Company believes it is the first to engineer a digital Vickers hardness testing machine for fully robotic operation
Indentec has eliminated the human interpretation of hardness indentations by developing software to convert the results from a computer-aided measurement system (Cams).
Vickers hardnesses are determined by Cams and downloaded to computer automatically.
With no operator involvement, there is no risk of error, misjudgement or inconsistency in the readings.
For a Spanish manufacturer of stainless steel, the machine forms part of a robotic test cell that will work unattended 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Using transfer mechanisms driven by signals from the software, the cell will check the dimensions, surface finish, hardness and tensile strength of prepared stainless steel specimens.
The testing machine receives and registers specimens from the transfer mechanism.
It clamps each specimen in turn and brings it to the test position by motorised lead screw until the specimen surface has been sensed electronically.
The first of three Vickers tests is carried out, the machine's optical system focussing automatically for the automatic computer measurement of the indentation.
When the three tests are completed, the results are averaged by the software and the test readings and the averages are transmitted to the host computer along with the specimen related data.
The specimen is then transferred automatically to the next check.
The machine is based on a standard Indentec digital Vickers tester with a built-in touchscreen for controlling operation and monitoring.
