Upgrade your Texture Analyser

Reasons to upgrade your Texture Analyser

Upgrading your existing TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to a Connect specification will allow you to take full advantage of the new performance specifications offered by improved electronics and Exponent Connect software, ensuring your upgraded instrument meets your future testing needs without having to buy a completely new instrument.

Whilst the mechanical specifications of force capacity, speed, distance, frame height and accuracies will remain the same as your existing instrument, your upgraded instrument can provide several significant benefits – enhancing both the usability and functionality of the equipment and protecting the initial capital investment of your original Texture Analyser purchase.

Need convincing of what you’re missing out on in your texture analysis? Here are the top reasons why it’s time to upgrade your Texture Analyser to the latest Connect specification.

Device connectivity

Operate your Texture Analyser via touchscreen, desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. Monitor and control your instruments remotely through your local network. The Connect specification also allows connectivity to multiple devices, such as tablet and phone, via your local network allowing operation of your instrument with a Browser Interface (a simplified online software version).

This means you can run tests and projects from any device with or without a PC connected and monitor all of your instruments remotely to check their status at any time, from anywhere within your network and from any mobile device to see availability, test progress and results.

Whether you are new to texture analysis, or an experienced super user, or have specific requirements, you have the flexibility to choose how you interact with your instrument.

Browser interface

The Browser Interface is supplied with all of our Texture Analysers and is capable of many of the facilities provided within the Touchscreen Interface, but offers the convenience of running on your tablet, phone or laptop. You no longer need a dedicated PC connected to your Texture Analyser. Just open your instrument’s web view and run your tests and analyse your data back at your desktop with Exponent Connect software. Multiple instruments can be setup and controlled by one device, either nearby or remotely from your desktop, so that your laboratory staff can be running tests that you have configured.

Data sharing via network

Graph (.arc saved graph files) tests are saved locally in the instrument, which can then be downloaded to the network PC and additional analysis performed.

Additionally, the instrument can also be controlled and tests performed from the local network PC too – this control requires Safety features applied.

Simple standalone operation via touchscreen

With the provided touchscreen, operation with multiple users is simplified and requires limited training.

When using the simple touch screen as a standalone instrument, there may be times when more advanced analysis is required. Without having to attach a PC via USB locally, the instrument can be connected to the local network. The instrument can then be seen by any other PC with Exponent Connect software and licence also connected to the local network.

Basic view

Over the years Exponent software has continuously evolved to add new features – many of which have been requested by customers. Whether it’s a new calculation, a new way to plot data or macro commands for data analysis, the software package is extensive in its capabilities.

Whilst experienced users have fully established their testing routines, we are conscious of making things easier for new or inexperienced Texture Analyser users. As such, we have created an alternative layout to the software. You now have the option at the login screen to enter the software to a 'Basic' or more simplified user interface.

More data

Data can now be collected at 2000 points per second providing finer detail capture of data which is especially important for those products that fail quickly.

This higher acquisition rate (2000pps) detects up to four times as many force changes per second as the existing rate (500pps) and so it is very well-suited to applications involving high rate fracture, such as crispiness, or high-speed events, such as in the measurement of adhesives or brittle samples.

You will also now have the ability to capture test data at variable rates throughout a test.

More training and support via the Education Zone

The upgraded specification comes with additional training resources in help file format, in-built Google scholar checking of published papers within your chosen field, educational material, a video library of all test attachments and how they produce their data and regular software updates to help users maximise the Texture Analyser’s capabilities.

Test methods and samples

Upgrading will provide access to hundreds of sample graphs allowing a better understanding of how a wide range of different materials behave when testing in a multitude of ways. This will assist in education of new operators or provide you with sample data to experiment your data analysis techniques with.

Trend Viewer

This provides the ability to view trends that may (or ‘may not’) be occurring in your texture analysis data.

This enhanced data handling and monitoring can facilitate benchmarking and comparison against historical data or industry standards, providing valuable insights into product performance and quality.

Data analysis tools – quick calculations

We provide a range of macros that will be useful templates for you to edit and create your own versions of data analysis for specific measurement parameters, whether it’s something simple like measuring peak force, distance and area under the curve or more fundamental parameters such as Young’s modulus or engineering terms.

Comprehensive reporting

More report style options for better data presentation and sharing.

Expanded testing capabilities

New specifications include additional sensors and testing capabilities, enabling more complex or specific analysis that your existing standard model cannot handle. For example, the Acoustic Envelope Detector can now provide a .wav file to replay your product sound alongside your video, force and decibel data, giving an even fuller picture of your product’s signature physical property profile.

See a comparison of the Plus vs Connect specification

See the full side-by-side comparison of features as well as a summary of the main reasons to upgrade by requesting a brochure.

Discover more about the Connect series of instruments