2716 Series Mechanical Wedge Action Grips

This video looks at the 2716 Series mechanical wedge action grips. Whether you’re new to your testing system or simply need installation guidance, we walk you through everything included in the box and demonstrate the correct procedure for installing the grips on your Instron® universal testing machine.

Instron’s 2716 Series mechanical wedge action grips are designed for easy specimen loading, alignment, and positioning. After the initial face-to-specimen contact, the gripping force will increase as the testing load increases. Due to the Instron design of moving grip bodies, virtually no preload is seen during specimen clamping.

These versatile wedge grips are equipped with moving grip bodies, allowing them to be tightened onto a specimen without altering the vertical position of the faces in relation to the specimen. This is accomplished by a design that moves the grip body to close the faces. This feature makes it possible to preselect the exact point at which the specimen will be held with a consistent gauge length and where virtually no compressive force is applied, which may cause specimen buckling. The grip faces are spring loaded against a shoe, which is in a fixed position in respect to the testing machine.

As the grip is tightened, its frame is drawn toward the specimen and the wedged sides push against the matching side of the faces that move laterally against the specimen. The open-front design of the grip frames allows for the faces to be easily interchanged, as well as for easy specimen loading. Because the faces are held in a fixed position, there is no recoil or loosening when the specimen ruptures, and if an extensometer is attached, it will remain in place.

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