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multi-length
-speed
-force scale universal mechanical testing systems
Fast Direct Drive Actuator
Near zero out-of-plane motion
High-resolution sensors
Psylotech designs, builds and integrates mechanical load frames into imaging systems: beamlines, microCT, nanoCT, XRD, and optical, confocal & scanning electron microscopes. We leverage DIC and DVC to characterize materials across length scales. Learn more about Psylotech’s core technologies.
xTS – X-ray Tomography
- beamlines
- microCT
- nanoCT
The xTS rotates the load train within the frame, benefiting from Psylotech’s low out-of-plane motion technologies. The rotating load train maximizes microCT spatial resolution and reduces nanoCT scan times. The system is lightweight & portable, and making it ideal for shipping to beamlines. Post imaging software corrects runout and wobble, providing sub-micron spatial resolution.
µTS – Optical/Confocal Microscopy
The uTS was purpose built for DIC and microscopy. It is the fountainhead of Psylotech’s technology development. The low out-of-plane motion keeps samples in focus, enabling local strain measurement on small samples.X-ray Diffraction
The µTS and xTS can be adapted for XRD. Easily deployable in Synchrotron and Neutron Line applications. Dual actuator option keeps the sample centered in the beam. Extended strokes and temperature chamber options are available.
µTS – Mixed Mode Fracture
Psylotech has allowed users to develop a more comprehensive approach by developing a dual axis load frame which can provide a wide range of mode-mixes (combination of tension and shear) in a relatively simple manner and leveraging of DIC.
Options
SEM
The scanning electron microscope µTS is vacuum hardened and implements a ring encoder to shorten the actuator. Despite the SEM’s large depth of field, low out of plane motion is important for DIC to reduce false strain measurements.Grips
Standard grip options include tension, compression, 4 & 3 point bending, and mixed-mode Arcan. Psylotech also offers customization services to meet specific user needs.
Temperature
Psylotech offers a microscope-compatible -100 to 300C convective temperature chamber. We also integrate 800 and 1600C furnace designs licensed from the University College London. Laser heating options to 2500C are available to early adopters.
Centering Stage
A servo-controlled centering stage keeps the sample’s area of interest under the microscope, even to large deformation. The relative motion is software settable, which is particularly useful when monitoring beam bending samples, where the area of interest is not necessarily half way between the grips. A much lower resolution but more compact stepper centering stage is also available. Alternatively, dual moving cross heads can provide centering.
High Speed/Fatigue
Dual moving cross-heads doubles system speed and acceleration. Increasing the ballscrew lead provides the same advantages, but at the expense of force capacity. For high cycle fatigue, a lubricant reservoir can be incorporated into the actuator.Extended Stroke
Implementing a ring encoder enables the stroke to be extended as needed. The extra ball screw length protrudes through the rear of the actuator, enabling stroke longer than the actuator itself.
Publications
Sanaz S. Hashemi, Dibakar Mondal, John Montesano, Thomas L. Willett, Effects of biopolymer functionalization and nanohydroxyapatite heat treatment on the tensile and thermomechanical properties of Bone-Inspired 3D printable nanocomposite biomaterials
Hyeyoung Son, Dawson Michael Smith, Zhaofan Li, Taehoo Chang, Wenjie Xia and Chelsea Simone Davis, Particle alignment effects on mechanical properties of cellulose nanocrystal thin films
Zachary Stephen Courtright, Cost-Effective, High-Temperature Materials Testing
About
About Psylotech
Psylotech endeavors to build a world-wide community around multi-scale mechanical testing. Our load frames were designed after the advent of DIC. Our design philosophy is geared to provide experimentalists complete control over their experiments, while concurrently making the default process easy to use. We value quick response time for support and user interactions.
Psylotech was founded in 2006, initially to produce high resolution sensors. With the help and guidance of Prof. Ioannis Chasiotis of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, we were awarded a 2009 Army Research Lab SBIR with WMRD to build a microscope compatible miniature universal load frame for DIC. In 2018, we built the first rotating load train in situ X-ray tomography for Prof. Hongbing Lu, chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Texas, Dallas.
Contact
We invite your inquiries. Please send us a message, or contact our sales representatives across the globe.
The Americas
Psylotech World HQ
1616 Payne St
Evanston, IL 60201 USA
Matthew Struve, Sales Manager
Tel +1 847-328-7100 x 18
Cell +1 847-922-1639
matt.struve@psylotech.com
info@psylotech.com for support or non-sales inquiries
Korea
ISG
Office #609, 159, Sagimakgol-ro, Jungwon-gu
Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13202
www.theisg.co.kr
TEL. 070-8650-0117
info@theisg.co.kr
Japan
Laser Measurement Corporation
OT Building 5F, 1-19-12, Umezato Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-0011
Telephone +81-3-6304-9600
Facsimile +81-3-6304-9631
info@laser-measurement.com
Taiwan
Alpha Precision Instrumentation Corp.
Room A, 7th Floor, No. 50, Songjiang Road, Taipei City 10455
TEL:02-2511 5959
frank@apic.com.tw
The Rest of the World
Matthew Struve, Sales Manager
Tel +1 847-328-7100 x 18
Cell +1 847-922-1639
matt.struve@psylotech.com