Universal Testing Systems » 6800 Series Universal Testing Systems » 68FM Floor Model Universal Testing Systems

68FM Floor Model Universal Testing Systems

The 6800 Series floor model systems (68FM), engineered for labs that run demanding tests day in and day out, deliver dependable performance at maximum rated capacity up to 300 kN and are backed by our 10-year Mechanical Systems Warranty.

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Five Instron 6800 Series floor model universal testing systems shown side by side in a range of frame height, width, base, and fixture configurations.

Lab operator in safety glasses and a yellow sweater loading a tensile specimen into hydraulic wedge grips on an Instron universal testing machine using a hydraulic wedge grip controller, with the AVE3 advanced video extensometer mounted on the left column illuminating the test space in red light

The Instron 68FM universal testing system in a tall base configuration with environmental chamber, torsion add-on, and compression platens — delivering versatile elevated temperature mechanical testing capability for metals, composites, and component testing applications.

Instron 68FM-100 universal testing system with two high-temperature furnaces mounted on the frame for elevated temperature metals tensile testing.

Operator in safety glasses carefully attaching a clip-on extensometer to a metal tensile specimen clamped in Instron wedge grips on a 68FM-100 universal testing machine

Instron 68FM universal testing system in extra height configuration with an environmental chamber, furnace, hydraulic wedge grips, video extensometer, and AlignPro alignment device mounted in the load string, with Bluehill Universal software.

Instron AT3 automated testing system configured with a floor model 6800 Series universal testing machine enclosed in a transparent safety enclosure with automated specimen handling, AVE3 Advanced Video Extensometer illumination visible inside, and Instron Bluehill Universal software visible on the attached Operator Dashboard.

Overview

Precision Performance. Engineered Versatility.

The 6800 Series floor model systems are engineered for the toughest demands of metals and composites testing — tensile, compression, and flex at forces up to 300 kN. That capability extends well beyond, from plastics and electronics to medical components and countless other materials. Compatible with hundreds of grips and fixtures, these systems support configurations for many of the most common ASTM and ISO test methods.

Multiple height and width configurations to fit your lab's space and workflow
Alignment performance capable of meeting Nadcap requirements, supporting accreditation for aerospace and other regulated testing programs
Powered by Bluehill^® Universal software for faster, easier, more accurate testing
Backed by a global service network supporting more than 30,000 Instron^® systems every year, from installation to repairs and calibration.

Frame Engineering

High-Force. Continuous Testing.

Every 6800 Series floor model is designed around what matters most in high-force testing: consistent performance under continuous use, durability that protects your investment, and a testing station your operators can work at comfortably, day after day.

Every 6800 Series floor model is built using high-grade materials and expert engineering to meet the highest performance standards. That engineering shows up in the details: gasketing and a patent-pending airflow design reduce debris ingress, internal electrical and mechanical hardware is located safely away from the test area, and the 12 mm metal work surface is treated with an abrasion-resistant coating for durability.

That unwavering commitment to durability and reliability is why we back every 6800 Series system with our 10-Year Mechanical Systems Warranty — the first of its kind in the materials testing industry.

Standards & Test Types

Test to the Standards Your Industry Requires

Industries

Built for Testing Metals, Composites, and Beyond

$Close-up of a steel rebar specimen undergoing tensile failure between hydraulic wedge grips on an Instron 68FM universal testing machine, with debris particles visible at the point of fracture$

Metals

High-force tensile, flexure, and elevated temperature testing on plate, rod, and bar specimens, with closed-loop strain control for precise, repeatable results.

Engineer in safety glasses closely inspecting a composite test specimen loaded in an Instron compression testing fixture mounted between precision mechanical wedge grips.

Composites

Alignment performance that meets Nadcap requirements, with fixture compatibility for a wide range of composite test methods.

Close-up of an Instron 68FM-300 floor model universal testing machine with hydraulic wedge grips.

Plastics and More

Test plastics, electronics, medical components, and more — accurate to ± 0.5% of reading down to 1/1000th of load cell capacity, meaning fewer load cell swaps.

Specifications

Compare Models

Not sure which configuration is right for your lab? Use our interactive frame configurator to visualize height and width options as you plan your setup.

	68FM-100	68FM-300
Force Capacity	100 kN	300 kN
Crosshead Travel	1407 mm (E1) 1906 mm (E2)	1359 mm (E1) 1858 mm (E2)
Vertical Test Space	1494 mm (E1) 1993 mm (E2)	1446 mm (E1) 1945 mm (E2)
Horizontal Test Space	575 mm (F1)	575 mm (F1) 934 mm (F2)
Maximum Speed	1016 mm/min (1PH) 1080 mm/min (3PH)	560 mm/min (3PH)
Minimum Speed	0.00005 mm/min	0.00005 mm/min
Maximum Return Speed (1 & 3 Phase)	1016 mm/min (1PH) 1160 mm/min (3PH)	640 mm/min (3PH)
Position Control Resolution	2.215625 nm	1.140395 nm
Frame Axial Stiffness	300 kN/mm	350 kN/mm
Maximum Force at Full Speed	50 kN (1PH) 75 kN (3PH)	150 kN
Maximum Speed at Full Force	508 mm/min (1PH) 762 mm/min (3PH)	280 mm/min (3PH)
Footprint Dimensions (h × w × d)*	2287 (B1), 2587 (B2) × 1140 (F1), 1499 (F2) × 786
Weight**	799.2 kg (E1) 860.9 kg (E2)	871.5 kg (E1) 947.6 kg (E2)
Maximum Power Requirements	3000 VA (1PH) 4200 VA (3PH)	4200 VA (3PH)

* Standard height and short base dimensions only. The extra height (E2) option adds 499 mm to overall height, the tall base (B2) option adds 300 mm to overall height. The footprint width is for the system only. The Operator Dashboard monitor may add 500 mm to the overall width of the frame. Extra Height (E2) with Tall Base (B2) footprint also includes stabilizers, adding 91 kg (200 lb) to the weight.

** Tall Base variants add 62 kg (136 lb) to the weight. Extra wide (F2) variants add 300 kg (661 lb) to the weight.

Accessories

Often Configured With

Two Instron tensile grip types shown side by side: a manual wedge grip on the left and a large capacity hydraulic wedge grip on the right

Tensile Grips

Extensometers

Environmental Chamber on 68FM Universal Testing Machine

Environmental Chambers

Instron 68FM-100 dual column universal testing system with one high-temperature furnace actively mounted in the test space and a second furnace staged to the left of the load frame for rapid exchange

Furnaces

Compression After Impact Composite Testing Fixture

Composite Test Fixtures

Instron 68FM universal testing system with a debris shield in the closed position on the left and the debris shield door open on the right, with hydraulic wedge grips

Debris Shields

Industrial robot arm precisely loading a tensile specimen into hydraulic wedge grips on an Instron 68FM universal testing machine as part of the Instron AT6 automated testing system in a multi-system laboratory environment

Automation

Six-panel grid of Instron testing accessories: a 100 kN load cell, a 10 kN pneumatic side-action grip, a clip-on extensometer, testing software on a desktop monitor, a compression platen, and a three-point flexure fixture

View All Accessories

Service & Support

A Team You Can Count On, for the Life of Your System

Calibration

Maintain compliance with industry testing standards and ensure accurate, reliable results with regular calibration services.

Training

Get your team up to speed quickly with operator and engineer-level training, on-site or virtual.

Live Diagnostics

Get help fast with remote diagnostics via Instron Connect, resolving many issues without waiting on a site visit.

Service Agreements

Choose the coverage that fits your lab, from preventive maintenance to full parts and labor — available from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these systems support Nadcap-aligned testing programs?

Yes. The 6800 Series floor models offer alignment performance capable of meeting Nadcap requirements, along with fixture compatibility to support a range of composite test methods.

What software runs the 6800 Series floor model systems?

What warranty comes with the 6800 Series floor model systems?

Every 68FM system comes standard with a one-year Factory Warranty covering everything on the order associated with the frame, plus our 10-Year Mechanical Systems Warranty — the first of its kind in the materials testing industry — covering key components including the crosshead, columns, guide posts, ball screws, base beam, layshaft assembly, and pulleys and belts. Extended warranty coverage is also available, purchased either at the time of sale or prior to the expiration of the Factory Warranty.

Can I test delicate or low-force materials on a high-capacity floor model?

What accessories are compatible with the 6800 Series floor model systems?

What force capacities are available for the 6800 Series floor model systems?

What base height options are available for the floor model systems?

Talk to an Instron Expert

Every material, standard, and test method has its own demands. Tell us what you're testing, and one of our applications engineers will help you configure the right frame, load cell, grips, and software for your lab — no guesswork required.

Resources

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