The apparatus comprises of a torsion head at one end and a fixed tailstock at the other, between which are held a variety of torsion specimens in three (3) jaw chucks. Fine rotational movement, in each direction, allows accurate alignment of the torsion specimens. Each torsion specimen has profiled ends to match the clamping pattern of the chucks.
The torsion head chuck is mounted onto a bearing shaft, which is rotated using a thumbwheel and fine worm/wheel gearing mechanism integral to the torsion head. The thumbwheel and gearing applies known torque to the torsion specimen, whilst an integral load cell records the torque force being applied. An angular position sensor is also mounted at the torsion head end to monitor the angular ‘twist’ of the torsion specimens. The signals from the load cell and angular position sensor is fed directly into the HDA200 Interface (sold separately).
Test specimens are provided, including tube, solid rod, square section tube and a tube with a thin slit down its length. The materials of the specimens are aluminium and acrylic.
