Selecting a good testing machine can help reduce cost and facilitate the manufacturing of a product. Purchasing a universal testing machine is an important decision can make especially if they are looking at testing a new product or buying their first testing universal machine. Here are some tips that will guide you while selecting a universal testing machine.
1. Consider future application
If you select a universal testing machine that can perform limited test types and has limited speed, and load capacity, you might have to buy something entirely different in the future. To ensure significant long-term savings, you can choose a universal testing machine that is versatile for testing different products and has all the current requirements you desire.
2. Consider your machine’s required maximum speed
There is an inverse relationship between the speed of a universal testing machine and the load capacity. You should consider this factor when performing static tests. The machine is usually made of special electric motors, drives and actuators that allow you to drive large or small loads with the same speed.
3. Find out the mechanical property(s) of the material you want to measure
Mechanical properties such as tension and compression can be tested with the aid of a universal testing machine. Fatigue, Torsion, and biaxial tests are tests that can be carried out. There are certain machines specially designed for this purpose.
4. The machine’s standard configuration
You need to consider the configuration of the microcomputer, host machine, and printer. Some machines are made up of software control system which makes you perform complex analysis of data. You can perform functions like local amplification, statistical analysis and data editing with such machine.
5. Consider your grips
Your grips allow you to safely hold a specimen while performing tests without damaging it. You need to make sure that your machine is versatile especially in the case of thread fixtures and vice grip. A thread fixture will only allow to properly align specimens made of a thread only while a vice grip allows you to align specimens made with different materials even though, it might take a long time to hold.
6. Find out the ultimate load needed to perform these tests
Your ultimate load is the maximum load capacity needed for your universal material testing machine to perform tests. Your ultimate load capacity determines if you will need a table-top or floor standing frame. It also determines if you will need testing machine or electromechanical.
7. Consider the need for a deflectometer or extensometer
Some machine measures distance and elongation with the aid of grip separation while others utilize deflectometer and extensometer to give perfect and accurate results.
8. What are your calculation and data analysis requirements?
Most universal material testing machines are capable of showing and saving peak load data. Some machines have means of showing real-time graphs and carrying out complex calculations while others have built-in ASTM/ISO testing analysis.
9. What do you need for your presentation and data reporting?
Some tests such as quality control test carried out on a manufacturing floor might not require in-depth report while a universal testing machine for research laboratories should be capable of generating detailed results of tests and results showing graphical analysis and details of a specimen.
10. What are the barriers of your testing area?
If you are erecting a universal testing machine in a small research laboratory, you can go for a compact electromechanical machine with a quiet table top but if you have access to a manufacturing floor, it should be able to accommodate larger hydraulic with huge floor-standing systems.
