Zwick has developed a robotic testing system for testing steel concrete reinforcing bars and concrete mesh reinforcement which performs all the testing automatically, yet still allows flexible testing around the clock.

The testing system automatically measures the length and weight of the specimens and uses this data to determine the nominal cross-section and the geometric measurement of the ribs as well as carrying out the tensile test and /or the shear strength of welded joints.

As an option, the system can be expanded so that specimens can be artificially aged by storing them for 60 minutes in a heated temperature chamber and subsequently cooling them back down to room temperature. The robotic system integrates them into the standard test sequence by using an additional buffer magazine.

The system, with its “polar construction”, consists of two testing machines and additional specific measuring equipment configured around a six-axis industrial robot. The specimens are transported between the workstations and the system also handles the disposal of specimen remains in accordance with predefined criteria.

A significant benefit of the system is its ability to optimize the testing sequence based on a combination of the required test priority and the length of time the specimen has been in the magazine. This results in higher efficiency, improved productivity, and much more consistent and reliable results. Furthermore the system is able to carry out tests independently throughout the night or at weekends saving considerable labor costs for manufacturers.