Bruker’s Nano Surfaces division announced today that they have shipped the first unit of the newly redesigned Universal Mechanical Tester (UMT) to the Nano Mechanics and Tribology Laboratory (NMTL) at the University of Arkansas.
The new instrument, launched at the 2012 Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting, is designed with a wide range of interchangeable drives and fixtures that allow samples to be tested under multiple wear patterns. The next-generation UMT now also incorporates a reliable optical profiler from Bruker that can rapidly and accurately measure surfaces before and after tribology or mechanical testing. Advanced servo control and patented force sensor designs allow these enhancements to be achieved without compromising UMT’s industry-leading accuracy and repeatability, further enhancing the platforms reputation as the world’s most versatile mechanical tester.
“The UMT is likely to be a very useful tool for us in our research,” said Dr. Min Zou, Director of the Nano Mechanics and Tribology Laboratory (NMTL) at the University of Arkansas. “The universal nature of the tool is ideal for us as we can conduct many different tests without having to purchase several tools for our lab. The new design seems very easy to work with and we are looking forward to the useful data that we can generate.”
“The new UMT tool enables users to change the configuration in minutes, moving between different reciprocating or rotary friction and wear test setups, or even into scratch and indent test modes for material characterization,” said James Earle, General Manager of Bruker’s Tribology and Mechanical Testing Business. “We are pleased that the University of Arkansas has chosen UMT to advance their tribology and mechanical testing capabilities, and are delighted that the system will be in a situation that will fully utilize its flexibility for both cutting-edge research and the education of the next generation of mechanical engineers.”
About NMTL and the UA Department of Mechanical Engineering
The NMTL is part of the University of Arkansas Department of Mechanical Engineering. Led by Associate Professor Min Zou, the group’s current research projects are in the area of nano-surface-engineering for tribological and biomedical applications, with emphasis on fabrication and nanomechanical and tribological characterization. For more information about the University of Arkansas Department of Mechanical Engineering, please visit http://www.meeg.uark.edu.
About UMT
The redesigned UMT is the third generation of the platform that debuted in 2000 and rapidly became the standard for tribology and mechanical test labs around the world. With improved access for changing drives, clear doors and interior lighting for better visibility, as well as integrated handles, the next-generation UMT brings greater ease of use to all of Bruker’s existing proprietary force sensors, environmental chambers and other accessories. Other design advances include a wider interconnect panel for easier drive and sensor connection, leveling feet for easier setup, and interior exhaust ventilation for better cooling. The system can be transformed easily to enable rotary to reciprocating motion, sub-newton to kilo-newton force measurement, or environmental testing from room temperature up to 1000°C. A comprehensive software package allows users to program complex motions and to control applied forces with unprecedented accuracy to simulate real-world conditions.