AKRON—Smithers has added a new universal testing machine for use in the materials physical testing laboratory in its home city of Akron.
The machine, known as an Instron 5985 Universal Testing System, expands Smithers' capabilities for tensile, compression, bend, peel, shear and cyclic evaluations.
It maintains a load capacity up to 250kN and a vertical space of 56.3 inches.
"At Smithers, we are committed to expanding our testing capabilities alongside the growing needs of our clients and providing accurate data, on time, with high touch, which is why we invested in this upgraded Instron testing machine," Jeff Marek, Smithers test engineer and lab supervisor for physical testing, said in a statement. "With this machine, we can offer physical testing services for carbon fiber composites, metals and other high-strength composites and materials."
As industries use stronger, lighter weight and heat-resistant composites in a range of applications, Smithers had to adapt its testing capabilities.
"Our in-house team can support the research and development and validation testing work our clients will require to incorporate composites into their manufacturing processes," Critt Ohlemacher, senior materials scientist for Smithers, said in a news release.
Smithers, which conducts a range of testing services for a number of industries including elastomer, hose, tire and medical, shares space with its analytical and product testing laboratories in Akron and has other facilities in England and Asia.
