In modern material testing, small to medium-force applications—such as evaluating thin films, miniature plastic components, or lightweight rubber products—demand equipment that balances structural stability, high precision, and ease of use. As a flagship model in AMETEK LLOYD’s LD Series, the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine stands out with its 5 kN force capacity, compliance with global standards like EN ISO 7500:2015 Class 0.5 and ASTM E4, and a robust dual-column frame. This machine is tailored for quality control (QC) labs, research and development (R&D) facilities, and educational institutions, delivering consistent data for diverse material characterization tasks. By integrating advanced measurement technologies with intuitive software, the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine addresses the core needs of users seeking reliable, standardized, and adaptable testing solutions. This article explores its mechanical design, precision systems, software capabilities, and underlying testing principles, highlighting why it is a trusted tool in modern material science.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine is built around a dual-column frame that prioritizes structural rigidity— a critical factor for minimizing machine deflection during high-precision tests. Its standard machine height is 1728 mm (68 in), with an optional extended height of 2363 mm (93 in), allowing compatibility with taller samples or accessories like environmental chambers for temperature-controlled testing. The width between columns is 452 mm (17.8 in), providing ample space to load specimens of varying sizes while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for most lab layouts.  

 

A key specification for handling diverse test scenarios is the crosshead travel: the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine offers a standard travel of 1070 mm (42 in), extendable to 1669 mm (65.7 in). This generous range supports tests requiring significant deformation, such as tensile testing of elastic rubbers or compression testing of thick foam materials, without compromising stability. The machine’s overall weight of 225 kg (496 lb) enhances its stability by reducing vibration— a common issue in lighter single-column machines that can skew low-force measurements.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine is also engineered for global usability. It operates on a flexible power supply: 207-253 VAC at 50 Hz (common in Europe, Asia) or 103.5-126.5 VAC at 60 Hz (standard in North America), eliminating the need for custom power modifications. Its operating temperature range of 10 to 40°C (50 to 104°F) ensures reliable performance in both climate-controlled labs and slightly variable production floor environments. Together, these structural and environmental features make the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine a versatile choice for diverse testing settings.  

 

At the core of the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine’s reliability is its high-precision measurement system, designed to deliver accurate data even at the lower end of its force range. The machine’s load cell boasts an accuracy of less than ±0.5% of the reading, down to 1/100 of its full 5 kN capacity. This wide dynamic range means it maintains precision whether testing a 50 N (11.2 lbf) thin film or the full 5 kN (1124 lbf) for sturdier plastics, reducing the need for multiple load cells and simplifying setup.  

 

Complementing the load cell is a 32-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, which enables ultra-high load resolution— specifically, 1 part in 10⁹. This level of detail allows the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine to detect minute force changes, critical for applications like adhesive peel testing, where small force variations indicate bond strength. The machine’s extension resolution is equally impressive: 0.000121 μm per encoder count, ensuring accurate measurement of even minimal specimen deformation, such as the stretch of high-strength thin metals.  

 

Data capture speed is another vital component: the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine transmits data to a connected PC at 1 kHz. This high transfer rate ensures transient events— like sudden sample failure during tensile testing— are captured in real time, preventing data loss and enabling detailed analysis of material behavior. Additionally, the load measuring system’s compliance with EN ISO 7500:2015 Class 0.5 and ASTM E4 guarantees that data from the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine is credible for regulatory submissions and global quality audits, a key requirement for industries like medical devices and automotive.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine is paired with NEXYGENPlus 4 software, a user-centric platform that centralizes control, data acquisition, and analysis— streamlining the entire testing workflow. NEXYGENPlus 4 is optimized to leverage the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine’s capabilities, offering three core control modes tailored to different test needs:  

 

Position Control: Lets users set a fixed crosshead speed, ranging from ultra-slow rates (for long-term creep tests) to faster speeds (for high-throughput QC). This mode is ideal for tests where consistent sample movement is prioritized, such as compression testing of foam blocks.  

Load Rate Control: Maintains a constant force application rate, critical for tests like compressive strength testing of concrete masonry units, where uniform force input ensures accurate results.  

Strain Rate Control: Adjusts crosshead speed based on specimen deformation (measured via an extensometer), ensuring uniform strain application. This is essential for determining material modulus in tensile tests, as it aligns with international standards for modulus calculation.  

 

NEXYGENPlus 4 also includes a pre-configured library of test methods aligned with ASTM, ISO, and DIN standards— such as ASTM D638 for plastics and ISO 527 for polymer tensile testing— eliminating manual programming and reducing operator error. The software supports seamless data management: results can be exported to Microsoft Office, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), or statistical process control (SPC) tools, simplifying reporting and trend analysis. For custom needs, users can create and save personalized test routines, making the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine adaptable to niche applications like custom component durability testing.  

 

The software’s interface features real-time data visualizations— such as force-displacement curves and strain-time graphs— allowing operators to monitor test progress and identify anomalies. This combination of control flexibility, standard compliance, and usability makes NEXYGENPlus 4 an integral part of the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine’s value.  

 

To maximize versatility, the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine supports a range of accessories, focusing on extensometers and fixtures that enhance its ability to test diverse materials. The machine is designed to handle both analog and digital extensometer inputs, letting users select tools matching their specimen type:  

 

Analog Extensometers: Cost-effective and reliable for standard tests like routine tensile testing of plastics, where precision requirements are moderate.  

Digital Extensometers: Offer higher precision and noise resistance, ideal for R&D applications like measuring Poisson’s ratio of thin metals— where accurate strain data is critical.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine’s ultra-fine extension resolution (0.000121 μm per encoder count) complements these extensometers, ensuring even the smallest deformations are captured.  

 

In terms of fixtures, the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine is compatible with a wide range of grips and jigs:  

Wedge-Action Grips: Securely clamp rigid samples like small metal bars, preventing slippage during high-force testing.  

Vice-Action Grips: Feature soft, non-marring surfaces for delicate materials like thin films or fabrics, avoiding specimen damage.  

Compression Platens: Available in flat or contoured designs, with sizes matching the machine’s 452 mm column width— accommodating samples from small plastic cylinders to larger foam blocks.  

 

Additionally, the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine’s extended height option supports integration with environmental chambers, enabling testing under controlled temperature conditions. This accessory compatibility ensures the machine can adapt to evolving testing needs, from basic QC to advanced R&D.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine’s performance relies on its ability to execute key test types by combining precision hardware, software control, and accessories. Below are the principles behind its most common applications:  

 

Tensile Testing  

Tensile testing evaluates a material’s resistance to pulling forces, measuring tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation at break. For the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine:  

1. The specimen (e.g., a dog-bone plastic sample) is clamped in appropriate grips (wedge-action for rigidity, vice-action for delicacy).  

2. Users select “strain rate control” in NEXYGENPlus 4 to ensure uniform deformation, with an extensometer tracking elongation.  

3. The crosshead moves upward at the set rate, applying tensile force. The load cell measures force, while the extensometer captures deformation.  

4. NEXYGENPlus 4 generates a stress-strain curve (stress = force/initial area; strain = elongation/initial length), calculating key properties. The machine’s 1070-1669 mm crosshead travel ensures samples stretch to failure.  

 

Compression Testing  

Compression testing assesses resistance to crushing, measuring compressive strength and modulus. For the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine:  

1. The specimen (e.g., a foam block) is placed between compression platens, aligned with the machine’s axis to avoid uneven loading.  

2. “Position control” is selected to set a fixed crosshead speed (e.g., 10 mm/min) for consistent compression.  

3. The crosshead moves downward, applying force. The load cell measures force, while the encoder tracks compression (height reduction).  

4. NEXYGENPlus 4 generates a force-displacement curve, calculating compressive strength (maximum force before failure) and modulus. The machine’s rigid frame prevents deflection, ensuring accuracy.  

 

Flexural Testing  

Flexural testing evaluates bending resistance, critical for rigid materials like plastic beams. For the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine:  

1. The specimen is mounted on a 3-point or 4-point bending jig, with supports spaced per standards (e.g., ASTM D790).  

2. “Load rate control” is used to apply consistent force at the midpoint (3-point) or inner supports (4-point).  

3. The crosshead moves downward, creating a bending moment. The load cell measures force, while an extensometer tracks midpoint deflection.  

4. NEXYGENPlus 4 calculates flexural strength (maximum stress at the outer fiber) and modulus, with the machine’s stability ensuring minimal interference.  

 

Creep Testing  

Creep testing measures deformation over time under constant force, vital for long-term load-bearing materials. For the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine:  

1. A constant force is applied via “load rate control” (to reach target force), then switched to “load hold” mode.  

2. The machine maintains constant force, while the encoder/extensometer measures deformation at intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds) over hours/days.  

3. NEXYGENPlus 4 records creep strain (deformation/initial length) vs. time, generating a creep curve. The machine’s high load resolution ensures force stability for accurate long-term data.  

 

The AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine excels as a precise, versatile solution for small to medium-force material testing. Its dual-column frame delivers stability, while its measurement system— with ±0.5% load accuracy and 0.000121 μm extension resolution— ensures reliable data. NEXYGENPlus 4 software simplifies control and data management, and accessory compatibility extends its utility to diverse materials. Compliant with global standards, the machine meets regulatory needs for industries like automotive and medical devices.  Backed by AMETEK’s global support network (with offices in the USA, China, India, and Europe), the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine offers more than equipment—it is a long-term partner for ensuring material quality. For QC labs, R&D facilities, or educational institutions seeking a balance of precision, usability, and adaptability, the AMETEK LLOYD LD5 Dual-Column Material Testing Machine is a standout choice, embodying AMETEK LLOYD’s legacy of engineering excellence in material testing.