Shimadzu EZ-Test Series Desktop Single-Column Universal Testing Machine

Overview

The Shimadzu EZ-Test Series is a precision-engineered desktop single-column universal testing machine designed for high-reproducibility mechanical characterization of low-to-medium force materials and components. Operating on the principle of electromechanical force application and displacement-controlled actuation, the system delivers calibrated tensile, compression, flexural, peel, shear, and relaxation testing under ISO 6892-1, ASTM D638, ASTM D790, ASTM F88, and USP compliant conditions. Its compact footprint and modular architecture make it ideal for quality control laboratories, R&D facilities, and regulatory-compliant production environments where space constraints and traceable mechanical data are critical. Unlike floor-standing systems, the EZ-Test series integrates load cell feedback, closed-loop speed control, and real-time displacement monitoring within a rigid aluminum frame—ensuring minimal frame compliance and consistent strain-rate fidelity across the full operational range.

Key Features

• Single-column structural design optimized for benchtop deployment in ISO Class 7 cleanrooms or regulated QC labs—occupies less than 0.3 m² footprint.
• Wide dynamic test speed range: 0.001 mm/min (quasi-static creep/relaxation) to 2000 mm/min (high-speed peel or impact-simulated detachment), programmable in 0.001 mm/min increments with ±0.1% speed stability.
• High-speed return-to-origin function reduces inter-test downtime by up to 70%, enabling batch testing of >50 specimens per shift without manual repositioning.
• Interchangeable load cell modules (1 N to 5 kN full-scale) with automatic recognition and digital calibration coefficient storage—eliminates recalibration when swapping sensors.
• Integrated overload protection, emergency stop circuitry, and dual-limit switch positioning conforming to IEC 61000-6-2 EMC and ISO 12100 functional safety standards.
• Modular fixture interface (M6 threaded posts + T-slot base) supporting Shimadzu’s certified grips—including pneumatic film clamps, texture analysis probes, pharmaceutical blister peel fixtures, and micro-weld strength testers.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The EZ-Test platform accommodates diverse specimen geometries—from sub-millimeter polymer films (e.g., PET, PTFE, ALU-laminates) and pharmaceutical blister packs to elastomeric gaskets, medical device adhesives, and surface-mount electronic connectors. It supports standardized test configurations per ISO 1133 (melt flow index correlation), ASTM D882 (thin plastic sheet tensile), ASTM D3330 (pressure-sensitive tape peel), and JP XVII (Japanese Pharmacopoeia packaging integrity protocols). All hardware and firmware comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements for testing laboratories, and optional audit-trail-enabled software satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic record and signature mandates when deployed in GMP/GLP-regulated settings.

Software & Data Management

TruTest™ v5.2 software (included) provides intuitive test method scripting, real-time stress-strain curve overlay, multi-curve statistical comparison (mean ± SD, CV%), and automated report generation in PDF/A-1b or Excel (.xlsx) formats. Raw data export includes timestamped force (N), displacement (mm), time (s), and calculated modulus (MPa), elongation (%), and energy-to-break (J). The software maintains full version history, user-access logs, and electronic signatures for each test sequence—enabling full traceability from raw acquisition to final certificate. Optional network licensing supports centralized method library management across multiple EZ-Test units in distributed lab networks.

Applications

• Mechanical evaluation of food texture profiles (e.g., gel hardness, cracker fracture force, confectionery chewiness) per AACC Method 74-09 and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) guidelines.
• Package integrity validation for sterile barrier systems—including peel strength of medical pouches, burst pressure of blister cavities, and seal integrity of cold-form foil laminates.
• Reliability screening of microelectronics: solder joint shear strength, wire bond pull-off force, flex circuit delamination resistance, and connector mating/unmating force profiling.
• Time-dependent behavior analysis: stress relaxation of hydrogels, creep compliance of thermoplastic elastomers, and viscoelastic recovery of pressure-sensitive adhesives.
• Regulatory submission support: generating mechanically robust datasets for ISO 10993-12 biocompatibility assessments and ASTM F1980 accelerated aging correlation studies.

FAQ

What load cell options are available for the EZ-Test series, and how are they calibrated?
Shimadzu offers factory-calibrated load cells ranging from 1 N to 5 kN. Each sensor contains embedded EEPROM storing its unique calibration coefficients, which are auto-read upon installation. Calibration certificates (traceable to NMIJ/JCSS) are supplied with every unit.
Can the EZ-Test perform constant-load or constant-strain-rate tests required for ISO 6892-1 Annex G?
Yes—the system supports both displacement-controlled (strain-rate mode) and load-controlled (stress-rate mode) testing via TruTest™ scripting. Closed-loop PID regulation ensures deviation ≤±0.5% of setpoint during ramp-hold sequences.
Is the software compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 for pharmaceutical applications?
When configured with User Access Control, Electronic Signatures, and Audit Trail modules, TruTest™ v5.2 meets all technical and procedural requirements for Part 11 compliance in FDA-regulated environments.
What is the maximum specimen height accommodated by the EZ-LX model?
With standard crosshead configuration, the EZ-LX supports specimens up to 920 mm in height; optional extended-height columns increase this to 1200 mm while maintaining ±0.01 mm position resolution.
Does Shimadzu provide application-specific fixtures for medical device testing?
Yes—certified fixtures include ISO 8536-4 syringe plunger force testers, ISO 11608-3 needle attachment strength rigs, and ASTM F1877-20 balloon catheter burst fixtures, all supplied with dimensional verification reports.