Force Displacement Switch Test Machine

Home  >  Products  >  Equipment  >  Force Displacement Switch Test Machine

A Switch Tester Designed for Engineers By Engineers

The Sapphire switch force-displacement test station is designed for accurate, repeatable force and displacement measurements of various types of tactile switches and switch assemblies. The Sapphire is a stand-alone unit that tests and displays precise measurement data on an LCD touchscreen display.

The Sapphire tests metal domes, poly domes, membrane switches, keypads, and most other switches. The force test station follows ASTM standard F2592. Tests include trip force, return force, standing free height, displacement (travel), tactile ratio, tactile activation slope, switch resistance, and other ASTM measurements. It can detect two separate electrical contacts, and it can characterize resistive touch screens. The Sapphire is an invaluable testing tool for engineers who need to ensure force-displacement compliance.

The Sapphire easily sits on a table-top
Features an intuitive touch screen display
  • Adjustable test head for a all types of products

    • In a stand-alone operation, users can get test data and reports directly from the screen. You may also generate in-depth reports in Excel via your company’s network. The Sapphire also has two USB ports that can save reports when a drive is detected.

    Benefits Include

    • Raw curve data option generates a report containing force versus position data for each force test
    • Test and create a force-displacement curve for non-tactile inflection
    • Ability to specify pass/fail parameters
    • Follows ASTM standard F2592
    • Access reports through your network, or a USB flash drive
    • Intuitive touchscreen display for easy operation
    • Two resistance circuits to measure multiple electrical contacts
    • Adjustable test head for a wide range of product heights
    • Process data box allows for logging of all ASTM values for a series of tests
    • Custom specifications are available

    Contact us today to learn more about our leasing and purchasing options.

    Lease Today

    Standard Sapphire test stations can be modified to meet your specific needs. For more information on custom modifications, contact Snaptron at 970.686.5682. In addition to the test unit, Snaptron can provide the following options:

    • Calibration Kit (comes complete with: compression calibration fixture, resistive calibration box, teeter totter and 0.25″ [6.35 mm] tip, NIST traceable weights)
    • Custom 20lb load cell (10lb standard)
    • Neck height spacers (to increase throat height)
    • Actuator tip kit (Includes actuator tips in 0.10″ [2.54mm], 0.15″ [3.81mm], 0.20″ [5.08mm], 0.25″ [6,35mm] sizes)
    • Custom testing platforms
    • Supply Voltages for Resistance (5V standard, optional 12V or 24V)
    • Calibration weights
      • 100 gram (NIST Traceable)
      • 1 kilogram (NIST Traceable)
      • 2 kilogram (NIST Traceable)
    • Resistive Calibration Box
    • 3″ [76.14mm] Neck extension (Z-axis height)
    • Test stand
    • Measurement units: Force (grams, newtons, ounces), Travel (inches, mm)
    • Test unit – 13”H x 9”W x 12.5”D (330mmH x 229mmW x 318mmD)
    • Test unit weight – 18 lbs.
    • Sapphire Case Dimensions: 12”D x 18”W x 24”H
    • Total weight (case + Sapphire): ~ 35lbs.
    • Throat dimensions: Standard height = 5.4” (137mm)
    • Standard depth = 6” (152mm)
    • Test speed: 0.050” (1.27mm) per second
    • Total tip travel: Up to 1.2” (30mm)
    • Power requirements: 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 1.4 A

    Displacement (travel/height)

    • Range: Displacement of 0 – 0.2” (5mm)
    • Resolution: +/- 0.0001” (0.002mm)
    • Absolute accuracy: +/- 0.0010” (0.025mm)
    • Repeatability: +/- 0.0005” (0.013mm)

    Force

    • Range: 0-3000g (30N, 106oz)
    • Resolution: 1g (0.01N, 0.03oz)
    • Absolute accuracy: +/- 5g, (+/- 0.05N, 0.20oz)
    • Repeatability: +/- 3g, (+/- 0.03N, 0.10oz)

    Tested Parameters

    Force Measurements

    • Fmax = trip force
    • Fmin = minimum force after Fmax
    • Fc = force at contact*
    • Fb = force at break*
    • Frmin = minimum force on return
    • Frmax = maximum force on return
    • Tactile ratio
    • Tactile activation slope

    Travel Measurements

    • Tfmax = travel to Fmax
    • Tfmin = travel to Fmin
    • Tc = travel to contact*
    • Tb = travel to break*
    • Trmin = travel to Frmin
    • Trmax = Travel to Frmax
    • Tend = Travel at end of test

    Resistance measurements

    • Rend = Resistance at the end of test * The SAPPHIRE can measure the force and travel of a dual-action tactile switch’s two separate electrical contacts (Fc, Fb, Tc, Tb).
    • Actuator tip (0.050”) (1.27mm) diameter flat bottom
    • Resistance test cables (2)
    • Travel case
    • Operator’s manual
    • 1-year manufacturer warranty
    Test Tips
    Calibration Weights
    Calibration Kit
    Resistance Calibration Box