Chatillon CS2Plus Digital Force Testing Machine

Overview

The Chatillon CS2Plus Digital Force Testing Machine is an electromechanical universal testing system engineered for precision force measurement and controlled mechanical deformation analysis in production, quality control, and R&D environments. Built upon the proven architecture of the CS2 platform, the CS2Plus integrates high-fidelity load cell technology, closed-loop motorized crosshead control, and real-time data acquisition to deliver repeatable, traceable, and standards-compliant mechanical property characterization. Its operating principle relies on servo-controlled axial displacement with simultaneous high-speed digital force and position feedback—enabling accurate determination of tensile strength, compressive yield, flexural modulus, shear resistance, and spring rate across a broad spectrum of non-metallic and semi-rigid materials. Designed for ISO 17025-aligned laboratories and GMP-regulated manufacturing settings, the CS2Plus supports method validation, instrument qualification (IQ/OQ), and audit-ready data integrity per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when configured with electronic signature and audit trail modules.

Key Features

• Integrated 13″ hybrid touchscreen console with capacitive multi-touch and stylus support—enabling intuitive test setup, live graphing, and on-device report generation without external PC dependency
• High-resolution force measurement with dual-accuracy options: standard ±0.25% full-scale (FS) or enhanced ±0.1% FS calibration traceable to NIST or DKD-certified standards
• Motor-driven crosshead with 800 mm travel range and ≤1% speed accuracy across 0.001–2000 mm/min—supporting quasi-static to dynamic loading profiles
• Real-time data acquisition at 1000 kHz sampling rate, ensuring capture of transient mechanical events such as fracture initiation, stick-slip behavior, or viscoelastic relaxation peaks
• Onboard test programming engine supporting multi-stage sequences: limit-based triggers (force, displacement, time), cyclic loading, break detection, ramp-hold-relax protocols, and custom-defined step logic
• Self-contained architecture—no proprietary software licenses, no third-party drivers, and no OS-level dependencies; firmware updates delivered via USB or network

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CS2Plus is validated for routine mechanical testing of polymeric films, elastomeric seals, blister packaging, pharmaceutical tablet coatings, cosmetic applicators, printed circuit board substrates, wood veneers, and adhesive tapes. It complies with core international test standards including ASTM D638 (tensile properties of plastics), ASTM D790 (flexural properties), ISO 1133 (melt flow index auxiliary compression), USP (container closure integrity—compression seal evaluation), and ISO 1421 (tensile strength of coated fabrics). All force transducers are factory-calibrated per ISO 376 Class 0.5 or better, and displacement encoders meet ISO 7500-1 Class 1 accuracy criteria. The system supports GLP/GMP documentation workflows through configurable metadata fields (operator ID, sample ID, batch number, environmental conditions) and timestamped digital signatures.

Software & Data Management

Test configuration, execution, and reporting occur natively within the embedded Linux-based OS. Each test generates a structured dataset containing raw time-force-displacement arrays, statistical summaries (mean, SD, CV%, max/min/median), and annotated stress-strain curves. Results export automatically via RS232 to LIMS or MES systems—or manually to USB storage in CSV (for Excel/SPC integration) and password-protected PDF (with embedded digital signature and revision history). Audit trail functionality logs all user actions—including parameter changes, calibration events, and report modifications—with immutable timestamps and operator authentication. Optional Ethernet connectivity enables remote monitoring, centralized firmware deployment, and integration with enterprise document management systems compliant with ISO 13485 or IATF 16949.

Applications

• Tensile testing of medical device tubing (ISO 5840-3), suture materials (ISO 10555), and hydrogel wound dressings
• Compression evaluation of pharmaceutical tablets (USP ) and lyophilized cake structural integrity
• Peel adhesion quantification of pressure-sensitive labels per ASTM D903 and FINAT FTM 1
• Flexural stiffness assessment of biodegradable packaging films (ASTM D790) and corrugated cardboard (ISO 3035)
• Shear strength validation of thermal interface materials (TIMs) used in electronics cooling assemblies
• Breakaway torque simulation for child-resistant closures (ASTM D3475) and actuator button force profiling

FAQ

Is the CS2Plus compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and signatures?
Yes—when equipped with the optional Audit Trail & e-Signature module, the CS2Plus provides role-based access control, electronic signatures with biometric or token-based authentication, and immutable audit logs meeting Part 11 Subpart B requirements.
Can the CS2Plus perform cyclic fatigue testing?
Yes—the onboard test sequencer supports programmable load/displacement cycling up to 100,000 cycles with real-time cycle counting, amplitude tracking, and failure detection based on force decay or displacement drift thresholds.
What calibration standards does Chatillon provide for the CS2Plus?
Each unit ships with a DKD-accredited calibration certificate covering the full force range (0–5 kN) and displacement axis, traceable to national metrology institutes. Annual recalibration services include uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025.
Does the system support third-party grips or fixtures?
Yes—standard M6 and 1/4″-20 threaded mounting interfaces enable compatibility with ISO/ASTM-compliant grips from Tinius Olsen, MTS, or custom-engineered fixtures for specialized geometries.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption?
The CS2Plus features non-volatile memory that preserves active test buffers and configuration files during unexpected shutdown; resumed tests retain original timestamps and metadata without data loss.