Abstract: Kits, apparatuses, and methods are provided for measuring acoustic properties of a surface. In an implementation, a kit may be provided. The kit may comprise an elongated pin; a tube having first and second ends, the tube having at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes, the at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes operable to support the elongated pin therethrough; a mass adapted to be received through the first and second ends of the tube; wherein placement of the elongated pin through a first pair of the at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes may prevent movement of the mass through the tube; and wherein removal of the elongated pin through the first pair of the at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes may allow passage of the mass through the tube.

Abstract: A testing machine comprising: (a) a transmitter; (b) a receiver opposing the transmitter; and (c) a compressibility sensor in communication with the transmitter, the receiver, or both, wherein the testing machine transmits a signal between the transmitter and the receiver to perform ultrasonic testing and further performs compressibility testing of one or more objects positioned between the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a physical characteristic of a film sample is described herein. The device includes a clamping system configured to hold the film sample. The device further includes a dart probe system configured to test a physical characteristic of the film sample. The dart probe system has a dart probe, a propulsion system configured to move the dart probe relative to the clamping system, and a force sensor configured to measure a force that the dart probe is subjected to during a movement of the dart probe. The force sensor is configured to measure a force imparted to the film sample when the dart probe comes in contact with the film sample.

Abstract: A testing machine comprising: (a) a transmitter; (b) a receiver opposing the transmitter; and (c) a compressibility sensor in communication with the transmitter, the receiver, or both, wherein the testing machine transmits a signal between the transmitter and the receiver to perform ultrasonic testing and further performs compressibility testing of one or more objects positioned between the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a stress gradient loading test apparatus and a method of accurately determining loading energy, relating to the technical field of a rock mechanical test. The apparatus includes an upper pressure-bearing plate, a specimen fixing device, a stress transfer device, and a simulation specimen. A computer processes stress and strain monitoring data. The stress transfer device includes a plurality of plate-like high strength materials in combination. A simulation roadway is opened in the simulation specimen, and a strain gauge and a stress sensor are disposed on the simulation specimen. In a test using the apparatus, stress gradient loading is realized and elastic strain energy is calculated by the plate-like high strength materials with different stiffnesses of the stress transfer device, and loading energy acting on the simulation specimen is calculated in combination with energy applied by a tester.

Abstract: Discloses is a pressure and hardness tester of a planar material, comprising a base, a stage, a test frame and a test device. The test piece is flatly extended and fixed on the stage. The test frame comprises a floor stand and a cross bar hinged by a rotating shaft. The floor stand and the stage are fixedly connected with the base. One end of the cross bar is provided with a balance weight and the other end of the cross bar is provided with a counterweight and a connecting part. The connecting part is used to connect the test device including a pressure test assembly or a hardness test assembly and make the test device right opposite to the stage. After the cross bar rotates about the rotating shaft, the test device contacts with the test piece for testing a pressure resistance or a hardness of the test piece.

Abstract: A soft tissue simulator for magnetic resonance imaging and a method for simulated testing are disclosed. The simulator includes a base for supporting a soft tissue or organ sample, an indenter, a pneumatic cylinder and an air source. The pneumatic cylinder is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber. The air source includes a pneumatic generation source and a reversing valve having a first air outlet and a second air outlet which are respectively connected to the first and second chambers. The reversing valve is used to control compressed air to enter the first or second chamber to control the movement of the indenter. The indenter is controlled to have a periodic or unidirectional movement, to simulate the movement of a human organ or soft tissue. The simulator can used for the measurement of physical characteristics of soft tissue based on magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: Measuring a topographic profile and/or a topographic image of a surface of a sample includes positioning an indenter out of contact with a sample and in a constant position with respect to a headstock; positioning a topographic tip to detect a surface of the sample and positioning a reference structure at a predetermined distance from said surface; measuring the relative position of the indenter with respect to the reference structure by a relative position sensor; translating said sample perpendicular to said longitudinal axis while maintaining the reference structure at said predetermined distance from the surface of the sample by the feedback control system and the second actuator while measuring the relative position of the indenter with respect to the reference structure by the relative position sensor; and generating a topographic profile and/or a topographic image based on measurements of the relative position.

Abstract: A mechanical property tester of biological soft tissue includes a frame body having a workbench, a test head holder disposed on the frame body, a test object fixture base which is disposed on the workbench and located below the test head holder, an acquisition device, and a computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer indentation method and tester that includes measuring the time taken by a polymeric material to recover a set portion of an initial deformation and use this duration as a material degradation indicator. The recovery time was found to be more sensitive to cable degradation than the specific compressive stillness (or indenter modulus) measured during the indentation phase, and this high sensitivity was achieved for both thermally aged and irradiated polymer.

Abstract: A production adjustment system includes a cell including a plurality of machines, a cell control device which is communicably connected to the cell, to control the cell, and a higher-level management controller which is communicably connected to the cell control device, to acquire disaster information. The cell control device includes a command unit for issuing commands to the plurality of machines based on state information of the cell, which is acquired from the at least one sensor of the cell, and disaster information acquired from the higher-level management controller.

Abstract: The load-bearing capacity of cylindrical shells of a composite fiber material that are at risk of buckling is determined by deriving improved reduction factors for analytical calculation of the design load. A load distribution head applies an axially acting force to a cylinder shell. A dent actuator dents the surface of the cylinder shell in a predetermined dent direction with a predetermined dent depth. A dent force is determined when a steadily increasing, axially acting force is applied to the cylinder shell by the load distribution head until a complete failure of the cylinder shell is detected. An analysis unit determines a dent depth from a data memory at which a dent force at a complete failure of the cylinder shell is at a maximum compared to dent forces of other dent depths.

Abstract: An adjustable fixing device for acoustic emission test sensors for rock damage testing, the device including: a fixing frame; installation bases operating to accommodate the acoustic emission test sensors, respectively; fixing assemblies operating to fix the acoustic emission test sensors in the installation bases; and installation mechanisms operating to install the installation bases on the fixing frame. The fixing frame is a rectangular frame, and at least a pair of opposite frame walls of four frame walls is provided with installation slots adapted to install the installation mechanisms. The installation slots positioned at different frame walls are in a same cross section of the rectangular frame. Each of the installation bases is a cylinder structure. The cylinder structure includes: a cavity corresponding to an outer edge of each of the acoustic emission test sensors, and a wall including a gap for leading out wires of each sensor.

Abstract: An inspection method and an inspection apparatus capable of readily determining the necessity of replacement of a resin shock absorber at an elevator inspection location without using a car of a rated weight. First, an indenter is pressed into a resin shock absorber for an elevator. A load of pressing the indenter into the resin shock absorber is released. A physical property value indicative of a repulsive force that causes the indenter to bounce from the resin shock absorber by releasing the load is measured. The necessity of replacement of the resin shock absorber is determined by comparing a result of the physical property value obtained by measuring the repulsive force with a reference value prepared in advance.

Abstract: A testing apparatus may include a stand having an aperture and a platform adjacent to the aperture, a clamp adjacent to the platform and configured to hold a coupon, and an actuator within the aperture. The actuator is configured to impart a first force on the platform and the coupon at a specified frequency. The testing apparatus may also include a displacement sensor adjacent to the stand and configured to measure a displacement of the coupon and circuitry connected to the actuator and the displacement sensor with the circuitry configured to collect data from the actuator and the displacement sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a contact mechanics test on a substrate includes a stylus, a core configured to engage the stylus against the substrate, a stylus engagement mechanism configured to induce a contact load or a penetration depth to the stylus, a core engagement mechanism configured to maintain contact of the core and to move the core along the substrate surface, a frame configured to be fixed with respect to the apparatus or to be moved together with the core engagement mechanism as an assembly, a frame engagement mechanism configured to engage the frame with the substrate surface; and a substrate monitoring device configured to measure characteristics of substrate contact response and/or collect material machined from the substrate. Methods of performing a contact mechanics test are also provided.

Abstract: A heating system for use in mechanical testing at scales of microns or less includes a stage heater. The stage heater having a stage plane, and a stage heating element distributed across the stage plane. Two or more support mounts are on opposed sides of the stage plane. A first bridge extends from the stage plane to a first mount of the two or more support mounts, and a second bridge extends from the stage plane to a second mount of the two or more support mounts. The first and second bridges provide a plurality of supports between the stage plane and two or more support mounts to accordingly support the stage plane. In another example, the heating system includes a probe heater configured to heat a probe as part of mechanical testing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a fracture toughness using an instrumented indentation testing, which measures a load and an indentation depth in real time while applying a load to a specimen by an indenter having a flat punch shape.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a test fixture to test a robustness of a connection port of an electronic device, a cable connector coupled to the connection port, or both. The test fixture may enable repeatable testing using predetermined test parameters. The test fixture may secure the electronic device using a clamp. A pendulum may be mounted in the test fixture and rotatable to cause an impact of a weight against a cable connector coupled to the connection port of an electronic device. After the impact, the integrity and/or functionality of the cable connector, the connection port, or both may be inspected. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the test fixture may be under at least partial control of a controller. The controller may enable creation or control of test parameters, repeat testing, cycle testing, and/or inspection (e.g., determining whether the connection is maintained and/or functional, etc.).

Abstract: A novel indentation test apparatus is provided. The indentation test apparatus is an apparatus for indenting a specimen with a spherical indenter. The indentation test apparatus includes a specimen thickness identifier) that identifies the thickness of the specimen, an equivalent indentation strain calculator that calculates equivalent indentation strain of the specimen by using the thickness of the specimen, and a Young's modulus calculator that calculates Young's modulus of the specimen by using the equivalent indentation strain. Young's modulus E of the specimen preferably ranges from 100 Pa to 100 MPa. The diameter of the spherical indenter preferably ranges from 1×10?8 to 1 m.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the effective case-hardening or nitriding depth of a steel component comprises a measuring head, including a laser source generating a variable frequency radiation for the scanning of pre-determined portions of the component to be measured; an infrared detector, configured so as to detect infrared radiation generated by the component to be measured; and computing means of spectra of the infrared radiation received; and an evolventimeter, connected to the measuring head and including first computing means suitable for computing a hardness profile of the component to be measured on the basis of a launch profile and spectra of the infrared radiation received and second computing means suitable for computing the effective case-hardening depth from the hardness profile computed.

Abstract: One aspect of the inventive technology may be generally described as a method for determining test object deformation response that comprises the steps of moving a deformation force deliverer 1 to deliver deformation force 24 to a test object 3; adjusting a deformation force deliverer affecting input so as to meet at least one constraint while performing the step of moving the deformation force deliverer 1; deforming the test object 3 with the deformation force 24; and determining test object response to the deformation force. Corollary apparatus, in addition to other inventive apparatus and method aspects relating variously to test object deformation response determination are part of the inventive technology. Such aspects may relate to the use of a linear actuator 15 in a test object deformation and to identity of motion of a deformation force deliverer 3 and a force deliverer drive component 75, as herein described.

Abstract: A hardness tester apparatus is disclosed for testing the hardness of a roll of material. The apparatus includes a housing having a first portion which is held by an operator. A socket panel defines a socket and an impulse hammer is connected to a plug received by the socket such that when the operator strikes the roll of material with the impulse hammer, a signal is generated which is transmitted to the plug. A hardness information collecting device is electrically connected to the socket. A display is electrically connected to the hardness information collecting device for displaying a reading corresponding to the hardness of the roll of material.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the determination of mechanical properties of an ellipsoidal shell are provided in this disclosure. The ellipsoidal shell is contacted with an indenter device. The indenter device indents the ellipsoidal shell and creates an indentation in an indentation region on the ellipsoidal shell. Indentation data is recorded at the indentation region. Mechanical properties of the ellipsoid shell can be determined based on the indentation data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer indentation method and tester that includes measuring the time taken by a polymeric material to recover a set portion of an initial deformation and use this duration as a material degradation indicator. The recovery time was found to be more sensitive to cable degradation than the specific compressive stillness (or indenter modulus) measured during the indentation phase, and this high sensitivity was achieved for both thermally aged and irradiated polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining geomechanical parameters of a rock sample, including a searching step, during which the horizontal and vertical forces provided to a blade advancing at a constant speed and at a constant cutting depth along the sample are measured, in order to destroy a constant volume per unit of length at the surface of the rock sample; a micro-indentation step, during which mechanical features of the rock are determined by micro-indentation; a step of determining the geological parameters of the sample, during which at least one parameter chosen from the uniaxial compressive strength, the angle of friction, internal cohesion, Brinell hardness and Young's modulus of the rock is estimated by means of measurements taken during the scratching and micro-indentation steps.

Abstract: A heating system for use in mechanical testing at scales of microns or less includes a stage heater. The stage heater having a stage plane, and a stage heating element distributed across the stage plane. Two or more support mounts are on opposed sides of the stage plane. A first bridge extends from the stage plane to a first mount of the two or more support mounts, and a second bridge extends from the stage plane to a second mount of the two or more support mounts. The first and second bridges provide a plurality of supports between the stage plane and two or more support mounts to accordingly support the stage plane. In another example, the heating system includes a probe heater configured to heat a probe as part of mechanical testing.

Abstract: Provide in one embodiment is an apparatus, comprising an indentor wherein a tip thereof is configured to engage a sample surface, a surface-referencing device configured to establish the position of the indentor relative to the sample surface, a drive mechanism configured to move the indentor along the sample surface to form a scratch, and a measurement device configured to measure at least one of (i) a pile-up height of sample material removed from the scratch and (ii) a width of the scratch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer indentation method and tester that includes measuring the time taken by a polymeric material to recover a set portion of an initial deformation and use this duration as a material degradation indicator. The recovery time was found to be more sensitive to cable degradation than the specific compressive stiffness (or indenter modulus) measured during the indentation phase, and this high sensitivity was achieved for both thermally aged and irradiated polymer samples.

Abstract: A method for determining mechanical properties of a material includes positioning a probe tip of selected material properties having a selected geometry and a selected accelerating mass at a selected position and a selected height above a sample of the material. The probe tip is released to accelerate toward the sample. A first parameter related to force on the probe tip with respect to time is recorded. The releasing the probe tip is repeated with at least one of a different selected probe tip material, a different tip geometry, a different height and a different accelerating mass to record a second parameter related to force. The first and second parameters are used to determine at least one of an elastic property and a strength of the material.

Abstract: A portable Brinell metal hardness tester has a test head mounted in a carriage, movable vertically along elevating screws, and includes an adjustable valve for relieving hydraulic pressure within the test head where the valve includes a stem, an interior member, and an intermediate member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material hardness testing instrument, specifically to a portable digital display hardness tester, comprising a magnetic chuck, a support, a force measuring device, an indenter, an electronic circuit board, a digital display, and a force applying and indentation depth measuring device consisting of a hand wheel, a rotary encoder and a micrometric screw pair. The support is equipped with the rotary encoder, The micrometric nut is installed in a hole. The digital display is located in the front. The support is fixed on the magnetic chuck. The micrometric nut is internally provided with the micrometric screw. The rotating shaft of the rotary encoder is connected with the micrometric screw and rotates along with the micrometric screw. The upper end of the micrometric screw is connected with the hand wheel, while the lower end is connected with the force measuring device. The lower end of the force measuring device is connected with the indenter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exchangeable needle cartridge for a drilling measuring device with a guiding device for a drilling needle. The guiding device includes a telescopic tube with a plurality of telescopic tube sections which extends between a working end, at which a retainer for retaining the drilling needle in a rotationally fixed manner is arranged, and a docking end, at which a docking device for coupling the telescopic tube to a driving device of the drilling measuring device is arranged. Also disclosed is a docking device comprising a coupling device for transmitting torque from the driving device of the drilling resistance measuring device to the telescopic tube, a transmission device for converting the rotational motion of the driving device of the drilling measuring device into a linear motion of the telescopic tube, and furthermore structure for detachably fastening the exchangeable needle cartridge to the drilling measuring device.

Abstract: A portable Brinell metal hardness tester has a test head mounted in a carriage, movable vertically along elevating screws, and includes an adjustable valve for relieving hydraulic pressure within the test head where the valve includes a stem, an interior member, and an intermediate member.

Abstract: For selecting suitable bonding parameters for forming wire bonds onto bond pads of a substrate, one or more indentations are made onto at least one bond pad of the substrate with an indentation tool by applying a series of predetermined forces onto the at least one bond pad with the indentation tool. A depth-force profile of the substrate is measured comprising a relationship between each predetermined force that is applied and a resultant depth of the indentation made by the indentation tool. An appropriate set of bonding parameters suitable for forming wire bonds on the substrate is determined based on the measured depth-force profile.

Abstract: A hardness tester includes a monitor capable of displaying a main screen and an assistant screen; a first test location setter setting an indentation formation location on a test specimen for an initial test; and a second test location setter setting an indentation formation location on the test specimen for a retest. The second test location setter judges whether a new indentation formation location is suitable for a test based on a surface image of the test specimen and a setting condition obtained during the initial test, and, in a case where it is judged that the new indentation formation location is unsuitable for a test, sets again a coordinate point different from the coordinate point of the new indentation formation location as another new indentation formation location.

Abstract: A hardness tester includes a monitor capable of displaying a main screen and assistant screen. A first test location setter sets a coordinate point of an indentation formation location, and stores a setting condition of the set coordinate point and the surface image of a first test specimen. A second test location setter displays the surface image of the first test specimen in the assistant screen when a surface image of a second test specimen is displayed on the main screen, and, when a reference coordinate is set on the surface image of the second test specimen, determines a coordinate point of an indentation formation location based on the set reference coordinate and the setting condition of the coordinate point stored by the first test location setter.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus in the detection of a scent to locate the damage and its extent and to aid in the repair manually or self-repair.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus in the detection of a scent to locate the damage and its extent and to aid in the repair manually or self-repair. A method for detecting damage in a device including, providing at least one first microcapsule having at least two scents in a composition detectable by a machine, human, and/or animal or any combination thereof, associating the scent(s), where the scent(s) is a device, releasing the scent(s) when damage has occurred to the device, and detecting the scent(s) to alert a detector of the damage and level of the damage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hardness tester capable of accurately detecting a point where an indenter contacts a sample in instrumented indentation testing. Prior to beginning measurement, the hardness tester defines an expected range for a value for a displacement, speed, or acceleration of an indenter during a process of approaching a sample. After measurement has begun, the hardness tester measures the value for the displacement, speed, or acceleration of the indenter during the process of approaching the sample. When the measured value is not within the expected range, the hardness tester determines that detection of a zero point has failed.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and an apparatus for measuring forces. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprising a probe, a force sensor, an angle measurement system, and an output device is provided. The probe is configured to apply a load to a surface of an object. The force sensor is configured to measure a force along an axis through an end of the probe that contacts the surface when the load is applied to the surface by the probe. The angle measurement system is configured to identify an angle of the axis relative to the surface of the object. The output device is configured to display the force and the angle.

Abstract: Methods and instruments for assessing bone, for example fracture risk, in a subject in which a test probe is inserted through the skin of the subject so that the test probe contacts the subject's bone and the resistance of the test bone to microscopic fracture by the test probe is determined. Macroscopic bone fracture risk is assessed by measuring the resistance of the bone to microscopic fractures caused by the test probe. The microscopic fractures are so small that they pose negligible health risks. The instrument may also be useful in characterizing other materials, especially if it is necessary to penetrate a layer to get to the material to be characterized.

Abstract: Evaluating ground surface hardness for a site involves using a mobile data collection device to automatically drop an object including an accelerometer onto a ground surface at sample locations spaced at regular intervals within the site. The acceleration of the object is detected with the accelerometer as the object impacts the ground surface at the sample locations. A value is generated representative of ground surface hardness for each of the sample locations. Evaluation using a handheld hardness measurement device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An oscillation arm moves in a seesaw fashion about an oscillation axis which is supported by a support rod and which serves as a fulcrum. A rotation arm and a pressurizer are provided on one end of the oscillation arm. One end of the rotation arm is rotatably attached to the oscillation arm, and a load weight is placed on the other end of the rotation arm. By rotating the rotation arm, the magnitude of a force to be applied by the load weight to the pressurizer is adjusted. More specifically, by displacing the load weight to a predetermined position by rotation and then causing the load weight to stop at this position, a static load corresponding to the rotation angle can be applied to the pressurizer. Further, by causing the load weight to perform rotational motion, the magnitude of the force to be applied to the pressurizer is periodically varied, so that a load which varies periodically can be applied to hard tissue.

Abstract: A device and method for assessing the machinability, particularly the drillability, of epoxy resin laminates by reproducible indentation and analysis of the delamination area of a laminate sample thus provoked.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for detecting mechanical features of materials, in particular metal materials, comprising an indenter (10) adapted to be pushed against a sample material (15) in which it penetrates for a depth (h) and responsive to the hardness of the materials same. The apparatus (1) provides means for generating a measured force (F) and a transmission gear (35) which changes the rotational motion of shaft (40) of motor (30) into a linear reversible movement. The force generated is then amplified in a hydraulic way and transmitted to the indenter (10). This solution allows to lighten and to reduce the size of the mechanisms for generating the force, reducing also wear and mechanical backlash, as well as costs and overall dimensions. An advantage is also to measure with precision the stroke of the indenter with corresponding control in precision of the penetration (h) of the indenter in the sample material.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor is attached to the indenting module with its working range encompassing the tip of the indenter. The sensor directly measures penetration depth of the indenter during scratch, wear or instrumented hardness testing. During the test, the non-contact sensor records the height of the surface as the indenter penetrates the surface of the testing specimen.

Abstract: A muscle hardness meter according to the present invention, which measures the hardness of muscle tissue of a living organism, includes: an auxiliary part which touches a periphery of a section of the living organism to be measure so as to apply pressure to the periphery; a touching part which touches the section to be measured so as to apply pressure to the section to be measured; a first pressure sensor which measures pressures that the touching part and the auxiliary part sustain, respectively, from the section to be measured and the periphery, and outputs a first measurement result; a second pressure sensor which measures a pressure that the touching part sustains from the section to be measure, and outputs a second measurement result; a notification part which notifies the second measurement result; and a control part which determines whether or not the first measurement result teaches a reference pressure value input in advance and notifies the second measurement result to the notification part at a tim

Abstract: An apparatus and a method allows a determination of the degree of hardness of semisolid materials with a higher accuracy and a simultaneously lower sensitivity with respect to electronic and mechanical disruptions. An adjusted force value (FBer) is determined prior or during a downward movement of a force/path sensor (20) and the force difference (?F32??F51) is determined between the adjusted force value (FBer) and respective measured force value (?F32??F51) and a zero time (t41) is determined, wherein the position (21, s41) of the measuring body (5, 8) at the zero time (t41) is used as the exact starting position (21, s41) of the surface of the material to be measured (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer indentation method and tester that includes measuring the time taken by a polymeric material to recover a set portion of an initial deformation and use this duration as a material degradation indicator. The recovery time was found to be more sensitive to cable degradation than the specific compressive stiffness (or indenter modulus) measured during the indentation phase, and this high sensitivity was achieved for both thermally aged and irradiated polymer samples.