TESTING
Accurate, easy to use test stands
force equipment specialist to visit their facility. We review the application infor- mation as to what they’re trying to test, and generally spend a day demonstrating how to set up the equipment. During the visit, the technical and force specialist makes sure the equipment is in a suitable, stable spot so that it doesn’t receive interference from external sources. Importantly, we also provide instruction on how to properly set up and design tests. It’s very one-on-one and involved. Also, our personnel are very experienced with setting up unusual tests, including automation if customers want to have the tests in-line with manufactur- ing processes. DAM : What are the bene ts of using the FMS or MMS stands compared to other testing equipment? JM: e advantage with an encoder-driv- en motorized test stand is you can obtain the position and how far parts travel, so you can test more than just the load. If you need to test di erent qualities of di erent components of rearms or muni- tions, you can do that with one test stand. If you require multiple machines to test various items, that’s another area you can add to as well. Since FMS and MMS stands are computer-driven, you can even automate a lot of the processes. Many customers have stated our software is signi cantly easier to use than other programs they have tried. e interface is more streamlined, and the test process is signi cantly easier. DAM : When using the FMS for trigger pull testing, how does the system collect and present the information for quality control?
Jacob Morales, technical support for force measuring and material testing equipment at The L.S. Starrett Co., discusses their FMS and MMS single column motorized force testing stands.
By Grace Koennecke
Defense & Munitions (DAM) : Why is force measurement in rearms and muni- tions important for defense manufactur- ers to conduct? Jacob Morales (JM): Before manufac- turers make a single rearm part, testing materials is a key step for quality control. Tensile and force testers are used to ensure materials meet quality standards based on ASTM or ISO standards, depending on the provider’s requirements for raw materials prior to manufacturing components. Firearm component examples include springs, triggers, and ammunition. All these parts must be assembled, or in some way have force testing applied to them. ere’s typically a requirement need- ing to be met which makes certain a part functions the way it’s expected to without failure. If the equipment fails when you need it, or has a problem in the usage process, someone could get hurt or have an even worse outcome. DAM : e FMS and MMS single column motorized test stands are accurate and easy to use. With this in mind, how are workers trained to use this equipment? JM: When the customer receives the equipment, we schedule a technician and
JM: Often, there’s a standard provided with the components being tested. For example, springs come with spring sheets. e sheets have information regarding what’s considered the spring’s free length, solid height, and the expected load across that entire length. A test setup could include relevant data collection informa- tion regarding those targets, and return an output showing you whether or not it fell within or outside of tolerance. For example, imagine a 6" long spring that can be compressed down three inches before the coils contact each other. e machine can reach that point and measure the loads at di erent heights along the travel length, and again when it returns to the spring’s original height. Importantly, the force system and its integrated software collect data points and present them on a graph. While the system is doing a pull test, the tension values are shown as an X-Y graph where the X-axis is distance and the Y-axis is load. As it travels upward, the line moves
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DefenseAndMunitions.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
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