Overall, compression and tension testing of springs are fundamental to ensuring they perform as intended, maintain safety standards, and meet the specific needs of their applications. The main requirements are selected from the following parameters according to the product and test requirements, performance verification, material properties, design validation, safety assurance, quality control, compliance and standards, application specific requirements, lifecycle analysis, as well as economic factors.
The choice of machine depends on the type of spring being tested and the specific parameters required for the test. Universal testing machines (UTMs) are versatile and widely used for compression and tension tests, while torsion testing machines are essential for testing torsion springs. Fatigue testing machines are crucial for evaluating long-term durability, and environmental testing chambers help assess performance under various conditions.
Specialised spring testers and advanced optical measurement systems can provide precise, automated testing capabilities. The latest instruments from Starrett, available in the UK from Market Harborough-based
Optimax Imaging Inspection and Measurement Ltd are classed as UTMs and provide a stable platform for spring testing, also, as they are UTMs they can be used for any of the standard applications that require force testing. There are a choice of test stands, software options, load cells and fixture options, and available capacities are 10,000, 30,000 and 50,000N on the dual column stands and 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000N on the single column stands.