Instron’s (Norwood, Mass.) new Dynatup 9250, an impact testing instrument designed to measure energy absorption and related impact properties of polymers, metals, composites and resulting final components, is designed for use in aerospace, automotive, biomedical and packaging applications. The instrument’s computer-controlled drop tower produces impact velocities as high as 20m/sec (65.6 ft/sec) for rigorous R&D and quality-control testing. The device also captures, plots and analyzes the impact event, helping the user assess incipient damage, ductile-to-brittle transition point, maximum load and total energy absorbed, says the company.