Material test machines are a significant investment for testing labs and material producers. Here’s what you can expect for different types of machines.
- What Is the Price of a Universal/Tensile Test Machine?
- What Is the Price of a Compression Test Machine?
- What Is the Price of a Flexural Test Machine?
Material Test Machine Pricing Overview
When investing in a material testing machine, it’s important to understand what you’re getting for the price. The machine’s level of automation, testing capacity, and integration capabilities will all impact how much it costs.
Specific pricing factors include:
- Type of Machine: Universal/Tensile, Compression or Flexural
- Load Frame Capacity: 20,000 lbf – 1,500,000 lbf
- Controls: Manual, Automatic or Connected
- Manufacturing Quality: Manufactured in the USA & Built to Exceed Industry Standards
- Service Agreements: Global Support & Service Network
For the right machine that meets your needs, the investment is well worth it. In this article, we will break down the price of universal machines, compression machines and flexural machines.
What Is the Price of a Universal/Tensile Test Machine?
A universal testing machine is a multi-purpose machine that measures and controls via a variety of axes and vector types, including force, pressure, stress, strain and low-range force. Universal testing machines have a capacity of 60,000 to 800,000 lbf in compression. They can also serve the purpose of a tensile test machine, measuring capacities of 60,000 to 800,000 lbf in tension.
With this range of applicability, how much does a universal test machine cost?
Universal Test Machine Price Range Overall
An average universal test machine in 2024 costs between $$85,000 – $300,000.
The final price depends on the type of controls, load capacity, and accessories required.
Forney Connected universal test machines have a native two-way integration with ForneyVault, materials testing software, which makes the machine “smart.” This functionality requires an upfront investment and a monthly or yearly subscription to ForneyVault. However, it results in long-term savings by reducing human error by 99.9%+ and increasing productivity by 66%+.
Take a Self-Guided Tour of the Connected Universal Machine Interface
Universal Test Machine Price Range for Different Load Capacities
- Range for low force universal test machines: $85,000 – $115,000
- Range for medium force automatic universal test machines: $100,000 – $150,000
- Range for high force connected universal test machines: $150,000 and higher
Generally speaking, the higher the load capacity, the more expensive the machine.
Additional Costs for Universal Test Machine Accessories
Depending on the type of test, you might need additional accessories to run tests.
- Grips and fixtures to secure samples
- Compressometers/extensometers to measure the average deformation and strain
- Tensile cylinder splitting set
What Is the Price of a Compression Test Machine?
A compression test machine tests concrete cylinders, cubes, beams and more to determine a material’s behavior under applied crushing loads. Compression testing machines have a load capacity of 250,000 – 1,500,000 lbf. A compression machine is available as a standard frame, high-capacity frame, high stiffness frame, and international metric frame.
Compression Test Machine Price Range Overall
An average compression test machine in 2024 costs between $9,500 – $30,000.
The final price depends on the type of controls, load capacity, and accessories required.
Compression Test Machine Price Range for Different Controls
- Range for manual compression test machines: $9,500 – $18,950
- Range for automatic compression test machines: $14,000 – $29,500
- Range for connected compression test machines: $14,000 – $29,500
Forney Connected compression test machines have a native two-way integration with ForneyVault, materials testing software, which makes the machine “smart.” This functionality requires an upfront investment and a monthly or yearly subscription to ForneyVault. However, it results in long-term savings by reducing human error by 99.9%+ and increasing productivity by 66%+.
Take a Self-Guided Tour of the Connected Compression Machine Interface
Generally speaking, the higher the load capacity, the more expensive the machine.
Additional Costs for Compression Test Machine Accessories
Depending on the type of test, you might need additional accessories to run tests.
What Is the Price of a Flexural Test Machine?
A flexural test machine produces tensile and compressive stress under bending force, ideal for beam flexure and low strength concrete testing. It has a load capacity of 30,000 lbf. A flexural test machine is available as a dual frame compression attachment or floor mounted model.
Flexural Test Machine Price Range Overall
An average flexural test machine in 2024 costs between $12,500 – $15,000.
The final price depends on the type of controls, load capacity, and accessories required.
Flexural Test Machine with Connected Controls
Forney Connected flexural test machines have a native two-way integration with ForneyVault, materials testing software, which makes the machine “smart.” This functionality requires an upfront investment and a monthly or yearly subscription to ForneyVault. However, it results in long-term savings by reducing human error by 99.9%+ and increasing productivity by 66%+.
Take a Self-Guided Tour of the Connected Flexural Machine Interface
Conclusion
When investing in a material testing machine, it’s important to understand not only the types—universal/tensile, compression or flexural—but also the factors that influence their price.
The machine’s level of automation, testing capacity, and data integration capabilities play a major role in cost.
While manual machines are cost-effective and suitable for smaller operations, automatic systems ensure precision and efficiency, often justifying the investment. Additionally, machines that incorporate testing software like ForneyVault can offer long-term savings by reducing human error and increasing productivity.
No matter what type of specimen you work with, Forney has a machine that can break it. Find your machine by using our Machine Finder here.