This year’s testXpo, the international materials testing forum in Germany (13th – 16th October), saw the presentation of version 3.1 which incorporates many new useful and interesting refinements.
testXpert II now features direct export to Excel, with individual spreadsheets for parameters, results, statistics and data points (X – Y graph data). This is simply activated by a mouse click and initialized with typical defaults, although settings can, of course, be customized whenever required. For example, the number of data points to be exported can be freely configured in testXpert II..
The ‘Result Labeling’ function features a user-friendly default setting which, with one mouse click,
allows all required results to be displayed in the specimen graphic with name, value and unit, whilst offering varied options for additional labeling blocks.
The ever-increasing importance of environmental testing (temperature chambers, high-temperature furnaces) in materials testing is reflected in the standard feature which now supports high-temperature furnaces with multiple heating zones. This version also permits freely configurable temperature sequences, and the setting-up of additional temperature stages within the test sequence. Temperature conditioning baths for biomaterials testing etc. can be fully integrated into the test sequence. These freely configurable test sequences under temperature are particularly important for research and development.
testXpert II copes easily with the most demanding control requirements, the ‘Expanded Control’ option allowing quick, easy adjustment of the machine’s drive controller. Using the integrated oscilloscope and setup tools with configurable control parameters allows the set-point, actual value channels to be adjusted for optimum operation making trial and error pre-tests unnecessary.
The integration of external signal conditioning systems and amplifiers such as the HBM MGC+, into testXpert II has been standardized, which means that additional measurement channels can be incorporated into the test sequence (e.g. recording the data from additional strain gauges mounted on the specimen).
The ‘Education Module’ has been specially developed for universities and other educational establishments to help students learn about the fundamental aspects of materials testing. Video-animated test sequences and detailed explanations provide an easily-understood introduction to the subject and an integrated quiz allows students to review their learning. Zwick’s Virtual Testing Machine (VTM) technology allows them to create complete test sequences and execute them in a realistic way, providing a practical test and reinforcing the theoretical knowledge they have gained.