Operation:
A weight corresponding to the crimp removal load required according to the fibre load-extension curve is hung on one arm of the balance. On the other arm of the balance is the upper clamp gripping the fibre preloaded by a tensioning weight.
The lower clamp gripping the other end of the fibre is driven downwards by a motor until the crimp removal is attained. The distance travelled by the lower clamp is read off a micrometer. The lower clamp is then opened and the fibre is loaded by a standard weight for a period of one minute. It is then given one minute of recovery and subjected once more to elongation to the load level. The distance travelled by the lower clamp is read off the micrometer once more.

Construction:
The tester is mounted on the operation unit fitted with levelling screws and a spirit level. On top and protected by an acrylic glass canopy is a balance with an upper clamp attached to the end of one arm. The lower clamp is mounted on a micrometer shaft and is adjustable on the stand for testing lengths ranging from 5 to 70 mm.

Drive:
The micrometer shaft of the lower clamp is driven by a low- voltage motor. Downward travel of the lower clamp is started by switching on the motor, but stopping is done automatically by a photoelectric eye when crimp removal load is attained at the balance beam. Upward travel is also stopped automatically by a limit stop when the micrometer returns to zero. Speed of downward travel is adjustable on a potentiometer.

About 1 mm per second is the proper rate.

Accessories:
One set of 0.5 to 10 g clamping weights.