National Physical Laboratory adds Indentation Plastometer for mechanical testing of metal AM parts

August 29, 2023

EquipmentNewsResearch
August 29, 2023
NPL will use the new Indentation Plastometer for the mechanical testing of metal additively manufactured parts (Courtesy Plastometrex)
NPL will use the new Indentation Plastometer for the mechanical testing of metal additively manufactured parts (Courtesy Plastometrex)

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), a public sector research establishment which serves as the UK’s National Metrology Institute, has added an Indentation Plastometer from Plastometrex for the mechanical testing of metallic materials, including those produced by Additive Manufacturing. Initially, NPL will use the system to test the strength of complex lattice structures and small parameter cube samples made by Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB).

The Plastometer is powered by advanced algorithms that allow it to extract metal stress-strain curves from a five-minute indentation-based test. The process is reported to be ideally suited to Additive Manufacturing due to its unique ability to test small and complex shapes quickly and affordably. This provides users with the necessary data to make confident and informed engineering decisions.

TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE
Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals
Contact us

Tony Fry, Principal Scientist at NPL, shared, “The Indentation Plastometer allows us to characterise the properties of finely structured parts in an entirely new way. The data allows us to build up a more comprehensive picture of the properties of parts made via Additive Manufacturing, deepening our understanding of the process.”

Plastometrex and NPL are working on several projects. These include supporting the standardisation of the technology, utilising the tool in the AM market, and the development of Plastometrex’s upcoming high-temperature system, HotPIP.

Professor Bill Clyne, Chief Scientific Officer at Plastometrex, added, “We are delighted to be working with NPL, a world-leading organisation in this field. We are looking forward to collaborating with them on several projects that push the frontier of measurement technology for the benefit of the economy and the environment.”

plastometrex.com

www.npl.co.uk

EquipmentNewsResearch
August 29, 2023

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Back to the future: A decade of Additive Manufacturing innovation and growth at Materials Solutions
  • Win or lose: A CEO’s reflections on Artificial Intelligence and Additive Manufacturing
  • AMS 2025 New York: A reality check for the Additive Manufacturing industry
  • Optimising powder removal in PBF-LB Additive Manufacturing: A Digital Twin approach
  • ValCUN’s MMD: A robust, wire-based aluminium AM technology for defence and industrial applications
  • Enhancing quality and reliability in metal Additive Manufacturing: The role of laser calibration

TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE

Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals.

Contact Jon Craxford: [email protected]

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Register now

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap