Safety systems and material testing systems including safety systems are disclosed. An example material testing system includes: an actuator configured to control an operator-accessible component of the material testing system; an actuator disabling circuit configured to disable the actuator; and one or more processors configured to: control the actuator based on a material testing process; monitor a plurality of inputs associated with operation of the material testing system; determine, based on the plurality of inputs and the material testing process, a state of the material testing system from a plurality of predetermined states, the predetermined states comprising one or more unrestricted states and one or more restricted states; and control the actuator disabling circuit based on the determined state.

An example material testing system includes: a crosshead configured to be actuated to transfer testing force to a test specimen during a material test; an actuator configured to actuate the crosshead and to apply the testing force to the crosshead; a force sensor configured to measure force applied by the crosshead to the specimen; and a control processor configured to: determine a reference force range based on a first force measurement from the force sensor in response to initiation of movement of the crosshead; and in response to a second force measurement by the force sensor that is outside of the reference force range, controlling the actuator to apply a braking force to the crosshead.

Safety systems and material testing systems including safety systems are disclosed. An example material testing system includes: at least one actuator configured to control one or more operator-accessible components of the material testing system; an actuator disabling circuit configured to disable the at least one actuator; and one or more processors configured to: control the at least one actuator based on a material testing process; monitor a plurality of inputs associated with operation of the material testing system; determine, based on the plurality of inputs and the material testing process, a state of the material testing system from a plurality of predetermined states, the predetermined states comprising one or more unrestricted states and one or more restricted states; and control the actuator disabling circuit based on the determined state.

The present disclosure provides an electro-mechanical fuse-type configuration built into the probe that contacts the specimen during materials testing. The design includes an internal pre-loaded compression spring and an electrical contact switch. The coil spring preloaded to the desired safety load results in the probe assembly directly passing the load from the probe tip to the load cell for loads under the point where the spring additionally compresses. Upon deflection of the spring in excess of safety preload, the spring internally compresses within the probe coupling rather than the probe tip continuing to displace into the specimen, thereby switching the state of the electrical contact switch and stopping operation of the materials testing device. In a further configuration, excessive travel of the load cell coupling is detected, and, in response, operation of the materials testing device is stopped.

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.

An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a material testing system, comprising: a material testing apparatus configured to receive an electrical supply, wherein the material testing apparatus comprises: guide means; sample holding means configured for holding a sample; force means configured for applying force to the sample; a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; wherein the material testing system comprises a three phase switched-mode power supply unit arranged to provide the electrical supply to the material testing apparatus.

An example material testing apparatus (100) includes: guide means (110); sample test means (120) for holding a sample (130) and applying a test force to the sample (130); a crosshead (150) arranged to support at least a portion the sample test means (120), wherein the crosshead (150) is moveable about the guide means (110); crosshead drive means (180) for moving the crosshead (150) generally vertically about the guide means (110), wherein the crosshead drive means (180) is driven by an electric machine (302) in a driving configuration; and a controller (170) arranged to: configure the electric machine (302) into the driving configuration; control the crosshead drive means (180) to move the crosshead (150) generally vertically about the guide means (110); and configure the electric machine (302) into a braking configuration, wherein in the braking configuration a winding of the electric machine (302) is connected together with a low resistance connection.

A hardness tester includes an indenter, an arm and a driver which loads a test force onto the indenter and press the indenter against a sample, a spring displacement amount sensor detecting a value for the test force loaded onto the indenter, and a controller. In a state where a predetermined test force (total test force) is loaded onto the indenter by the driver, when the value of the test force detected by the spring displacement amount sensor exceeds a predefined allowable margin relative to the predetermined test force, the controller executes predetermined processes, including an interrupt process interrupting the test currently being executed and a notification process notifying a user that the value of the test force exceeded the allowable margin during execution of the test.