Testing Facilities
Certex USA Testing Facilities
Wilmington, CA Testing Facility
4,000 Ton Short Stroke Facility
650 Ton Horizontal Facility
1,250 / 2,500 Ton Horizontal Facility
4,000 Ton Short Stroke Facility
150 Ton Horizontal Facilities
500 Ton Vertical Test Tower
1.
4000 TON SHORT STROKE TEST MACHINE
This facility is capable of applying tensile loads up to 8 million pounds. It is intended for use in the structural testing of large specimens in a horizontal orientation. Examples of items tested have included high capacity shackles, anchor chain, and crane blocks.
2.
650 TON HORIZONTAL TEST MACHINE
The versatility of our 650-Ton facility allows us to perform tensile or compressive tests on samples of all shapes and sizes. The primary area is capable of 1,300,000 pounds and can accommodate specimens up to 65 feet.
An additional abutment can be utilized to increase specimen lengths up to 130 feet. Heavy steel tracks that run along the length of the machine, allows a variety of loading devices to be mounted at different heights and distances. Examples of items tested include high capacity spreader bars, lifting slings, synthetic and wire rope samples, and aerospace handling fixtures.
3.
1500 TON HORIZONTAL TEST MACHINE
Our most unique facility provides high load capacities with a maximum stroke of 54 feet. At it’s max stroke, forces up to 3,000,000 pounds can be applied. The maximum usable test bed length is 250 feet. These performance characteristics provide a unique capability for testing high strength assemblies at full length, that encompass a varying degree of elongation at failure. The modular nature of this machine also allows it to be configured for a wide variety of testing applications and sample lengths. Examples of items tested include synthetic ropes, including OCIMF prototype testing, Thousand Cycle Load Limit Testing (TCLL), residual strength tests, and etc. The need for such a facility has been accelerated by the increased use of large synthetic ropes characterized by properties of high strength and elasticity.
4.
140 TON VERTICAL TEST TOWER
This facility can apply vertical forces up to 280,000 pounds and accommodate test specimens as tall as 45 feet. The lower section of this test machine allows for a variety on anchor points, with horizontal dimensions up to 26 x 40 feet. This facility’s versatility has proven effective in testing completely assembled slings and lifting devices with multiple attach points. Examples of items tested include aerospace fixtures, spreader bars, specialty lifting assemblies, and oil field drilling rigs.
5.
150 TON HORIZONTAL FACILITIES
This facility is actually two units in one. The short stroke unit utilizes a single hydraulic actuator to exhibit forces up to 300,000 pounds (150 tons) with a stroke of up to 24 inches. It uses a variety of extremely sensitive load cells coupled with a calibrated aerospace readout system and a highly accurate Heise PSI gauge. This system is accurate to within 1% throughout its operating range, and has length flexibility up to 100 feet.
The long stroke component of this facility has stroke capabilities of 13 feet and a maximum applied force of 150 tons. It utilizes a computerized control system as well as computerized data acquisition systems. Variable speed control is 1 inch to 20 feet of automatic cyclic operation per minute between any two parameters. Also available is unique computer controlled random cycling between any two parameters. This facility has a length flexibility of 100 feet.
Numerous safety interlocks and automatic shutdown devices have been implemented. Full hardcopy data to customer (including XV plot, 2 channel strip chart computer data printout of all desired parameters, etc.), and accuracy within 1% are outstanding characteristics of this dual-purpose facility.
6.
500 TON VERTICAL TEST TOWER
Similar to the 140 ton vertical test tower, but much larger, the 500 ton vertical tower has the capability of tension testing specimens as tall as 60 feet and with horizontal dimensions up to 40 x 58 feet. The tie-down fixture located at the base of the tower consists of three tracks spaced 20 feet apart each side of the 1250/2500T horizontal test bed main beam. Each track has a movable shoe capable of 125 tons vertical load anywhere on the track. 500 tons single point loading can be applied vertically to the main beam directly under the tower.
This vertical tower straddles the 1250/2500 ton horizontal test facility, and when the two facilities are integrated to form a drop test tower, shock-impact absorption tests can be performed. Double braid nylon ropes of up to 15 inch circumference, in loop configuration, have been impact tested using weights of up to 65,000 pounds dropped 50 feet. Computerized data acquisition is available.
An electric powered hoist capable of 40 tons lift is provided for rapid take-up of slack and handling the test specimens into testing position. Loading is accomplished hydraulically via a cylinder installed in a scissors to allow the cylinder to be loaded in compression.
Various types instrumentation is provided to control the applied loads within plus or minus 1% throughout the operating range.
Memphis, TN Testing Facility
Testing Capabilities
| 1. 4k lbs to 25 feet |
| 2. 80k lbs to 25 feet |
| 3. 350k lbs to 55 feet |
| 4. 3m lbs to 200 feet, 1m from 200 to 450 feet |
