The Testing Times

    Interesting solution a Tinius Olsen model 50ST tension/compression materials testing machine frame, 25kN capacity capable of 1750mm cross head travel for testing high strain materials

3D printing has evolved from science fiction to science fact and has led to an exciting and rapidly expanding market.  The process enables engineers to check the fit of different parts long before they commit to costly production. Further examples include allowing architects to produce relatively low-cost scale models for their clients and, perhaps most excitingly, allows medical professionals and related technical developers to handle full-size, 3D objects printed from scanned data. Indeed, there are even companies now producing replacement body parts! The continually increasing industry applications include products for automobiles, trainers, jewellery, plastic toys, coffee makers and all sorts of plastic bottles, packaging and containers. This also includes dental labs, who are using 3D printers to create crowns, bridges and temporaries such as night guards There are also a wide range of educational uses. A typical 3D printer is very much like an  inkjet printer  o

Today ASTM D1238 for melt flow does not currently accommodate a closed loop MFI it is a weight loading standard only.  However, the ASTM Committee D20.30 Thermal Properties, specifically D20.30.08 Thermal Processing Properties responsible for the standard are evaluating closed loop technology, in particular accuracy, repeatability and comparison of the same with dead weight systems. At this point they have a path to updating ASTM D1238 to cover both dead weight and closed loop MFI technology. ISO 1133-1 does allow for closed loop melt flow technology see extract from the standard in pic. That said it does not mean ASTM are lagging, rather they take a different approach proving technology works before they add it to a standard by performing actual comparative material tests to verify measurement performance and capability in key parameters including accuracy, repeatability and being able to define a precision and bias statement. In short ASTM wants

Tinius Olsen Managing Director answers a few questions on the current and possible future worlds of Metrology from both a company and overall industry perspective. What trends/customer requirements are currently driving developments in your area of metrology? MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) and nowadays, more commonly ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software systems are becoming the core operational and financial tools in manufacturing companies. The efficiency of a company’s manufacturing processes (product birth to death) have become progressively more transparent for financial reporting.  This detailed financial reporting provides not only a comparison of the actual production costs versus the planned or standard costs, but also reports on R&D project cycles, production re-work and delays, as well as product failures and the dreaded customer returns.  Many companies invest heavily in optimisation projects to maximise profits by trimming any excess ti