Precision manual wedge grips

Material testing equipment manufacturer Instron (Norwood, Mass.) has introduced new precision manual wedge grips that are said to provide reliable gripping for a range of materials and repeatable alignment that meets Nadcap requirements. The manual wedge action self-centering grips, available in two capacities — 100 kN (22,000 lbf) and 250 kN (56,000 lbf) — are designed for demanding tensile tests on composites, metals and plastics at temperatures that range from -80°C to 250°C (-112°F to 482°F). The grips incorporate a moving body, driven by a worm gear drive, that closes the jaw faces in a self-centering action to clamp the specimen. The symmetrical construction of the grip body provides even clamping of the specimen under load. Together these features ensure accurate and repeatable specimen alignment to satisfy Nadcap AC7122-1 and AC7101. A range of accessories, including compression platens with lockable spherical seats, are available to attach specialized test fixtures to the grips. Also available is a range of jaw faces and a compatible temperature chamber.