The Testing Times

Tinius Olsen’s new high-tech grip range sets the standard for all quality control testing needs. The new range of grips are quick and easy to use. They have a metallic appearance and are corrosion and rust resistant, finished to with-stand harsh conditions. The grip capacity, and part number are etched onto the grips body for easy reference, and are supplied with digital manuals and consumables parts list. As well as this standard range of grips, there are medical compliant versions, which are designed to be used in saline environments. What if I don’t have a Tinius Olsen machine? The new high-tech grip range is interfaced to fit all major brands of Testing Machine. Industry standard adaptors allow the grips to be used on Testing Machines including Instron materials testing machines and many more. The grips have interfaces to fit the B,C, and D fittings of Instron Testing machines as well as 5/8 interface, 3/4 interface and an M6 interface for lighter loadcells. We are aware of the va...

Here at Tinius Olsen, we manufacture a range of different measuring devices to measure the defletion of the material you are testing. One of these tools is the 'Pipe crush LVDT'. This tool is used in compression tests of plastic pipes to accurately measure the pipe deflection at given forces. We supply different sizes corresponding to the different pipe diameters. For more information on LVDT's or other extensometers used to measure the deflection of a sample under going test visit our main website here or contact us .

Materials testing equipment experts Tinius Olsen will be using the Interplas Show in September to announce the addition of 12 new developments to their extensive range of testing equipment, details of which will be available at the show. Also on display will be a representative range of bench-top testing machines from their extensive range of testing equipment. Tinius Olsen will be on stand number F255. For more information or for information on how to get tickets for Interplas please contact Tinius Olsen Ltd.

A 90 degree Peel test for semi-rigid samples. The edges of the sample are clamped down, the tail is prepared and clamped in the vice grip. The seperated substrate is fed under the roller, and the rolled holds the substrate down during the test preventing the s ample from lifting and maintaining the peel test angle. This grip was designed for a customer testing solar panels. For more information on this product or if you have a product which may require a custom made grip contact Tinius Olsen .

Tinius Olsen have just launched the School of testing website. This focus site is designed specifically for the Education Industry, with a very helpful Question and Answer section with our very own Testing expert Mr David Lockyer. If you have any questions regarding your materials testing machine, or servicing your materials testing machine why not visit http://www.schooloftesting.com/

If you are noticing variations in results from your tensile tests, and these cannot be attributed to the material under test, it is worth considering the condition of your test specimen gripping equipment. In particular grip faces e.g. face profiles on metal jaws, condition of rubber faced jaws and grip pressure activation systems e.g. springs, quality of pneumatic air or hydraulic oil – often these parts are consumable items and will wear over time. Regular servicing (preventative maintenance) and calibration is your best insurance that this type of problem should not occur during normal machine use, progressive and undetected wear of the gripping system faces is one of the biggest contributors to poor testing results. Remember that in almost all cases grip face wear will take place and regular checking and replacement (when necessary) should be a prerequisite of a proficient testing laboratory. For more information please contact the Tinius Olsen Help Desk on +44 (0) 1737 765001 o...

This is a large High force Hydraulic tensile grip. Spring pre-load jaws are held open magnetically to facilitate the easy loading and unloading of samples. Once the sample is loaded, a handle releases the magnetic hold to initiate the sprung pre-load retention of the sample. The grip has an adjustable sample width stop, and a gauge below the jaw face to set sample thickness. Adjustable fixed jaw ensures the sample remains centered at all times. There is also a choice of jaw faces to suit the application. For more information please contact Tinius Olsen .

Tinius Olsen is a leading global specialist manufacturer of materials testing machines, with an extensive product range covering low and high force testing of both raw materials and finished components. Our machines are suitable for use in manufacturing industries, as an integral part of quality control, product strength and performance analysis, research, and education. A typical testing system as seen here, is comprised of a testing machine/test frame , control and analysis software , and critically, the test fixtures, accessories, parts and devices used to hold and support the test specimen. These parts are referred to as the “ Gripping System ” and are typically comprised of two components — an upper and a lower grip, which together hold and/or support the material under test and accurately transmit the forces being applied, obvious examples include mechanical testing grips, adhesive peel tests, 3 point flexure bend, Friction tests and many more. In some cases the material or test ...

Earl A. Ruth, is the metals testing expert here at Tinius Olsen. You can ask Earl about any metals testing questions or problems you may have here at his Testing Metals Blog. For Metals testing advice including Compression testing, Flexural testing, hardness, Impact, Sandwich Peel, Shear, Tear, Tension, Torsion testing and more contact Earl. Earl has been a key member of the ASTM International Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing since 1985, responsible for 53 standards. He might just have the answer to that Metals testing problem you've been seeking an answer for, he is a very clever chap! Visit his ASTM director page here;

These are variations of our popular H5KS and H5KT machines. They have been specially designed for testing packaging and furniture . The machines are securely bolted to the work bench (up to 30mm thick). The bottom M16 fitting is removed to allow an extension rod to be fed through a bearing. Attachments can be added for box crushing, seat and mattress testing, anything that will fit below your bench. Replace the lower fitting and it's back to business as usual.

This is a special for testing thin cardboard and foam samples. The problem is that the sample goes from zero load to solid in 1 - 2mm. The platen is designed to remain stable up to 3 kN then compress allowing the machine to stop before exceeding 5 kN and destroying the loadcell .

Harry Yohn, the plastics testing expert here at Tinius Olsen has a blog of his own. Why not contact Harry direct with any plastics testing questions you may have on mechanical tests such as Tensile strength, Tensile Modulus, Flexural testing, Melt Flow Indexers, Impact testing, Heat Deflection Temperature (DTUL) testing, Vicat testing and more. Harry has a wealth of knowledge in the field of mechanical and physical testing of plastics and is here to help with all your polymer needs. Visit Harry's blog here ;