Methods and apparatus to control staging of test specimens. Disclosed example systems to perform automated testing include: a stage configured to secure one or more test specimens; one or more actuators configured to position the stage and the one or more test specimens; a user interface configured to: receive input defining a test sequence of a plurality of points to be tested on the one or more test specimens; display a graphic indicative of positions of the plurality of points on the one or more test specimens and one or more paths to be taken by the stage to traverse the plurality of points during testing of the test sequence; and control circuitry configured to control a test process of the test sequence in accordance with the plurality of points and the one or more paths.

A multiple degree of freedom sample stage or testing assembly including a multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes a plurality of stages including linear, and one or more of rotation or tilt stages configured to position a sample in a plurality of orientations for access or observation by multiple instruments in a clustered volume that confines movement of the multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more clamping assemblies to statically hold the sample in place throughout observation and with the application of force to the sample, for instance by a mechanical testing instrument. Further, the multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more cross roller bearing assemblies that substantially eliminate mechanical tolerance between elements of one or more stages in directions orthogonal to a moving axis of the respective stages.

A method for operating a pallet positioning station for positioning a pallet to be impacted by a pallet impact station is provided. The pallet positioning station includes a pallet push arm assembly adjacent the pallet impact station. The pallet push arm assembly includes a pallet push arm movable between a retracted position and a pallet positioning position. The method includes moving the pallet push arm to the retracted position to receive the pallet for positioning, and moving the pallet push arm to the pallet positioning position to position the pallet towards the pallet impact station for impact.

A pallet positioning station for positioning a pallet to be impacted by a pallet impact station includes a pallet push arm assembly adjacent the pallet impact station. The pallet push arm assembly includes a pallet push arm movable between a retracted position and a pallet positioning position. A controller is configured to move the pallet push arm to the retracted positions to receive the pallet for positioning, and move the pallet push arm to the pallet positioning position to position the pallet towards the pallet impact station for impact.

A pallet positioning station for positioning a pallet to be impacted by a pallet impact station includes a frame, and a pallet lift assembly carried by the frame. The pallet lift assembly includes a lift grate moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A pallet push arm assembly is carried by the frame and includes a pallet push arm movable between a retracted position and a pallet positioning position. A controller is configured to move the pallet push arm and the lift grate to the retracted positions to receive the pallet for positioning, and move the lift grate to the extended position when the pallet is to be positioned for impact by the pallet impact station. The controller is further configured to move the pallet push arm to the pallet positioning position to move the pallet towards the pallet impact station until the pallet is aligned with an impact reference plane.

A method for operating a pallet positioning station for positioning a pallet to be impacted by a pallet impact station is provided. The pallet positioning station includes a frame adjacent the pallet impact station, a pallet lift assembly carried by the frame that includes a lift grate moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a pallet push arm assembly carried by the frame that includes a pallet push arm movable between a retracted position and a pallet positioning position. The method includes moving the pallet push arm and the lift grate to the retracted positions to receive the pallet for positioning, moving the lift grate to the extended position when the pallet is to be positioned for impact by the pallet impact station, and moving the pallet push arm to the pallet positioning position to position the pallet towards the pallet impact station until the pallet is aligned with an impact reference plane.

A method and system for analyzing a physical characteristic of a film sample are described herein. The system may include a material holder system configured to hold the film sample. The system may include a tensile testing system configured to stretch the film sample and determine a physical characteristic of the film sample. The system may include a movable system coupled to the material holder system and configured to move the held film sample to be analyzed or tested between stations. The movable system is configured to move the held film sample in the material holder system to the tensile testing system.

A method and a system for analyzing a physical characteristic of a film sample are described herein. The system includes a material holder system configured to hold the film sample; and a tear analysis device configured to tear the film sample and measure a characteristic of the tear. The movable system is configured to move the film sample in the material holder system to the tear analysis device.

A multiple degree of freedom sample stage or testing assembly including a multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes a plurality of stages including linear, and one or more of rotation or tilt stages configured to position a sample in a plurality of orientations for access or observation by multiple instruments in a clustered volume that confines movement of the multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more clamping assemblies to statically hold the sample in place throughout observation and with the application of force to the sample, for instance by a mechanical testing instrument. Further, the multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more cross roller bearing assemblies that substantially eliminate mechanical tolerance between elements of one or more stages in directions orthogonal to a moving axis of the respective stages.

A device and a method for testing tablets are disclosed. The device for testing tablets includes a test chamber, which has a crusher jaw and, lying opposite the latter, a counter-jaw. The device has a movable sheet metal strip, which is designed to position a tablet for testing. The longitudinal axis of the movable sheet metal strip is at an angle of less than 90 to the longitudinal axis of the direction of movement of the crusher jaw, and the direction of movement of the sheet metal strip corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the sheet metal strip.