Utilizing a load generated by a non-linear spring, a spring constant of which increases as an amount of deformation increases, a measuring apparatus presses an indenter against a material surface and evaluates material characteristics. The measuring apparatus includes: an actuator that causes the non-linear spring to deform; a scale that measures the amount of deformation of the non-linear spring when the non-linear spring is deformed; and a controller that stores non-linear spring characteristic data for reciprocally calculating the amount of deformation and the load, and that drives the actuator based on the amount of deformation and the non-linear spring characteristic data such that the load reaches a target load.

A method for testing a helmet for effectiveness of user protection includes moving a load along a predetermined path, supporting a target body at an impact location in the predetermined path, the target body including a head model and a helmet disposed on the head model, and impacting the target body with a force generated by the moving of the load. The impacting of the target body entails contacting the target body with an impactor free to move perpendicularly and tangentially relative to a surface of the target body. The supporting of the target body is at least reduced, if not eliminated, before or during the impact of the impactor with the target body at the location. Forces generated are automatically measured or sensed during the impact of the impactor with the target body at the location.

An impact test device includes a control rail and a carriage assembly moveable along the control rail in a plurality of directions including a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The carriage assembly includes a catch configured to engage the control rail to control movement of the carriage assembly. Movement of the carriage assembly in the first direction urges the catch to disengage from the control rail, and movement of the carriage assembly in the second direction urges the catch to engage the control rail.

A device for nondestructive viscoelastic characterization of materials, comprising: a tubular shell, having inside a through-recess provided with at least a first and a second shrinkage; a first rod, provided with a base of ferromagnetic material (8), sliding inside said shell between a first position, in which said ferrule does not project to the lower base of said shell, and a second position, in which said ferrule projects to said lower base; a first spring configured to push said ferrule outwards; a displacement sensor configured to read the displacement of said first rod; a button, sliding between a stroke greater than the one of said first rod, and integral to a second rod provided with a magnet and coaxial to said first rod; a second spring.

A linear and rotary shock-testing machine including: a base; a shaft rotatably and translationally movable relative to the base; a test disc for holding one or more specimens to be tested, the test disc being rotatable with the shaft; one of a cam and cam follower fixed relative to the base; and an other of the cam and cam follower fixed to the test disc, wherein the shaft being driven to provide a rotational shock to the one or more test specimens; and the cam is shaped such that the cam follower follows the cam to urge the test disc into a translational motion while rotating to provide translational shock to the one or more specimens.

A method for testing a helmet for effectiveness of user protection includes moving a load along a predetermined path, supporting a target body at an impact location in the predetermined path, the target body including a head model and a helmet disposed on the head model, and impacting the target body with a force generated by the moving of the load. The impacting of the target body entails contacting the target body with an impactor free to move perpendicularly and tangentially relative to a surface of the target body. The supporting of the target body is at least reduced, if not eliminated, before or during the impact of the impactor with the target body at the location. Forces generated are automatically measured or sensed during the impact of the impactor with the target body at the location.

Novel markers that can be attached physically to a tensile specimen with a center guide to allow for measuring correct strain, as well as a binder that fixes and holds a pin guide to its location on the specimen during the test.

A test force generating spring that is interposed between an indenter shaft provided with an indenter at a distal end and a press that linearly displaces the indenter shaft toward a sample stage so as to press the indenter into a surface of a sample is configured as an annular spring having left/right symmetry, the annular spring including a left/right pair of through-holes that are formed running from one side surface of a substantially rectangular metal block to another side surface on a rear side of the block and a slit that is formed so as to connect the pair of through-holes. With this configuration, a highly accurate test force can be generated and a hardness test can be favorably performed by a hardness tester.

The present invention is directed to an automatic impact inducing device for inducing an impact on an object wherein, in particular on a machine tool.

A rotary shock-testing machine including: a base; a first shaft rotatable relative to the base, the first shaft being driven to rotate; a first wheel rotatable with the first shaft; a second shaft rotatable relative to the base; a second wheel rotatable with a first portion of the second shaft; and a test disc for holding one or more specimens to be tested, the test disc being rotatable with a second portion of the second shaft; wherein the first and second wheels are aligned with each other such that the second wheel is driven by the first wheel when a material is introduced into a gap between a surface of the first wheel and a corresponding surface of the second wheel.