Product News: New Universal Testers by Shimadzu Allow Better Control and Precision for a Broad Range of Material Testing

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments has introduced four universal testers that offer high-level control, tight precision and intuitive operation for a wide variety of material testing. The 20kN and 50kN table-top types and the 100kN and 300kN floor types extend Shimadzu’s Autograph AGS-X series. The new testers come standard with Shimadzu’s TRAPEZIUM X or TRAPEZIUM LITE X software to gather and display data for users in real time.

The enhanced features of the Autograph AGS-X series testers allow for easier and more efficient testing:
 
- Wide-load cell precision range of 1/500 to 1/1 allows virtually all testing to be done without switching the load cell or jig
- Single-load cell guarantees test force accuracy to +/-0.5% of the indicated value
- One-touch crosshead stroke limiters for simple adjustment and firm locking
- Faster crosshead achieves a 1,600 mm/min testing speed and a 2,200 mm/min return speed (20kN frame) to save time with repetitive testing
- Built-in multi-purpose tray for placing jigs, arranging specimens, and taking notes
- Common joint for both tensile and compression makes it easier to exchange jigs
- Adjustable main operation panel for conveniently developing and storing conditions and performing tests without having to be connected to a PC

A range of accessories for the Autograph AGS-X series makes it easy to test a variety of different materials using the same machine. Eight different jigs, four styles of grips and two kinds of compression plates can accommodate vastly different specimen types and test force amounts. A variety of extensometer attachments are available to provide precise measurement of specimen displacement. With the option of three different controlled environment chambers and a high-temperature tensile test device, testing in specific conditions is also made easier.

The four new Autograph AGS-X testers come standard with Shimadzu’s TRAPEZIUM X materials testing operation software, which quickly obtains and displays testing data in real time.

TRAPEZIUM X users can choose from four software components to fit their specific testing needs:

- Single software for performing single-direction testing
- Cycle software for testing where force is repeatedly applied then released
- Texture software for measuring the features of foods and pharmaceuticals
- Control software for creating any testing machine operation pattern

Users who purchase multiple software components can easily switch between modes at a single touch without starting up separate software.

An integrated display panel allows TRAPEZIUM X users to perform multiple critical functions from one main window, including confirming testing conditions, monitoring real-time data, entering speed, dimension and report information, performing re-tests and extra lot tests, and altering settings before and after tests. The intuitive nature of the software ensures trouble-free entry of complicated method settings, fast data searches and one-touch method selection.

Additionally, users can create detailed, customizable reports that include data, charts, photographs and logos.

An entry-level version of the software called TRAPEZIUM LITE X is also available for users who only need to perform general single-direction testing.