Cutting supplies, equipment enhance composites testing in the lab

Extec Corp. (Enfield, Conn., U.S.) exhibits the Labcut 5000 Series, Nikon Eclipse MA200 microscope and Labpol 12 advanced automatic grinder/polisher for achieving high-quality composite materials cutting and handling in the lab.

Labcut 5000 Series is for precision cutting of composite materials, eliminating the need for post-cut processing. This enables users to take test specimens directly from the cutting system to test. This system accommodates up to 4' × 4' panels and features a user-friendly proprietary HMI with conversational CNC control. The cutting carriage is powered by a 3.2-hp (2.4-kW) motor. It is fully programmable and can be raised or lowered to take account of thickness and depth of cut.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a material sample, where Extec will cut it for free, demonstrating the Labcut 5000’s speed, safety and accuracy.

Optimized for digital imaging and ergonomic efficiency, the Nikon MA200 inverted metallurgical microscope supports metal manufacturing with highly accurate metallurgical inspections and advanced surface examinations. It uses integrated intelligence to automatically combine captured images with data on their observation settings for more comprehensive documentation. Additionally, its novel box design enables easy access to the sample on the stage and nosepiece, while making the footprint size one third of the conventional model. Attendees have access to this technology at the Extec booth, where it is powered and ready to test.

The Extec Labpol 12 automatic grinder/polisher is another versatile, robust system on display that can be configured as required with a 8" (203 mm), 10" (250 mm) or 12" (305 mm) platen. The technology features optional oscillating movement that enables high levels of performance and versatility. It also extends the unit’s life as a result of uniform wear across the entire platen surface.

In addition, Extec’s executive vice president, Neal Bouthot, is presenting an education session titled “Bringing Composite Test Specimen Production Up to Date With Advanced CNC Technology.” It takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from  9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. in Room 4.