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The Autograph X-V Retrofit Operational Controller (Left) and Measurement Controller (Right)

Shimadzu Corporation announces the release of the Autograph X-V Retrofit, an upgrade kit for precision universal testing machines. The Autograph X-V Retrofit (hereinafter referred to as the product) is a partial upgrade kit, consisting of a controller and software, for precision universal testing machines. Replacing the existing controller and software with this product significantly improves operation and safety with existing systems. Applicable systems are Autograph AG-D/E/G/I/IS/IC/X/Xplus series precision universal testing machines released between 1988 and 2011. The replacement provides comparable measurement capabilities to the Autograph AGX-V series, Shimadzu’s premier systems.

Precision universal testing machines and other testers are used for strength testing^*1 and are indispensable across a wide range of industries involving iron and steel and transportation equipment, for example. Issues for testing machines relate to problems with discontinued or hard-to-acquire parts due to long service life and the significant risk of downtime. Most parts requiring replacement are in the controller. This product replaces the controller and software with the latest versions, simplifying the acquisition of replacement parts and reducing the risk of system downtime. In addition, by upgrading only part of the system, capital investment is limited in comparison to the purchase of a new system. Furthermore, CO₂ emissions across the product life cycle can be reduced by 60 % or more annually^*2. This is a significant reduction in environmental load, so the product is recognized by our proprietary Eco-Products Plus^*3 environmental management index.

Since 1917, Shimadzu has provided testing machines to various research and development and quality control sites. Within our extensive lineup, the Autograph series is the primary brand for accommodating tensile, compression, shear, and various other test methods. The Autograph AGX-V series, the newest series in the lineup, provides outstanding performance features, including the industry’s highest sampling rate and stress/strain speed control, multijoints to simplify jig replacement, a controller equipped with a large touch panel LCD, and built-in self-diagnostic functionality that limits downtime.

Shimadzu is continuously working to expand the testing machine lineup, aiming for carbon neutrality, and blazing a trail in the transportation equipment industry, where the use of electric vehicles is expected to expand, as well as the composite materials and functional materials industries.

• *1: In this test, a force is applied to deform a sample, and the relationship between the force and amount of deformation is measured.
• *2: The reduction in CO₂ is calculated using the formula below.
  (Total CO₂ emissions over the life cycle of the product after the partial upgrade / The extension of service life due to the partial upgrade) / (Total CO₂ emissions over the life cycle of the conventional product / Life cycle of the conventional product)
• *3: Shimadzu’s proprietary recognition system for products that provide particularly good environmental performance. The standard applicable to this product is a reduction of at least 25 % in CO₂ emissions on a life cycle assessment basis due to extension of the service life.
  For details, refer to the following web page.
  https://www.shimadzu.com/sustainability/approach/environmental/ecoproplus.html

AG-250kNIS X-V/R 250kN Model Precision Universal Testing Machine after the Retrofit

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Testing Machine Retrofits