SABIC Innovative Plastics, formerly GE Plastics, in Bergen op Zoom in the Netherlands has a highly automated laboratory with state-of-the-art-testing equipment. Their relationship with Zwick spans many years and they are well used to the benefits of robotic testing technology.

High throughput, reduction of personnel costs, removal of operator influences, combined with fast, accurate and repeatable test results, allows them to carry out unmanned tensile, bending and pendulum impact tests.

In 2006, when it became necessary to do large numbers of high speed impact testing on plastics SABIC once again looked to Zwick for the solution.  The result was a six-axis robot system which transports the circular specimens from a magazine and, depending on the required test procedure; the specimen is either loaded into the testing machine, or first placed in a special temperature chamber.  This chamber consists of a carousel with eighty slots to hold each specimen.

Once the specimens are loaded into the impact tester the instrumented plunger hits them with a speed of up to 12 meters per second.  Material properties are then determined directly from the force-time diagram.  In addition the specimen remains are photographed for visual examination later.

So when you want to make an impact with your test material, choose Zwick. 

About SABIC:
SABIC Innovative Plastics is a world leader in providing engineering thermoplastic material solutions. In more than 60 countries worldwide, they help redefine the way OEMs design -- from concept to reality.

Image: The Zwick robotic system places a specimen into the impact testing machine.

For more information contact Zwick at

info@zwickroell.eu