250kN Servo-Hydraulic Test Machine

Tender description

The Testing and Structures Research Laboratory (TSRL) is part of the UKCRIC National Infrastructure Laboratory (NIL) and is based at the University of Southampton (UoS)., It is a multidisciplinary facility that covers a wide range of application areas. The purpose of the facility is to provide the University of Southampton with a state-of-the-art materials and structures testing facility that enable developments in measurement methodologies with a focus on utilising imaging systems to provide information on material and structural performance. The laboratory has a wider range of mechanical testing apparatus encompassing electro-mechanical, electro-dynamic, servo-hydraulic and other test machines enabling testing of materials across a wide range or forces, temperatures, dimensions and strain rates.<br />https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/institutes-centres/national-infrastructure-laboratory <br /><br />The Testing and Structures Research Laboratory (TSRL) has a number of 100kN test frames and a larger 630kN frame. Recent strategic research directions have meant that we require samples that need more force than 100kN but are dimensionally too small to fit in the 630kN machine. Subsequently, the University requires a new servo-hydraulic test machine with load capacity of approximately 250kN to compliment our existing capabilities and fill in the gap between our existing machines.<br /><br />The TSRL has capacity within its existing hydraulic infrastructure to include this additional machine in terms of hydraulic flow and available outlets of the existing 210bar ring main. The scope of this procurement is to provide, install and commission a ~250kN test machine with a t-slotted (or equivalent) base alongside an appropriate load cell, hydraulic grips, control system and associated software and hardware interfaces. The system will be used for both static and dynamic testing and thus must be fatigue rated for large numbers of cycles. <br />