The Shimadzu Scientific Instruments Autograph AGS-X Series table-top universal testers perform tensile and compression tests, including three- or four-point bending test, peeling test, and tear tests on various materials, including thermostatic resins.
The AGS-X crosshead achieves 1,500 mm/minute return speed, and an optional jog controller allows handheld control of the crosshead position. The high level of […]

Labthink Instruments Co. PARAM FT-F1 Fogging Tester is for high-temperature volatilizable constituent evaporation evaluation of the automotive interiors and similar components and materials used in aircrafts, including automotive inner plastic decoration components, polyurethane, textiles, leather, adhesives, non-woven and thermal forming elastomers, etc., as well as for fogging testing of automotive front high intensity discharge (HID) […]

When most of us think about Bose, we think about expensive radios and headphones. Few know that they also make materials testers. The article, “Fatigue Testing - Automotive Fatigue Life and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of a Matrix Polymer by Bose ElectroForce Systems,” explains how they got into the business:
Bose engineers had developed a specialized moving-magnet […]

The Instron Dynatup 9250 will help engineers evaluate the mechanical properties of materials and components by measuring energy absorption and related impact properties of polymers, metals, and composites.
The Dynatup 9250 drop tower features Impulse®, a complete software and electronics package designed specifically for impact testing. The company claims that, unlike most competing instruments, the […]

The Q-Sun Xe-3 Xenon Test Chamber from Q-Lab Corporation is designed to help manufacturers meet the new SAE J2527 (automotive exterior materials) and J2412 (automotive interior materials) standards. (SAE recently cancelled the hardware-based J1960 and J1885 standards, replacing them with performance-based SAE J2527 and J2412 standards.)
The Xe-3 is a full-sized, free-standing tester that is equipped […]

From the January 8, 2008 issue of NIST Tech Beat:

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a novel technique for measuring the roughness of surfaces that is casting doubt on the accuracy of current procedures. Their results announced in a forthcoming paper* could cut development costs for automakers as they […]

Subcommittee D30.05 on Structural Test Methods, part of ASTM International Committee D30 on Composite Materials, has been standardizing a series of methods that are related to the analysis and substantiation of mechanically fastened joints composed of composite materials. The latest in this series of standards, D 7332/D 7332M, Test Method for Measuring the Fastener Pull-Through […]

The Atlas Material Testing Technology Ci3000+ now has a new digital control system that gives users more options, flexibility and control of their accelerated weathering testing. The new control system has a full color TFT touch screen display with intuitive icons for easier interpretation of operating parameters and warnings.
It also features an […]

Practicing Oil Analysis has an article on oil oxidation tests that includes tests for automotive oil. The article, The Lubricant’s Nemesis - Oxidation, explains how to develop and analyse an oxidation profile.

Frost & Sullivan recently published a report, “World Mechanical Test Equipment Market” that provides a comprehensive view of the mechanical testing industry including:

revenue forecasts for various mechanical testing techniques,
latest technological developments, and
key market trends.

The report examines

universal testing machines,
servohydraulic testing machines,
hardness test equipment, and
impact test equipment.

The report notes that fast-paced industrial growth in Asia Pacific […]