In this day of instant electronic communication, it’s hard to believe that 60+ years ago, not only was everything mailed, but Tensilkut’s catalog, when it arrived in the mailbox, contained a tensile test bar which had been cut on the Tensilkut.
The 1955 Tensilkut catalog included a drawing of the only tensile bar we made at the time, along with an actual specimen!
I don’t imagine the founder of Tensilkut ever imagined a time when we could not only send information to customers nearly instantly, but also a time when we’d be able to make videos available for people to see whenever they wished. Despite sea changes in communication, the need for his original machine remains very real – and at least one of the machines made in his first couple of years remains in service today.
Recently, while browsing the Tensilkut Ancient History file, our catalog from October 1, 1956 appeared. It was a simple affair, with a heavy sheet as front and back cover, and a single sheet describing the entire Tensilkut line, consisting of the Tensilkut (one model only) and its template. The cover was adorned with a four-color photograph, glossy, of course (at a time when color photography was less common and rather expensive).
The cover of the original Tensilkut catalog, from October 1, 1956!
How far we have progressed today, to our line containing numerous models of the Tensilkut I, Tensilkut II and CNC Tensilkut III for preparing flat tensile specimens, along with the Tensilgrind for high hardness flat samples, and machines for round and notched test specimen preparation!
Visit our website at www.tensilkut.com to see how greatly our line of equipment has expanded, and how we can assist you with your test specimen preparation needs.
Recently, a customer sent us some composite strips to be cut into ASTM D638 Type I tensile samples. We used the Tensilkut II, and the process was very fast and easy.
Tensilkut machines are sized for location in your testing laboratory, to be used by technicians without machining experience. The Tensilkut II is a floor model, manually operated machine; table model Tensilkut I machines are also available for labs with less space available. Visit our website at www.tensilkut.com or fill out the contact form below for more information on how Tensilkut can make your tensile specimen preparation easier!
The Tensilsaw, with the 60-66 diamond plated Tensilsaw Blade, is perfect for cutting fiber filled plaques into strips, as shown in this video.
The Tensilsaw cuts through this sheet very efficiently, creating strips which are ready to be cut into tensile bars on the Tensilkut I, Tensilkut II or CNC Tensilkut III, notched for izod impact testing in accordance with ASTM D256, or used for flexural or other tests requiring a straight strip of a precise width. The width is controlled via precision spacers, ensuring that the width doesn’t change unless you wish to change it.
For more information on the Tensilsaw or ways to make your testing program more efficient, please visit our website at http://www.tensilkut.com or fill out the contact form below.
The Tensilkut II is an efficient, cost effective way to prepare tensile samples. Recently, we cut some specimens from fiber filled composites for demonstration; the attached video shows the cutting of two ASTM D638 Type I tensile bars, from start to finish, in about 8 minutes.
This video also shows measuring of the specimen during the cutting process, which is not necessary with a properly adjusted Tensilkut machine and master template, but does demonstrate the accuracy of the system. Tensilkut machines are designed to be operated by lab personnel without previous machining experience. Please contact us today for further information on how we can help you with your testing program.
New on YouTube: the video demonstration of the Tensilsaw being used to prepare strips of fiber reinforced plastic from 12″ square plaques. The material saws quickly and easily, with minimal operator training.
After t
he strips have been prepared, they can be used for flexural testing, or any test requiring a straight strip. Alternatively, and frequently, the Tensilsaw is used to cut blanks for insertion into the template, to be cut using the Tensilkut II or Tensilkut I into tensile bars. A common specimen to be prepared in this manner is ASTM D638, or ASTM D695 tensile bars. Another use for such strips would be for insertion into the V-Mill template, to be notched for Iosipescu shear testing in accordance with ASTM D7078 or ASTM D5379.
The 40-71 Tensilbit is a cutting bit designed specifically for use with the Tensilkut I and Tensilkut II. This .500″ diameter Tensilbit has carbide tips brazed on a tool steel shank, giving you an economical Tensilbit which performs well. The outside diameter is of paramount importance to the finish of your specimen, ensuring repeatability when used on the Tensilkut machine with a Tensilkut Master Template.
40-71 Tensilbit: 2 flute, carbide tipped
The 40-71 Tensilbit is recommended for use when cutting such materials as steel, aluminum, copper and brass.
The Tensilkut II is used to easily prepare flat tensile, compression, flexural and other specimens from metals and non-metallics. This machine is designed for operation in the testing lab by technicians without previous machining experience.
The starting blank is inserted into the Tensilkut Master Template, and the clamping screws are tightened as shown in this video. The micrometer dial on the Tensilkut control head is set to its starting position, and a series of light passes are taken to cut the material from each side of the specimen. When the correct tensile specimen dimensions are achieved, the micrometer dial will stop turning, thus preventing cutting an undersized test specimen. After removing the completed ASTM E8 or other specimen from the master template, the tensile bar is ready for immediate testing.
