With its extended autonomy, the testing system allows for the smooth processing of testing tasks. The robotic setup complements the three existing testing machines from Hegewald & Peschke, reducing the workload for material testers, who manage an estimated 200 tensile samples per day. The expanded testing capacity also allows for additional analyses in HAI's research and development department.
Components of the Automated Testing System
The automated testing system at HAI consists of several highly specialized components that enable comprehensive and automated material testing.
Universal Testing Machine inspekt 100 with Accessories for Tensile Testing of Flat Aluminum Samples
The tensile testing machine features a stable design ensuring precise force transmission, high transverse force stability, and increased axial stiffness. A high-resolution 9-megapixel video extensometer precisely measures sample deformation, including longitudinal and transverse strain, vertical anisotropy per DIN EN ISO 10113, and the strain hardening exponent per DIN EN ISO 10275. A hydraulic clamping device securely holds the samples during testing.
Components for Sample Feeding and Handling
A flexible 6-axis robotic arm handles and positions samples to automate the testing process. The sample magazine, with three segments, holds a total of 208 flat samples accessible to the robot, allowing for extended operation times without manual intervention. The intermediate storage and alignment station prepares and aligns the samples before testing. After testing, the samples are sorted into a Eurobox format with two separate ejection chutes for acceptable (OK) and unacceptable (not OK) samples, ensuring efficient sample management.
Measurement Station with Light Band Micrometer
Before testing, each sample’s length, thickness, and width are measured in a high-precision measurement station to ensure they meet required specifications. The light band micrometer then measures the thickness and width of the sample at three points to determine the test cross-section. Additionally, the parallel length, head lengths, and widths can be optionally measured.
Software for Controlling the Automated Testing System
The universal material testing software LabMaster, is exclusively developed by Hegewald & Peschke and tailored to the specific testing requirements. In the automated testing system, it organizes sample management and preparation and controls the testing machine. LabMaster captures and processes measurement data in real-time, generates reports, and ensures quality through plausibility checks and error detection. The software integrates seamlessly into existing systems, supports data import and export, and offers network communication.
The system is operated conveniently via a touch panel, providing a graphical overview and control of system states (start, stop, halt after the cycle, empty run). The test results are evaluated using LabMaster software and can be seamlessly transferred to the customer's system. The automation of the system is separated from the test machine’s evaluation software, allowing independent maintenance of the measurement technology and quick assistance with industrial component maintenance.
Hegewald & Peschke has already built various automated testing systems tailored to specific customer requirements, differing in automation level, load capacity of the universal testing machine, clamping devices, and various measurement systems for the samples.
