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One of the world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of hardness tester is INNOVATEST (Netherlands). Founded in 1890, the company produces a wide range of solutions from compact hardness testers to highly automated industrial systems. At the Control 2017 exhibition in Stuttgart (Germany), Yvan Deckers, international sales manager, told us about developments of INNOVATEST.
Mr. Deckers, what solutions for hardness measuring are offered by INNOVATEST?
We design and manufacture instruments for hardness testing by methods of Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, and also universal systems. In addition to the supply of standard models, it is possible to create special solutions designed for a specific customer. Our instruments are widely used in industry and research to measure the hardness of all types of steel, metals, alloys and plastics. The main users are enterprises operating in the automotive, aerospace and allied industries.
What new can you offer in the field of hardness measurement?
Hardness testing is a routine, standardized operation, therefore innovations are mainly related to the field of measurement automation. We offer highly automated industrial systems, which are characterized by high speed and accuracy of measurements, as well as by exceptional reliability. An example of such solutions is the new universal NEMESIS 9100 system. In addition to the new design, it is distinguished by an extended load range from 200 gf to 3000 kgf. NEMESIS 9100 is equipped with motorized stages, joystick control, laser positioning system and ZOOM overview camera. The test head on the eight-position automatic turret is equipped with three indenters and three objectives.
Another new development is the FALCON 400 for measuring hardness and microhardness using the methods of Vickers, Knoop and Brinell. This model implements a force actuator system with electronically controlled closed loop and advanced force sensor, which ensures the accuracy and repeatability of measurements. The device is equipped with a six-position turret and allows to work with a load from 1 gf to 31.25 kgf.
What distinguishes INNOVATEST from other manufacturers of hardness tester?
We offer the widest range of instruments, and we ourselves develop all mechanical parts, electronic components and software for them. This allows us to accumulate and protect our know-how and provides the flexibility necessary to create special solutions for specific users tasks. Those components and units that we do not produce at our factory in Maastricht are manufactured by subcontractors from the Netherlands, which meet our quality requirements.
It should also be noted that we actively involve leading scientific centers in our research and development activities. This is facilitated by the location of our headquarters near the technical universities of Aachen and Eindhoven and also the Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.
What are the key drivers of the market for hardness measurement solutions?
The main driver is the development of the automotive and aircraft industries, which are accompanied by an increase in the requirements for quality control of cars and aircraft. Today, almost every part of cars and aircraft must pass through rigorous tests to determine its mechanical characteristics, including hardness. This stimulates the development of the market of test instruments.
What challenges does INNOVATEST face?
The main challenge for us is expansion into new markets. We are recognized as technology leaders in the field of hardness measurement equipment in Europe, the next step is to gain a leading position in Asia and the Americas. We pay a lot of attention to the Russian market, where Thermo Techno represents us. We aspire to become a global brand in our market segment.
Interview: Dmitry Gudilin
We design and manufacture instruments for hardness testing by methods of Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, and also universal systems. In addition to the supply of standard models, it is possible to create special solutions designed for a specific customer. Our instruments are widely used in industry and research to measure the hardness of all types of steel, metals, alloys and plastics. The main users are enterprises operating in the automotive, aerospace and allied industries.
What new can you offer in the field of hardness measurement?
Hardness testing is a routine, standardized operation, therefore innovations are mainly related to the field of measurement automation. We offer highly automated industrial systems, which are characterized by high speed and accuracy of measurements, as well as by exceptional reliability. An example of such solutions is the new universal NEMESIS 9100 system. In addition to the new design, it is distinguished by an extended load range from 200 gf to 3000 kgf. NEMESIS 9100 is equipped with motorized stages, joystick control, laser positioning system and ZOOM overview camera. The test head on the eight-position automatic turret is equipped with three indenters and three objectives.
Another new development is the FALCON 400 for measuring hardness and microhardness using the methods of Vickers, Knoop and Brinell. This model implements a force actuator system with electronically controlled closed loop and advanced force sensor, which ensures the accuracy and repeatability of measurements. The device is equipped with a six-position turret and allows to work with a load from 1 gf to 31.25 kgf.
What distinguishes INNOVATEST from other manufacturers of hardness tester?
We offer the widest range of instruments, and we ourselves develop all mechanical parts, electronic components and software for them. This allows us to accumulate and protect our know-how and provides the flexibility necessary to create special solutions for specific users tasks. Those components and units that we do not produce at our factory in Maastricht are manufactured by subcontractors from the Netherlands, which meet our quality requirements.
It should also be noted that we actively involve leading scientific centers in our research and development activities. This is facilitated by the location of our headquarters near the technical universities of Aachen and Eindhoven and also the Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.
What are the key drivers of the market for hardness measurement solutions?
The main driver is the development of the automotive and aircraft industries, which are accompanied by an increase in the requirements for quality control of cars and aircraft. Today, almost every part of cars and aircraft must pass through rigorous tests to determine its mechanical characteristics, including hardness. This stimulates the development of the market of test instruments.
What challenges does INNOVATEST face?
The main challenge for us is expansion into new markets. We are recognized as technology leaders in the field of hardness measurement equipment in Europe, the next step is to gain a leading position in Asia and the Americas. We pay a lot of attention to the Russian market, where Thermo Techno represents us. We aspire to become a global brand in our market segment.
Interview: Dmitry Gudilin
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