VENUS HANDY

The Venus Handy is designed for quick and easily understood measurements. It is modeled after the Venustron System, the full version that allows for data analysis and research. Features of the Venus Handy include: Compact, light, and portable Easy to use Can be connected with computer for further data analysis and print-outs Because the Handy Type is compact and easy to use, it is ideally suited for product promotion, such as those at department store cosmetics and skin care counters, and for personal evaluation!

Basics The Venus Handy is spring loaded to allow for a maximum of 15 grams of applied pressure, and a cap at the end of the probe (shown in image at right) provides a maximum measuring depth of 1.5 mm.

Measuring The probe is gripped in one hand, like a pen, close to the area to be measured, but without touching it, with a finger poised over the measurement activation button as shown in the image at right.

When ready to measure, the user presses the measurement activation button and applies the probe perpendicularly to the measurement area with just enough force so that the white plastic cap at the tip becomes flush with the surface of the measurement area as shown in the image at right.

Data Display and Interpretation

Like the Venustron System, the Venus Handy processes 200 measurements per second. However, the measurement window, shown at right, will display one tactile value which is an average of maximum Df values, as the unit of softness.  The window can display the results from up to eight successive measurements.  The softer the sample being measured is, the more negative the displayed value is. Positive values indicate much harder samples.

Using the Venus Handy with the Venustron Software

As an option and for further analysis, the Venus Handy can be connected to a computer with the Venustron software installed. The same Venustron data displa window is used to view all the data taken during one measurement (about 600 points).

When conducting a measurement, the user can see a blue curve trace across the Data Graph screen as shown in the thumbnail image at right.  (Click the thumbnail for bigger image which is 76 kb and opens in a new window.) The blue vertical axis, labeled "Tac" represents Df data in units of Hz.   The horizontal axis represents time in units of seconds.  Every datum collected during the measurement will be numbered and shown in the Data List section in the lower right corner.  Note that the Hysteresis Graph screen is inactive due to the pre-set pressure and depth and, thus, the lack of that data.

When analyzing the graph, an interesting feature may be observed.  The larger the drop in the overall graph, the softer the material is.  However, the initial portion of the tactile curve, as highlighted in the image at right, represents the first contact of the sensor to the measured material.  The rate of the change in this portion of the curve can be used to analyze the condition of the material's surface.  Using skin as a most appropriate example, a sharp curve shows a soft and supple surface whereas a gradual decline illustrates a harder, and perhaps dry, surface.  Thus, a measurement can show a relatively soft substance overall, but with the initial gradual decline, a harder surface is found.

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1996 Axiom Co., Ltd.
22-2 Kashiwayama-machi, Koriyama-shi, Fukushima-ken, Japan
Tel: +81-24-962-0277 Fax: +81-24-962-0278 E-mail: info@axiom-j.co.jp