Automation For materials testing machines

The powerful combination of NEXYGENPlus control and data analysis software and National Instruments data acquisition cards allows Lloyd Instruments' range of single column and twin column universal materials testing machines to communicate with a wide range of external equipment. This allows control and monitoring of external parameters of the sample as part of the materials test, with the results collected and presented in the required format by the software. This opens the door for a wide range of dynamic materials testing applications and a high level of automation.

Temperature is an important parameter in materials testing and the software can either simply monitor temperature values from a device such as a thermocouple, or take control of heating and/or cooling devices to allow tests to be carried out at controlled temperatures or through different temperature cycles. External signals can be plotted against force and measurements taken and recorded within NEXYGENPlus.

Another popular application is the interfacing of a video camera for advanced sample failure analysis, teaching purposes or simply for the presentation of test results. Entire tests can be videoed and synchronised with the stress/strain graph and replayed for detailed post-test analysis. By clicking on any part of the stress/strain graph, an image of the sample at that exact point can be displayed.

There are many other application examples. These include using multiple strain gauges to measure the elongation of a sample; switch testing where NEXYGENPlus uses voltage limits to control a test e.g. change direction once a switch contact is made; monitoring parameters in onboard chips in credit cards as the cards are flexed; monitoring transmission during optical fibre compression and measuring short circuits in electrical wires during crush tests.

This powerful interface also offers the possibility to control sample loading equipment as well as provide integration into production lines for sharing of part number data and informing a production line if a bad part is found.

Food texture analysis brochure

A new 24-page brochure detailing Lloyd Instruments’ full range of food texture analysis solutions is now available for download from the company’s website. The new colour brochure covers all aspects of texture analysis, including its benefits, specific food applications and the range of available instruments, grips and test fixtures.

Lloyd Instruments' range of food texture analysis systems, including the TA1 texture analyser and NexygenPlus multi-lingual texture analysis software, LTCM-100 Series motorised firmness tester and the DFS II manual digital force gauge, are designed to measure food texture parameters such as chewiness, crispness and cohesiveness.

The new brochure is packed with application examples covering bakery, cereals, confectionery and snacks, meat, poultry and fish, fruit and vegetables, dairy foods, pasta and rice, gels and even pet food. Applications of the TA1 for testing cosmetics and packaging are also highlighted.

Materials testing

Single column materials testing machine

Lloyd Instruments has announced a new, high precision universal materials testing machine for testing at forces up to 5 kN/1124 lbf. The new, single column LS5 enjoys the same mechanical design principles introduced on the LS1 instrument, with linear guide technology, pre-loaded ball screws and advanced software compensation to ensure high displacement precision.

A wide speed range (0.01-1016 mm/min (0.0004-40 in/min)), exceptional load accuracy (±0.5% down to 1% of load cell value), a choice of 8 plug’n’play YLC Series load cells with different load ratings and resolution and a large work area (150 mm throat depth) combine to ensure high quality results and high productivity. The LS5 has applications in a host of industries ranging from medical devices, plastics and packaging to textiles, rubber, electronics and more. Equally suited to quality control, educational and R&D environments, the new LS5 offers extraordinary versatility, with its extensive range of grips, fixtures and extensometers and scalable operation from stand-alone to PC control.

The LS5 is capable of performing a wide range of tests, including tensile, compression, flexural, friction, insertion/extraction, peeling, tearing and creep/relaxation, meeting or exceeding national and international material test standards. Simple operation, from the intuitive stand-alone user interface to Lloyd Instruments’ well-respected NEXYGENPlus materials testing software used in PC-controlled versions, makes the LS5 a popular addition to any laboratory or production line.

NEXYGENPlus materials testing software allows the operator to control and monitor all aspects of a PC-controlled LS5 from a single front end, ensuring fast, reliable and powerful testing and data analysis. Interfacing to the LS5 via USB allows standard laptops to be used. The Windows®7-compatible NEXYGENPlus software features a new and improved User Configurable Test functionality enabling users to quickly build advanced multi-stage test routines using simple built-in commands. This complements the comprehensive built-in library of test methods meeting international test standards.

NEXYGENPlus can also be used to integrate the LS5 with other systems to accommodate the increasing use of automation in manufacturing. Applications include: automated sample handling, in-line testing and monitoring of parameters from other sensors such as thermocouples and strain gauges.

Irish & British support strengthened!

Lloyd Instruments, part of Ametek, has further strengthened its service and support team in Britain and Ireland with the addition of two further regional Service Engineers. As part of a financially sound, leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices that enjoys annual sales of $3 billion and a 1200-strong workforce,  Lloyd Instruments’ customer support structure has never been stronger.

The new Service Engineers bring over 20 years combined experience in electronics engineering support to the Lloyd Instruments regional Service team. Fast service response across the two territories is backed by an in-house technical support team which includes Jason Pearce, an engineer with more than 25 years service at Lloyd Instruments. All service engineers are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited. 

Lloyd Instruments’ in-house calibration laboratory has also been UKAS accredited for more than 20 years, offering UKAS approved verification and calibration of force measuring systems in tension and compression, including verification of machines from other manufacturers. The laboratory has issued more than 25,000 UKAS accredited (or their equivalent) calibration certificates to British customers alone. The calibration laboratory is also accredited to ISO 17025-2005.

Customers are fully covered with traceable UKAS certificates from installation of the machine through the length of its life. Installation and training is carried out at the customer's premises and a UKAS certificate issued. At the end of the warranty period customers are contacted concerning machine recalibration and the type of service contract required.

Force and scales for 175 years

The Chatillon brand has just celebrated its 175th anniversary. The original Chatillon company was founded in 1835 by John Chatillon as ‘John Chatillon & Sons, Inc’ to manufacture weighing scales products, and has enjoyed a rich and varied history. Since 1997 it has been part of AMETEK.

Currently, Chatillon products include force gauges, torque gauges, ergonomic gauges, force testers and test stands, materials testers, and force and torque sensors for use in a variety of applications and industries where accurate, quantitative results are required. These, together with Lloyd Instruments materials testing machines, are manufactured in Largo (FL US).  AMETEK is still today also an important manufacturer of Chatillon weighing scales for a wide variety of uses.

Although famous for its scales and force measurement products, the company also manufactured high quality cutlery and military knives between 1900 and the late 1950s, including Foster Brothers’ cutlery, once one of the world's foremost names in professional cutlery for chefs and the meat-cutting trade.

The Chatillon brand has enjoyed an enviable reputation for technical innovation, and in 1930 developed an iso-elastic alloy for use in scale springs.  This made it possible to have true temperature-compensated springs in weighing devices and this led to the introduction of the legal-for-trade spring scale. In 1940, the company adapted its scale technology to produce force measurement devices and then in turn used this force measurement technology in 1992 to develop ergonomic gauges for use by the medical profession in physical therapy and ergonomics.

The natural synergy of force measurement and materials testing was harnessed in 1991, when the company became the distributor in the USA of the Lloyd Instruments range of materials testing machines. Both force testers and materials testing equipment can be used for tensile, compression, shear, friction and flexural testing. A force tester is ideal for basic force measurement applications such as peak loads and extension, while a material testing machine uses precision loadcells for more precise measurements. Chatillon force and weighing products are sold worldwide through a number AMETEK sales offices and an international distributor network.

New materials tester

LS1 from Lloyd Instruments features linear guide technology and advanced control software

A new single-column materials testing machine from Lloyd Instruments provides enhanced speed, accuracy and flexibility for all materials testing applications under 1kN force. High precision displacement measurement is assured by the Model LS1 instrument's linear guide technology, pre-loaded ball screws and advanced software compensation systems.

Industry applications include plastics, packaging, medical devices, automotive, electronics, textiles, rubber and pharmaceuticals. It can be used for tensile and compression testing, friction, tearing, peeling, insertion/extraction, creep/relaxation and many other measurements in manufacturing, product development and research.

Available in standard (500mm) and extended (800mm) travel versions, the LS1 universal testing machine has an extended crosshead speed range from 0.01 ñ 2032 mm/min. Load accuracy of +/- 0.5 down to 1% of load cell value provides high dynamic range, reducing the number of load cells required to cover the force range. The wide throat depth (180 mm) provides a large working area for sample placement. A more compact physical orientation takes up less side-to-side bench space than previous models.

A new version of Lloyd Instruments' NEXYGENPlus materials testing software allows flexible, intuitive setup and control by a standard PC or laptop with USB interface. Handheld controllers and integrated control consoles also are available. Trend reports can be created for statistical quality control.

Mating, unmating and endurance force testing of rectangular electrical connectors

Mating, unmating and endurance force testing of rectangular, wired electrical connectors can be automated using an LFPlus single column universal materials tester from Lloyd Instruments. The test procedure, which has been reported by Hemetek Techno Instruments, Lloyd Instruments’ distributor in India, is in full compliance with the European Space Agency ESA/SCC Generic Specification No. 3401 for rectangular and circular non-filtered electrical connectors.

Tests are carried out on the LFPlus machine equipped with a special test jig to hold the connectors. Mating and unmating forces are measured during a cycle of 4 matings and disconnections. The force is applied gradually and distributed equally about the connector. The mating and unmating force measurements are recorded on the first and last cycles.

For the endurance tests, the wired connector sets are subjected to between 100 and 500 complete mating and unmating cycles, with the forces applied by the LFPlus simulating a coupling and decoupling that would occur in actual service. The mating/unmating speed must not exceed 5 mm/second with a maximum cycle rate of 8 cycles/minute. The male and female connectors are completely separated during each cycle. The connectors are visually examined at the end of the test and should show no evidence of physical damage except for contact wear.

The versatile LFPlus can test for tensile strength, compression, flexural strength, coefficient of friction, tear strength, peel strength, adhesion, shear strength, ductility and many other parameters to determine the mechanical properties and performance of materials and finished components. It can be supplied with NEXYGENPlus control and analysis software featuring an extensive library of pre-defined test set-ups based on international standards as well as the capability to set up routine tests or create an advanced multi-stage test.

Private Indian materials testing accredited lab

Lloyd Instruments has announced that Hemshell Services has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for mechanical testing. Hemshell Services is the test and calibration division of Lloyd Instruments’ distributor in India, Hemetek Techno Instruments PVT. Ltd. The Indian Government’s National Accreditation Board For Testing and Calibration Laboratories made the award following an assessment. Accreditation is given to a laboratory on the basis of its capability to perform the required tests and provide accurate and reliable results.

Viraj Devasthale, Quality Manager at Hemshell Services, said: “This award provides formal recognition of competent laboratories, and is excellent news for our customers who will now have even more confidence in the sample testing that we can perform for them. We are already accredited to ISO 17025-2005 for site force calibration of universal materials testing machines and now we are the first and only private laboratory in India who have achieved accreditation for testing within the defined scope. We are proud that our capabilities have been recognized to an international level of competence”.

With a recently opened testing, training and customer support centre at its headquarters in Mumbai, Hemetek offers the entire range of Lloyd Instruments material testing machines, texture analysers, the Davenport range of polymer test equipment and Chatillon® force measurement products as well as other test equipment throughout India.

Card fold test

Lloyd Instruments has added a new packaging test fixture to its range of specialised grips and accessories for the Plus range of materials testing machines. This new fixture is designed to allow a pre-scored section of cardboard to be bent through 90 degrees and the maximum force required to perform this bending to be measured. The fixture is supplied with NEXYGEN software to compensate for any residual forces with moving the mechanism before the card sample is fitted.

The new accessory consists of a lower fixture with a rotating assembly, an upper cord mounting block and specialised software. Since there is a residual force required to move the fixture when there is no card sample fitted, this value must be removed from the test measurement to obtain the actual force required to bend the card. This is automatically carried out using the software supplied.

To perform the test, the cord is attached to the pulley on the lower fixture and any slack is removed by moving the crosshead. The forces required to move the fixture are measured and stored in a reference file. The cardboard is then inserted into the fixture and the test repeated. The software automatically removes the residual force and displays a graph of "Test Load" against "Extension" or "Load" (total load including the load required to move the fixture) against "XHead". The software is configured to allow batch testing and to archive test results.