DEPARTMENT OF MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, PESHAWAR

MtE-222L Mechanics of material LAB, 4th Semester

Student Name: Syed Suleman Ayub

Registration Number: 19pwmct0678

Lab No. 9:

Criteria (Taxonomy Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Basic (2) Below Basic (1) Student’s
Level) Score
Report is mostly Report is Sections/Step
To organize the lab Report is as per as per the guidelines disorganized and s are not
report and practice the guidelines. All and most follows some ordered and
the writing skills as sections/steps are sections/steps are guidelines but Report is not as
per the guidelines clearly organized ordered well but most of the per the
in a logical order. requires minor guidelines are guidelines
Improvements. missing
The report
completely
discusses the The report The report The report is
required discusses the discusses the totally
To discuss the actual experiment/lab required experiment/lab irrelevant to the
experiment/task work in own words experiment/lab work work but have experiment/lab
with some relevant irrelevant work
additional information
information
Calculations and
Calculations and data analysis were Most data and
data analyses were performed observations were
To perform performed clearly, accurately, but recorded Calculations
calculations concisely, and minor errors were adequately, but and data
and data analysis accurately, with made both in with several analyses of lab
correct units. calculations and in significant errors were missing
applying correct or omissions.
units
To present results in Graphs, if Graphs, if Graphs, if Major
the necessary, were necessary, were necessary, were components of
form of graphs drawn accurately drawn adequately drawn but lab were
and neatly and inadequately. missing
were clearly
labelled.

Comments:

Course Instructor: Engr. Wahad Ur Rahman

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 DEPARTMENT OF MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, PESHAWAR
MtE-222L Mechanics of material LAB, 4th Semester

Lab No: 09
Title: Introduction to universal testing machine (UTM)

Objectives of this lab:

 To know the basic component of UTM
 To know the operational mechanism of UTM
 To know about the different test perform on UTM

Equipment/tools:
 Universal Testing Machine
 Computer

Theory:
First we will discuss the objectives of this lab, that is, what will we have achieved at the end of
this lab. The objectives of this lab are discussed below.
In this lab we will try to gain as much knowledge as possible about universal testing machine
(UTM). We will understand the different parts of this machine. We will learn how to operate this
machine and its different operations.

Introduction:
Universal Testing Machine:
A machine used to test specimens for tensile strength, compressive strength, and shear strength and to
perform bend test along other important laboratory tests is called universal testing machine as shown in
fig 9.1. The machine has been named so because of the wide range of tests it can perform over different
kind of materials. Different tests like peel test, flexural test, tension test, bend test, friction test, spring
test etc. can be performed with the help of UTM. The primary use of the testing machine is to create
the stress strain diagram. Once the diagram is generated, a pencil and straight edge or computer
algorithm can be used to calculate yield strength, Young's Modulus, tensile strength or total elongation.
Universal Testing Machines (UTM) are suitable for quality control of various fields, which include
metal wire, nylon wire, plastic, rubber, textile and clothes, packaging and so on, for tension,
compression and bending, peer and tear test. UTM are utilizes for testing mechanical properties.
UTMs stretch, bend, compress, or pull the samples at a controlled speed until they break. UTM are
diversely utilized for the biomedical components, biomaterials, paper, board, fabrics, textiles, wires, foil,
tape, adhesives, elastomers, plastics, films, metals, alloys and specialized products tests. These are
commonly utilized in the laboratories of plastics industries, during compound development to determine
the suitability of the material for a given process and end-use application. UTMs are frequently utilized
in the labs of plastics molders and extruders.

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 Figure 9.1: Universal Testing Machine
The size of a UTM depends on the combination of the maximum load ratings of the frame and of the
load cell or sensor that measures the load or force. The load cell is attached to the moving crosshead that
is driven by electric motors or hydraulics. A load cell in series with the grip measures the force, which
can be read on a digital display or on a computer screen. Many UTMs have interchangeable load cells so
that the sensor can be matched to the material being tested.
UTMs apply force to a specimen in order to induce strain in the material. The particular test (tensile,
flexural, compression, or shear) is classified in terms of the direction of introducing the strain in a
specimen and the speed of the applied force.

Components of Universal Testing Machine:

There are two main parts of UTM.
 Load Unit
 Measurement Unit

Load Unit:
The arrangement of the test specimen and the exertion of the load is held in the load unit. We perform
different test like peel test, flexural test, tension test, bend test, friction test, spring test in this unit. It
consists of the followings parts:
1. Upper crosshead
2. Lower cross head
3. Table

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 4. Hydraulic cylinder
5. Bed/foundation
6. Piston/Ram
7. Grip jaw
8. Electric motor
9. Two screw rods
10. Two columns
These numbered parts are shown in the fig 9.2.

Figure 9.2: Load Unit

The upper cross head is attached to columns and lower crosshead is attached to the screw rods. The
columns and screw rods are in turn attached to the table and foundation of the UTM respectively. The
electric motor moves the lower crosshead up and down on the screw rod.
The hydraulic cylinder is present between the bed and table of UTM. It contains some liquid with a
piston/ram. The liquid, when pressurized, moves the piston up.

Measurement Unit:
The load is applied and recorded by this unit. The load is applied with control valve and released by
release valve. The load is applied with the help of hydraulic pressure. The variations in the application
of the load and the corresponding test result are obtained from this unit. Control unit with parts
numbered is shown in fig 9.3.
The main components of the control unit in a universal testing machine are:
1. LCD

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 2. Hydraulic Power Unit
3. Load Measuring Unit
4. Control Devices

Figure 9.3: Measuring Unit

LCD:
Graph, forces, deformations and other measurements are displayed here.

Hydraulic Power Unit:

This unit consists of an oil pump that provides non-pulsating oil flow into the main cylinder of the load
unit. This flow helps in the smooth application of load on the specimen. The oil pump in a hydraulic
power unit is run by an electric motor and sump.

Load Measuring Unit:

This unit has a pendulum dynamometer unit that has a small cylinder with a piston which moves with
the non-pulsating oil flow. The pendulum is connected to the piston by pivot lever. The pivot lever
deflects based on the load applied to the specimen. This deflection is converted to the load pointer and
displays as the load on the dial.
The range of load application can be adjusted by means of a knob in the load measuring unit (0-100 kN;
0-250 kN; 0-500 kN and 0-1000 kN). The accuracy of measuring unit controls the overall accuracy of
the machine.

Control Devices:
The control devices can be electric or hydraulic. Electric control devices make use of switches to move
the crossheads and switch on/off the unit. A hydraulic control device consists of two valves, Right
Control Valve and Left Control Valve or Release Valve. A right control valve is used to apply load on
the specimen. The left control valve is used to release the load application.

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Working of UTM:
For tensile testing the area between upper crosshead and lower crosshead is used. The area between
lower crosshead and table is used for compression and bending test.
You have to position the lower crosshead before staring the test. Its position depends on your test
specimen. For example in tensile testing the upper crosshead and lower crosshead area is used so you
have to attach the specimen in upper crosshead and change the position of lower crosshead according to
the size of the specimen. Bring it up or down but when you start the test then you should never change
its position or your measurement will be incorrect. When the lower crosshead is in correct position, you
can start your test by opening hydraulic cylinder which will move the upper crosshead up and this there
will be force applied on the specimen. The direction of forces in tensile testing is away from each other.
Similarly in compression, the lower crosshead should not be moved. You have to put compression plates
and bending tables for compression and bending tests respectively. When the lower crosshead is in
correct position, you can start your test by opening hydraulic cylinder which will move the table up and
there will be force applied on the specimen. The direction of forces in compressive and bending testing
is into each other.
The fixed and moveable parts during a test, as discussed above, are:

Fixed Parts during Test:

 Lower Crosshead
 Bed
 Screw Rods

Moving Parts during Test:

 Upper Crosshead
 Colum
 Table

Trapezium Software:
The universal testing machine can also be operated using computer. The software used for this purpose
is known as Trapezium software. The latest version is called TrapeziumX. This software is given with
the purchase of UTM.
Create a new method as shown in fig 9.4. It basically tells the computer what you want the UTM to do.

Figure 9.4: New Method

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Select test type as shown in fig 9.5.

Figure 9.5: Test Type

Sensor tells computer, the machine’s stroke and force range as shown in fig 9.6. It also limits the force
applied to a specific amount. The UTM present with us has a stroke of 240mm and force range of
500KN.

Figure 9.6: Sensor

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In fig 9.7 as shown, we tell the computer about our specimen that we want to test with UTM.

Figure 9.7: select Specimen

In Data processing as shown in fig 9.8 we select which properties we want to display on stress-strain
curve.

Figure 9.8: Data processing

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After report we start the test. Make sure to double check all the above steps to ensure perfect
measurement.

Figure 9.9: Test

Difference between modern UTM’s and old UTM’s:

Earlier UTMs had analog electronics and a chart recorder but digital controls and PC softwares have
replaced them. In modern UTMs the new controls automatically run the test and display the data, even
while the test is going on. In the old days of chart recorders, and in the early digital era before the
development of the computers, the results obtained from the test were load/deformation curves
representing force on the y-axis versus deformation on the x-axis. These curves required calculation and
interpretation manually. The modern systems still provide these curves, but they also calculate the
desired data such as yield and failure strength and modulus automatically with greater accuracy.

Materials:
UTM can be used to test a wide variety of materials like
 concrete
 steel
 cables
 springs
 steel wires and chains
 Slings
 links
 Rope
 winches
 steel ropes etc.
With different dimensions depend on machine range

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Tests performed on UTM:
Tensile Testing:
One of the most common use of universal testing machine is tensile testing. It is used to find out how
strong a material is and how much can it be stretched. It can also be used to check the stiffness of the
material and how much tension it can absorb before reaching its breaking point.

Compression Testing:
Compression is completely different from a tensile test. A universal testing machine can be used to
compress any object. Any object can also be compressed until the product breaks. A compression test is
used to test the breaking point of a material. How long a material can go without breaking can easily be
tested by a compression test.

Peel Testing:
A peel test is very similar to that of a tensile test. The only difference between the two is that in tensile
test a single piece of material is pulled apart while in peel testing two materials that are bounded
together are pulled apart to determine the peel force. This is one of the key differences of a peel and a
tensile test. Tensile test is used to pull one product apart. Whereas, a peel test, can be used to pull two
materials apart.

Bend Testing:
Bend testing is tested to measure the flexural strength as well the flexural modulus of a material. Bend
testing can be used to measure the distance which the materials can reach.

Puncture Testing:
In puncture testing the sample material is probed until it punctures. This is done in order to get its
puncture resistance value. A universal testing machine can be used to check the puncture resistance
value of a substance. By probing a material sample until it punctures, the resistance can be easily
checked.

In-Lab Task:
Write the lecture in your own words.

Post-Lab Task:
Report writing.

References:
5 Benefits of Universal Testing Machine | HEICO (heicoin.com)

Universal Testing Machine – Components and Functions - The Constructor

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