Forney Test Machines

Hardware

Frame

Designed and built by Forney. The 401 is a Single Block Compression Testing Machine for testing concrete block, cylinders, beams, cubes, masonry products, and rock specimens. As part of Forney’s Premium “FHS” Series, the machine features a high stiffness frame and fully enclosed test chamber that is especially suited for high testing volumes and high strength concrete testing.  FHS Testing Machines frames are manufactured from solid steel into a one-piece, welded unit that exceeds ACI recommendations.

The load frame is fabricated from solid steel into a one-piece welded unit that exceeds ACI frame rigidity requirements. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is mounted to the bottom crosshead, with force being applied in upward direction and debris protection by flexible rubber bellows and a full frame, rectangular platen.

Materials

Test hydraulic cement, down hole cement, mortar, grout, concrete, self-consolidating concrete, CLSM, flowable fill, proppant, ceramics, metals, and plastics.

Hydraulic

The hydraulic unit is supplied as a complete, fully integrated assembly. The unit is pre-piped and pre-wired. It incorporates hydraulic valves; including an optional proportional valve for controlled piston retract required by code for Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio tests.

The human machine interface (HMI), hydraulic unit, E-Stop, and dump valve are directly connected to the compression unit. Single unit design permits easy installation and provides portability without disassembling of hydraulic or electrical components.

Electrical

A PC-based system utilizes a variable frequency drive to control the hydraulic pump motor. This maximizes efficiency – only running the pump at speeds necessary to achieve the desired pressure. This energy efficient approach dramatically reduces heat build-up in the hydraulic system and greatly extends hydraulic component life.

Here are the main components of the system:

• Variable frequency drive (VFD)
• Windows-based touchscreen human machine interface (HMI)
• Pressure transducer that provides pressure feedback
• E-stop PB
• Limit switch
• Solenoid-operated dump valve

Safety Features

Several safety features are incorporated to protect both operator and testing machine:

• Maximum Capacity Protection: A high-pressure safety relief value protects the hydraulic circuit and load frame from exceeding maximum capacity.
• Overextension Protection: A piston over-extension limit switch system protects against piston extension beyond maximum travel.
• Fragment Safety Guard: Fragment guards with heavy-duty latches and hinges are mounted to both the front and rear of the compression frame. Fragment guards incorporate Lexan® inserts for complete operator protection from flying debris when testing explosive high-strength specimens. Lexan® also permits clear viewing of test in process.

Software

Easy Automatic Testing

push one button and the machine performs the complete test, including piston retract. Accurately controls the rate of load at the desired setting, thus no question about meeting ASTM (or other) specifications and ensuring repeatable results. Frees the operator to do other tasks while testing is in process.

Digital Control System

Setup of testing protocol, real-time display of test data, and post-test data transfer is accomplished through the ForneyLink touchscreen HMI. The operator can navigate options for:

• Test Run
• Test Setup
• Machine Setup
• Calibration
• Reporting and Data Transfer
• Diagnostics

Provides simultaneous display of force, stress, and rate of load and displays a real-time graph of Load vs. Time, or Stress vs. Strain. Standard functionality includes data collection by the ForneyLink HMI for printing and transfer. Data from optional extensometer and compressometer displacement transducers are also collected by the HMI. This data is captured with the same timestamp as the load data.

CMT Software Integration

Connected testing machines natively integrate with ForneyVault CMT software, improving important processes before and after an automatic test.

Before the test, Connected machines will:

• Enable positive specimen identification via barcode scan
• Provide pre-test “Smart Checks” based on preloaded sample and specimen data to validate sample date, ample size and type, and expected strength.
• Validate specimen geometry.
• Calculate preload settings based on actual and/or expected strength.

After the test, Connected machines will:

• Provide a detailed XY plot data for every test performed.
• Transfer data automatically to LIMS packages, QC systems, or other software.
• Alert to warn calibration expiration.
• Notify correction factor use, individual low breaks, and excessive variance.
• Enable intelligent workflows for detailed reporting and approvals.

Remote Support

with a user-provided Internet connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet), all Forney VFD systems are capable of real-time, online support from the Forney Support Team for basic settings and test setup to advanced troubleshooting, fault finding, and software updates.

We offer unlimited Remote Technical Support for all Forney Testing Machines during the two-year warranty period.

For ForneyVault® subscribers, post-warranty remote technical support fees are waived for the life of your subscription.

Please refer any special requirements to a Forney sales representative.

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.