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Universal Testing Machines for Static Applications

Universal testing machines up to 5,000 kN

 

Our universal testing machines for static applications are specially designed for tensile tests, compression tests, flexure tests and shear tests. They are ideal for standard tests, but also for complex test tasks in the field of materials and components testing.

Universal testing machines (UTMs) thereby provide a flexible solution for tests on a wide variety of materials and components for applications in any industry. Whether it be for low test forces or large loads, quality control or research projects, universal testers provide excellent reproducibility of test results.

Products What is a universal testing machine? Customer projects Operation FAQS

 

Our Most Popular Universal Testing Machines

zwickiLine For small test loads up to 5 kN
Industries
  • Universal
Test load
  • 0.5 kN - 5 kN
Type of test
  • Tensile test
  • Compression test
  • Flexure test
Applications
  • Universal testing applications in a small force range
  • Materials testing in clean rooms
To the product
ProLine for standardized tests
Industries
  • Universal
Test load
  • 5 kN - 100 kN
Type of test
  • Tensile test
  • Compression test
  • Flexure test
Applications
  • Simple test applications
To the product
AllroundLine Individual and versatile
Industries
  • Universal
Test load
  • 5kN - 250kN
Type of test
  • Tensile test
  • Compression test
  • Flexure test
Applications
  • Universal testing applications in a medium force range
To the product
Tensile Testing Machine for High Test Loads From 330 kN Z330E, Z400E, Z600E, Z1000E, Z1200E, Z1600E, Z2000E, Z2500E
Industries
  • Metals
  • Composites
  • Textiles
Test load
  • 330 - 2,500 kN
Type of test
  • Tensile
  • Compression
  • Flexure
  • Shear
Applications
  • ISO 6892
  • ISO 15630
  • ISO 898
To the product
High-Temperature Testing Systems Temperature range from -80°C to +2,000°C
Industries
  • Metals
  • Academia
  • Aerospace
  • Energy
Test load
  • 5 kN - 250 kN
Type of test
  • Tensile test
  • Compression test
  • Flexure test
  • Strain-rate controlled test
Applications
  • ISO 6892-2 A1
  • EN 2002-002
  • ASTM E21
To the product

Additional Universal Testing Machines for Special Applications

cLine The first choice for testing automobile seats
Industries
  • Foam materials
  • Automotive
Test load
  • 5 kN - 10 kN
Type of test
  • Compression tests
  • Cyclic indentation tests
  • Pulsating compressive strength tests
To the product
Electromechanical Servo Testing Actuators
Test load
  • 1 kN - 100 kN
Type of test
  • Tensile
  • Compression
  • Components
  • Fatigue
Applications
  • Flexible range of application
  • High test speed
Industries
  • Universal
  • Components
To the product
Materials Testing Machine with Hydraulic Drive
Industries
  • Metals
Test load
  • 600 - 5,000 kN
Type of test
  • Tensile
  • Compression
  • Flexure
Applications
  • ISO 6892
  • ISO 15630
  • ISO 898
To the product
Single-Screw Testing Machines
Industries
  • Metals
  • Ceramics
  • Composite material
  • Components
Test load
  • 100 - 250 kN
Type of test
  • Tensile
  • Compression
  • Flexure
Applications
  • Tests with particularly high precision
To the product

What is a universal testing machine?

A UTM or universal testing machine is referred to as universal because it can be used to perform a variety of static tests, including tensile tests and compression tests, as well as flexure tests, peel tests, tear tests and other mechanical tests. It can run a wide variety of standard-compliant tests on an even larger number or materials for many different applications in essentially every industry. A typical UTM machine consists of a load cell, crosshead, extensometer, specimen grips, electronics, and a drive system. It is controlled by testing software used to define machine and safety settings, and store test parameters defined by North American and international test standards such as ASTM and ISO. The amount of force applied to the machine and the elasticity and compressive fracture properties (compression direction), or elongation properties (tensile direction) of the specimen are recorded throughout the test. Measuring the compressive or tensile strength of materials helps designers and manufacturers predict how materials will perform when implemented for their intended purpose.

ZwickRoell universal testing systems, including the zwickiLine, ProLine, AllroundLine, and E-series machines, are modular systems that can be adapted to meet specific customer requirements based on testing capacity, types of material, applications, and industry standards such as ASTM E8 / ISO 6892-1 and ISO 6892-2 for metals, ASTM D638 / ISO 527 for plastics, ASTM D412 for tensile tests on rubber and elastomers, ASTM D575 for compression tests on rubber, and many more. ZwickRoell also offers several universal testing machines specifically designed for special applications. In addition to overall system safety and reliability, ZwickRoell designs and builds every universal materials testing machine with a focus on providing:

  • A high level of flexibility through ease of operation
  • Simple adaptations to customer- and standard-specific requirements
  • Future-proof expansion capabilities to grow with your needs

How does a universal testing machine work?

A materials testing machine that is categorized as universal can be used to perform tests in tensile and compression direction on a wide range of materials for many different applications. The universal tester tends to be modular in design, which allows the user to switch from compression direction (pressing) to tensile direction (pulling), and test at loads ranging from 0.5 kN up to 5,000 kN and at a high test-speed range that can be used without restriction.

Tensile test

For a typical tensile test, the universal testing machine is set up with the specimen grips that correspond to the type of material to be tested. The right test parameters (force, speed, gauge length, etc.) are configured, the specimen is gripped on each end with the appropriate type of specimen grips and pulled apart until it breaks. The universal tensile testing machine measures the strength (tensile strength), elongation and stiffness (tensile modulus) of the specimen and records it.

Universal testing machine for rubber - tensile test
testXpert graph: Tensile test with universal testing machine for rubber

Compression test

The universal testing machine can be re-configured and physically converted for a compression test or flexure test.

For a typical compression test, the machine is set up with the appropriate compression fixtures for the type of material to be tested. The corresponding test parameters are then configured, and the specimen is placed between two compression platens until a specified load or distance has been reached, or until the specimen breaks. Common measurements include the elastic limit, the proportionality limit, the yield point, and the compressive strength.

Universal testing machine for compression tests on hard foam to ISO 844
Universal testing machine Compression test on hard foam to ISO 844
Structure of a compression fixture for universal testing machines

Flexure test

However, the universal testing machine can also be reconfigured and converted for a flexure test.

A flexure test is a compression test in which the specimen is positioned over two supports and loaded in the middle with a die. A compression force is then applied on the unsupported section of the specimen from above until a specified load or distance has been reached, or until the specimen breaks. The flexural strength is the material’s ability to resist deformation under load and is measured in terms of stress. The universal testing machine can be configured to perform a three-point or four-point flexure test.

4-point flexure tests universal testing machine
3-point flexure test with universal testing machine

What do I look for when choosing a universal testing machine?

Flexibility
Safety
Ease of use
Adaptability
Software
Automation –
Service –
Company stability –

Flexibility

  • The ability to test a wide range of materials in a wide load range,
  • the integration and easy change between accessories specifically designed for individual industry standards, types of material and applications,
  • the option to operate the machine with or without a PC,
  • and the mechanical modularity that allows for expansion and adaptation of your machine using many available test fixtures,

all contribute to the overall flexibility of your testing machine.

Safety

The safety of your UTM is imperative and extends from the implementation of physical safety features such as external safety doors, safety enclosures, safety interlocks and limit switches to software system monitoring and user management. ZwickRoell is dedicated to designing our testing systems with operator and machine safety at the forefront.

Ease of use

The key is to choose a testing system that is both sophisticated by design and operability, while at the same time allowing operators to easily install test fixtures, set up test configurations, implement test programs, run tests, and interpret results.

Adaptability

Market developments and standard requirements are always evolving. When deciding on a tensile and compression testing machine, you should make sure that your machine is able to adapt to these changes—from accessories and fixtures to the electronics and software programs.

Software

  • Workflow-based operation –testing software is intended to make the testing process easier for the operator and ensure uniform and standard-compliant test configurations. Our testing software is designed with the user and laboratory workflow in mind.
  • Standards library – our testXpert testing software includes over 600 standard test programs, which allows you to select the right standard-compliant program for your application, simplifying test setup and configuration, and ultimately saving you time and effort and reducing the possibility of errors. For tests that go beyond the standard or for the ability to freely configure the test sequence of your machine, our software offers pre-prepared master test programs.
  • Intelligent wizard – an intelligent wizard guides the user through the test configuration. The data is automatically checked for plausibility.
  • Reports – whether they are simple or customized, our software allows you to define reports with virtually unlimited possibilities along with the option to save, export, and print.
More information on our testXpert testing software

Automation –

there is an increasing rate in the use of automation in materials testing, especially since even the smallest disruptions can alter measured values. ZwickRoell offers a wide range of possibilities for automation in materials testing. Testing systems range from efficient automation of small series tests using collaborating robots in the lab to fully automated testing laboratories that work around the clock.

More on automation

Service –

ZwickRoell provides individually tailored services and support throughout the entire lifecycle of our testing machine. We provide expert calibration services, preventive maintenance and inspection, training courses, machine relocation services, qualification services, a hotline and customer support and guaranteed spare parts availability for at least 10 years after a product has been discontinued.

More on service and support

Company stability –

ZwickRoell history dates back more than 160 years. We proudly stand on a solid foundation of 187 product and industry experts, 347 service employees and 80,000,000 tests performed by our machines annually.

Frequently asked questions about universal testing machines

A UTM or universal testing machine is referred to as universal because it can be used to perform a variety of static tests, including tensile tests and compression tests, as well as flexure tests, peel tests, tear tests and other mechanical tests. It can run a wide variety of standard-compliant tests on an even larger number or materials for many different applications.

A universal testing machine can be used for many different tests on a wide variety of materials, including tensile and compression tests, flexure tests, peel and adhesion tests, hardness tests, torsion tests, and more.

First, the specimen is gripped in the jaws of the universal testing machine. The specimen is then uniformly stretched until it breaks. During the full duration of the test, the strain and the tensile force are measured, recorded and evaluated.

Tensile test

The specimen or component is placed between two compression platens installed in the materials testing machine. The machine crossheads move the platens together with a specified force, speed and/or crosshead travel distance. The required values are measured and recorded.

Compression test
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