Thirteen LR5KPlus twin column universal materials testing machines from Lloyd Instruments have been purchased by a major bed manufacturer for mattress and pillow testing applications. The instruments are used in a number of departments, including R & D, quality assurance, production, customer returns and competitive analysis. Nine machines are in use at the company’s headquarters, three more at a second manufacturing plant and one at a remote warehouse for testing product returns.

Significant financial benefits have resulted from the use of these instruments. Apart from quality control for a number of product lines, the Lloyd Instruments machines are used to assess the quality of incoming material, allowing optimum pricing to be obtained. The machine sited at the warehouse is used to provide quality assurance feedback on returned products, and saves on the cost of shipping product back to the factory for testing. Two machines are used exclusively for testing and evaluating competitor products, providing useful feedback to position products to maximize profits.

Many of these machines are “pogo style” instruments, which are mounted on specially designed frames that enable complete mattresses to be tested. These pogo-style machines have a linear bearing fitted in the fixed lower crosshead through which a rod runs, connecting the load cell and the compression platens mounted below the machine within the frame. Pillows and foam blocks are tested using standard bench-mounted versions.

One of the material testers is currently undergoing trials, having been integrated into the production line for automatic testing. The instrument is mounted above the conveyor and when the mattress arrives, it triggers a sensor, which initiates the test.

The LR5KPlus is microprocessor controlled, incorporating world proven 32-bit technology for highly accurate load measurement and rapid data acquisition. It is ideal for testing applications up to 5 kN (1124 lbf). Integral to the customer satisfaction provided by the LR5KPlus instruments has been the flexibility of the NEXYGEN materials test and analysis software supplied with the instruments. The recent introduction of the latest generation NEXYGENPlus software provides almost unlimited testing capability and results processing features. Test information can easily be exported to Microsoft® products such as Word, Excel® and Outlook®.

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Note for Editors  

Lloyd Instruments is a unit of the AMETEK Measurement & Calibration Technologies Division.  Both are part of AMETEK, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed company and a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electric motors with annual sales of $1.8 billion.  Visit www.lloyd-instruments.com for more information.

Further Enquiries:

Suzanne Sharpe, Lloyd Instruments Ltd. Forum House, 12 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth East, Fareham, Hants PO15 5TT UK. Tel. +44 (0)1489 486399  Fax. +44 (0)1489 885118 http://www.lloyd-instruments.com  E-mail Suzanne.sharpe@ametek.co.uk 

Press Enquiries: 

Denis Bulgin, In Press Public Relations Ltd. PO Box 24, Royston, Herts, SG8 6TT UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1763 262621, Fax +44 (0) 1488 73773. http://www.inpress.co.uk  E-mail: denis@inpress.co.uk