NPL has a range of machines for applying accurately known forces to force transducers or test pieces. All of the machines can apply compressive forces and all the machines up to the 5 MN machine can apply tensile forces.

The table below gives the range of forces that can be applied by each machine and its working volume. Devices that exceed the working volume of the machine can sometimes be accommodated if they protrude between the legs of the machine.

Machine Capacity	Applied Force	Uncertainty of Applied Force	Direction	Working Volume
50 N	1.5 N to 2.5 N or 3 N then to 50 N in 1 N steps	±0.002 %	Tension & Compression	150 mm Ø 200 mm high
500 N	25 N to 500 N in 25 N steps	±0.002 %	Tension & Compression	165 mm Ø 180 mm high
2.5 kN ( PDF 244 KB)	25 N to 50 N in steps of 25 N 50 N to 500 N in steps of 50 N 500 N to 2.5 kN in steps of 100 N	±0.001 %	Tension	250 mm Ø 500 mm high
			Compression	220 mm Ø 300 mm high
20 kN ( PDF 233 KB)	0.5 kN to 5 kN in steps of 0.5 kN 5 kN to 20 kN in steps of 1.0 kN	±0.001 %	Tension	595 mm Ø 490 mm high
			Compression	315 mm Ø 460 mm high
120 kN ( PDF 245 KB)	2.5 kN to 30 kN in steps of 2.5 kN 30 kN to 60 kN in steps of 5 kN 60 kN to 120 kN in steps of 10 kN	±0.001 %	Tension	786 mm Ø 800 mm high
			Compression	530 mm Ø 770 mm high
1.2 MN ( PDF 254 KB)	10 kN to 1.2 MN in steps of 10 kN	±0.001 %	Tension	1 050 mm Ø 1 300 mm high
			Compression	740 mm Ø 900 mm high
5 MN ( PDF 215 KB)	100 kN to 5 MN in steps of 1 kN	±0.05 %	Tension	724 mm Ø 1 067 mm high
			Compression	724 mm Ø 981 mm high
12 MN ( PDF 231 KB)	300 kN to 10.8 MN	Dependent on force applied, please ask for further details	Compression	602 mm Ø 1 980 mm high
30 MN ( PDF 240 KB)	150 kN to 30 MN	Dependent on force applied, please ask for further details	Compression	1 238 mm Ø 1 711 mm high

Contact

Customer Service tel: +44 20 8943 6315
E-mail: force_enquiries@npl.co.uk