Test Types

This video shows a shear test on an aluminium cap, part of medical device. The test is conducted on a MultiTest motorised test system with an Advanced Force Gauge (AFG), a chisel point accessory, to break-off the cap, and special fixturing to securely hold the sample in place. It is vital that the sample should always break at the same point, so a special cantilever-operated sample holder was custom designed. This enables each cap to be loaded and precisely positioned using the same amount of pressure each time, which minimises variability.

A tensile test is conducted using a touch screen controlled MultiTest 25-xt force testing stand on samples to establish elongation under load and breaking strain. Plane grips are used to clamp the sample which is then stretched at 100 mm per minute. The force applied and the elongation of the sample are recorded at up to 1000 times per second. A graph of elongation vs. applied force is viewed to see the test as it is happening. 

A tensile test is performed to test the integrity of beverage basket carriers and cardboard box packaging.  The test ensures optimimum production line efficiency and that consistent standards of packaging quality are maintained. The tests are conducted on a Mecmesin motorised tensile tester combined with a custom-designed vacuum test fixture, to ensure the tests are performed at a consistent speed to gain better accuracy. 

This video shows how testing safety-belts to find their breaking point can be performed using Mecmesin's MultiTest 50-i force testing system. The MultiTest 50-i, is particularly suited to high force testing and can also produce compressive loads. It is capable of producing a tension of 50,000 Newtons while recording up to 1000 measurements per second. 

Test-to-failure (TTF) testing of embellishments, buttons, ribbons, sequins, diamante etc. that have been attached to textiles is conducted to check that they have been safely affixed so they will not become choking hazards for infants. Mecmesin's test systems and force gauges are used to measure the force needed to pull the embellishments off from the textiles (TTF) to ensure they comply with BS 7907:2007. 

This video shows a car steering rack being tested to see how much force is needed to operate it over its full working range of movement. The average force recorded shows how smooth the rack is when moved from one end of travel to the other. The test is conducted on a Mecmesin 25-i PC-controlled twin column test system, driven by Emperor force testing software. The software records the peak and average force as the steering rack is moved backwards and forwards.

This video shows how a Vortex-i torque testing system is used to test the integrity of small abrasives disks used in the dental industry. Using a custom-designed adaptor, the abrasive disks are tested to check that they do not become loose on their central arbour. The disks are loaded onto the adaptor, rotated 90 degrees clockwise and 180 degrees anti-clockwise and the torque is measured using Mecmesin's Emperor software, which displays the test results graphically.

This video shows a MultiTest 2.5-xt measuring the insertion and withdrawal force of electrical connectors.  A custom made fixture holds the male and female connectors while Emperor software controls the movement of the test stand, and records the forces at the requisite points in accordance with test standard BS 5057.

Natural and synthetic corks are tested to determine the maximum force necessary to extract a cylindrical cork stopper as specified in ISO 9727.   The cork tester is based on a MultiTest stand combined with an Advanced Force Gauge (AFG) and a special cork testing fixture.  The test ensures that seal strength on the stopper is maintained and that cork taint is reduced.

The release torque of removeable cleats fitted to golf shoes is measured with a Vortex-i PC-controlled torque tester.  Precise alignment of each cleat prior to testing is vital, and this is achieved with a custom designed sample holder mounted on a gimble coupled to a precision X-Y motion table.