Horizontal tester for long specimens and complete assemblies.
A Testometric horizontal testing system is used when the sample length, handling method or fixture layout makes vertical testing impractical, including ropes, cords, control cables, electrical cables, webbing and long product assemblies.
For test pieces that need length, alignment and operator access.
Horizontal frames are specified around the actual product length and grip arrangement. They are most useful where the sample cannot hang cleanly in a vertical frame or where the test needs bed-mounted supports across a long gauge length. Testometric industry guidance specifically notes cord and rope systems with extended frame heights and horizontal beds up to 5 m long and more.
- Long tensile testing of ropes, cords, straps, webbing, cables and control cable assemblies.
- Testing of complete products or assemblies where end fixtures must be spread across a horizontal bed.
- Customer-specific methods where long travel, long gauge length or staged supports are required.
- Force-displacement reporting, peak force capture and method-controlled pass/fail output through WinTest.
Choose horizontal when sample control is more important than simple frame capacity.
The common mistake is to select only by maximum force. For ropes, cables and assemblies, the bed length, grip take-up, sample sag and fixture access can decide the machine before the load cell does.
| Choose horizontal if | The specimen is very long, heavy, flexible, hard to hang vertically, or needs supports along the test bed | Consider long frame if | The sample can hang vertically but needs extra travel or extra grip separation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most important geometry | Usable bed length, starting grip separation, grip take-up and operator loading space | Most important fixture detail | End fitting shape, capstan or wedge grip type, bend radius and anti-slip method |
| Best value for QA | Repeatable sample loading, stable alignment and batch reports for cables, cords, webbing and assemblies | Main risk to control | Fixture slip, off-axis loading, sample sag, recoil at break and guarding around stored energy |
Built from the same controlled measurement architecture as the UTM range.
The broken FITCO source page still exposes the core Testometric specification blocks. The final horizontal configuration should be confirmed from sample length, force range and fixture design.
| Force measurement | Universally calibrated, better than Grade 0.5 to EN 7500-1, DIN 51221, ASTM E4 and AFNOR A03-501 | Load cell range | 0.4% to 100% minimum with automatic load cell identification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force resolution | 1 part in 500000 with autoranging and electronic load cell protection | Extension measurement | Full frame length measurement with 0.001 mm resolution and programmable limits |
| Speed control | Jog speed from 0.001 mm/min to maximum, with 0.001 mm/min setting increments | Drive protection | Drive system temperature and current protection |
| Load frame | Rigid frame with guided crosshead movement, recirculating ballscrew drive and safety stops | Software | WinTest Analysis for tensile, compression, peel, shear, tear, cyclic, creep and multi-stage methods |
Long specimen testing needs the fixture plan first.
For horizontal systems, the machine bed length is only one part of the decision. Grip style, sample sag, safety guarding, operator access and the exact result fields usually drive the final layout.
Cord, rope and webbing
Useful for high elongation or long gauge length tests where samples need bed support and dedicated end grips.
Control cables
Suitable for cable pull, extension and assembly checks where the end fittings define the fixture package.
Electrical cables
Can be configured for cable tensile and component pull tests when the gauge length and grip separation exceed normal frame space.
Product assemblies
Appropriate for custom fixtures, staged supports and long assemblies that must remain horizontal during loading.
Translate long-sample tests into decisions QA teams can use.
WinTest can be configured so the output is not just a peak load. For routine use, define the exact calculations, pass/fail limits and batch identifiers during installation.
For purchase release
Use peak force, extension at force, force at extension, break mode and pass/fail limits to compare supplier batches.
For product development
Use full force-extension curves, energy to break and stiffness regions to compare constructions or end fittings.
For service investigation
Use fixture notes, sample photos, failure location and curve shape to separate material failure from crimp, knot or end-fitting failure.
Send these details before FITCO quotes the horizontal tester.
- Maximum specimen length, usable gauge length, grip separation and required crosshead travel.
- Material or assembly type, end fitting shape, expected peak force and elongation range.
- Required standard or customer method, loading speed, pre-load and end point definition.
- Fixture drawings, safety guarding needs, floor space, report format, batch fields and calibration requirement.
Questions buyers ask before specifying this Testometric system.
Use these answers to confirm whether this model, fixture package and WinTest method fit your lab or production workflow before quotation.
When is a horizontal tester better than a long frame tester?
What dimensions define a horizontal tester?
What safety details matter for long specimens?
Compare adjacent models before final selection.
Many special purpose projects overlap. These related pages help check whether force range, sample envelope, fixture geometry or throughput points to a better fit.
Long Frame Tester
A Testometric extended-frame testing machine for long gauge length tests, high elongation materials and tall fixture stacks.
Wide Frame Tester
A Testometric wide frame system for large grips, platens, environmental chambers, bulky samples and wider working envelopes.
X100-FT Single Fibre Tensile Tester
A dedicated Testometric fibre tester for low-force tensile testing of individual fibres with pneumatic fibre grips and controlled methods.
Need a horizontal system for long samples?
Send sample photos, length, expected force, travel, fixtures and report requirements. FITCO can map the correct Testometric horizontal configuration.