Custom Solutions

Technical Challenges

• Wide range of sample sizes requires 3-12 ft test space
• 18-inch test stroke
• Measure high forces at peak velocities
• <13-week delivery requirement

Budgetary Challenge

• A maintenance contractor of landing gear needs a low cost machine

Technical Challenges

• A special clamping system allowing columns to be collapsed and shortened for transport and installation through an elevator. And expand to become a machine tall enough to test long test samples.

Budgetary Challenge

• The size requirements meant costly on-site installation.But thanks to some design work, we were able to build the machine outside of the room and saved the customer 2 full days of on-site installation costs.

• Needed to be able to operate both combined axial torsional tests on a horizontal machine and some tests on a vertical machine.

Budgetary Challenge

• The customer was ready to buy two machines. We realized that with a few modifications we were able to combine two machines into one so the customer could perform both tests with fewer parts and a lower cost.

• Needed precise measurements accurate enough to differentiate a healthy rabbit knee from an injured knee
• Ability to analyze performance based on drug dosages and various periods of healing
• Allow a complex knee joint to freely flow in a natural angle when bending

Budgetary Challenge

• As a university research lab, obtaining funding can be a challenge

• Large Test Space
• Many Factors Affect test results
• High hysteresis
• Humidity
• Fixture shape

Budgetary Challenge

• Needed to find the lowest cost approach for 100% inspection

• Mastication test that simulates the complex loads and biaxial motion of chewing requires special control mode switching in mid-test.
• Stroke control to lift and place test platen before and after contact
• Vertical load control
• Horizontal sliding load control

Budgetary Challenge

• As a university research lab, obtaining funding can be a challenge

Cadaver Test Machine

Technical Challenges

• Needed to be versitile enough to be used in the operating room to test various body parts and joints.
• Small footprint and it is easy to setup and run.
• Both axial and torsional functionality
• Able to maneuver around an operating table
• Able to change the angle of the machine because of the variability between samples
• Portable so users can bring it from one operating room to the next

Budgetary Challenge

• No one else would bid it

Technical Challenges

• Volatile or explosive test specimens that could ignite, fragment, leak corrosive fluids, or explode during testing
• Needed to be able to contain the sample in a chamber
• Co-engineered the containment chamber
• Needed 600 kN compression system

Budgetary Challenge

• The budget was ridiculously tight

Technical Challenges

• The machine needed to be able to fit inside a small glove box to protect the operators from radiation
• The complete system couldn’t be more than 2 feet tall
• Needed to be able to test at elevated temperatures; 150°c (300°f)
• It needed to be situated at an angle to open up the furnace doors
• Top secret micro tensile samples of less than 1 inch

Budgetary Challenge

• Budget wasn’t really a problem as long as they could get what they needed. Other companies weren’t able to provide an acceptable solution.

Features

• Foldable leaves to accommodate larger cushions
• Portable - Can be wheeled from room to room
• Controller software to test in accordance with ASTM D3574
• Specifically designed articulating platen
• Operates on standard 110 wall outlet, no special infrastructure required

The Solution

• Vertically mounted 30 kN system
• Independent and synchronized actuator movement for more flexibility
• Expanded the amount of information available to the test engineer while testing fewer samples
• Integrates additional sensors to monitor strain, environment variables, or vision measurement devices such as DIC
• Requires fewer tests and shortened development time
• Improved vertical design over their existing horizontal system saved lab space with reduced footprint
• Designed to fit within existing door and hallways at the site to reduce overall startup costs
• Provided improved test operator interface

A start up pipe manufacturing company within the oil and gas industry came to us for an affordable system that could accommodate a wide range of pipe sizes for developing water management systems.

Customer Requirements

• Required a system that could handle high-density materials
• Needed custom fixtures for a wide variety of pipe diameters
• Testing in accordance to ASTM D2290

The Solution

• Able to perform multiple tests with one machine including, fatigue, tensile and seismic shear
• Testing all anchors from small to large - Capable of up to 50,000 lbs
• Accommodates different sizes of cement slabs and allows for multiple anchors to be tested per setup
• Unique design allows for effortless movement of a 4ft by 4ft slab
• System tests multiple combinations of load and cycling durations

The Solution

• Testing 10-20 micron diameter single carbon fibers
• Needed a low force load cell for precise data required for single fiber test samples
• Gripping such a small sample was a challenge but we provided a solution that made it simple
• Portable light-weight system able to move from one lab to the other which is ideal for a research lab

The Solution

• Crush pails up to 6,000 lbs
• Determine the capping force and failure force of a single pail
• Compression platen for testing the seal on the pail lid
• Determine failure force of stacked pails for storage and shipping information
• Large dual column design for testing stacked pails
• Accommodates various styles, sizes and combinations of caps and pails

Our trial testing results and low prices made us the best choice. Due to the success of the 1st system, they are putting a system in each of their manufacturing locations.