Proceq Equotip Piccolo 2 Hardness Tester

Name: Proceq Equotip Piccolo 2 Hardness Tester | Seven Star LLC
Brand: Proceq
SKU: Piccolo 2

A pocket-size Leeb hardness tester with the display built into the impact device

The Equotip Piccolo 2 and its simpler sibling Bambino 2 are one-piece Leeb hardness testers: the impact device and the four-digit display are in a single hand-held housing of 147.5 x 44 x 20 mm. There is no cable, probe or separate display unit to carry, and the zinc alloy housing is hard-coated and scratch-proof. The device weighs 142 g and runs on a 175 mAh lithium-ion battery charged over USB-B, with more than 20000 impacts per charge.

Piccolo 2 adds a memory for 2000 impacts, USB communication and the Piccolink PC software for downloading, exporting and managing conversion curves; the Bambino 2 does not have these. Both read in the HLD or, with the DL accessory kit, the HLDL scale and convert to HB, HV, HRB, HRC, Shore or tensile strength. The measurement range is 150 to 950 HLD and 250 to 970 HLDL with an accuracy of plus or minus 4 HLx.

Key points of the design

All-in-one housing with built-in display and impact device
Automatic compensation for impact direction (except DL probe)
Memory for 2000 impacts and USB-B link (Piccolo 2 only)
User-defined hardness conversions and remote control of settings
DL conversion kit for tight spaces
More than 20000 impacts per battery charge
Language-universal display

Technical specifications

Parameter	Specification
Variants	Piccolo 2 (memory, USB data, PC software); Bambino 2 (basic)
Principle	Leeb rebound hardness
Native scale	HLD / HLDL
Conversion scales	HB, HV, HRB, HRC, HS, MPa (sigma 1, 2, 3)
Measurement range	150 to 950 HLD; 250 to 970 HLDL
Indenter / impact energy	Tungsten carbide (D, DL) / 11 Nmm
Resolution	1 HLD, HLDL, HV, HB; 0.1 HRC, HRB, HS; 1 N/mm2 (Rm)
Accuracy	+/- 4 HLx (0.5 % at 850 HLD)
Standard compliance	ASTM A370; ASTM A956; DIN EN ISO 16859; GB/T 17394; JB/T 9378
Conversion standards	ASTM E140; ISO 18265; Proceq curves
Accredited calibration	ISO/IEC 17025
Display	Monochrome, 4 digits
Housing	Scratch-proof, hard-coated zinc metal alloy
Memory	2000 impacts (Piccolo 2 only)
Battery	Li-Ion, 175 mAh; more than 20000 impacts; USB-B 5 V charging
Dimensions / weight	147.5 x 44 x 20 mm / 142 g (234 g listed for the instrument set)
Operating temperature	-10 to +50°C
Certification	CE, KC, FCC

Sample requirements for Piccolo 2

The operating instructions give the following limits for samples tested with the D device. Parts outside them need to be coupled to a heavy support.

Code position	Options
Minimum sample weight	Compact shape 5 kg; on a solid base 2 kg; coupled to a solid base 0.1 kg
Minimum thickness	Uncoupled 25 mm; coupled 3 mm; surface layer 0.8 mm
Surface condition	ISO roughness class N7; Rt 10 um; Ra 2 um
Maximum sample hardness	890 HLD (about 950 HLDL, 955 HV, 68 HRC)
Recommended impacts	At least 3 to 5 impacts at intervals of 3 to 5 mm at each location
Impact body	D (27 mm long) or DL (82 mm long, slim front section)

Installation and operating notes

Clean the sample with acetone or isopropanol, not water, and keep it free of vibration. Follow the sequence load, position and trigger: depress the charging tube until contact is felt, seat the support ring fully on the sample, then push the actuation tube to release the impact body.

If possible follow the standard practice of DIN 50156-1 for metallic materials or ASTM A956 for steel, cast steel and cast iron, which the manual names.

Update the firmware and run the regular device check described in the maintenance section. Switch the impact body setting in the device when the DL kit is fitted.

Quick checks in workshops and on site

The small instrument fits a tool pouch, which makes it useful for checking hardness of shafts, rolls, dies, tool steel, bolts and cast parts when walking a plant or receiving goods. The HLDL slim front section reaches into grooves and bores that the standard device cannot enter.

It is a comparison instrument for quick checks. Use the Equotip 550 platform when you need wizards, mapping and larger data sets, and a bench tester when a standard demands one. This is general selection advice.

Information to send with an RFQ for the Proceq Piccolo 2

So that the right Piccolo 2 or Bambino 2 can be quoted, send the points below.

Piccolo 2 or Bambino 2
DL accessory kit and test block requirement
Accredited calibration certificate need
Typical material, size and weight of the parts to be tested

Calibration and field notes

Pocket Leeb testers are used in the region for quick hardness checks in workshops, warehouses and on site, such as checking incoming material, verifying heat treatment and sorting mixed stock. For reliable results, the sample must meet the minimum mass and thickness given in the manual, and lighter parts must be coupled to a solid base. Prepare the test surface to the stated roughness, clean it of paint, scale and grease, and take several readings at each point as recommended.

Check the instrument on a certified test block before each series of tests and record the results. On hot surfaces in summer, check the allowed sample temperature before testing. Keep the impact body and the guide tube clean, as dust and sand affect the impact velocity.

Store the instrument in its case, away from heat and dust, and arrange calibration at regular intervals where results are used for quality records or reports.

Send the instrument for service when test-block results drift.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Piccolo 2 and Bambino 2?

Piccolo 2 has a memory for 2000 impacts, USB data transfer and the Piccolink PC software; Bambino 2 does not.

What range is measured?

150 to 950 HLD, and 250 to 970 HLDL with the DL accessory kit.

How is it charged?

Through USB-B at 5 V; the 175 mAh battery lasts more than 20000 impacts.

What accuracy applies?

Plus or minus 4 HLx, given as 0.5 % at 850 HLD.

What is the weight?

142 g for the hand-held device.

Instruments for concrete and structure assessment

Proceq documentation describes uses such as estimating concrete strength with rebound hammers, mapping rebar cover, testing pile integrity, finding voids and delaminations with ultrasound, measuring concrete resistivity and checking coating adhesion. Many current instruments pair a sensor with an iPad or smartphone app, and the datasheets state ranges, accuracy and applicable standards such as EN 12504 and ASTM C1383.

Frequently Asked Questions