The Testing Times

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 .