A hardness tester is among the crucial instruments you would require to know if your product is up to the mark in terms of hardness. If this very instrument does not perform as required, you could end up with an entire batch of products that does not adhere to the prescribed quality standards. Finding the right supplier is almost as important as finding the right kind of instrument for testing. But there are some simple thumb rules that you can follow to make sure that you have only the best instrument to test your products for. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

*It is advisable to ensure that your test forces are verified with the help of an automatic force measuring device. Use the testing device in the precincts of your factory as well as outdoors, if so required. This is important so that you get a fair idea of how the equipment fares in different conditions.

*Ideally, the test-cycle time should be accurately controlled with a microprocessor which has a clock to control test-cycle times. This ensures that operator errors are minimized when the tester is actually put to use.

*Check thoroughly to be sure that the tester (hardware and software) meets all the prescribed standards for quality and industry requirements. Look for ISO certification so that you can be assured about the quality and performance of the  hardness testers .

*Sometimes, you might be faced with very large product parts to be tested. Would your tester be able to handle these jobs effectively? If the tester can do this without the use of a jack test and comes with a good clamping system, you can be sure that hard-to-reach parts can also be tested equally well.

If you follow these parameters, it should not be a very tough job to get the right testing instrument. These days, the market also offers a number of accessories with hardness testers. Also, good calibration service is extremely important to gauge the accuracy of the instrument that you are using. If you invest your money in getting a tester that is certified with the latest NIST-traceable standards and performance, you stand to gain immensely from it.

Additionally, though you might take enough care to purchase only the best quality tester, it is always a wise thing to buy from a manufacturer or supplier who offers at least one year calibration service for your required hardness testing needs. Make sure that you purchase from a reputed and renowned brand because that is the only guarantee that your devices come equipped with the most original parts. A simple way to do this would be to get your hardness tester online by searching for a reliable supplier.

Author's Bio: 

Author is associated with United Calibration Corporation, one of the world's premier manufacturers of material testing systems. United offers universal testing machines for compression and, tensile testing, material test fixturing, Rockwell tester accessories and software and related calibration service throughout the U.S.