Forney Test Machines

Hardware

Frame

Designed and built by Forney. The LT-950 Series Universal Testing Machines are specifically designed for high strength universal testing a variety of materials in tension and compression– including cementitious and metallic materials like briquettes, cubes, cylinders, rebar, rebar with joints or T-Caps, and bolts, as well as other non-cementitious and non-metallic materials. Universal Testing Machines measure Force, Displacement, Velocity and Strain.

The LT-950-Civil, equipped with the appropriate accessories, can perform a variety of compression tests. The LT-950-Metalurgical is primarily a tension test machine, often used to test steel reinforcing bar or similar products, but capable of tension tests on a variety of materials.

The main frame is fabricated from solid steel with 4.00″ (101.6mm) thick side members. The top crosshead or cylinder mounting plate is 6.00″ (150mm) thick x 32.00” (812.8mm) wide x 20.00” (508mm) deep. The bottom crosshead is 8.00″ (203.2mm) thick x 32.00″ (812.8mm) wide x 20.00″ (508mm) deep.

The moveable crosshead for tension testing is fabricated from 8.00” (203.2mm) thick x 22.50” (571.5mm) wide x 20.00” (508mm) deep solid steel, and is positioned on strain rods 3.75″ (95.25mm) in diameter. Metallurgical samples of various lengths ranging from 20.00″ (508mm) to 30.00″ (762mm) can be tested, using the 24” (609.6mm) piston stroke. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is mounted on top of the unit frame and force is applied in the upward direction. This method of mounting positions the tension and compression work area at a convenient working level.

System Design

All LT-950 machines utilize a two-component setup:  The load frame and the control console are separate.  This isolates the shock associated with destructive testing from the sensitive electronics and some hydraulic components.

The Universal (Compression and Tension) Testing Machine is of the open-frame design, incorporating two side members fully welded into fixed top and bottom crossheads. The moveable platen or crosshead is suspended by 4 strain rods between these side members.

The Civil version of the LT-950 incorporates two crossheads, so the grips need not be removed from the machine when changing from a tension mode to a compression mode, and the cylinder testing head need not be removed when changing from a compression mode to a tension mode.

Both units are floor mounted, with the load frame located approximately 24” to the left of the console, thus reducing the possibility of shock transfer to the load-indicating system.

Hydraulic Power Piston Assembly

The testing pressure is applied by a 12.00″ (305 mm) diameter power piston. Stability length of the piston is 31.875″ (809.625mm), and the working stroke is 24.00″ (609.6mm). Precision ground and polished to an 8 RMS (0.20um) finish, the piston is mounted in a honed, solid steel cylinder with a non-frictional “O” ring and Teflon backup ring for sealing.

Compression Platen

On the Civil version, a removable compression platen mounts directly on the movable compression crosshead. This special alloy steel platen is hardened to 60 RC or greater, chrome plated, and scribed with a centerline and concentric circles for test specimen centering and alignment.

Hydraulic Gripping System

Hydraulic gripping is standard equipment on the LT-950 testing machine. Both gripper controls and the crosshead jog switch are mounted on the side frame of the testing unit within arm’s reach.  Front loading access makes positioning the grips, inserting and removing specimens, a one-man operation.  Gripper jaws are easily interchanged for testing metallurgical specimens from 0.375″ (9.525mm) to 2.50″ (63.5mm) in diameter and flat plate jaws for up to 4.00″ (101.6mm) wide X 2.00″ (50.8mm) thick gripping dimensions.  Rapid traverse while inserting specimens is easily obtained by momentarily depressing the jog button.

Control Console

The control console is a separate unit from the load frame and is positioned to the right of the load frame. The console houses the pumps, hydraulic control, the ForneyLink touchscreen operator interface (HMI), and electrical systems.

Console Design

The console consists of a welded frame with removable side and end covers to allow access to two areas:  an electronic control chamber, housing power supplies, and additional electrical equipment to control the load frame; and a hydraulic power chamber housing pumps, valves and other necessary equipment.

Hydraulic Pumping System

The pump and motor group are vertically mounted, with the pump submerged in a welded steel reservoir.  This arrangement provides for quiet operation, and greatly reduces possible leakage points, with filler breather, sight gauge, and appropriate external connections. The power unit is rated at 10,000 psi maximum. Maximum operating pressure, at 400,000 lbf capacity, is 3,550 psi. Testing specifications determine appropriate pump flow rates and motor horsepower.

The hydraulic unit is supplied complete, as a fully integrated assembly. Customer hook-up is limited to the connection of the hose supplying the load frame cylinders. The unit is pre-piped and pre-wired. It incorporates a sophisticated variable frequency drive scheme. That allows close tolerance and closed-loop control of machine functions under any combination of flow and pressure conditions. Low pressures and low flow conditions are often found in the testing of smaller specimens. The performance is not compromised at the low end of the testing range and enjoys the same accuracy and repeatability as found in the mid to upper ranges. Wherever possible, valving is manifold mounted to reduce external connections. This simplifies piping, resulting in fewer leakage points, and provides for quicker system response, necessary for close tolerance hydraulic system performance.

The variable frequency control approach, in particular, greatly minimizes unwanted heat generation in the hydraulic system – greatly extending component life.

Electrical

The ForneyLink HMI incorporates all of the necessary Operator Interface controls, as well as the control algorithms and output necessary to manage the LT-950.

Here are the main components of the system:

• Windows-based touchscreen human-machine interface (HMI)
• Linear position transducer for speed control used in most metallurgical testing
• Pressure transducer that provides pressure feedback for basic machine control and load-based testing
• E-stop PB
• Limit switch
• Solenoid-operated directional control and pressure vent dump valves

Safety Features

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

• Maximum Capacity Protection: A high-pressure safety relief valve 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.

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 a 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 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 UTM 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.