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August 22, 2025
How to Connect Transducers to Instron Systems: Four Methods
Integrating third-party sensors and transducers into an Instron testing system — whether for force, strain, temperature, pressure, or displacement — requires choosing the right connection method for your setup. This article covers the four supported approaches: analog 0–10V input, rationalized connection with self-identification and auto-calibration in Bluehill Universal, custom polynomial calibration for non-Instron transducers, and digital data input via third-party equipment such as the HBM QuantumX MX430B.
June 12, 2023
5 Steps to Effective Mechanical Testing Automation for Biomedical Labs in CDMOs
As demand for auto-disable syringe devices grows, CDMO labs face mounting pressure to increase testing throughput without sacrificing accuracy or repeatability. This guide walks through five steps to selecting, setting up, and getting the most from a cobot-based mechanical testing system — from assessing your lab's needs and choosing the right automation to optimizing data collection and simplifying maintenance.
October 28, 2020
Braided Rope Tensile Testing
My name is Landon Goldfarb and I am an applications engineer, which is really a fancy way of saying it is my job to successfully break anything thrown my way. This is the first in a series of stories cultivated from my time working in the applications lab highlighting unique applications and the novel solutions we have employed. At 8:00 AM, give or take, every morning, I arrive at our office – always excited to see what has shown up on our testing backlog. Perhaps elastomers for racing tires on a Monday and then moving on to artificial bone by Thursday. When people ask what kind of products we test, I will often respond by asking them what they did today. After looking back quizzically, they may say “I woke up, got dressed, had some juice, and then drove to work”. To which I could say, taking a deep breath first, “We may test the durability of the springs in your mattress, the elasticity in the fibers of your clothing, the torque necessary to open the juice packaging, and last but not least a myriad of functional tests on the individual components in a car.”
May 24, 2017
When You Don’t Take Advantage of Software Updates
As Technical Support Manager at the Instron® corporate headquarters, I have answered my share of customer questions and hopefully brought more clarity to testing operators. Through this kind of customer exposure, my team and I are constantly taking note of feedback to make our products better. In particular, we receive calculation requests, discover bugs, and think of new features for our software products. As we develop and release software updates, many of these suggestions are added.
February 12, 2017
Traceability: What is it, and Why is it Important in Testing of Materials?
Traceability: What is it, and Why is it Important in Testing of Materials? One link/tier further down this chain is Instron’s 130,000lb deadweight stack Primary Force Standard. Since this […]
August 31, 2016
What Value Does ISO 9001 Add?
Instron's quality manual defines our commitment to provide customers with the best ownership experience through quality products, support, and service.
December 8, 2015
Increase Efficiency Without Sacrificing Safety
Increase Efficiency Without Sacrificing Safety An Instron geotextile customer was conducting materials testing nearly around the clock. They were not able to keep up with demand and were building another […]
September 15, 2014
Understanding Melt Flow Testing and Its Importance
Melt flow testing is a measure of the flow of a polymer when melted. The result is called the mass-flow rate (MFR) or volume-flow rate (MVR).
April 17, 2014
The Truth About Strain Gauge Load Cells vs. Pressure Transducers
Load cells independently and directly measure the force being applied to specimens. Pressure transducers measure force indirectly from the oil pressure observed in the cylinder. Which is superior? The answer is simple: Load cell technology due to the fact that some of the pressure in a hydraulic system has nothing to do with the load being applied to the specimen.