A&D RTG Series Universal Tensile Testing Machine

Overview

The A&D RTG Series Universal Tensile Testing Machine is a precision-engineered electromechanical testing system designed for static mechanical property evaluation of metallic, polymeric, composite, and elastomeric materials in R&D laboratories, quality control environments, and contract testing facilities. Based on the fundamental principles of uniaxial force-displacement measurement under controlled strain or load rates, the RTG platform implements closed-loop digital servo control to maintain rigorous adherence to international standard test protocols—including ASTM D638 (tensile properties of plastics), ASTM D3039 (tensile properties of polymer matrix composites), ISO 527, ISO 37, and JIS K 6251. Its Class 1 accuracy per ISO 7500-1 and formal Japanese Metrological Certification (TENSILON Type Approval by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) ensure metrological traceability to national standards. The system integrates a brushless DC servo motor—eliminating carbon dust generation and thermal degradation risks associated with brushed motors—paired with a preloaded, zero-backlash ball screw transmission for exceptional positional fidelity and long-term repeatability.

Key Features

• Class 1 load accuracy (±1% of reading) certified per ISO 7500-1, supported by ORIENTEC high-stability load cells with temperature compensation and low hysteresis.
• Closed-loop microprocessor-controlled drive architecture enabling precise speed regulation from 0.05 to 1000 mm/min (±0.2% speed accuracy), including programmable acceleration/deceleration profiles.
• Real-time data acquisition at 1 ms intervals across up to 13 synchronized analog/digital input channels—enabling concurrent recording of extension, extensometer displacement, environmental sensor outputs (e.g., temperature, humidity), and auxiliary transducer signals.
• Automatic multi-range load cell switching (up to 128 internal ranges) with one-touch auto-calibration—reducing operator dependency and minimizing setup time between test configurations.
• Robust mechanical construction: rigid C-frame design with 420 mm test width and effective crosshead travel spanning 580–775 mm (model-dependent), accommodating both short-gauge and full-length specimen geometries.
• Integrated safety architecture featuring dual mechanical travel limits, electronic overload cutoff, and emergency sampling suspension—fully compliant with IEC 61000-6-2 EMC and ISO 12100 functional safety requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RTG Series accommodates standardized tensile specimens (e.g., ASTM D638 Type I–V, ISO 527-2 1A/1B), compression blocks (ASTM D695), flexural beams (ASTM D790), and peel/adhesion coupons (ASTM D903). Its modular gripping system supports pneumatic, hydraulic, wedge, and vise-type fixtures with quick-change adaptability. All models meet JIS B 7721 (Japanese Industrial Standard for universal testing machines) and are validated against ISO 7500-1 verification procedures. When operated with A&D’s optional GLP-compliant software package, the system satisfies 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail requirements—including electronic signatures, user access levels, change history logging, and immutable raw data archiving—making it suitable for regulated pharmaceutical, medical device, and aerospace component validation.

Software & Data Management

The RTG platform operates with A&D’s proprietary Tensilon Control & Analysis Suite (v5.x), a Windows-based application supporting real-time curve overlay, multi-specimen statistical reporting (mean, SD, CV%, confidence intervals), and automated pass/fail evaluation against user-defined acceptance criteria. Raw data exports to CSV, Excel, and universal XML formats; stress-strain curves comply with ASTM E2309 metadata tagging conventions. Optional touchscreen HMI (10.1″ capacitive LCD) provides intuitive local operation with configurable test templates, graphical diagnostics, and on-screen calibration guidance—eliminating reliance on external PCs for routine qualification tests. Data integrity safeguards include cyclic redundancy checksums, timestamped event logs, and encrypted database storage.

Applications

• Quality assurance of extruded polymer films, injection-molded thermoplastics, and fiber-reinforced composites in automotive and packaging supply chains.
• Mechanical characterization of biomedical polymers (e.g., PEEK, PLA, hydrogels) per ISO 10993-12 and USP mechanical testing guidelines.
• R&D validation of adhesive bond strength, textile yarn tenacity, and rubber compound vulcanization kinetics.
• Calibration reference instrumentation for secondary standards laboratories requiring ISO/IEC 17025-accredited force measurement traceability.
• Educational use in materials science curricula for hands-on instruction in Hooke’s law, yield point determination, modulus calculation, and fracture energy quantification.

FAQ

Does the RTG Series support extensometer integration?
Yes—both clip-on and non-contact video extensometers can be connected via analog voltage output or digital encoder interface; compatibility is verified per ASTM E83 Annex A1.
Is firmware update capability available remotely?
Firmware updates require local USB media installation; no cloud-based remote update functionality is implemented to preserve air-gapped regulatory compliance.
What is the warranty coverage for the brushless servo motor?
A&D provides a 36-month limited warranty on the servo motor assembly, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal laboratory operating conditions.
Can test methods be password-protected to prevent unauthorized modification?
Yes—user roles (Administrator, Technician, Viewer) enforce method editing restrictions, and all parameter changes are logged with operator ID and timestamp.
Is third-party calibration certification included with purchase?
Factory calibration certificates traceable to NMIJ (National Metrology Institute of Japan) are supplied; accredited on-site calibration services are available through A&D’s authorized service partners.