The First Instron® Test MachineJoseph Amaral

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Historical Background

• Fibers/Textiles• Wallace Carothers• Strain gauge development• WW II

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MIT Environment

Pre-War 1943Enrollment 3,100 4,500 (1,500 Army,

1,600 Navy, 1,400 Civilians)

Staff 1,100 4,300Expenditures $4,000,000 $23,000,000Space +450,000 sq. ft fab.

+250,000 sq. ft rented

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The Project

• George S. Burr, Harold Hindman• Test materials that could replace silk in military

applications (nylon, rayon)- Broad test requirements- Closed loop control of velocity/position - Loads to test fibers through textile structures- Measure load elongation

• Instrumented Drop Weight Tester• Tension/Compression Test Machine

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GE Amplidyne Motor Generator

• Ernst Alexanderson• Gun tracking and radar control

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Servo Drive System

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Early Load Cells

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Tension and Compression Cells

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Load-weighing System

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Location of Various Assemblies

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Universal Testing Instrument