modernization of hardness testers

• With a modernization you measure more accurate: Outdated measuring systems usually use line measurements, which estimate the distance between two measuring lines. Electronics measure with point and pixel precision.
• The measurements can be more comfortable and fatigue-free (viewing eyepiece) – concentrate on the result and not on the measurement
• The Documentation is done "in passing": With the modern hardness testing software HardworX, it is no longer necessary to obtain the hardness value from a table. Furthermore, the hardness value is saved and graphically presented: The results can be printed out, including an SPC control chart, statistics, histograms, or hardness diagrams.
• Reading and transmission errors are eliminated: The measured values ​​are automatically transferred to the hardness testing software HardworX for further processing
• Automatic result export for external data processing is one of the many standards

This depends on your requirements and the device type:

In an optical hardness tester with a ground glass screen (WOLPERT Dia-Testor, FRANK Frankoskop, REICHERTER Briviskop), only a digital scale can usually be installed for electronic measurement of the Vickers/Brinell indentation. The outdated ground glass measuring ruler is removed and replaced with a digital scale. This allows the user to conveniently enter the hardness test indentation. The diagonals of the hardness indentation are transferred to the testing software at the touch of a button, and the result is immediately available for further processing.

Some competitors recommend integrating a video camera with image processing even with a ground glass screen. We advise against this: The relatively high inherent magnification of a video camera requires an expensive, lower-magnification lens. Nevertheless, only limited use is possible, as large test indentations (on soft materials) lie outside the field of view and can no longer be measured (limiting it to a single-purpose device for high hardness). Furthermore, the total costs (eyepiece holder, video camera, testing software, additional lens, conversion costs, calibration) are disproportionate. If such equipment seems necessary, we recommend a new hardness testing machine, which was developed for this technology and offers a coherent overall concept.

For a hardness tester for Rockwell (only available for WOLPERT Dia-Testor | HT2000 | HT1a)
The analog Rockwell dial gauge can be replaced with a digital dial gauge. Using a special software feature, this machine is able to measure the indentation in the material electronically. The HardworX testing software delivers a hardness value immediately after the load is removed, which is then processed accordingly.

For hardness measuring instruments for Micro-Vickers / Macro-Vickers (small load hardness testers)
With a mechanical loading system (dead weights), only a video camera (with optional image processing) can be integrated. Modern imaging techniques can then relieve a specialist of much of the workload at a hardness measuring device. With a mouse click, the diagonals of the hardness test indentation can be entered in seconds and thus conveniently evaluated (optional: automatic measurement via image processing). Incorrect evaluations and transmission errors can no longer occur – the error rate drops to almost zero, and the evaluation process is accelerated enormously.

In addition, the XY table can be equipped with electronic micrometer screws. Parallel to the hardness value, the position of the digital micrometer screw is then queried and displayed together with the hardness value in a hardness diagram and the hardness depth is evaluated.

Typically, such devices (ZWICK 323 and 3212 | FRANK Finotest | REICHERTER KL 1 and 2 | WOLPERT-V-Testor etc.) were manufactured without electronics. Retrofitting these devices with a swivel system (between the indenter and the measuring optics) is not economically viable: These types must still be operated manually and are only upgraded by the more convenient measurement. However, it should be mentioned that the evaluation offers a significant rationalization effect, especially for subsequent evaluations (compared to manual evaluation).

• CHD (EHT) case hardening depth-hardening depth
• SHD (Rht) surface hardening depth
• NHD (Nht) nitriding hardness depth
• CD (At) carburization depth
• CLT (VS) bonding layer thickness
• hardness gradients on components
• weld hardness profile

The INNOVATEST Hardness testers with motorized turret head + motorized load cycle enable complete automation:

• Camera measuring system CMS: Video camera with testing software for convenient hardness indentation measurement at the click of a mouse (image analysis option)
• CMS Level 3: All test impressions are generated automatically and measured manually or by image analysis
• CMS Level 3: like 3, but with automatic focusing and fully automatic hardness indentation measurement
• It couldn’t be easier: position the test piece, set the test direction and press START!

In an automated test sequence, the ground (and polished) sample is positioned on the motorized cross table under the optics of the. After the starting position has been found, the test method only needs to be informed of the orientation of the test object with a mouse click. After START, the test impressions are now created at the exact position (semi-automatic) and then measured automatically (fully automatic). The hardness measuring device carries out all steps independently (fully automatic).

The Vickers hardness value is calculated, recorded, and displayed as a curve. By entering limit values, material tolerances can be monitored.