Sauter TI-ACL manual Shore testing machine, hardness testing

The Sauter TI-ACL manual Shore testing machine represents a metrologically optimised system solution for the precise and standards-compliant determination of the Shore hardness of elastomers, plastics and rubber-like materials in laboratory and quality assurance applications. In Shore hardness testing, the precise and reproducible application of vertical force is the critical factor in eliminating measurement deviations caused by human factors whilst minimising damage to the material. Subjective errors, caused by uneven contact forces or minimal angular errors when manually positioning the durometer, are physically eliminated by the test rig’s rigid mechanical guidance. For quality managers and procurement officers in the plastics and automotive supply industries, this mechanical system component provides a reliable basis for valid material testing in accordance with DIN ISO 7619-1 and ASTM D2240.

Mechanical precision and force application in accordance with standard specifications

The design principle of the TI-ACL test rig is based on a high-precision guidance system that ensures the hardness tester is lowered absolutely vertically onto the material specimen. An ergonomically designed hand lever is used to lower the measuring head gently and evenly onto the material, thereby preventing transient impact loads on the specimen’s structure. To ensure compliance with the standard’s requirement for a constant contact force, the system incorporates a defined weight load. This constant mass ensures that the elastic deformation of the polymer is generated solely by the material-specific properties and not by varying user pressure, which drastically minimises the statistical variation in measurement series.

Material-scientific stability and structural ergonomics

The physical limits of the test rig are defined by an extremely torsionally rigid column structure and a solid base plate. This materials-science-based design guarantees outstanding mechanical resilience against fluctuating loads and vibrations encountered in everyday laboratory use. Fine-grained height adjustment allows flexible adaptation to a wide variety of specimen thicknesses and component geometries. The flat test surface ensures full-surface, error-free contact with the elastomer samples, thereby reliably compensating for local stress concentrations or deflections during the penetration process of the durometer indenter.

Validated process reliability and GLP compliance

For integration into modern quality assurance systems, the Sauter TI-ACL test rig offers the necessary validity and compliance with international testing standards. The use of this test rig increases measurement accuracy many times over compared to purely manual handling, which is an essential criterion, particularly during audits and first article inspections (FAI). Furthermore, its purely mechanical operation ensures that it requires absolutely no maintenance and is independent of electrical power sources, allowing the system to be deployed flexibly at various stages of the production chain or in a climate-controlled test room.

Technical details

Mechanics & Kinetics

• Drive type: Manual via an ergonomic hand lever
• Direction of movement: Purely vertical, guided lowering
• Height adjustment: Infinitely adjustable via a clamping mechanism
• Adjustability: Adaptation to different sample thicknesses

Standards & Validation

• Supported test methods: Shore A, Shore O (depending on application)
• Compliance: Supports measurements in accordance with DIN ISO 7619-1, ASTM D2240
• Error minimisation: Complete elimination of subjective angle errors and variations in contact pressure

Design & Dimensions

• Base plate: Solid, heavy-duty design for maximum stability
• Guide column: Highly stable metal construction, torsion-resistant
• Test surface: Flat, ground surface for precise specimen positioning
• Maintenance: Low-wear, purely mechanical system architecture

Scope of supply

• 1 x Sauter manual Shore testing unit TI-ACL base unit
• 1 x Integrated lever mechanism and guide column
• 1 x Operating instructions

Important note: The Shore hardness tester (durometer, e.g. Sauter HB or HD series) required for the actual measurement, as well as specific additional weights, are not included in the standard scope of delivery and must be configured to suit the desired Shore scale.

Customised requirements & accessories

To carry out standard-compliant hardness tests, the Sauter TI-ACL Shore test stand must be fitted with a compatible analogue or digital Sauter durometer (e.g. Shore A). Depending on the selected test method, precisely calibrated additional weights are physically required to set the exact indentation forces in accordance with DIN ISO 7619-1. To verify the measurement accuracy of the entire system, we also recommend the use of certified Shore hardness comparison blocks. Please use our procurement service to put together your bespoke test station infrastructure.