Smithers is adding an axial-torsional testing system to its product testing laboratory in Akron, Ohio.
The new system will be used to test materials and products that undergo rotational motion when in service, such as bushings, mounts, tie rods, vibration dampeners, medical products, and a wide variety of polymer materials. The equipment capabilities include:

• Force capacity up to ±25 kN (±5620 lbf)
• Torque capacity of ±100 Nm (800 in-lb)
• 100 mm (4 in) of usable axial stroke
• ±130° of rotation

“The investment in this instrumentation is an expansion of our dynamic fatigue testing capacity and capabilities,” said Jeff Andrasik, General Manager of Product Testing. “Torsional testing is critical for products and materials in many industries to truly validate real world performance.This allows us to be more flexible and support our clients’ growing needs.”

Located in Akron, the Ohio product testing laboratory serves clients across a number of industry segments and has special expertise in fluid transfer systems and related components. The laboratory shares space with Smithers’ analytical and physical testing laboratories and has a sister lab in Lansing, Michigan. The combination of the two locations, plus laboratories in the United Kingdom and Suzhou, China, gives Smithers the capacity, flexibility, and expertise to meet any client’s product testing needs worldwide.
 
“This new addition is the latest in our ongoing effort to expand our capabilities in alignment with evolving industry testing requirements,” says Dr. Jim Popio, Vice President of Materials Science and Engineering, North America, Smithers. “Our team in Akron is extremely customer-driven, continuously looking for ways that we can expand our services to assist clients in their product development process.”

To learn more about the new system and the laboratory’s other capabilities, get in touch with Jeff Andrasik at 330-762-7441 or jandrasik@smithers.com.