£1,355.00 ex VAT | £1,626.00 Inc VAT
The Vernier Structures & Materials Tester enables students to calculate the strength of model bridges and engineered structures by measuring an applied load. Students can also evaluate stresses and strains and the relative properties of materials by deploying both load and displacement sensors.
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A superb device for carrying out project-based STEM and engineering classes, the Vernier Structures & Materials Tester can be used in conjunction with the engineering design process in designing, building and testing structures. The device can also to be used to carry out bridge competitions, investigate and analyze beam designs and the properties of materials.
Exact Force and Displacement for Bends and Breaks
The Tester is equipped with a load cell (measuring up to 1000 N) and a displacement sensor (0.1 mm resolution). Students can accurately calculate stresses and strains using both sensors to record maximum breaking loads, as well as load/displacement characteristics.
You can also visualise the point at which things bend and break in your experiments by using Logger Pro Video Analysis along with your sensor measurements.
Precise Positioning for Centred and Off-Centre Loading
The ability to easily slide and lock the top support beams using the ruled location markings means you can accurately position the support beams for centred and off-centre loading.
Easy Accomodation For Different Sizes and Shapes
The device comes supplied with a generous Tackle Kit including a 50 x 50 x 6 mm and a 50 x 80 x 6 mm aluminum load plate, chain, rods, U-bolts, and other accessories to make it simple and easy to load bridges, materials, beams, and structures of varying shapes and sizes.
What's Included
- 1 x Vernier Structures & Materials Tester device with force and displacement sensors
- 1 x VSMT Tackle Kit accessory kit includes hardware to connect bridges, structures, and materials to the tester
- 1 x 50 x 50 x 6 mm loading plate
- 1 x 50 x 80 x 6 mm loading plate
- 1 x 12″ threaded rod
- 1 x 8″ threaded rod
- 2 x welded eye bolts
- 2 x threaded quick links
- 1 x coupling nut
- 1 x large U-bolt
- 1 x small U-bolt
- 1 x 6.5″ chain
Specification
Force Sensor
- Operational Range: 0 to 1,000 N
- Safety Range (maximum force without damage done to sensor): 0 to 1,300 N
- Resolution: 1 N
Displacement Sensor
- Range: 0 to 7 cm
- Resolution: 0.01 cm
Sensor Requirements
The Vernier Structures and Materials Tester may require a compatible interface and software. Choose a platform below to see compatible interface and software options.
The Vernier Structures and Materials Tester is fully supported with LabQuest 2, a standalone data logger with built-in graphing and analysis software.
Learn more about LabQuest 2 »
Software | ||
---|---|---|
Interface | Logger Pro | Logger Lite |
LabQuest Mini | Full support | Full support |
LabQuest 2 | Full support | Full support |
LabQuest Stream | Full support2 | Full support2 |
Go!Link | Partial Support3 | Partial Support3 |
Go Wireless Link | Future support34 | Future support34 |
Original LabQuest (DISCONTINUED) | Full support | Full support |
LabPro (DISCONTINUED) | Full support5 | Full support5 |
COMPATIBILITY NOTES
- This interface/software combination auto IDs the VSMT Force sensor; displacement measurements require a Logger Lite file found at www.vernier.com/til/3621/
- Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Future software updates will support connection via Bluetooth®technology
- This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
- A computer with a compatible Bluetooth® 4.0 radio is required. Only computers running Windows 10 or Mac OS X 10.10 or newer are supported.
- Sensor does not auto-ID; manual setup is required.
Interface | Software Graphical Analysis for Chrome |
---|---|
LabQuest Mini | Partial Support1 |
LabQuest 2 | Full support12 |
LabQuest Stream | Partial Support12 |
Go!Link | Partial Support1 |
Original LabQuest (DISCONTINUED) | Partial Support1 |
COMPATIBILITY NOTES
- This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
- Full support of this sensor is only available when LabQuest 2 is connected to a Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing. Future software updates will support the use of this sensor with LabQuest connected via USB to Chromebooks.
- Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Future software updates will support connection via Bluetooth®technology
Software | ||
---|---|---|
Interface | Graphical Analysis for iOS | Graphical Analysis for Android |
LabQuest Stream | Partial Support1 | Partial Support1 |
LabQuest 2 | Full support2 | Full support2 |
Go Wireless Link | Partial Support1 | Partial Support1 |
COMPATIBILITY NOTES
- This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
- Mobile devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Activities
Lab Ideas and Innovative Uses
Beam Inquiry Activities
Students can explore properties of materials and beam construction. These experiments are designed around the deflection of a beam supported on both ends and loaded by a downward force at its center.
Preview and/or edit the experiments for your curriculum by downloading the experiments below. The Student download includes objectives, materials, procedures, and analysis. The Instructor download includes notes, sample results and graphs, and answers.
EXPERIMENT | DOWNLOAD | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | Deflection of a Rectangular, Center-Loaded Beam | Student | Instructor |
2 | Beam Shape and Deflection | Student | Instructor |
3 | Beam Modulus of Elasticity | Student | Instructor |
4 | Study of Trusses | Student | Instructor |
5 | Bridge Competition | Student | Instructor |
6 | Test Methods for Chalk | Student | Instructor |
Students can explore properties of materials and beam construction. These experiments are designed around the deflection of a beam supported on both ends and loaded by a downward force at its center.
Do you have an innovative use for Vernier technology? What about a favorite lab or demo? We love to hear what creative uses people have for our products. Please email them to [email protected]
Logger Pro Experiment Files
Logger Pro software contains experiment files that facilitate experiments and investigations for most of our sensors and probes. Here is a brief summary of the files created for the VSMT. You can find these files by clicking on File > Open > Probes & Sensors > Structures & Materials Tester in Logger Pro.
Structure Comparison
The VSMT is an ideal tool to use for class bridge and structure engineering and design competitions. Students can test their bridges or other structures to determine the maximum force or efficiency (force/weight of bridge).
Structure Prototype
This activity is designed to allow the student to test a single unit and evaluate its performance and failure mechanism. Combine this activity with Logger Pro‘s Video Capture to analyze the point of failure, develop explanations, and re-design the structure to improve performance. This activity is at the heart of the engineering design process.
Beam Inquiry
We have developed 3 experiment files for the evaluation and study of beams:
Rectangular Beam Inquiry
Moment of Inertia Inquiry
Elastic Modulus Rectangular Beam
Students can explore properties of materials and beam construction. These experiment files are designed around the deflection of a beam supported on both ends and loaded by a downward force at its center.
Ideal Solutions for Enquiry Based Learning
5 Year Warranty on most items
Award Winning Products
Connectivity with iOS, Mac, Android, Windows and Chromebooks
Guaranteed Quality and Support
Extensive Support Materials