Ball Resiliece Tester

Request a Quote for Soft Material Thickness Gauge

Resilience of polyurethane foam is determined by dropping a metallic sphere on a slab of foam kept on a horizontal surface from a height of 500 mm and finding the height to which it rebounds after striking the surface of foam.

The PROLIFIC Rebound Resilience Tester for polyurethane foam consists of a flat horizontal platform, a vertical acrylic tube in which the sphere is dropped, and a hand operated arrangement to release the sphere from a pre-determined height.

The platform on which the test specimen is kept also forms the base of the equipment. It has four leveling screws to make it horizontal.

The acrylic tube is held over the base with the help of a holding block, which can be moved vertically to adjust the height of the tube to enable test specimens of different thicknesses to be tested. This adjustment is carried out with the help of a screw so that the height of the tube can be precisely set. The tube is held firmly after adjustment so that it does not rock during the test.

The scale used for measurement of the height of rebound is marked on the outer surface of the acrylic tube. It ranges from 10% to 90% of the dropping height.

The metallic sphere is kept in a circular opening in the metallic cover of the acrylic tube. It can be release by pressing a spring-loaded support, which is so designed as to release the sphere without imparting any initial linear or rotary movement to it.

The equipment is finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

TECHNICAL DATA
Diameter of steel sphere	16 mm
Weight of steel sphere	16.3 g
Dropping height	500 mm
Height of test specimen	50 to 150 mm
Inner diameter of acrylic tube	40 mm

RELATED STANDARDS
ASTM D 3574 - 1986	Standard Methods of Testing Flexible Cellular Materials - Slabs, Bonded, and Moulded Urethane Foam
ISO 8307 - 1990	Flexible Cellular Polymeric Materials - Determination of Resilience
JIS K 6400 - 1997	Test Methods for Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Request a Quote for Indentation Hardness Tester

The feel of softness of any flexible foam is quantitatively defined by its indentation hardness. Indentation hardness of foam is determined by pressing a circular indentor at a specified speed against a block of foam and finding the force needed to compress it to a specified percentage of its initial thickness.

The PROLIFIC Indentation Hardness Tester for polyurethane foam consists of a circular indentor which can be pressed against the foam block under test, a motorized arrangement to move the indentor, and a load indicating arrangement to indicate the load being exerted by the indentor on the foam block at any instant.

The indentor is in shape of a circular disc and is mounted on a self-aligning ball bearing to ensure that it sits parallel to the surface of the test specimen. It is mounted at the lower end of a screw, which can be raised or lowered at a specified speed with the help of a motor and worm reduction gearbox. An arrangement to stop the motor at extreme ends of travel of the indentor is provided.

The downwards movement of the indentor is measured with the help of a pre-set type digital displacement meter, which can be set at any desired value to stop the motor automatically at a desired displacement. A linear scale is provided to indicate the gap between the bottom face of the indentor and the loading platform. The indentor can also be moved by hand to apply the initial load.

The load platform is made of cast aluminium and has a large number of holes arranged in a grid for rapid escape of air during compression. It is mounted on shear beam type load cell. A digital load indicator is provided to indicate the load acting on the test specimen.

The equipment is finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome / zinc plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

TECHNICAL DATA
Area of Indentor	323 cm²
Diameter of indentor	202.8 mm
Maximum thickness of test specimen that can be tested	150 mm
Measurement of load	0 - 100 kg x 0.1 kg
Measurement of travel	0 - 150 mm x 1mm
Speed of movement of indentor	150 mm/minute *
Motor	¼ HP single-phase 230 volts AC

RELATED STANDARD
IS 7888 - 1976	Methods of Test for Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Request a Quote for Pounding Tester

The effect of repeated application of pressure on the surface of a slab of polyurethane foam experienced in its normal life is evaluated by simulating these conditions in laboratory by applying and releasing a specified force for a specified number of times, after which the effect of such pounding on the physical characteristics such as hardness index, thickness, and cell structure are observed to evaluate the quality of foam slab.

The PROLIFIC Pounding Tester for polyurethane foam consists of a flat metallic platform for keeping the test specimen on, a circular indentor of specified shape and size which can be repeatedly lifted off and pressed against the foam slab, a motor operated arrangement to give movement to the indentor, and a counter to count the total number of poundings given to the test specimen.

The full force is applied to the specimen by the dead weight of the indentor. Suitable means have been provided to control the time for which the full force is applied. The time for load application shall not be more than 25% of the total duration of each cycle.

The horizontal platform is made from aluminium casting and has a number of holes drilled in it for the air to escape through.

The indentor is circular in shape and has a rounded edge to prevent damage to the test specimen during the test. It is moved along a vertical axis with the help of an eccentric and link arrangement. Movement to the indentor is given through two sets of V-belts and pulleys.

The height of the indentor can be adjusted to ensure that it is just lifted off the top of the test specimen at its highest point. Its movement can be adjusted between 20 and 50 mm. The movement is so adjusted that the indentor rests freely on the test specimen at the lower limit of its travel, thus exerting only the force due to its mass. Provision of over-travel of the rod on which that indentor it mounted ensures that the load does not exceed the specified value during the test.

A five digit pre-set type electronic counter with memory back-up is provided to count the number of poundings given to the test specimen and also to stop the motor after the desired number of poundings.

The equipment is fabricated over a rigid metallic frame and is finished in grey hammertone painting and bright chrome / zinc plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

TECHNICAL DATA
Dimensions of test specimen	380 x 380 x 50 mm
Diameter of indentor	250 ± 1 mm
Number of specimens	One
Radius at edge of indentor	25 ± 1 mm
Movement of indentor	Adjustable between 20 and 50 mm
Mass of indentor assembly	76.45 ± 2 kg (force applied - 750 ± 20 N)
Pounding frequency	70 ± 2 cpm
Motor	½ HP single-phase 230 volts AC

RELATED STANDARDS
ASTM D 3574 - 1986	Standard Methods for Testing Flexible Cellular Materials - Slabs, Bonded, and Moulded Urethane Foams
ISO 3385 - 1989	Flexible Cellular Polymeric Materials - Determination of Fatigue by Constant-Load Pounding
JIS K 6400 - 1997	Test Methods for Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Shear Fatigue Tester

Request a Quote for Shear Fatigue Tester

The ability of polyurethane foam slabs to withstand the effect of repeated compressions is determined with the help of a shear fatigue test. In this test, test specimen in shape of a square block is held over a flat reciprocating platform and is pressed down from the top by a horizontal cylindrical roller inclined at an angle of 15° to the direction of motion of the platform. The platform is moved for a specified number of cycles and the effect of repeated compressions produced on the test specimen is evaluated by finding the change in its thickness and indentation hardness index.

The PROLIFIC Shear Fatigue Tester for polyurethane foam consists of a reciprocating platform on which the test specimen can be held, a cylindrical roller to compress the test specimen, and an arrangement to either produce a constant deflection of the test specimen or to apply a constant load on it.

The reciprocating platform is made of cast aluminium and is moved in a horizontal plane with the help of a motor, worm reduction gearbox, and a link. It moves on four wheels having ball bearings. The wheels run on two metallic rails. The platform has a large number of holes on its upper surface for rapid escape of air during compression. The test specimen is held on the platform with the help of either a double-sided adhesive tape or by holding fabric strips pasted on its ends under two bar shaped grips.

The cylindrical roller is made of stainless steel and rests on the surface of the test specimen. Its axis is inclined at 15° to the direction of motion of the platform. The roller is mounted on two ball bearings and is held on the ends of two levers to permit a hinged vertical movement.

The desired deflection is given by placing dead weights above the cylindrical roller. Test under constant deflection are conducted by restricting the vertical movement of the roller with the help of two adjustable knurled bolts. Tests under constant load are conducted by placing desired dead weights above the roller.

A five digit pre-set type electronic counter with non-volatile memory is provided to record the number of compression of the test specimen and to automatically stop the motor after the desired number of compressions.

The apparatus is finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome / zinc plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

TECHNICAL DATA
Flexing frequency	28 cpm
Movement of platform	330 mm
Dimensions of the roller	75 mm diameter, 460 mm length
Dimensions of test specimen	380 x 380 mm

RELATED SPECIFICATIONS
IS 7888 - 1976	Methods of Test for Flexible Polyurethane Foam
ASTM D 3574 - 1986	Standard Methods of Testing Flexible Cellular Materials - Slab, Bonded, and Moulded Urethane Foams

Request a Quote for Belt Flex Tester

Out-soles of footwear or other flexing components may suffer cracking due to flexing in use. Cracks usually develop at points of high surface strain resulting from the design of the sole pattern, without there are being any cuts due to grit etc. to initiate them.

The belt flex tester is designed to flex complete soles with their patterns intact in a way similar to flexing in actual use. Tests carried out using it provide a guide to the risk of such cracks developing during use.

In this test, test specimens are attached to the outside of a continuous belt, which is driven round two rollers. The larger roller drives the belt, while movement of the belt round the smaller roller provides the main flexing action. The radius of the smaller roller is chosen to make the flexing either more severe or less severe than in actual use.

This form of flexing also copies the wear conditions at each step as it produces a short period of rapid flexing followed by a longer period when the specimen is not being flexed. A normal test consists of a number of flexing runs up to a total of 50,000 flexes, with an examination for cracking at the end of each run.

The PROLIFIC Belt Flex Tester consists of two rollers on which a flat belt moves. The larger roller, which is the driving roller, rotates at a desired speed with the help of an electric motor and V-belt arrangement to give the specified frequency of flexing. The second roller, which is the flexing roller, rotates with the movement of the belt.

The flexing rollers are slightly barreled shaped so as to minimize sideways movement of the belt. A hand wheel is attached to the front end of these rollers to enable the belt to be moved by hand. The equipment is supplied with three flexing rollers, one for normal soles, the second for very flexible soles, and the third for very hard soles.

The distance between the two rollers can be adjusted with the help of a screw arrangement to enable the belt to be mounted over different flexing rollers and to allow for small differences in belt length. This is done by turning a hand wheel on the side of the tester.

The tester is provided with an acrylic front cover and a sheet metal safety guard, which allows adequate circulation of cooling air round the test specimens during the test. The motor can be started only when the acrylic cover is closed.

A six digit pre-set type electronic counter with memory backup and an inductive sensor are provided to record the total numbers of cycles completed by the belt and thus the number of flexes undergone by the test specimens mounted on it. The motor stops automatically on completion of the set number of flexes.

The apparatus is finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome / zinc plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

TECHNICAL DATA
Dimensions of driving roller	220 ± 10 mm diameter, 170 ± 20 mm length
Dimensions of flexing roller for normal soles	90.0 ± 0.5 mm diameter at centre / 87 ± 1.0 mm diameter at ends, 170 ± 20 mm length
for very flexible soles	60.0 ± 0.5 mm diameter at centre / 57 ± 1.0 mm diameter at ends, 170 ± 20 mm length
for very hard soles	120.0 ± 0.5 mm diameter at centre / 117 ± 1.0 mm diameter at ends, 170 ± 20 mm length
Number of flex per minute	90 ± 8 flexes/minute
Motor	¼ HP single-phase 230 volts AC
Counter	Six digit electronic counter with memory back up, inductive sensor, and key reset.

RELATED STANDARD
SATRA PM 133 - 1993	Resistance to Crack Initiation and Growth - Belt Flex Method

Request a Quote for Bennewart Flex Tester

Bennewart flex testing is intended to determine the resistance of a component of material to cut growth during repeated flexing. It can also be used to assess the effect of surface patterns on crack initiation and growth. This test is especially applicable to the outsoles of footwear, but may also be used with certain other flexible components.

The PROLIFIC Bennewart Flex Tester consists of a drive unit comprising of an electric motor with pulleys and belts system to give the desired speed to an eccentric and link mechanism to give an oscillating movement to one of the two grips holding the two ends of test specimens, the other grip being fixed.

The oscillating grip has gun metal bushes, which slides on two hardened and ground bearing steel rods to give it a long working life. Each grip consists of swivable bases pivoted on ball bearings so that the two ends of the test specimens are free to align themselves with the natural contour of the specimen during flexing.

The axis about which the grip bases oscillate lies in the plane of their specimen holding face. A six digit pre-set electronic digital counter counts the numbers of test cycles and also stops the motor after pre-set numbers of test cycles.

The apparatus is finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome / zinc plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

A cutting die for preparation of test specimen from sheet and slitting punch with jig for making initial crack are available as optional accessories.

TECHNICAL DATA
Number of test specimens tested	2 for full sole, 6 for cut test specimens
Angle of flexing	90°
Diameter of bending mandrel	30 mm
Frequency of operation	125 to 150 cycles/minute
Motor	½ HP single-phase 230 volts AC
Counter	Six digit pre-set type digital type with memory backup

RELATED SPECIFICATIONS
DIN 53543 ­ 1979	Testing of Semi Rigid Polyurethane (PUR) Integral Cellular Materials ­ Materials for Soles and Parts of Shoes
SATRA ­ PM 161	Bennewart Flex Test Resistance to Cut Growth on Flexing
IS 15298 (Part 1) -2002	Safety, Protective and Occupational Footwear for
ISO 8782 (Part 1) - 1998)	Professional Use Part 1 : Requirement and Test Method
BS EN 344 - 1993	Requirement and Test Methods for Safety, Protective, and Occupational Footwear for Professional Use

Request a Quote for Shoe Flex Tester

The shoe flex tester is used for determination of the ability of the full shoe to withstand the effect of flexing stresses produced on the different parts of the shoe. Although the various parts like uppers and soles of a shoe are tested separately for flexing endurance with the help of flexometer and Ross flex tester, the shoe flex tester gives results, which are more related to the actual performance of the shoe as a whole.

The PROLIFIC Shoe Flex Tester simulates the effect of actual walking action on the shoe. The test specimen is held rigidly at the toe portion using a suitable toe last and clamp, while the heel portion has a separate last on which the shoe is firmly tied as in actual use.

The upper end of the sslast has an arrangement to connect a suitable link mechanism. The link mechanism is connected to an eccentric pin on a rotating block to give the link a to-and-fro movement. Both the eccentricity of the pin in the block and the length of the link are adjustable to give various angles of deflection of the shoe with respect to the flat portion of the toe, which is rigidly held by the clamp.

Movement to the rotating block is given by means of a motor and two-stage V belt and pulley arrangement. A pre-set type digital counter with key reset and memory backup is provided to record the total number of test cycles and to stop the motor automatically after pre-set number of test cycles.

The apparatus is finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

TECHNICAL DATA
Flexing frequency	140 ± 10 cycles/minute
Maximum angle of flexing of shoe	45°
Number of shoes tested at a time	Two
Motor	¼ HP single-phase 230 volts AC
Timer	Digital timer of range 99.9 s having a resolution of 0.1 s, with three displays and push button controls to indicate various times
Counter	Six digit pre-set type electronic counter

RELATED STANDARDS
SATRA PM92	Resistance of Footwear to Flexing
IS 8085 (Part 2):1999	Method of Test for Footwear (Part 2) Footwear Performance Test, Stiffness Test for Shanks; Lastometer Test for Cracking of Uppers; and Performance Test for Upper Fabrics, Coated Fabrics, Sock Lining and other Lining Materials

Request a Quote for Flexometer

The ability of light leathers and leather-cloth used in manufacture of shoe uppers, gloves, and garments to withstand repeated flexing without cracking is determined with the help of a flexing endurance test.

In this test, test specimens in shape of rectangular pieces are folded and clamped at each end to maintain them in a folded position in a set of grips, one of which is fixed while the other is able to oscillate. The movement of the oscillating grip causes the fold in the test specimen to run along its centre. This operation is carried out repeatedly and the test specimens inspected periodically to assess the damage produced. The equipment used for this test is called as Flexometer.

The PROLIFIC Flexometer is built on a rigid metallic base plate. Test specimens are held between a pair of stationary and oscillating grips. The grips are specially designed to enable quick fixing and removal of test specimens and are shaped to meet the specification of the test.

Motion to the oscillating grips is given through a link mechanism, which oscillates the shaft on which the grips are mounted. All the pivot points of the mechanism have ball bearings to ensure smooth operation and a long working life.

The link mechanism is give motion from an electric motor and two sets of V-pulleys. A six-digit electronic counter with key-reset and backup memory is provided to record the total number of flexing cycles undergone by the test specimens.

The apparatus is finished in bright chrome / zinc plating and grey hammertone stoving painting to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

The standard model of flexometer can test upto six specimens at one time. Special models capable of testing either twelve or twenty-four test specimens at one time can also be offered against specific requirements.

Specimen cutting die and cutting press are also available as optional accessories.

TECHNICAL DATA
Angle of oscillation of grips	22.5° ± 0.5°
Flexing frequency	100 ± 5 cycles/minute
Dimensions of test specimens	70 x 45 mm
Maximum number of test specimen that can be tested at one time	Six, twelve, or twenty-four
Motor	¼ HP single-phase 230 volts AC

RELEVANT SPECIFICATIONS
IS 5914 - 1970	Methods of Physical Testing of Leather LP 19 : Flexing Endurance
BS 3144 - 1968	Methods of Sampling and Physical Testing of Leather Clause 13 : Measurement of the Flexing Endurance of Light Leather and their Surface Finishes
IUP / 20 - 1963	Official Methods of International Union of Leather Chemists' Societies

Request a Quote for Martindale Abrasion Tester

Determination of resistance of any fabric to abrasion is usually carried out by abrading the fabric under specified conditions against a standard abradant. Although plane abrasion of fabric surface does not cover all aspects of strains that are important in determining service life, there are occasions when such a test gives useful information.

One of the standard equipment used for this determination is the Martindale Abrasion Tester. This apparatus gives a controlled amount of abrasion between fabric surfaces at comparatively low pressures in continuously changing direction. Circular specimens of fabric are abraded under known pressures under a motion which is the resultant of two simple harmonic motions at right angle to each other. The resistance to abrasion is estimated by visual appearance or by finding the loss in mass of the specimens.

The PROLIFIC Martindale Abrasion Tester consists of a plate which is give a motion combining two harmonic motions at right angle through three rotating eccentric pegs, four number specimen holders for mounting the fabric under test on, and four number abradant holders against which the test specimens are abraded.

The plate is supported on three oil-lubricated felt discs and has three slots for locating the eccentric pegs in. The pegs are rotated with the help of an electric motor, worm reduction gearbox, and sprockets and chain arrangement such that the central peg is rotating at a slower speed than the two outer pegs, which rotate at the same speed. The movement of the pegs causes the plate to move in two mutually perpendicular directions in simple harmonic motions, thus providing the necessary abrading action.

The test specimens are mounted on flat metallic discs and are backed with a thin layer of polyurethane foam. The shafts of the specimen holders are guided vertically in bushes on the moving plate. Thus the movement of the plate causes the specimen holders to move with the plate, abrading it against the abradant fixed mounted in four holders located below them. The force on the test specimens can be altered by adding or removing dead weights from the specimen holders.

A five digit electronic pre-set counter counts the number of rotation of outer pegs and stops the motor automatically after a pre-set numbers of rotations. Templates for marking the test specimens and abradant, disc weights to keep them flat during fixing, and mounting jig for test specimens are provided as standard accessories.

The various components are mounted on a sturdy fabricated steel base and are finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome or zinc plating to give them a corrosion resistant finish.

TECHNICAL DATA
Maximum number of test specimens that can be tested at a time	Four
Speed of outer pegs	47.5 ± 2 rpm
Ratio of speeds of outer pegs to central peg	32 / 30
Stroke of pegs	60.5 mm
Working area of specimen holder	6.45 cm²
Pressure on test specimens	Pressure on test specimens

RELATED STANDARDS
IS 12673 - 1989	Textile Fabrics - Abrasion Resistance - Methods for Determination
BS Handbook 11	Method of Test for Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics
IS: 15298(Part 1)-2002 (ISO 8782-1 - 1998)	Safety, Protective and Occupational Footwear for Professional Use Part 1 : Requirement & Test Method
BS EN 344 - 1993	Requirement and Test Methods for Safety, Protective, and Occupational Footwear for Professional Use