Direct drive servo motor

Motorized spindle spacing

Automatic break detection

Model FTX Wire Fatigue Tester

Wire Fatigue Tester Model FTX is a designed to characterize the fatigue life of small diameter wire using a rotating-beam test.

The wire is subjected to a constant-magnitude, pure bending moment while it is rotated at a steady speed. This creates a fully reversed bending stress on the wire. The number of cycles is counted until a failure is detected and the machine stops. Throughout the test the specimen may be submerged in a temperature controlled water bath.

Machine control is executed by a high speed microcontroller and associated digital servo drive controllers. Both ends of the wire are driven by separate servomotors that are synchonized by a phase-locked-loop-type control method that prevents angular position errors, similar to mechanical gearing. The user interface displays the cycle count, test RPM, rotation direction, and the distance between the chucks. Test parameters are easily input using the intuitive menu-driven human interface

When testing wires, the stress depends on the wire diameter, wire material properties, the length of wire between the spindles, and the spacing of the spindles. (We can provide references for calculating test parameters.) Spindle spacing is motor-driven and can be set in seconds by entering the desired distance using the keypad. Unlike competitive machines, there are no belts to readjust when changing the spacing.

Wire Fatigue Tester Model FTX is a designed to characterize the fatigue life of small diameter wire using a rotating-beam test.

The wire is subjected to a constant-magnitude, pure bending moment while it is rotated at a steady speed. This creates a fully reversed bending stress on the wire. The number of cycles is counted until a failure is detected and the machine stops. Throughout the test the specimen may be submerged in a temperature controlled water bath.

Machine control is executed by a high speed microcontroller and associated digital servo drive controllers. Both ends of the wire are driven by separate servomotors that are synchonized by a phase-locked-loop-type control method that prevents angular position errors, similar to mechanical gearing. The user interface displays the cycle count, test RPM, rotation direction, and the distance between the chucks. Test parameters are easily input using the intuitive menu-driven human interface

When testing wires, the stress depends on the wire diameter, wire material properties, the length of wire between the spindles, and the spacing of the spindles. (We can provide references for calculating test parameters.) Spindle spacing is motor-driven and can be set in seconds by entering the desired distance using the keypad. Unlike competitive machines, there are no belts to readjust when changing the spacing.

Model FTX has a wire break sensor. The standard sensor is our unique Optical Break Detector, which is capable of reliably detecting breakage with wire diameters 0.004 inch (0.01 mm) and larger, in air or clear liquid. When the wire break is detected, the cycle count is remembered and displayed, and the machine stops.

The sensor is easy to set up, and is supported on a ‘swing-away’ arm which allows easy access to the spindles for wire change without adjusting the sensor each time.

An optional sensor design based on electrical conduction between two plates is available for applications testing multistrand cables; this sensor requires that any liquid bath used be of high resistivity. Consult Blockwise for more details.

Rotation speed and direction are set through the user interface. The range of speed available is 0 – 10,000 RPM on a standard FTX

The FTX system is equipped with an RS485 communications capability, which allows the user to collect data on various operating parameters and conditions

Model FTX has a wire break sensor. The standard sensor is our unique Optical Break Detector, which is capable of reliably detecting breakage with wire diameters 0.004 inch (0.01 mm) and larger, in air or clear liquid. When the wire break is detected, the cycle count is remembered and displayed, and the machine stops.

The sensor is easy to set up, and is supported on a ‘swing-away’ arm which allows easy access to the spindles for wire change without adjusting the sensor each time.

An optional sensor design based on electrical conduction between two plates is available for applications testing multistrand cables; this sensor requires that any liquid bath used be of high resistivity. Consult Blockwise for more details.

Rotation speed and direction are set through the user interface. The range of speed available is 0 – 10,000 RPM on a standard FTX

The FTX system is equipped with an RS485 communications capability, which allows the user to collect data on various operating parameters and conditions

With the V-style conduction break sensor the sample creates a conduction path between two plates when it breaks. It is especially useful for multi-strand cable. This sensor can be used underwater, but the water needs to have low conductivity to prevent false detection.

Miniature collets, with specifically sized openings, can replace the standard micro-chucks. These are generally used on larger samples ranging from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

The water bath option allows the test sample to be submerged. The bath is fabricated from stainless steel. A recirculation heater keeps the bath at a uniform, user-settable temperature. The break sensors are designed to operate underwater.

Required Installation Connections – Model FTX
Description Physical Specs Functional Specs
Electric Power Powers the control system, HMI, etc. C13 Coupler (IEC 60320) 100-240 VAC 1A 50-60Hz
Compressed Air Not Required

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  • Model FTX

    The world’s easiest-to-use and fastest wire fatigue tester for small diameter wire. Precise, easy to set up, quiet, trouble-free. Speed capability up to 10,000 rpm (3x the speed of rival testers). Automatically detects wire failure and captures the cycle count at fracture.

    Wire Diameter Span Speed
    0.1 - 0.87 mm 21 - 150 mm 0 - 10,000 RPM

  • Model FTX-G10

    Ten fatigue testers mounted on a bench platform provide a compact footprint and single utilities point-of-connection, and a common water bath. Any of the FTX line models (FTX, FTXC, FTXH) can be used.

    Wire Diameter Span Speed
    0.1 - 0.87 mm 9 - 132 mm 0 - 10,000 RPM

  • Model FTXC

    This model allows the testing of small diameter wires at high strain values, by reducing the minimum span distance available. Operation is the same as the standard Model FTX.

    Wire Diameter Span Speed
    0.1 - 0.87 mm 9 - 132 mm 0 - 10,000 RPM

  • Model FTXH

    Capable of higher speeds than the other models, this version is most suitable for fatigue characterization at low strain values, where fatigue life is expected to be long.

    Wire Diameter Span Speed
    0.1 - 0.87 mm 21 - 150 mm 0 - 10,000 RPM