDIT MENU......................................................................................................... 3-2
3.3 VIEW MENU........................................................................................................ 3-3
3.4 WINDOWS MENU ................................................................................................ 3-5
3.5 TOOLS MENU ..................................................................................................... 3-6
3.6 OPTIONS MENU ................................................................................................... 3-7
3.7 HELP MENU ...................................................................................................... 3-11

4 GRAPH OPTIONS ................................................................ 4-1

4.1 STEP INFO, AXES, AND PARAMETER ASSIGNMENTS ........................................... 4-1
4.2 GRAPH ELEMENTS .............................................................................................. 4-1

5 ADVANCED CALCULATIONS ......................................... 5-1

5.1 OSCILLATING COF ............................................................................................ 5-1
5.2 FAST FOURIER TRANSFORM .............................................................................. 5-2
5.3 HERTZIAN CONTACT CALCULATOR.................................................................. 5-4
5.4 ELASTIC MODULUS CONVERTER ........................................................................ 5-5
5.5 VICKERS/KNOOP HARDNESS CALCULATOR ...................................................... 5-5

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Introduction I
1 Introduction

The purpose of this manual is to familiarize the reader with the TriboLab Viewer
software, and explain in detail the correct methods of displaying and analyzing data.
We’ll start our discussion with an explanation of how to start the software, and how to
open a basic data set. From there, we’ll delve into explaining various available toolbar
and menu options (chapters 2-3), graph features and statistics (chapter 4), and different
computational methods used determining material properties (Chapter 5). Different types
of data will be presented throughout the document to facilitate explanations of software
features.

For more information on collecting data through Tribolab UMT software, please refer to
the Tribolab UMT software manual.

1.1 Starting the Viewer software

The Viewer software can be started from the Windows desktop, by double-clicking on
the Viewer shortcut. The software root folder (labeled “TRIB”) is located in the C
partition (Figure 1-1). This folder contains the Viewer program, as well at the “Tests”
folder where typically the test data files are stored. The test files are stored in *.tst format.

Stored data files

Figure 1-1: TriboLab software root folder

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Introduction I

Alternatively, the software can be started from the UMT program, by selecting the
“Viewer” option in the Tools category (Figure 1-2). The Viewer program appears as
shown in Figure 1-3.

Figure 1-2: Viewer button in the "Tools" tab of the UMT program

Figure 1-3: Viewer program window

1.2 Opening a data file

The open data file option can be accessed either through the File menu (File/Open), or
through the “Open” command in the lower toolbar (Figure 1-4).

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Introduction I
This brings up the Open dialog (Figure 1-5). This window offers different ways of
navigating to data files, and displaying file parameters. Once located and selected, the
files can be opened by selecting “Open” in the bottom portion of the window. There are a
few additional options that allow control of how selected data files will be displayed in
the Viewer program. These options will be discussed in section 2.1.

Figure 1-4: Open file options

Figure 1-5: Open file dialog

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Introduction I
1.3 The Viewer Interface

The Viewer user interface features a fairly efficient and user-friendly layout. The top of
the window contains the menu bar, and two floating toolbars (Figure 1-6). The top
toolbar, also referred to as the “tools toolbar” contains various data manipulation and
analysis options. The lower toolbar, also referred to as the “generic toolbar” contains
basic options for loading, exporting and printing data. Each of these toolbars can be
enabled or disabled based on user preference.

Menu bar

Generic toolbar Tools toolbar

Figure 1-6: Menu bar and tool bars

The right-hand side of the window contains data display settings (Figure 1-7). The user
can choose which segment of the test they’d like to analyze, and also select which
measured quantities within the selected segment they’d like to display in the graph.
Typical tests contain multiple sequences of steps, and this dialog enables the user to
select which individual test step(s) they’d like to present in the graph. Based on the step
selection, the “Step Info” field shows the step test conditions (load, lower drive speed,
etc.) and the step duration. The user then selects the measured quantity for the X axis
(usually time), and the data channel they want displayed as the Y axis parameter.
Available data channels are sequence-dependent, so the available selection also varies
based on the selected test step.

The client area of the window graphs the selected data channels from selected test step(s).
The user has control of the graph title, axes labels and scales, fonts, the graph legend etc.

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 Introduction I

Test conditions for

the currently
selected step

Step selection

X axis displayed
quantity

Y axis displayed
Figure 1-7: Step and data channel quantity
selections

The bottom-left portion of the Viewer window contains statistical information (mean
value and standard deviation) for the currently displayed data channel (Figure 1-8). It also
offers options for adjusting the X and Y axis scales for the graph, and turning the graph
grid on and off.

Grid on/off
button
Statistics for the currently selected channel Y and X axis scales

Figure 1-8: Graph statistics, axes scales and grid selection

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 Introduction I
The bottom-right portion of the Viewer window displays several pieces of information:
the details of the currently loaded data file (test date/time, and script file name), the
version of the Viewer software, as well as the value of the data channel at the current
cursor position. Essentially, as the user hovers over the graph with the cursor, the bottom
right corner of the window shows the selected data channel’s X and Y values at the
cursor position in the graph. This feature is very useful for quick estimates of graph
values in the regions of interest.

Figure 1-9: Data file information, software version and graph value at the current cursor
position

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Toolbars II

2 Toolbars

As mentioned earlier, the Viewer window contains two toolbars in the top portion of the
screen (Figure 2-1). The first toolbar, also referred to as the “tools toolbar” contains
various data manipulation and analysis options. The second toolbar, also referred to as
the “generic toolbar”, contains basic options for loading, exporting and printing data.

Tools toolbar

Generic toolbar

Figure 2-1: Toolbars

2.1 Generic Toolbar

The generic toolbar options are as follows:

 Open: This option displays the open file dialog which allows the user to load data
files (Figure 2-2). This command is equivalent to selecting “Open” from the File
menu (Section 3.1).

- Navigation options: The top portion of the dialog allows the user to navigate
to data files. “Look in” drop-down menu can be used to select the desired data
folder. The buttons directly to its right give common window navigation
options such as going back or going up by one level from the current folder.
Additional buttons allow the user to create a new file folder, or sort the list of
displayed data files.
In addition, to save time when navigating to recently used folders, the left
portion of the dialog contains shortcuts to common locations such as the
Desktop, Computer, Recent Places, etc. Also, the bottom portion of the dialog
contains the “Recent Locations” drop-down menu which saves up to ten of the
last used folder locations.

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 Toolbars II
Options for navigating
to the data folder

Shortcuts to
common Data
locations display
options

List of data files

Options to select and

open data files

Recent
locations menu

Figure 2-2: Open data file dialog

- Data display options: The right-hand portion of the dialog contains settings
that affect how the selected data sets will be displayed in the Viewer.
o If none of the boxes are checked, the single selected data file will be
displayed with its steps separate. This means that each individual test
step can be viewed separately and each of its logged data channels can
be displayed in the graph.
o Open all data in a single step: This option is used to put together all
segments of the selected data file. In other words, individual steps will
be strung together in one continuous array of data.
o Compress time: This option is only available if “Open all data in a
single step” is selected. Basically, since different test segments may
contain different data channel feeds, stringing the data together across
the entire test may leave gaps in those segments where data from the
displayed data channel has not been collected. To eliminate these gaps,
“compress time” option will string together only those test segments
where the displayed data channel has been logged.
o Open all files in the same window: This option allows for step-wise
addition of data from multiple data files and displaying it in the same
window. The data files must have the same number of steps and each
step must have the same logged channels. The data from all files is
strung together, step by step, and each of the combined steps can be

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Toolbars II
displayed for analysis. Data from each step is combined in the order in
which the files are selected, from left to right.
o “Open all files as continuous set of steps from a single file”: This
option will essentially combine multiple selected data files into one.
The resulting combined data file will be displayed as the sum of the
steps of all selected individual files. For instance, if the first selected
data file contains three steps, and the second selected data file contains
five, the resulting displayed data file will have eight available steps.
Steps 1-3 will be from the first file, and steps 4-8 will be from the
second file. Selecting the files in the opposite order, would display a
combined file with steps 1-5 being from the first data set, and steps 6-8
from the second data set.
o “Specify files order”: this option is only available when “Open all files
in the same window” or “Open all files as continues set of steps from a
single file” is selected. In the first case it allows the user to specify in
which order the data will be appended step by step. In the second case,
this option allows the user to select in which order the data file steps
will be combined. If unchecked, the software assigns the order
automatically, going top-to-bottom through the list of selected data
files. The top-most file is considered first, and the files below are
added in sequential order.

- Opening the file(s): Once the data file(s) and appropriate display options are
selected, the user can select “Open” to display the data in the Viewer window.

 Markers: The use of markers (Figure 2-3) is explained in Section 4.2. Once
created, the user has an option of saving the markers to the data file, for the
currently selected data step and channel. The next time the same data file is
opened, the markers will appear in the same positions when the same data
segment and channel are selected.

Figure 2-3: Graph containing markers.

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 Toolbars II
 Reread: This option is used to refresh the currently loaded data file. Useful
option when observing data while the test is still in progress since it enables the
user to periodically refresh the data set and observe the test progress. Also allows
for undoing all data filtering and other data manipulation options in a single step.
 Screen: This option allows for exporting displayed graphs (Figure 2-4).
- Navigation options: The top portion of the dialog allows the user to select
the folder the exported file will be saved in. “Save in” drop-down menu
can be used to select the desired data folder. The buttons directly to its
right give common window navigation options such as going back or
going up by one level from the current folder. Additional buttons allow the
user to create a new file folder, or sort the list of displayed data files. In
addition, to save time when navigating to recently used folders, the left
portion of the dialog contains shortcuts to common locations such as the
Desktop, Computer, Recent Places, etc.
- Save: These options allow the user to select which segment of the
displayed data (along the X axis) to export.
 Selected Range: This option will export data from all currently
displayed channels but only in the X range between set markers. If
there are no markers in the graph, this option will not be available.
 Current Screen: This option will export data from all displayed
channels in the X range of the current graph. This may or may not
be the full length of the currently selected step.
 Current Step: This option will export data from all displayed
channels in the full range of the currently selected step, regardless
of the X range displayed in the graph.

Options for selecting

the destination folder

Save
settings
Shortcuts to
common
locations

Out of
range value
settings

Options to name and

save data tiles
Figure 2-4: Save graph data

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Toolbars II
- Out of range values (only available if “Current Screen” is selected under
Save options): These settings determine what happens to graph points
outside of currently specified Y axis range.
 Skip (leave blank): Any data point in the currently displayed data
range that is outside of the current Y axis limits will not be
included in the exported data file.
 Replace with the last In-Range value (use “Saturation” model):
Any data point in the currently displayed data range that is outside
of the current Y axis limits will be replaced by the last in-range
data point before it.
 Replace with: Any data point in the currently displayed data range
that is outside of the current Y axis limits will be replaced by a
user-defined value.
 Preserve: This option will export all data points in the currently
specified X range, regardless of whether they fall in the currently
specified Y axis range or not.

- Save As type: the user can select the type under which the exported file
will be saved. Available options include text, excel or coma-separated-
variable files.

Once the file location, name, type and save options have been adjusted, “Save”
needs to be selected to complete the graph exporting.

 Export: This option is used to convert the data files from binary to text
format. The original file (*.tst) is preserved, while a new text file is created
with an identical file name. An example text file is given in Figure 2-5. The
header of the text file contains relevant information regarding the original data
file. Below the header, each run of the test and each individual step are
marked and important information about test conditions is listed (duration,
forces, collected data count, etc). Below that, all available data channels are
displayed in columns.

The export dialog (Figure 2-6) allows the user to select the data file to be
converted to text, with various options for adjusting the resulting file format,
content, data filtering and accuracy. Once the file is selected, and all settings
are completed, selecting “Open” will start the exporting process, and a new
text data file will be created.

- Data format: This section allows for selecting the format of the created
data file. Regular will create a text file (*.txt) and CSV will create a coma
separated variable file (*.csv). Double accuracy, when selected, will add
three additional decimal digits for every saved data point.

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 Toolbars II

Original
data file
details

Run and
step
information

Available
data
channel
logged

Figure 2-5: Example text data file

Options for locating

existing data files

Data format
settings

Shortcuts to
common
locations

Data filtering
and formatting
options

Selection of
data segments
to export

Figure 2-6: Export/Textify dialog

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Toolbars II
- Data filtering:
 None: no filtering is applied to the exported data set.
 Skip: This option will downsample the dataset. Instead of
containing every single data point from the original file, the
resulting text file will contain every nth data point, where n is
specified in the “Filter Width” field. If “Define number of samples
per each step” box is checked, then instead of bringing in every nth
data point, the export routine will bring in only the total of n data
points, taken in even intervals along the original data set.
 Average: This option will reduce the size of the resulting data file.
Every n data points will be averaged, and the average value will
become a single data point in the resulting text file. The number n
is defined in the “Filter width” field. If “Define number of samples
per each step” box is checked, then instead of averaging every n
data points, the software will average an appropriate number of
data points so that the entire array is reduced to n final data points
in the text file.
 Moving average: This option does not reduce the number of data
points in the resulting text file. Rather, this option serves to smooth
the data by assigning each data point the average value of n of its
neighbors. This method is called moving average, since the
averaging routine propagates through the data set in a set direction.

- Open all data in single step: When checked, this option allows the user to
combine the data from all steps of the selected data file into one large
array in the resulting text file.

- Data to Export:
 All: This will pour all steps of the selected data file into the new
text file.
 Steps: Allows the user to select which steps from the data file will
be imported into the resulting text file.
 Time: Allows the user to specify the range of data which is to be
included in the text file based on the time interval.

 Undo/Redo: These options show lists of previous graph modifications, and

the user has a chance to undo some of those changes or reapply them, based
on their preference.

 Print Preview: This option shows what the graph would look like when
printed.

 Print: Sends the currently displayed graph to the printer.

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 Toolbars II
2.2 Tools Toolbar

The tools toolbar options are as follows:

 Compress: By default, the graph data is displayed uncompressed, where each

data point gets one pixel in the graph area. Selecting the compress option will
compress the time scale in the graph in order to show the entire duration of the
selected step. This affects all displayed channels of the currently selected step.
Figure 2-7 shows an example of compressed Fx channel.

Figure 2-7: Compress command, before (left) and after (right).The rectangle in the
image in the right shows what used to take up the entire graph (left).

 Subtract: This function allows for shifting the data, either along the X axis or
along the Y by a set amount (Figure 2-8).

Figure 2-8: Shift data function.

- Subtract average: This function will subtract the average Y value in the
graph (or between the graph markers) from every point in the graph. This
essentially serves to set the average value of the selected range to zero, or
to make the data symmetric around zero in the Y

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Toolbars II
- Subtract minimum: This function will subtract the minimum Y value in
the graph (or between the graph markers) from every point in the graph.
This essentially serves to set the minimal value in the graph to zero in the
Y direction.
- Subtract maximum: This function will subtract the maximum Y value in
the graph (or between the graph markers) from every point in the graph.
This essentially serves to set the highest point in the graph to zero along
the Y.
- Shift data by: This option gives a little more flexibility and unlike other
options can be used to induce data shifts both in the X direction and in the
Y (Figure 2-9).
 Offset: User defined amount of shift.
 Average: This option shifts all values along the selected axis by
their average value. This pertains to the entire graph or to the
section between the markers.
 Minimum: This option shifts all values along the selected axis by
their minimal value. This pertains to the entire graph or to the
section between the markers.
 Maximum: This option shifts all values along the selected axis by
their maximum value. This pertains to the entire graph or to the
section between the markers.

Figure 2-9: Shift data by function.

 Multiply: This function essentially multiplies each data point in the graph (or
between markers) by a user defined value (rescales the data), in the Y direction.
Only applies to the currently selected data channel.

 Abs. Value: This function will replace every data point in the graph (or between
set markers) by its absolute value, in the Y direction. It will essentially eliminate
negative values. Only applies to the currently selected data channel.

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Toolbars II
 Filter: This function allows for different kinds of data filtering and smoothing
(Figure 2-10). This operation only applies to the currently selected data channel.
Explanations for each individual filtering algorithm for each filter type can be
found by clicking on the “Algorithm Info” link in the dialog. Each filtering type is
briefly explained next.

Figure 2-10: Filtering function.

- Lowpass: This option will pass the low spatial wavelengths in the data,
and exclude the high ones. This means that the data will preserve the form
and shape, but small ripples and roughness will disappear. Several
different filtering algorithms are available. Each typically takes the low
cutoff frequency and order. The low cutoff frequency is the maximum
spatial frequency admitted into the dataset. All spatial frequencies above
will be excluded from the data. The higher the order number, the more
abrupt the cut off there will be in spatial frequencies.
- Highpass: Opposite of lowpass, this algorithm excludes the low spatial
frequencies and leaves the higher ones. The data ripples and roughness are
preserved while form and shape are eliminated. This serves to flatten the
data. Several different filtering algorithms are available. Each usually
takes the high cutoff frequency and order. The high cutoff frequency is the
minimal spatial frequency admitted into the dataset. All spatial frequencies

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Toolbars II
below will be excluded from the data. The higher the order number, the
more abrupt the cut off there will be in spatial frequencies.
- Bandpass: This filtering method will pass spatial frequencies between the
lower cutoff frequency and the higher cutoff frequency. The spatial
frequencies below and above this range are excluded. Several different
filtering algorithms are available. Each usually takes the upper cutoff
frequency, the lower cutoff frequency, and the order. The higher the order
number, the more abrupt the cut off there will be in spatial frequencies.
- Bandstop: This filtering method will eliminate only the spatial frequencies
in the specified range between the lower cutoff frequency and the upper
cutoff frequency. Spatial frequencies below and above will be excluded.
Several different filtering algorithms are available. Each usually takes the
upper cutoff frequency, the lower cutoff frequency, and the order. The
higher the order number, the more abrupt the cut off there will be in
spatial frequencies.
- Differentiating: This type of filter can be applied to a data set for the
purpose of smoothing the data, that is, to increase the signal-to-noise ratio
without greatly distorting the signal. This is achieved in a process known
as convolution, by fitting successive sub-sets of adjacent data points with a
low-degree polynomial by the method of linear least squares.

 Peaks: This option is used to reduce the amount of data points in the graph area.
The user specifies the data sample size, and the % number. By default, these are
set to 100, and 0.2%, respectively (Figure 2-11). The software will split the data
set into 100 data point sub-sets, find the average value of the top 0.2% data in
each of the subsets, and populate the graph by the calculated values. Effectively,
this reduces the number of data points in the graph by a factor of a hundred.

Figure 2-11: Peaks parameters

 Trend: This option is used for calculating trends in the data. When the option is
selected, the data trend properties dialog appears (Figure 2-12). Essentially, the
user picks the data channel the trend is to be calculated for in the drop-down
menu on the left of the dialog. The trend type and order are set in the “Trend”

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Toolbars II
area. Available fitting types include polynomial, power, exponential, double
exponential, logarithmic, and sine. The order of the polynomial trends can be 1st
or higher, depending on the shape of the curve and desired accuracy.

Once these parameters are adjusted, selecting “Calculate” will fit a curve through
the data and a mathematical expression will be displayed in the “Trend formula”
area. The “Deviations relative to the trend” area will display the maximum,
minimum and standard deviation between the trend and graph values. The user
can also set the trend graphical representation line color and width. Once the trend
is calculated, selecting “OK” will fit the trend line through the data.

Figure 2-12: Data Trend Properties

 Compare: This option allows for comparing multiple test steps or multiple data
files against one another, by plotting them in the same graph.

In case a single data file is open, “Compare” function will allow the user to
display more than one step for every selected data channel.

In case multiple files are compared, the files must have the same and identically
named data channels. The user can open several equivalent data files individually,
and then select “Compare” from the tools toolbar and all open data files will be
displayed in the same plot (Figure 2-13). The data set list shows the names of all
data files, with all individual steps. Also, a list of all available data channels is
displayed. Desired portions of each included test can be selected or deselected

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Toolbars II
with respect to all available individual data channels. Unchecking the whole data
file will remove all of its data from the graph window.

Figure 2-13: Comparative graph window

The remainder of options in the tools toolbar are advanced computations used for
determining material properties. They will be discussed in chapter 5.

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Menu bar III

3 Menu bar

In this section, we’ll discuss various menu bar (Figure 3-1) options available, and their
uses.

Figure 3-1: Menu bar

3.1 File Menu

The “File” submenu (Figure 3-2) contains options conducive to working with data files,
exported text files, marker templates, etc. Let us discuss each one in turn.

Figure 3-2: “File” submenu

 Open: This option was explained in detail in section 2.1.

 Save As: This option allows for saving the opened data file, under a different
name, also in *.tst format (e.g. after making changes to the data set by
adding/removing channels or steps).
 Close: This option closes the currently loaded data file. If there are multiple data
files open, the one currently selected, or the one on top will be closed.

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Menu bar III
 Import data files: This option allows for importing text files created through
Export option discussed in section 2.1. The files are displayed as the regular *.tst
files.
 Export data files: This option allows for exporting data files, detailed in section
2.1.
 Save Markers: This option was discussed in section 2.1.
 Save Y axis template: This option is used to save the Y Scale values of a graph
for use with another graph from a similar data file. Can be saved to the “Generic”
template, which will load as default, or to a custom template (*.dat file) which can
be loaded manually.
 Load Y axis template: This option is used to load pre-saved Y axis templates,
either the generic, default one, or a custom one from file.
 Print: This option is described in section 2.1.
 Print preview: This option is described in section 2.1.
 Print Setup: This option opens a Print Setup dialog (Figure 3-3). The user can
select a printer from the list, as well as adjust basic printing options, such as size,
and orientation.

Figure 3-3: Printer options.

 Store graph image to a file: This option allows for saving the graph image as a
bmp or a jpeg image file.
 List of recently opened files: This list allows opening recently viewed data files.
 Exit: This command will close the Viewer program

3.2 Edit Menu

This menu gives options for undoing or redoing actions, and for manipulating custom
parameters (Figure 3-4).

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Menu bar III

Figure 3-4: Edit menu

 Undo/Redo: These functions were described in section 2.1.

 Create Parameter: This option allows for creating custom calculated channels
within the Viewer software (Figure 3-5). The new channel can be set up by
manipulating one or more of already available channels and/or constants
through algebraic operations. For instance, our custom channel can be set up as
a difference between the Fz and Fx channel values. The data category can be set
to Force/Load, and the unit to N. This will create an additional channel in the
“Parameters” field which displays the difference between the vertical and lateral
forces in Newtons.

Figure 3-5: Create new channel dialog

 Delete Parameter: This option allows for deleting selected parameter from the
list of available data channels.
 Restore Parameter: This option allows for restoring previously deleted
parameters.

3.3 View Menu

This menu allows for data manipulations, adjusting template views, rereading the test
file, adjusting vertical markers, and adjusting the tool bar and statistics bar views
(Figure 3-6).

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Menu bar III

Figure 3-6: View menu.

 Compress: This option was explained in section 2.2.

 Shift data by: This option was explained in section 2.2.

 Multiply: This option was explained in section 2.2.

 Absolute Value: This option was explained in section 2.2.

 Filter: This option was explained in section 2.2.

 Oscillating Test: This computational method will be explained in section 5.1.

 Peaks: This option was explained in section 2.2.

 Use as a template view: This option sets a template for all subsequently loaded
files.

 Remove template: This option discontinues using the current view as a

template.

 Reread test: this option will reload the currently loaded data file. Very useful
for tracking progress of incomplete datasets.

 Save Screen Data: This option was explained in section 2.1.

 Delete Vertical Markers: This option will remove all vertical markers from the
graph. More about vertical markets in section 3.1.

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Menu bar III
 Toolbars: This option gives options of including or excluding the generic and
tools toolbars from the Viewer window.

 Status Bar: This option allows for including or excluding the status bar (at the
bottom of the Viewer window) from the Viewer program.

3.4 Windows Menu

The view menu (Figure 3-7) contains options for adjusting window sizes and positions, as
well as some window related analytical options.

Figure 3-7: Window menu

 Result Window: This function will be discussed in section 5.2.

 Compare Window: This option was explained in chapter 2.2.

 Comments: This option displays any comments that may have been saved with
the test.

 Cascade: This option will arrange all open graphs in a cascade, from top left of
the Viewer window towards bottom right.

 Tile: This option will display all open graphs concurrently in a tile pattern across
the client area of the Viewer window, with each graph taking up the identical
amount of space.

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 Menu bar III
3.5 Tools Menu

The tools menu (Figure 3-8) offers a variety of options for

calculating material parameters, as well as advanced
features for processing scratch, indentation or tribocorrosion
data. Chapter 5 of this manual is dedicated to explaining
these features in detail. Here, we’ll make a mention of a few
additional options.

 Trend: This function was explained in section 2.2.

 Windows calculator: This option brings up regular

calculator available in Windows.

 Screen resolution: This option allows the user to set

the screen resolution (Figure 3-9). The change is temporary,
unless “Apply always” box is checked. “Restore original
resolution on Exit” will restore the screen to prior resolution
settings when the software is closed.

 Bruker Use: This option is only used by the Bruker

customer service and should not be accessed.

Figure 3-8: Tools menu.

Figure 3-9: Select screen resolution dialog.

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Menu bar III
3.6 Options menu

This menu contains options conducive to editing and saving the Viewer options files
(Figure 3-10).

Figure 3-10: Options menu

 Edit: This option allows for editing the currently loaded Viewer options
file (Figure 3-11). The options are split in 4 categories. Each will be
discussed separately.

o Generic: This tab offers options for adjusting the graph area.

Figure 3-11: Edit options, generic category.

 Compress by: This setting adjusts how “Compress function

will be executed. When compress function is initiated, the
plot must represent the data for the entire step. As a result,
there might not be enough pixels on the monitor screen to

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 Menu bar III
show all the data points. Therefore, each pixel must
represent a number of data points which is equal to the
total number of data points divided by the number of
available pixels. Here, the user can choose if each pixel
will display a pair or values (min and max) of the data
range it represents. This mode is called Peak-to-Peak. If
Peak-to-Peak is not selected, three additional options
become available. The user can set each pixel to display
the average of data points it represents, the minimum or
the lowest data point, or the maximum or the highest data
point. It is also possible to select any combination of these
three options.
Figure 3-12: Example of
three different line types, If more than one box is checked, the plots for a given
explained in the graph parameter will still have the same color, but will have
different line types – solid, dotted, and dashed. A legend
legend. of the same color will show the line type, the parameter
name, the units, and the compression mode (example given
in Figure 3-12).

 Screen layout: These settings adjust some of the basic

screen properties.

Display chart legend: Includes the legend in the graph.

Always include 0 in the auto-scaled Y range: If selected,

the Y axis auto-scale will always contain zero. Otherwise,
depending on the Y range of data, the Y values may not
include zero.

Portion of Graph Area Used by Image: This function

determines what percentage of the graph area will be used
for displaying an image when viewing scratch data.

Compact toolbar: This option reduces the size of each

toolbar by removing the labels below each button. When
applied, it will take a program restart for the setting to take
place.

Include “Between-the-Steps” Data: Data is collected

continuously during a test sequence, including data
between the end of one step and the beginning of another.
Usually, this data is not displayed when viewing steps
individually. When this box is checked, the “Between the
Steps” data will be displayed between selected steps.

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Menu bar III
 Display warnings on Data File Loading: Checking this
box allows the Viewer to provide additional warnings and
information about a data file. This is useful if the open data
file is corrupt.

 Check for the File Consistency During Loading: This

option checks the data file to see if it is consistent and safe
to load on to the Viewer. It is recommended to have this
box checked.

 Elasticity testing parameters: When an elastomer test

data file is opened, the Viewer checks the file for
parameters needed to perform elastomer calculations. If
there is a problem, a warning message will appear if the
box for Show warnings on data file loading is checked.
During an elastomer test the displacement can be measured
by one of several devices such as the carriage encoder (Z1),
capacitance probe (C1), or LVDT (L1). The “Displacement
Channel Name” box allows for setting the name of the
device that was used for measuring the displacement. The
input requires a two-character name.

o FFT: This category contains settings pertinent to the Fast Fourier

Transformation calculation (Figure 3-13).

Figure 3-13: Edit options, FFT category.

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Menu bar III
Auto: If checked, the FFT plot will be automatically updated any
time a parameter is changed. Otherwise, the Recalculate button
must be used.
AutoCenter: This option eliminates the 0 Hz or DC component
from the FFT plot. For more information, please refer to chapter 5.

o Graph Attributes: This category allows for adjusting the graph

features, appearance and colors (Figure 3-14).

Figure 3-14: Edit options, graph attributes.

 Font size/Graph axes: This option allows for adjusting the

size of the font in the axes of the graph.

 Colors: Here, the user can select colors of each individual

channel displayed in the graph.

 Grid options: This field allows for selecting the style of

major and minor grids in the graph. The latter is optional.

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Menu bar III
 Save locally: This option allows for saving the current options file in the
local directory, as Viewer.opt.

 Save to default: This option will save the settings in the default Viewer
options file. Namely, Viewer.opt file contains the default Viewer program
settings, and this file resides in the root software directory (by default this
is C:\TRIB).

 Save As: This option is used to save the options in a non-default options
file.

 Load: This command allows for locating and loading the Viewer program
options files.

3.7 Help menu

The help menu (Figure 3-15) allows the user to see the software version, and access the
Viewer software manual.

Figure 3-15: Help menu

 View software manual: This option allows the user to open the Viewer manual.
Typically, this document is kept at C:\TRIB\Documentation. If the path hasn’t
been set, the software will prompt the user to locate the manual, and that path will
be remembered for all subsequent times this option is selected.
 About Data Viewer: This option will launch the Data Viewer version dialog
which displays the current Viewer Version (Figure 3-16). This information may
be requested for resolving any software issues.

Figure 3-16: Viewer software version information.

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Graph options V

4 Graph options

In this section, we’ll describe the graph properties and options in detail.

4.1 Step info, axes, and parameter assignments

As mentioned earlier, the right-hand side of

the Viewer window contains the data display
settings (Figure 4-1). The user can choose
which segment of the test they’d like to
analyze, and also select which measured
quantities within the selected segment they’d
like to display in the graph. Typical tests
contain multiple sequences of steps, and this
dialog enables the user to select any of the
available test steps. Based on the step
selection, the “Step Info” field shows the step
test conditions (load, lower drive speed, etc.)
and the step duration. The user can also choose
to remove the selected step by selecting
“Remove.” Once the step has been selected,
the user can select one or more of the
associated data channel(s), to be displayed as
the Y axis parameter. This selection is
performed in the “Parameters” field. It is also
possible to adjust the measured quantity for the
X axis, even though in most plots this quantity
is time.

Also, right-clicking on any data channel in the

Parameters field allows for setting its color in
Figure 4-1: Steps, Axes, and the graph. Selecting “More” will open up an
additional dialog which allows the user to
Parameters options choose precisely the color they want the data
channel to be.

4.2 Graph elements

 Graph title: Double-clicking on the graph title opens up Text Parameters dialog
(Figure 4-2). In this dialog the user can enter or change the graph title, set the
font, color, size, and style. Selecting “Make default” will make the provided title

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Graph options V
default for every next open graph. %S is a wildcard which can be inserted in the
title to denote the step number.

Figure 4-2: Graph title properties.

 Graph axes: Each graph contains X and Y axis labels and scales. For those
graphs which include more than one data channel concurrently, there can be
multiple Y axis scales, displayed on either side of the graph area (Figure 4-3).

Figure 4-3: Graph with two data channels, each with individual Y scale

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Graph options V

By default, axis labels display the name of the data channel plotted along the axis,
and its unit. Double-clicking on the label brings up a dialog (Figure 4-4), which
allows for adjusting the label verbiage, font, color, size, style and the coordinates
of the label within the graph area. Single-clicking on the label allows for changing
the unit.

Figure 4-4: Axis label text parameters.

Axis labels can be adjusted by double-clicking in the label’s area. Axis labels
dialog (Figure 4-5) allows for adjusting the axis label position, format, and
precision. “Text Parameters” button opens a secondary dialog, labeled “Text
parameters” which can be used to adjust the font, color, color and style of the axis
label.

Figure 4-5: Axis label options.

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Graph options V
 Markers: The graphs also offer options for setting vertical and horizontal
markers.
o Vertical markers: These graph elements (Figure 4-6) can be included in
the graph to visually asses the duration of time between relevant events,
for instance. The markers are set by right-clicking in the graph area. The
first vertical marker is yellow and the second is green. When added as a
pair, horizontal distance (time between) the markers is displayed as the
delta below the axis label. Each graph can contain up to three pairs of
vertical markers. However, only the first pair of set vertical markers can
be used in conjunction with data manipulation options such as Subtract,
Multiply or Abs. Value (this was explained in section 2.2). Furthermore,
only the data between the first pair of markers can be included in the graph
statistics (explained further below).

o
o

Figure 4-6: Graph with a pair of vertical markers.

o Horizontal markers: Horizontal markers play a slightly different role. Only
one horizontal marker can be set per graph, and this is achieved by right-
clicking left of the graph area. Once set, the horizontal marker represents
the level which is used as a reference for area under curve calculations.
Hovering the mouse cursor over the displayed data channel in the
“Parameters” field, will create a small pop-up window which displays
three parameters: (1) the value of the data channel at the intersection of the
curve with the horizontal marker, (2) the area above the horizontal marker
and below the curve, and (3) the area below the horizontal marker and
above the curve (Figure 4-7).

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Graph options V

Horizontal marker

Figure 4-7: Horizontal marker and the calculated are under curve information.

 Channel Statistics: The bottom-left portion of the Viewer window contains

statistical information (mean value and standard deviation) for the currently
displayed portion of the selected data channel (Figure 4-8). If the graph contains
vertical markers, the statistical information will pertain only to the segment of the
data between the first pair of vertical markers. In addition to statistics, this portion
of the window also offers options for adjusting the X and Y axis scales for the
graph. Selecting “Auto” will auto-assign the scale minimum and maximum
values. Deselecting “Auto” allows the user to input specific values. The “Grid”
button turns the graph grid on and off.

Grid on/off
button
Statistics for the currently selected channel Y and X axis scales

Figure 4-8: Graph statistics, axes scales and grid selection

 Data file information and current value: The bottom-right portion of the
Viewer window displays information about the data file, the date/time the file was
created, and its location (Figure 4-9). Also, this portion of the screen lists the
version of the UMT program used to create the file. The very right-hand side
portion of the same area lists the coordinates of the current cursor position when
within the graph. The Y value of those coordinates belongs to the currently
selected data channel (in the Parameters field).

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Graph options V

Date the data file was Version of the UMT

created, and it’s location software used

Figure 4-9: Bottom right portion of the Viewer window

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Advanced calculations V

5 Advanced calculations

In this section we’ll discuss advanced calculation methods available in the tools toolbar
and in the tools menu.

5.1 Oscillating COF

This option is used for calculating coefficient of friction (COF) from Fx and Fz data
collected in reciprocating mode. The dialog (Figure 5-1) gives options for activating the
oscillating coefficient of friction calculation by checking the box in front of “Oscillating
test”. The algorithm takes into consideration the lateral forces in both directions of the
oscillating motion, and disregards the short time interval in which the change of direction
occurred when calculating the COF. There are two modes in which the algorithm can be
executed: the simple and advanced.

 Simple: This mode allows for detecting extremums, essentially, the low and the
high values in lateral force as the sample is moving. The user inputs how many
oscillations will be averaged to determine the extremum value. “But no less than”
is the minimal amount of time that has to pass in one extremum calculation. “Use
% threshold for extremums calculations” assigns a vertical threshold for
calculating the value of each extremum. For instance, 1 % will average the top 1
% of values in the interval to calculate the extremum value.
 Advanced: This is a more sophisticated method in which the software auto-
detects all oscillations. The user chooses which portion of every oscillation period
will be taken to assign its value. For instance, setting “Use 50% in the middle of
each motion” will take middle value of
each period as the final data point.
 Interpolate results: This option will
smooth the appearance of the COF plot,
which otherwise appear “stepped”.
 Make default: This option will make
current oscillating COF calculation
settings default.

Figure 5-1: Oscillating COF

calculation parameters dialog

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Advanced calculations V

5.2 Fast Fourier Transform

A Fast Fourier Transform takes a data stream that represents amplitude vs. time, and plots
it as amplitude vs. frequency. The amplitude of every harmonic is characterized with a
module value, the square of which is plotted vs. the corresponding frequency value (in
Hz). The highest frequency FFT can represent theoretically is called “Nyquist
Frequency” and can be calculated as:
1
FN = ───
2*τ

where τ is a time interval between the samples in the original time series. In fact this
means that the Nyquist Frequency equals the half of the sampling rate of the original time
series. For practical purposes it is recommended to rely only on FFT values at the
frequencies at least 3 to 5 times lower than Nyquist Frequency.

The FFT procedure applied to a time series without any additional data processing results
in so-called Periodogram. To receive more stable results it is recommended to calculate
Power Spectral Density (PSD) of the time series. PSD is nothing more than averaged
Periodogram. It is calculated via breaking the original time series into equal pieces, or
partitions, performing FFT on each, and averaging the results. It is also recommended for
the sake of robustness not to reduce the number of partitions below 16, since it makes
PSD calculation unreasonable (the less points each partition contains, the less points will
the target FFT have, resulting in a loss of the PSD frequency resolution).

There are two commonly used approaches as to how the original time series should be
partitioned, contiguous and overlapped. With the first approach each sequential partition
starts at the sample next to where the previous partition ended, while using the second
approach means starting each partition (except the first) exactly at the middle of the
previous partition.

There is one more sort of data processing commonly used along with the FFT in order to
reduce the distortions due to the limited length of the data series. It is called “data
windowing”. According to this procedure the original data are passed through a special
filter (time window) before FFT itself, which smoothes the data at the partition ends.
There are many types of data windows, which are used by researchers: Bartlett, Hann,
Hamming, etc.

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Advanced calculations V
All the above-described features are implemented in the Viewer software. In order to
perform the FFT of a currently selected parameter such as friction force (Fx), click on the
FFT button on the toolbar. The new window will be opened with controls allowing to
calculate/view FFT using various options. A plot of amplitude vs. frequency will be
displayed (Figure 5-2).

Figure 5-2: Fast Fourier transform window

The FFT adjustment options are as follows (Figure 5-3):

 When the “Periodogram” box is not checked,

the PSD is calculated by the selected data window type,
Bartlett, Hann, or Welch, for example.

 As mentioned above, the larger the Partition

Size the higher the resolution.

 When the “Overlap” box is checked the

partitions overlap as described above, otherwise the
partitions are contiguous.

 When the “Automatic” box is checked the x and

y scale are set automatically. Un-checking the box
allows manual scaling.

 In order to prevent long calculation delays,

which are the case when a long time series is being
processed, there is also an option in the Main Menu
under View-Colors/Options, which turns the FFT
automatic recalculation off. In this case, to recalculate
the FFT with new options, the “Recalculate” button
Figure 5-3: FFT settings should be pressed.

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Advanced calculations V
5.3 Hertzian Contact Calculator

The Hertzian Contact Calculator (Figure 5-4) is an independent function that does not
require a data file to be used. This calculator is used to determine pressure, shear stress,
and contact area of two objects where one is exerting vertical force on the other. The
contact area can be an ellipse, a line (two cylinders in contact) or a circle (two spheres in
contact). The required input parameters are the object dimensions, normal load, Poisson’s
ratio, and Young’s modulus.

Figure 5-4: Hertzian contact

calculator.

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Advanced calculations V
5.4 Elastic modulus converter

This option allows for converting reduced elastic modulus to Young's modulus and vice-
versa (Figure 5-5). The indenter material can be set to diamond, sapphire, steel, or
titanium. Each indenter material has default settings for Poisson’s ratio and Young's
modulus. The sample material's Poisson’s ratio and either the reduced elastic modulus or
the Young's modulus need to be entered by the user. Clicking on the up or down
“CONVERT” button will calculate the value of the missing parameter.

Note: Data will not be saved when the converter is closed.

Figure 5-5: Elastic modulus

converter.
5.5 Vickers/Knoop hardness calculator

The Vickers/Knoop hardness calculator can be used to calculate Vickers or Knoop

hardness based on the entered values of applied load and imprint diagonal made by the
indenter.

Figure 5-6: Vickers/Knoop hardness calculator.

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