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Mechanical Testing - MicroTester

The MicroTester is a micro-scale mechanical testing system for small sample mechanical testing at ultra low forces.

MicroTester Data Sheet

The MicroTester microforce testing system is designed for researchers working with specimens that are too small, too soft, or too delicate for conventional frames. The MicroTester pairs high-sensitivity force measurement with micro-scale fixtures and real-time visual feedback, making it well-suited for mechanical measurement experiments that depend on precise alignment and defensible deformation measurements. The MicroTester supports force-controlled and displacement-controlled protocols in a compact, benchtop format.

Compared with larger testers, the MicroTester is set up on the benchtop for short-travel motion, imaging-friendly access, and low-force measurement. In practice, it can be used as a micro-compression and indentation tester and a microscale 3-point tensile tester, supporting micro-mechanical testing and microforce testing system workflows where alignment, contact definition, and visual confirmation are part of the routine.

• Micro-scale mechanical testing for tiny specimens
• High sensitivity microforce measurement for subtle differences
• Micro-compression tester, indentation, and 3-point tension workflows
• Integrated high-resolution imaging for alignment and tracking
• Hydrated and temperature-controlled testing capabilities

• Millimeter-scale or smaller samples, or samples with limited gauge length
• Micro, milli, or nano-Newton sensitivities to resolve small treatment-dependent differences
• Deformation interpreted with real-time imaging context
• Hydrated testing at controlled temperature for physiologic relevance

The MicroTester is a micro-scale mechanical testing system built for small sample mechanical testing when forces are too low for conventional frames. It supports micro-compression, indentation, and micro tensile testing, with integrated imaging to verify alignment, contact definition, and deformation in the region of interest.

MicroTester targets micro-scale samples that are difficult to test on larger mechanical frames. Typical specimens include fibers, filaments, thin films or membranes, microtissues, organoids, and small engineered constructs in hydrogel. It is most useful when specimen size and mounting details would otherwise dominate the measurement.

Choose the MicroTester when specimens are micro-scale and forces are typically in the micro-Newton to milli-Newton range, or when alignment and contact definition require integrated imaging. For larger soft tissues and benchtop tensile and compression testing of biomaterials, the UniVert is often a better fit. For planar biaxial soft tissue biomechanics, the BioTester is usually more appropriate.

 

Specifications

	MicroTester G2	MicroTester LT
Dimensions (cm)	56 x 14 x 24	52 x 17 x 21
Weight (kg)	9	6.5
Force Capacity (mN)	25	25
Microbeam / Force Trandsucer Range (mN)	0.005 – 25	0.005 – 25
Force Accuracy	0.3% of microbeam capacity	0.3% of microbeam capacity
Sample Thickness Range (mm)	0.05 – 10	0.25 – 5
Max Velocity (mm/s)	0.5	0.5
Max Cycle Frequency (Hz)	0.5	0.1
Max Data Rate (Hz)	15	5
Max Grip Separation (mm)	10	10
Actuator Technology	Piezo-electric Motor	Stepper Motor
Actuator Resolution	0.1	1
Camera Resolution (px)	2048 x 2048	1536 x 1536
Camera Field of View (mm)	0.4 – 11.0	0.8 – 5.5
Secondary Camera Option	Yes	No
Shear Axis Option	Yes	No

 

Imaging And Optical Feedback

In micro-mechanical testing, imaging is not optional. It is how you verify alignment, contact definition, and where deformation is actually occurring. The MicroTester integrates imaging for setup verification and test visualization, which is critical in micro-scale mechanical testing where alignment errors can dominate results.

• Primary imaging for alignment and deformation context - real-time imaging supports fast setup, verification of contact conditions, and documentation of deformation and failure behaviour
• Optional secondary imaging (G2) - the MicroTester G2 can be configured with a secondary imaging axis to improve setup accuracy and provide additional viewing geometry for challenging fixtures
• Non-contact measurement workflows - when deformation tracking is required, imaging data can support feature tracking and post-test analysis aligned with your protocol outputs

 

Environmental Control: Hydrated Mechanical Testing

The micro-scale mechanical testing system supports hydrated testing in a compact fluid chamber to maintain sample hydration and improve repeatability. Temperature control is often used when comparing conditions across time, cohorts, or treatment groups.

• Hydrated workflows for mechanobiology - hydrated testing helps preserve specimen integrity for microtissues, spheroids, cell laden hydrogels, and other fragile constructs
• Temperature control for reproducibility - controlling temperature reduces drift in time-dependent response and supports physiologically relevant testing when required

 

Configure Your MicroTester Workflow

Microbeam Force Sensing

Select from interchangeable microbeams spanning ultra-low force ranges to match specimen stiffness, sensitivity requirements, and expected loading conditions

Fixtures

Configure for parallel-plate compression, 3-point tension, spherical indentation, and other low-force workflows for soft, delicate, and microscale specimens

Environmental Control

Test in hydrated and temperature-controlled conditions (up to 40°C) with included media bath

Integrated Imaging & Strain Mapping

Combine force and displacement data with non-contact strain mapping and digital image correlation

Software & Analysis

Create protocols, control tests, monitor force and displacement, run data analysis, review image-enabled datasets, and export publication-ready results

Advanced G2 Upgrades

Expand capability with optional shear testing and secondary imaging for improved setup accuracy and specialized workflows

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