Automated Sheet Metal Formability Testing
Standard Erichsen or Olsen setups measure how far you can stretch flat metal before it snaps. Doing this with manual, hand-cranked levers yields highly inconsistent data, which is why an Automatic Cupping Tester like the QualiCup™ II trades shaky human hands for cold, calculated mechanical precision.
The entire method centers on pushing a solid ф20mm (0.8 inch) steel punch straight into a tightly clamped sheet (handling test panels from 0.03mm to 1.25mm thick, up to 90mm wide), tracking the exact, split-second moment when the metal dome gives up and cracks.
Automated Test Sequencing
If you’re cranking a heavy wheel by hand, you’re going to get different results every single time. With a proper Automatic Cupping Tester, the computer takes the steering wheel.
On the QualiCup™ II, a clever automatic coordinate positioning system memorizes the exact home position after zeroing. Then, the punch creeps upward at a slow, super-steady crawl of exactly 0.2 millimeters every single second.
The testing speed is satisfyingly spot on, staying highly steady without being painfully slow, as it pushes with a massive maximum depress force of 2,500N. You can freely set the lifting distance anywhere from 0 to 18mm, and the deep mechanical consistency is sheer perfection.
High-Precision Displacement Tracking
Finding out exactly how tall the dome got before it popped is the whole reason we do this. The QualiCup™ II relies on highly accurate raster displacement sensors that track movement down to a tiny, microscopic hair's breadth of plus-or-minus 0.01 millimeters. The final dent resolution is incredibly accurate, giving you total peace of mind.
Optical Crack and Failure Detection
Catching that tiny, hairline split is usually the most frustrating part of the job. Instead of relying on physical guesswork, we prefer a crystal-clear view. Using the built-in high-strength magnifier paired with an insanely crisp, high-definition screen makes it a breeze to watch the metal stretch and pop.
Every single millimeter is visible, and there’s loads of detail so you can see the exact moment the metal breaks without continuously straining your eyes to focus during the test. By eliminating manual errors and combining steady mechanical pushing with sharp sensors, this automated setup ensures you get the exact same trustworthy, repeatable data every single time.
Main Functional Components
| Function | Method / Implementation |
|---|
| System Control | Clever coordinate positioning systems keeping the speed at a steady 0.2mm/s crawl. |
| Force Application | Smooth mechanical setups squeezing with a maximum depress force of 2,500N. |
| Crack Sensing | Super-accurate raster sensors (±0.01mm resolution) paired with a high-strength magnifier and HD screen. |
| Data Recording | Easy-to-read digital screens that automatically memorize home positions and exact coordinates. |
Figure 1: Key components and theoretical methodology in automated sheet metal cupping testers.
