If you’re a professional in the construction, material testing, or civil engineering space, you know how critical accurate, reliable data is—especially when it comes to monitoring the setting time of cements, mortars, or grouts. At our company, we design and manufacture Setting Time Apparatus (STAs) that capture real-time data as these materials cure, from initial penetration resistance to the point of final set. But one question we get from lab managers, test engineers, and research teams all the time is: “What formats can I export this recorded data in, and which is right for my work?” Setting Time Apparatus
It’s a valid question. The format you choose can make or less your ability to analyze results, share them with clients or regulatory bodies, or integrate data into your existing workflow. Over the 15+ years we’ve been supporting STAs, we’ve worked with thousands of users, and we’ve seen firsthand how different use cases demand different export options. In this post, we’ll break down the most common data formats, their pros, cons, and exactly how they work with our equipment—so you can make the choice that fits your needs.
First, let’s ground this in what our Setting Time Apparatus actually records. Every STA we produce tracks a consistent set of data points over time: penetration force in Newtons, temperature of the curing environment, sample ID, test date, and real-time timestamps. That data is stored locally on the device’s internal memory and also pushed to the accompanying lab software (available on Windows, macOS, and iOS) for additional analysis. The export formats available are built to accommodate different stages of that process—from quick checks in the field to detailed peer-reviewed publications.
Let’s start with the format that’s probably the most familiar to non-data-focused users: Comma-Separated Values, or CSV. CSV is the workhorse of basic data exports, and it’s compatible with every single tool our users rely on. When you export STA data as a CSV, every row corresponds to a single time interval (usually every 10 seconds, adjustable in settings), and every column is a data point: timestamp, penetration force, temperature, sample batch number, test operator. The values are separated by commas, so you can open it in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, or even a simple text editor if you just need to glance at raw numbers.
Why do our users love CSV? For small, quick tests—like in a small construction lab where you need to generate a report on-site in five minutes—CSV is perfect. It doesn’t require any special software, and it’s easy to manipulate. For example, if you need to filter out temperature readings that are outside standard curing ranges, or calculate average penetration force over a 15-minute window, you can do that directly in a spreadsheet in seconds. That said, CSV has its limits. It doesn’t handle complex metadata well—if you want to note specific test conditions (like “humidity was 50%” or “sample mixed with 10% fly ash”), you have to add that manually as a separate text column. It also doesn’t preserve the visual graph generated by our STA software, so if you need to share a polished image of the setting curve with a client, CSV alone won’t give you that. It’s ideal for raw data manipulation, not reporting.
Next, a step up for reporting and collaboration: Portable Document Format, or PDF. PDF is the universal format for sharing documents, and our STA software automatically generates a PDF export that’s ready for submission to ASTM, AASHTO, or other regulatory bodies that govern construction material testing. A PDF export from our equipment includes two key parts: a clean, labeled graph of penetration resistance over time (the setting curve, which shows the exact moment initial set occurs), and a table of all raw data points, plus all metadata you input during the test (operator name, sample batch, curing conditions, test location).
Regulatory bodies prefer PDF because it’s uneditable—so you can’t alter the raw data after exporting, which is critical for compliance. For example, if you’re testing cement for a highway project that requires adherence to ASTM C191 (the standard for time of setting of hydraulic cement), you’ll need a PDF export to prove your results are official. That said, PDF is not great for reanalysis. If you want to run a new calculation or re-filter the data, you’d have to manually type the numbers back into a spreadsheet, since the raw data is embedded as a static text table, not editable cells. It’s a format for sharing results, not working with data.
If you’re a research team that needs to integrate STA data into a larger data set, or run advanced statistical analysis, you’ll want to consider Tab-Separated Values (TSV) or the Format that’s long been a staple of scientific research: Excel Workbook (.xlsx). Wait, why not just CSV? Xlsx is a binary format, so it can handle larger data sets much more efficiently than plain text CSV, and it preserves cell formatting. For our users, that means if you export as an xlsx, the raw data is in editable cells, and you can also embed the setting curve graph directly into the spreadsheet. That’s a big plus for research teams that want to combine STA data with other test results—like compressive strength tests from a different device—into a single Excel file for analysis.
Another format we’ve added in the last two years, to support research and industry 4.0 initiatives, is JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). JSON is a lightweight, structured format that’s perfect for integrating our STA data with other digital tools. For example, if your lab uses a cloud-based laboratory information management system (LIMS) to track all test results, you can export STA data as JSON and automatically send it to your LIMS without manual data entry. That eliminates the risk of human error when inputting numbers, and it lets your team access STA data from anywhere, on any device, as long as it’s connected to your LIMS. JSON is also ideal for research teams using data analytics platforms like Python, R, or Tableau—tools that can read structured JSON data to create custom dashboards or run predictive analysis on setting time trends.
Wait, there’s another format we get questions about: Image Formats like PNG or JPEG. Some users ask if they can export the graph alone, without the raw data table, to include in presentations or papers. Our STA software has an option to export the setting curve as a high-resolution PNG, which preserves all labels, axis markers, and key points (like initial set and final set) exactly as they appear on the device’s screen. That’s great for presentations at industry conferences, or inserting into a peer-reviewed paper—though we always recommend pairing the image with a raw data export for transparency, especially if the work is being published.
Let’s talk about the context that comes with each export option, because that’s what makes our STAs different from generic data loggers. When you export data from a Setting Time Apparatus, every format includes critical metadata that’s specific to our equipment: the model number of the STA used, the calibration date of the device (a requirement for ASTM compliance), and any adjustments you made during the test (like changing the penetration tip size, which is a variable that directly affects setting time results). Generic data loggers don’t track that metadata, so their exports are incomplete for professional testing. That’s why our users prioritize exports that include that device-specific information, not just raw numbers.
Now, let’s break down which format to choose for your specific use case. If you’re a small lab or field technician who needs quick, editable raw data: CSV is your go-to. It’s compatible with every tool, no extra software required, and perfect for on-site adjustments. If you need official reports or compliance submissions: PDF is non-negotiable. It’s uneditable, includes all required metadata, and meets the standards of nearly every global construction regulatory body. If you’re a research team or lab that uses a LIMS or advanced data analytics: JSON or .xlsx are the best choices. They let you integrate STA data into your digital workflow without manual work. If you just need a visual for a presentation or paper: PNG is the right pick.
We also make it easy to export these formats directly from our STAs, no additional software needed. All our devices have a built-in USB port, so you can plug in a flash drive and export data in seconds, or connect to Wi-Fi to push exports directly to your lab software or cloud storage. For users who need to export large batches of data from multiple tests, our accompanying software lets you export all tests in a single batch, in any combination of formats—so you can pull all PDF reports for compliance and all CSV raw data for analysis at once.
We’ve learned over the years that the best data export format isn’t the “most advanced” one—it’s the one that fits your workflow. A concrete company foreman might only need a CSV to log a single test, while a university research team working on sustainable cement blends might rely on JSON to integrate their STA data into a data science pipeline. That’s why we designed our equipment to support all these formats, with no extra fees or hidden add-ons. Every Setting Time Apparatus we sell includes access to our full export suite, so you don’t have to pay extra for formats that matter to your work.
Fresh Concrete Testing Equipment If you’re in the market for a Setting Time Apparatus, or you currently use one and are looking to streamline your data export process, our team can help you find the right setup for your lab or project. We’ve worked with labs across construction, research, and civil engineering, and we can walk you through which export formats will best fit your specific needs, as well as answer any questions about how our equipment captures and stores data. Reach out to our team to discuss your requirements and get a custom consultation for your testing setup.
References
- ASTM International. (2023). Standard Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle (C191-23). West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
- International Organization for Standardization. (2021). Hydrometallurgy and Cement Testing – Determination of Setting Time (ISO 9597:2021). Geneva: ISO.
- Lab Management Today. (2022). “Data Formats for Laboratory Equipment: Choosing Between CSV, JSON, and PDF.” Laboratory Automation & Informatics.
- Construction Industry Institute. (2023). Digital Workflows for Construction Material Testing: Best Practices for Data Export and Integration. Austin, TX: CII.
- Python Software Foundation. (2022). JSON Data Handling for Scientific Instruments: Best Practices for Integrating Lab Equipment Data into Analytics Pipelines.
Zhuozhou Tianpeng Imp. and Exp. Trade Co., Ltd.
Zhuozhou Tianpeng Imp. and Exp. Trade Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional setting time apparatus manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and good price. Please rest assured to buy advanced setting time apparatus made in China here from our factory. Customized orders are welcome.
Address: Building C28, Hegu Technology Industrial Park, Development Zone, Zhuozhou, Hebei, China
E-mail: zhangdajing@testmould.com
WebSite: https://www.testmould.net/
