At ADMET, our goal is to ensure your expectations are met when partnering and making a purchase with us. To do so, we ask detailed questions about your test application in order to recommend a testing system that will meet your goals within an agreed upon time frame.
What to Expect
ADMET Sales Engineers are trained to establish relevancy and credibility and guide customers through value-driven business decisions. Our sales approach is a consultative process where we mutually work with customers to diagnose their needs by having open, honest, and straight-forward conversations.
Sales Engineering at ADMET requires thorough diagnosis. We will be asking detailed questions about your testing application including the types of tests you are looking to run, whether you are following any ASTM/ISO/EN test methods, and the calculations and material properties you are looking to measure and report at the end of the tests. In addition, we will ask for information on the required force capacities and the test specimens such as their material, geometry, and dimensions. This information will then be assessed to recommend the most suitable test system or systems, load cells, grips, fixtures, and accessories such as environmental chambers and baths.
Engineering Review Meetings
ADMET Sales, Product Development, and Technical Support teams are based off our office in Norwood, Massachusetts. Our Sales Engineers are able to review specifications with Engineering teams when their expertise is needed. Customers are also included in engineering review meetings to ensure their expectations are met. In addition, we may present equipment drawings and ask for customer sign-off and approval prior to starting production.
We understand that a certain standard solution may not fit all. Our team will work with you from the initial contact to ensure that the proposed system is designed to meet your exact requirements and will be reliable and easy to use. For more information on custom solutions, click here.
eXpert 5600 Triple Head Peel Fixture
Success for Our Solutions
At ADMET, we do not just propose a solution, we work mutually with customers to understand how our solutions may help, then focus on the value customers achieve. We work with a variety of industries and are aware that material testing systems sales are a complex sale. A testing system consists of multiple components, thus, if one of the components supplied with the rest of the equipment is unsuitable for a specific testing application, you may not be able to use the system as expected.
For example, if the machine frame capacity and the load cell capacity is 100kN (22,480lbf), but the grips supplied can only go up to 50kN (11,240lbf), the system cannot be used to its maximum capacity without damaging the grips. On the other hand, if all specifications accurately match but the controller and software package supplied is not able to acquire the data you are looking for or generate the required results, the investment will not truly be a success.
Specialized Compression Fixture and Transducer for ASTM D695
Return on Investment
Every major expenditure that a company makes is driven far more by the return on that investment than it is by whether it is covered by a budget. We understand that there are a couple of options in the material testing industry and we want to ensure all options are discussed. Our business model is based on diagnosing these options instead of forcing customers to go down one route.
These can be categorized into four main groups:
1- Work with a test lab to run specimen testing
May be beneficial if the number of specimens tested is not too many or if testing is required for a short-term project. Factors taken into account usually include:
- The cost of each test
- The number of tests done per year
- The value of stock tied up at the outsourcer
- The cost of borrowing of the company
- The time required by the outsourcer to do the tests
- Penalties historically incurred (if any) due to deadlines being missed
- Assumed cost of an operator to run the new machine
- The potential investment in a new system
If this is the option that works best for you, we can provide a list of test labs that use ADMET equipment. Our testing machine retrofits and systems help testing labs conduct mechanical testing of materials and products by expanding their test capabilities to meet the ever-growing requirements of their clients.
2- Update an existing machine frame with new electronics and software
A universal testing machine retrofit is a system upgrade in which the capabilities and functionality of an outdated or malfunctioning universal testing machine are improved by pairing them with advanced indicators/controllers and replacement components.
- Most material testing hardware can still be used whereas electronics and software require updates. ADMET offers retrofits and upgrades for those customers who are looking to update existing machine frames.
- ADMET has the experience and know-how to retrofit machines of all makes and models. We have the ability to upgrade manually operated machines to full servo control. Our engineers can also install a new motor/drive on electromechanical machines or a pumping system on servo hydraulic machines to enable you to perform your tests with confidence.
- By pairing an older system with an ADMET controller or indicator, the functionality of your test system is transformed. ADMET controller and indicators expand the capabilities of the retrofitted testing system and are offered with software to view and print results data and graphs or to export data and results to database programs.
For more information on ADMET retrofit and upgrades, click here.
3- Purchase a new testing system
Most of our customers choose to run their own testing and purchase a new testing system based on their specifications. Factors taken into account when purchasing a new system include:
- Estimated current time to complete a test
- Expected time to complete a test using the new system
- Number of tests performed each day
- Cost of an operator per hour
- Dollar value of shipments in a year
- Time lost in hours per year by using the aging current system
- The percentage of lost revenue per year
Click here for all ADMET products.
4- Purchase a custom solution
ADMET continuously reviews and updates our product offering to best meet the needs of our customers. Although we may not always be able to help, we pride ourselves in our unique ability to provide accurate, competitively priced, easy-to-use custom systems. Our engineers will work with you to develop a customized testing solution that fits your exact requirements. Force capacity, stroke, machine size, and many other characteristics can be tailored to suit your specifications.
Please contact us today by filling out our sales contact form or call us at (800) 667-3220.
After Sales, Next Steps
Calibration
ADMET is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified and our Services team is able to perform accredited calibration. New systems are often sold with calibration and installation, whereas we offer annual calibrations to existing systems.
Different levels of calibration are available and each has their own implications as far as traceability.
Factory Calibration
All ADMET equipment receives a baseline calibration used to verify machine functionality before shipment.
ASTM Calibration
Service is performed according to the detailed procedures as laid out by ASTM for the applicable calibrations. Note that some calibrations require this to be performed onsite where the machine will be operated.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited Calibration
This accreditation verifies the competency of the calibrator and the traceability of equipment back to the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST). If the end user is basing a critical decision on measurement results or publishing data, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 calibration is recommended.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Calibration Services
IQ/OQ Validation/Documentation and Software Validation Services
This additional site service requires that the customer be present during the entire installation and startup process at their facility. Documentation will be supplied for verification of Installation and Operational Qualifications. The documentation is for the customer and ADMET to use during the installation and training process and beyond to ensure that the equipment meets specifications. During the IQ/OQ validation process, software validation will be performed to show the customer how and where calculations come from for their specific testing. In addition, various software feature requirements referenced in FDA CFR 21 Part 11 will also be reviewed, including:
- MTESTQuattro maintenance log that records previous modifications to the software, including what was changed, when, and by whom
- MTESTQuattro message log that records system status, including start, stop, limits, e-stop, overrange, etc.
- User permissions and password protections in order to limit the modification of test procedures/reports to authorized individuals
Online Training
A quick start tutorial on how to use the software and the system. Online training sessions take up to 4 hours using internet meeting services. The following main points are described and demonstrated:
- Workspace; how to organize test methods, data, and results files
- All menus
- How to create and run a test
- How to save and recall test methods
For online training FAQs, click here.
Onsite Training
One of our Applications Engineers will travel to your facility to provide onsite training. Onsite training takes 4 to 8 hours. Customers must run several successful tests independently to consider training complete. The following main points will be described and demonstrated:
- Safety Awareness
- General Materials Testing safety precautions and system safety features
- System description and major components
- Mounting transducers and fixtures
- Hardware set up
- Power ON and Power OFF sequence
- Operator Station controls
- Review of CD ROM contents including manuals
- Description of how to create Test Methods
- Description and demonstration of how to run tests
- Explanation of test results and test curve
- Description and demonstration of how to print results and test curves
- Description and demonstration of how to save and recall test methods
- Description and demonstration of how to save, recall, and recalculate test results
- Description and demonstration of how to modify saved test methods
Technical Support
ADMET equipment is offered with free lifetime technical support. Our Technical Support is based in Norwood, Massachusetts. The team is able to assist without the common barriers faced with overseas support.
ADMET Engineering and Support Teams
Maintenance Service
ADMET offers testing system maintenance services to ensure years of trouble-free operation, maximizing your investment. A qualified ADMET technician will perform maintenance on the system including inspection of all critical components and lubrication where required, troubleshooting of any potential issues, and software updates. Additionally, customers of ADMET’s maintenance plan may receive certain replacement parts free of charge, and many others at a discounted price.
Testing machine maintenance can be as simple as keeping the machine free of broken sample fragments and periodically lubricating moving parts. Additional maintenance may be required if, for example, you are performing tensile tests on very hard and brittle materials. Extensometer knife edges may require replacement and grip faces typically need frequent cleaning and/or replacement. When considering software upgrades, verify that the software is compatible with your computer operating system.
About ADMET
Founded in 1989, ADMET has established itself as a worldwide leader in innovative materials testing solutions. In addition to calibration and training services, ADMET offers a full line of universal testing machines in both standard and specialized configurations.
