The Testing Times

I'm afraid that I've brought a bit of a bug to Tinius Olsen... Everyone seems to be developing blogs. (I think you can get a cream for it from a good pharmacist). If you want to learn about testing plastics, try this. http://www.testingplastics.com/ If you'd like to learn about testing metals, try this. http://www.testingmetal.com/ If you are a student looking for testing advice or examples try this. http://www.schooloftesting.com/ And of course testing textiles can be found here... http://www.testingtextiles.com/ Harry, Earl, David and Sylvia are all specialists in their specific areas and are happy to help... The question and answers section is very informative.

This a ttachment , the S0991 is designed to test how card and paper folds, a small sample section is taken and placed under a retaining bar, this is then forced to fold using the fold bar at the back. A rotary digital encoder measures the rotation angle and compares it to the force measured on the loadcell . To ensure self-alignment cord is used to rotate the pulleys that move the folding bar. Used in the packaging industry this compares how easy is is to open your box of cereal in the morning and to see how strong the folds are...

BS4370-2:1993 Method 9 tests the tensile strength of rigid Cellular Material. This encompasses things like ridged foams used for padding and floatation devices. Method nine calls for two different profiles of the sample material to be cut. To save on having two different rigs, this one device can accept both sizes of sample. it also has interchangeable and modular test face profiles.

It's sometimes necessary to attach a grip or fitting that has no way of self aligning , in these cases we've developed several ingenious ways to add this function to the machines. One of these methods is to use a Self- Aligning Fixture like the one shown in the picture. As it is designed to fit a 150 kN U-Series machine it is somewhat massive. The top thread being 1" UNF in diameter and the bottom an M33. It weighs, a not insignificant , 7kg; has a 110mm body diameter and is nearly a foot tall. The central pin that you can see has is supported by a Nitrile block which allows it to float, whilst absorbing the shock of a sample failure.

The Compression of a spring can be quite a hard thing to measure, the spring has a tendency to want to exert it's applied force horizontally to the platens (in other words, fly off under the nearest table...) This isn't really a problem, just a nuisance and in some applications a desirable feature of springs... To stop the test sample from flying off these compression platens have a free running guide that retracts into the top body. This holds onto the spring, whilst having a known affect on the test.

All of the testing grips and attachments listed here have a specific use. For example the Insulation Grip is designed to be used with insulation materials, but it can equally work just as well with any fibrous material. We often review or re-use previous designs because we know that they work and have been proved to be successful in the field. The staff here have an encyclopedic knowledge of over 2,000 Bespoke products and custom test fixtures we've produced over the years, and are continuing to produce on a daily basis. Basically, if you need to test something, and you require help call Tinius Olsen ...

To improve usability we have extended the range of insulation grips to include a screw based closing mechanism. This gives the ability to close the grip like a vice and so you are relying on the mechanical advantage provided by the screw rather than by the lever, this can offer more control of the sample alignment and help prevent a jaw break... There are interchangable teeth, depending on requirements.