A hardness tester includes an image acquirer (controller) acquiring an image of a surface (surface image) of a sample captured by an image capturer, an identifier (controller) identifying, based on the surface image of the sample, a non-conformity region inside the image that is unsuitable for the hardness test using predetermined conditions, and a test position definer (controller) defining a test position in an area outside the non-conformity region identified by the identifier.

A hardness tester includes an image acquirer (controller) acquiring an image of a surface (surface image) of a sample captured by an image capturer, an identifier (controller) identifying, based on the surface image of the sample, a non-conformity region inside the image that is unsuitable for the hardness test using predetermined conditions, and a test position definer (controller) defining a test position in an area outside the non-conformity region identified by the identifier.

A method for determining hardness of a material by implementing 3D imaging is proposed. The imaging provides database of points on the 3D imprint in an orthogonal X-Y-Z coordinate system. An imaginary image of the imprint is formed by finding a plurality of intersection points obtained by intersecting the imprint image in X-Y plane with the X-Z plane movable in the Y-axis direction for obtaining a plurality of points of intersection that lay in the X-Y plane. Statistical processing of the plurality of the points of intersection makes it possible to form imaginary image of the imprint in the X-Y plane and to use the reference dimension of the obtained imaginary image as a parameter for insertion into the hardness calculation formula.

A method for determining hardness of a material by implementing 3D imaging is proposed. The imaging provides database of points on the 3D imprint in an orthogonal X-Y-Z coordinate system. An imaginary image of the imprint is formed by finding a plurality of intersection points obtained by intersecting the imprint image in X-Y plane with the X-Z plane movable in the Y-axis direction for obtaining a plurality of points of intersection that lay in the X-Y plane. Statistical processing of the plurality of the points of intersection makes it possible to form imaginary image of the imprint in the X-Y plane and to use the reference dimension of the obtained imaginary image as a parameter for insertion into the hardness calculation formula.

A test method for characterizing the mechanical properties including the surface adhesion energy γ on the basis of the experimentally derived P-A relationship, where P means the indentation load under the penetration depth h of an indenter pressed onto a test specimen with surface adhesion, and A means the contact area of indentation at the contact radius a under the applied load of P. This test method enables the implementation for quantitatively as well as simultaneously characterizing the adhesion energy as well as the various mechanical properties (elastic/elastoplastic/viscoelastic properties) of soft materials.

A test method for characterizing the mechanical properties including the surface adhesion energy γ on the basis of the experimentally derived P-A relationship, where P means the indentation load under the penetration depth h of an indenter pressed onto a test specimen with surface adhesion, and A means the contact area of indentation at the contact radius a under the applied load of P. This test method enables the implementation for quantitatively as well as simultaneously characterizing the adhesion energy as well as the various mechanical properties (elastic/elastoplastic/viscoelastic properties) of soft materials.

A system for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress includes a first indentation means and a second indentation means, and means for urging the first indentation means and the second indentation means into the mattress with a predetermined force, and also includes laser means for projecting a laser line configured to map, preferably by photographic triangulation, the amplitude, shape, and time-dependency of the resultant deflection of the mattress surface between the first indentation means and the second indentation means. A method for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress is also provided.

A system for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress includes a first indentation means and a second indentation means, and means for urging the first indentation means and the second indentation means into the mattress with a predetermined force, and also includes laser means for projecting a laser line configured to map, preferably by photographic triangulation, the amplitude, shape, and time-dependency of the resultant deflection of the mattress surface between the first indentation means and the second indentation means. A method for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress is also provided.

A system comprising a testing device comprising: a probe configured to be advanced to engage a produce item positioned in relation to the testing device, and at least one sensor configured to measure a resisting force by the produce item to the advancing; at least one hardware processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions, the program instructions executable by the at least one hardware processor to: operate the testing device to continuously advance the probe to engage a surface of the produce item while measuring the resisting force, discontinue the advancing when the resisting force ceases to increase as a result of the advancing, and determine a highest resisting force measured during the advancing, wherein the highest resisting force is indicative of a firmness value of the produce item.

A system comprising a testing device comprising: a probe configured to be advanced to engage a produce item positioned in relation to the testing device, and at least one sensor configured to measure a resisting force by the produce item to the advancing; at least one hardware processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions, the program instructions executable by the at least one hardware processor to: operate the testing device to continuously advance the probe to engage a surface of the produce item while measuring the resisting force, discontinue the advancing when the resisting force ceases to increase as a result of the advancing, and determine a highest resisting force measured during the advancing, wherein the highest resisting force is indicative of a firmness value of the produce item.