EXPERIMENT NO.

1
PHYSICAL STUDY OF UNIVERSAL TESTING MACHINE

Objectives:

 To familiarize on the different parts and operation of the Universal Testing Machine.

Discussion of Principles:

It is necessary to have knowledge of mechanical properties of engineering materials in order to

use in design, fabrication and construction. These are properties determined in the testing laboratory
under fixed rules of procedure which given the art of mechanical testing in which all of the variables
affecting a given property are controlled and the property in question is measured under fixed
conditions.

UTM is a testing machine that determines the behavior of materials under the application of
external force. The external force given by UTM contains three main elements namely: loading unit,
control measuring unit and hydraulic unit for loading.

UTM is a state-of-the art hydraulic system where it is developed as a new model nowadays
based on the latest mechanical-electronics system (mechatronics). It performs the tension, transverse
and bending tests on metallic materials. It is also used in compression of wood, ceramics and
concrete.

The machine's hydraulic loading system has a wide control range of loading speeds and
permits smooth loading. An electro hydraulic servo valve precisely controls the flow rate of
pressurized oil pump to pump out the feeding oil into the loading cylinder.

When a load applied on a specimen it is being detected by a change in oil pressure in the
loading cylinder, it is then translated into a voltage signal by a high-precision pressure cell and high-
performance amplifier. This analog signal is then converted into a digital signal, which is then
computed in terms of the full scale. The load measuring system provides both the digital and analog
displays of the applied load in the unit of kN.

The automatic load control unit excels in ease of operation. It incorporates a microprocessor to
control the closed-loop-system electrohydraulic servo valve for accurate and efficient load control in
metal-tension testing specified in American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM), and others, as
well as for constant-speed regulation of ram stroke, load, and strain.
Related Research:

The UTM can perform high-capacity tension, compression, bend, flexure, and shear testing
which in accord with the relative requirements of ISO, ASTM, BS, EN, GB, JIS, and many other
national testing methods. Interchangeable fixture design to meet requirements of different specimen
materials and test type. [3]

Universal testing machine (UTM) is called so because of the versatility of its application. The
following tests can be performed with it:-

1. Tension Test.

2. Compression Test.

3. Bending Test.

4. Hardness Test. [4]

List of Apparatus:

 Shimadzu Universal Testing Machine UH-A-C Series, Computer Controlled Hydraulic Servo
System.

 Apple iPhone 4S 16GB (used as camera for observation of the UTM)

Procedures:

1. Observe the UTM and its components.

2. Take photos of the parts of the UTM.
3. Sketch the machine.
4. Label the parts of the machine.
5. Give the functions of each single part.
6. Enumerate the uses of Universal Testing Machine.
I. Drawing (Data Sheet):
II. Functions of the parts of the UTM:
 Universal Testing Machine

1. Loading Cylinder – This is the main unit that moves the crossheads during the testing.

2. Ram – This gives the power to the Loading Cylinder.

3. Bed – This serves the base of the UTM.
4. Table – Serves as a catch basin for the materials that will break.
5. Lower Crosshead – This clamps the base of the material and pulls/pushes it until it
breaks.
6. Upper Crosshead – This hold the upper part of the material firmly during testing.

Photo of the Upper and Lower Crossheads

7. Drive Screw – It is used as a track for the upper/lower crosshead to keep it steady
during testing.

8. Column - It is used as a track for the upper/lower crosshead to keep it steady during
testing.
9. Tension Nut Cap – It holds the lower crosshead to the track steadily.
10. Drive Screw Fixing Nut – Holds the Drive Screw steady at the bottom.
11. Elevation Motor – Gives power supply to the UTM from the main power control unit.

12. Table Roller Guide – Keeps the drive screw steady at the bottom.
13. Table Cover – A metal sheet that covers and protects the components under the table
from any risk of damage.
14. Bed Cover - A metal sheet that covers and protects the bed components from any risk
of damage.
 UTM Control Unit

1. Upper Rear Cover - A metal sheet that covers and protects the upper rear from any
risk of damage.
2. Lower Rear Cover - A metal sheet that covers and protects the lower rear from any risk
of damage.

3. Power Switch – Turns the control unit on and off.

4. Casing - A metal sheet that covers and protects the control unit from any risk of
damage.

5. Power Control Unit – Gives power supply to the control unit.

6. Front Cover - A metal sheet that covers and protects the front from any risk of damage.
7. Manual Operation Panel – Controls the power produced by the UTM.
8. Automatic Operation Panel – Controls the position of the crossheads of the UTM.
9. Load Display Meter – Shows the figures running throughout the testing. (force, stress,
etc.,)
 Computer – Controls the start and end of the testing, and saves the values from the result of
the tests.
 III. Uses of the Universal Testing Machine:

The universal testing machine pulls, compresses, bends or stretches materials until they

break. These tests determine the quality of the material as well as how suitable it is for a particular
use. [2]

The most common test performed by a universal testing machine is a test of tensile strength.

One end of a sample is held in place while the other end is pulled away until they two sides are torn
apart. Flexural strength is tested in a similar fashion, but the machine pushes on one end of the
sample instead of pulling on it. Again, the test stops when the sample breaks, though some materials
are flexible enough that they will bend, rather than breaking, giving no final results. [2]

Shear tests and compression tests are less common, though they are still used for a variety of
materials. In a compression test, a sample is pressed between two plates until it breaks or loses its
form. This test is often used to measure the strength of plastic foams and to find out how easily
plastic bottles lose their shape. In the shear test, a metal blade is pushed into the sample at a
constant rate until it shears off a piece of the sample. This test is measured in terms of force/area
sheared. [2]
Discussion of Experiment:

The experiment was done in order to give students familiarization and primary knowledge
about the Universal Testing Machine. Photos were allowed to be taken inside the laboratory for
further observation on the different parts and functions of the UTM.

I have learned that the UTM is primarily used in the testing tensile stress and compressive
strength of materials. [1]

I also noticed that the UTM basically deforms any raw material until it breaks. Throughout the
simple test, the computer gathers data about the whole operation.
Recommendation:

I recommend that this experiment be done with a “tour guide” to give the students a brief
explanation on the parts uses of the UTM and how it actually works when used. This recommendation
is brought out due to lack of sources of the functions of the parts and uses of the UTM on the World
Wide Web.

Also, we have noticed that the Table Top Protective Mat as drawn on the manual was not
placed on the Table of the UTM during the experiment. We don’t know the risks of the situation yet
but for safety purposes, the protective mat should always be placed above the table.

No Table Top Protective Mat

Conclusion:

The Universal Testing Machine is a machine used to test materials to see if they are suitable
for production of certain products. The UTM is also used to characterize different materials according
to its strength. It also identifies possible solutions/replacements to vulnerable raw materials that are
involved in the production that uses such materials. The UTM can also cut production costs by testing
materials that are cheaper but more useful and functional for production.
References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_testing_machine
2. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-universal-testing-machine.htm
3. http://www.hualong.net/en/admin/upload/20110815090919665.pdf
4. http://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/study-of-universal-testing-machine/2449/
 Mapua Institute of Technology
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

ME136P/A1
Materials Testing and Processes

Experiment # 1
PHYSICAL STUDY OF UNIVERSAL TESTING MACHINE

NATIVIDAD, Richard Paul M. 04/24/2013

2011100208 05/06/2013
ME-2

Engr. Edward Ang

Professor