Zwick has produced a fully automatic testing system which minimizes operator influence while helping to keep testing costs down. It covers classical hardness testing in the low-load range, i.e. Vickers, Knoop and Brinell methods from HV0.1 to HBW31.25.

The system is equipped with a high-accuracy load cell from Zwick’s Xforce HP range and proprietary testControl electronics, ensuring quick, precise test load application. Control and data evaluation is carried out using testXpert^® software. The hardness tester has been designed as a ‘top-loader’, with a test area height of at least 700 mm, with the additional benefit that the specimen does not have to be raised during the test process as with traditional hardness testers. The microscope is equipped with a motorized turret for the indentor and up to 4 lenses, ensuring that magnifications required by the wide range of applications are available.

The system is primarily designed for automated hardness testing for determination of case-hardening depth (CHD) to EN ISO 2639, effective depth of hardening (DS) to EN 10328, nitriding depth (Nht) to DIN 50190-3 and weld seam tests on steel pipes to EN 10208. The range of application covers metals (steel producers, steel suppliers, hardening shops), automotive, aerospace, universities, official bodies and authorities as well as medical technology (ceramics and dental materials).

Configuring and referencing the microscope turret ensures that the lens and indenter settings performed in the software are automatically applied to the hardness tester.

For automated tests on welded seams, hardness traverse tests have been expanded in accordance with the application. Shallow, central or any other paths can be implemented simply by providing a reference point and the corresponding offset per specimen – for one or several specimens, with various lens magnifications used to check the indentation positions and measure the indentations.  The entire test sequence from the first indention to the last is performed fully automatically via testXpert^® software.