Pneumatic Capstan Grips for Yarn and Cables

These pneumatic grips are used for tensile testing yarn and metal cables and hold specimens using a capstan design. Initial tension can be applied to the specimen to aid sample mounting and alignment and the pneumatic action enables quick and easy specimen insertion.

Pneumatic capstan grips for yarn and cables are available with maximum capacities up to 5 kN (1,100 lbf). For 1 kN (220 lbf) and 5 kN grips, initial tension is provided by a spring, and force values applied are between 0.2 N (0.044 lbf) and 2 N (0.44 lbf). For the 50 N capacity grips, discrete forces of 0.005 N (0.0011 lbf), 0.05 N (0.011 lbf), and 0.1 N (0.022 lbf) can be applied via weights as initial tension.

Pneumatic capstan grip sets that comprise upper and lower grips with flat grip faces are available. These pneumatic capstan grips are operated with a maximum air pressure of 0.7 MPa (7 kgf/cm², 102 psi). As such, a grip operator to open and close the grips faces is required. In addition, a 0.7 MPa (7 kgf/cm², 102 psi) air compressor is needed to supply the air pressure.

Grip operator options for the 1 kN and 5 kN capacity grips are a foot valve unit or a C-type crosshead-linked interlock switch. The C-type interlock switch starts the crosshead automatically when the upper and lower grip faces close and the grip faces are automatically released when the crosshead returns to its original height after testing. A foot valve unit or a hand-operated switch are the options for grip face control on the 50 N capacity grips.

The foot valve unit is the most commonly used grip operation method. Available as an accessory, it is compatible with all series of universal testers. For the other grip operators, grip kits are available that, in addition to upper and lower grips, include the grip operator. These grip kits are tailored to specific testing machine models.

Please contact your local Shimadzu representative for further information about grip kits and the availability of an air compressor in your region.

Additional items needed for operation:
- A 0.7 MPa (7 kgf/cm², 102 psi) air compressor