SDL Atlas — a Rock Hill, S.C.-based provider of textile testing instruments — has introduced the
PowerTear™ High-Energy Elmendorf Tearing Tester for testing the ballistic tear strength of both
fine and heavyweight textiles.
The PowerTear has a single, microprocessor-controlled falling pendulum to measure ballistic
tear strength by generating a single rip tear in a testing sample. The pendulum features a digital
display and has been redesigned to have two individual precision adjustors — vertical and
horizontal — to determine the pendulum’s center of gravity and make adjustments if necessary. It
also features an angular decoder capable of measuring the pendulum’s swing angles before and after
testing to ensure a more direct and accurate determination of tearing resistance.
The Tester has a maximum capacity of 12800 centinewtons, and higher-capacity add-on weights
are split into separate pieces to simplify tester capacity changes. It also features a large, heavy
steel base plate to prevent the pendulum’s swing from affecting test accuracy; and an electrical
clutch that immediately stops the pendulum after testing to increase test efficiency and operator
safety.
SDL Atlas developed new software for the Powertear that is compatible with all Windows®
operating systems and enables users to input batch information, remarks and specimen descriptions;
include or exclude particular test results; and create customized reports.
In other company news, United Kingdom-based fashion retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S)
has approved the SDL Atlas PnuBurst Pneumatic Bursting Strength Tester for use in M&S P27
method tests performed in globally accredited quality-control laboratories. The PnuBurst tests the
bursting strength and distension at burst of woven, knitted and nonwoven fabrics as well as paper
and paperboard; and is capable of meeting all major bursting standards that do not require
hydraulic testers, SDL Atlas reports.
April 16, 2013
