lightXtens 2-1000

The ideal extensometer for high-extension, highly elastic and contact-sensitive materials

The lightXtens extensometer is ideal for safe, reliable, accurate measurements during tensile tests on high-extension, highly elastic and contact-sensitive materials.

Ideal for specimens displaying high fracture energy and prone to whipping at break and therefore likely to damage mechanical, contact-type measuring systems.
lightXtens' robustness during testing and ease of operation make it an attractive alternative to video or laser-based extensometers.
Satisfies the requirements of Accuracy Class 1 to ISO 9513 from 3 mm.

lightXtens is a non-contact extensometer for standardized testing situations. It is extremely easy to operate, with a fully automatic test sequence.

Typical applications:

tensile test on highly ductile, highly elastic materials: rubber and elastomers (e.g., to ISO 37, ASTM D412, DIN 53504), natural rubber (latex), film (e.g., ISO 527- 3, ASTM D882, ASTM D5323), textiles (especially ropes, belts, industrial textiles).
Tensile tests on specimens with large initial gage-length, e.g. wire ropes, litz wire.
Specimens with high fracture energy and prone to whipping at break, which might damage mechanical, contact-type measuring systems.

Advantages and features

Function description

The specimen is marked with two gauge marks at the distance of the desired initial gauge length.

After the testing system has applied the preload to the specimen, the lightXtens measures the actual gauge length, i.e. the distance between the gauge marks under preload, if required. The first measurement carriage moves to both marks on the specimen and determines their distance, i.e. the initial gauge length L₀. The second measurement carriage positions itself on the remaining free mark. After that, the test runs automatically. During the test, the two optical measurement carriages track the marks applied to the specimen.

The difference in the travel distance between the two optical measurement carriages corresponds to the change in length. It is recorded incrementally via a pulse generator with mechanical differential formation and passed on to the testControl machine electronics via the EtherCat interface.

Non-contact, simple, fully automatic

Non-contact, simple, fully automatic

The lightXtens extensometer measures without making contact. It is extremely easy to operate and requires no special knowledge. There is no need to adjust or configure the lenses. The test sequence is completely automatic:

Automatic determination of initial gauge-length, with transmission to the testXpert testing software
reliable, automatic identification of gage marks
Tracking of gauge marks and transmission of all data to the testXpert testing software
return to start position.

Specimens are marked beforehand with dots or strips made of a special film. Various marking systems are available for this purpose. The force-displacement acquisition is synchronized.

Robust, resistant, reliable

Robust, resistant, reliable

lightXtens is a robust and highly reliable system, even in harsh environments. It is resistant to external influences such as light variations, extraneous light and air currents. lightXtens is also wear-free in operation.

Use in an extended temperature range

Use in an extended temperature range

lightXtens is also suitable for use in an extended temperature range in conjunction with temperature chambers - no special set-up procedure is required for lightXtens.