ElectroForce® Extended Stroke Test Instruments

Bose has introduced two long-stroke test systems: the ElectroForce® 3200-ES (Extended Stroke) Series III test instrument and the ElectroForce LM1-ES TestBench test instrument. These offerings significantly extend the range of testing capability, delivering high frequency, dynamic testing with more than 160 mm of displacement for creep/pull-to-failure test protocols in one instrument.

The ElectroForce ES instruments combine two electromagnetic linear motor technologies to increase the range of displacement available on the ElectroForce 3200 system and the LM1 TestBench system by more than a factor of 10.  The extra displacement is beneficial for biomaterials and tissue testing applications, including tendons, ligaments and skin in which high strain is often expected.  In addition, there are many traditional material testing applications involving polymers, elastomers, and thin films for which this long-stroke capability is also required.

The extended stroke electromagnetic motor is mounted in the moving crosshead of a 3200 test frame and opposes the ElectroForce LM1 motor or, in the TestBench configuration, it can be mounted on a TestBench reaction base and oppose the ElectroForce LM1 powerhead.  The ES motor can be used in conjunction with the ElectroForce motor or independently, depending on the application. When used with the LM1 motor, it can be used for high frequency cyclic creep tests in which the LM1 motor would apply a cyclic force to the sample and the ES motor would then compensate for elongation that occurs during the test.  When used independently, the ES motor can apply a displacement/force rate controlled test to a pre-specified level or to specimen failure.

The ES test instruments, combining high-frequency dynamic testing and creep/pull-to-failure capabilities in a single test instrument, are available in a variety of configurations.  In addition, customers using earlier versions of the ElectroForce 3200 and LM1 TestBench instruments can upgrade to the new range of displacement.