Mechanical Testing - UniVert
UniVert is a benchtop series of uniaxial mechanical testing systems for tension, compression, and mechanical characterization of biomaterials and soft materials.
The UniVert S is used as a medium- to low-force mechanical testing system when delicate specimens require high resolution and careful overload protection. UniVert S provides a compact and configurable uniaxial mechanical testing system with a setup that can be built around specimen compliance and testing method requirements. It is commonly used with soft tissues (i.e., cardiac, muscle, connective, pleural), gels (like hydrogels and elastomers), scaffold materials, thin films (or membranes), and compliant polymers.
The UniVert 1kN has a higher load capacity compared to the UniVert S, while keeping the same fixtures, accessories, imaging options, and environmental configurations. It’s unique as a benchtop mechanical tester still capable of higher-load protocols. Common applications include engineered constructs, device-oriented studies (i.e., medical devices, bioelectronics, soft robotics), and stiffer materials (like adhesives, sealants, and thin metals) that push a low-capacity setup toward its limits.
 UniVert Data Sheet |
UniVert Selection Catalogue |
The UniVert series of test systems is optimized for materials that require a low-force mechanical testing system with high sensitivity, unlike most conventional mechanical testers. Soft, hydrated, anisotropic, slippery, and irregularly shaped materials demand careful mounting, appropriate measurement sensitivity, and test workflows that can separate true specimen response from fixture artifacts.
From tensile and compression testing of biomaterials to multi-phase conditioning, time-dependent protocols, auxiliary axes, and strain-controlled mechanical testing using imaging-based workflows, the UniVert uniaxial mechanical testing system adapts to your specimens and methods rather than forcing you into a single test configuration.
- Versatile benchtop mechanical tester
- Built for samples conventional testing systems struggle with
- Uniaxial mechanical testing of soft materials, tissues, and engineered constructs
- Ultra-low to high-force sensitivity with interchangeable load cells
- Imaging-ready workflows coupled with hydrated and temperature-controlled testing
- Modular and custom upgrades with multi-axis options available for shear, torsion, or pressure testing
The UniVert force range from 0.02 N when used with the Eclipse Ultra Low Force Sensor accessory, up to 1000 N with the UniVert 1kN model. Choose based on your expected peak load and the low-force resolution you need. ick the UniVert S if you are mostly in soft-tissue or hydrogel territory and you want the best sensitivity at low loads. Pick the UniVert 1kN if your samples or fixtures drive the loads higher, or if you are testing stiffer materials and device-style assemblies. The workflow stays familiar, but the 1kN frame gives you more headroom.
The UniVert supports:
- Tension and compression testing
- Bending / flexural testing (fixture dependent)
- Shear testing (fixture dependent)
- Torsion testing (fixture dependent)
- Pressure testing (fixture dependent)
- Creep and stress relaxation testing
- Cyclic loading for preconditioning and repeatability checks
- Puncture and peel testing (fixture dependent)
Specifications
| UniVert S (S2) | UniVert 1kN | |
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| Dimensions (cm) | 22 x 22 x 54 | 30 x 22 x 60 |
| Weight (kg) | 8 | 20 |
| Force Capacity (N) | 200 | 1,000 |
| Load Cells (N) | 0.02-200 | 0.02-1000 |
| Force Accuracy | 0.2% of load cell capacity | 0.2% of load cell capacity |
| Travel (mm) | 300* | 300* |
| Max Velocity (mm/s) | 20 (100) | 20 |
| Max Acceleration (m/s2) | 1 (2) | 1 |
| Max Cycle Frequency (Hz) | 2 (10) | 2 |
| Max Data Rate (Hz) | 100 (500) | 100 |
*Longer stroke available on request
Applications
- Hydrogels, elastomers, scaffolds, and other compliant polymers
- Soft tissues including connective, vascular, pleural, nervous, and cartilaginous specimens
- ECM and decellularized matrices with non-uniform deformation
- 3D bioprinted structures and bioink-derived constructs
- Small orthopedic, dental, and biomedical components requiring controlled uniaxial or multi-axial loading
- Small, soft samples for general-purpose materials mechanics testing
Featured Accessories
Environmental Control: Hydrated Mechanical Testing
UniVert supports hydrated mechanical testing through optional temperature-controlled media bath configurations. These setups are compatible with tensile, compression, and time-dependent testing protocols.
UniVert media baths enable hydrated and temperature-controlled mechanical testing by surrounding the specimen in a controlled fluid environment during testing. There are two media bath orientations: vertical and horizontal, each with different fluid capacity options, depending on the UniVert model.
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UV-200-22 UniVert connector and software upgrade required for addition of a temperature controlled fluid bath
UV-200-11 UniVert horizontal temperature controlled fluid bath The Horizontal Media Bath is a compact, pivoting bath designed for efficient immersion and removal of specimens during testing. It has up to 500 mL capacity with temperature control up to 40°C, and supports load cells up to 200 N for tension, compression, and other fixtures on the UniVert S and UniVert 1kN.
UV-200-12 UniVert vertical temperature controlled fluid bath The Vertical Media Bath is a high-capacity option for larger specimens, with 600 mL capacity (UniVert S and 1kN compatible) or 1000 mL capacity (UniVert 1kN only). It provides temperature control up to 40°C, supports load cells up to 200 N (or up to 1000 N on the UniVert 1kN), and includes a raise/lower function plus an integrated drain tube for easier handling. |
Multiple Axis Testing Upgrade
Shear, twist, and pressure axes can be added to the primary linear test axis to test a wide range of specimens. These actuators and sensors integrate seamlessly with the device controller, software and data output.
For UniVert S (UV-200-02)
To order select the UV-200-03 UniVert+ 3 axis capable upgrade and the axes required
| UV-200-03 | UniVert universal uniaxial mechanical tester three-axis capable upgrade (requires factory fitting) |
| UV-200-30S | Shear axis upgrade to the UniVert mechanical test system, includes 1 additional 3-axis load cell (requires factory fitting and UV-200-03) |
| UV-200-30T | Torsion axis upgrade to the UniVert mechanical test system, includes 1 additional tension/compression/torsion load cell (requires factory fitting and UV-200-03) |
| UV-200-30P | Pressure axis upgrade to the UniVert mechanical test system, includes 1 pressure sensor (requires factory fitting and UV-200-03) |
For UniVert 1kN (UV-1000-02)
To order select the UV-1000-03 UniVert+ 3 axis capable upgrade and the axes required
| UV-1000-03 | UniVert 1kN - 3 axis capable upgrade (requires factory fitting) |
| UV-1000-30S | Shear axis upgrade to the UniVert 1kN mechanical test system, includes 1 additional 3-axis load cell (requires factory fitting and UV-1000-03) |
| UV-1000-30T | Torsion axis upgrade to the UniVert 1kN mechanical test system, includes 1 additional tension/compression/torsion load cell (requires factory fitting and UV-1000-03) |
| UV-1000-30P | Pressure axis upgrade to the UniVert 1kN mechanical test system, includes 1 pressure sensor (requires factory fitting and UV-1000-03) |
High Performance Upgrade
To upgrade the UniVert S to the S2 high perfomance specification including 5X speed, cycle frequency, and data rate over the UniVert add part number UV-200-02H.
The upgrade improves
- Max Velocity from 20 mm/s to 100 mm/s
- Max Cycle Frequency from 2 Hz to 10 Hz
- Max Data Rate from 100 Hz to 500 Hz
| UV-200-02H | UniVert S universal uniaxial mechanical tester S2 Performance Upgrade |
Specimens & Mounting Options
Video
UniVert Mechanical Testing System Introduction and Demonstration
Mechanical Testing Data Review and Analysis Software Demonstration
UV-SW-01
Upgraded scientific camera with tracking analysis software for UniVert
UV-1000-03
UniVert 1KN multi-axis capable upgrade for UniVert 1KN universal uniaxial mechanical tester
- Required for UV-1000-30S, UV-1000-30T, UV-1000-30P, UV-1000-30D
- Requires factory fitting
UV-1000-30P
UniVert 1kN Pressure Axis Upgrade to the UniVert 1KN mechanical test system
- Includes 1 pressure sensor
- Requires factory fitting and UV-1000-03
UV-1000-30S
UniVert 1kN Shear Axis Upgrade to the UniVert 1KN mechanical test system
- Includes 3-axis load cell (10N, 20N, 30N, or 50N)
- Requires factory fitting and UV-1000-03
UV-1000-30T
UniVert 1kN Torsion Axis Upgrade to the UniVert 1KN mechanical test system
- Includes tension/compression/torsion load cell
- Requires factory fitting and UV-1000-03
UV-200-02H
S2 High Perfomance Upgrade of UniVert specification including 5X speed, cycle frequency, and data rate over the UniVert. The upgrade improves:
- Max Velocity from 20 mm/s to 100 mm/s
- Max Cycle Frequency from 2 Hz to 10 Hz
- Max Data Rate from 100 Hz to 500 Hz
UV-200-03
UniVert S multi-axis capable upgrade for UniVert S universal uniaxial mechanical tester
- Required for UV-200-30S, UV-200-30T, UV-200-30P, UV-200-30D
- Requires factory fitting
UV-200-30P
UniVert S Pressure Axis Upgrade to the UniVert S mechanical test system
- Includes 1 pressure sensor
- Requires factory fitting and UV-200-03
UV-200-30S
UniVert S Shear Axis Upgrade to the UniVert S mechanical test system
- Includes 3-axis load cell (10N, 20N, 30N or 50N)
- Requires factory fitting and UV-200-03
UV-200-30T
UniVert S Torsion Axis Upgrade to the UniVert S mechanical test system
- Includes tension/compression/torsion load cell
- Requires factory fitting and UV-200-03
UV-ELFS-20
UniVert - Eclipse Low Force Sensor - 0.02N
- Compatible with both UniVert S and UniVert 1kN models
UV-ELFS-50
UniVert - Eclipse Low Force Sensor - 0.05N
- Compatible with both UniVert S and UniVert 1kN models
UV-ELFS-100
UniVert - Eclipse Low Force Sensor - 0.1N
- Compatible with both UniVert S and UniVert 1kN models
UV-ELFS-200
UniVert - Eclipse Low Force Sensor - 0.2N
- Compatible with both UniVert S and UniVert 1kN models
UV-ELFS-500
UniVert - Eclipse Low Force Sensor - 0.5N
- Compatible with both UniVert S and UniVert 1kN models
UV-ELFS-1000
UniVert - Eclipse Low Force Sensor - 1.0N
- Compatible with both UniVert S and UniVert 1kN models
UV-ELFS-2000
UniVert - Eclipse Low Force Sensor - 2.0N
- Compatible with both UniVert S and UniVert 1kN models
UV-LC-005-FT
Load Cell For UniVert - 0.5N capacity
UV-LC-01-FT
Load Cell For UniVert - 1N capacity
UV-LC-025-FT
Load Cell For UniVert - 2.5N capacity
UV-LC-045-FT
Load Cell For UniVert - 4.5N capacity
UV-LC-10
Load Cell For UniVert S/S2 - 10N capacity
UV-LC-20
Load Cell For UniVert S/S2 - 20N capacity
UV-LC-50
Load Cell For UniVert S/S2 - 50N capacity
UV-LC-100
Load Cell For UniVert S/S2 - 100N capacity
UV-LC-200
Load Cell For UniVert S/S2 - 200N capacity
UV-1000-22
UniVert 1KN connectors and software upgrade for adding media bath package (requires factory installation)
UV-200-22
UniVert connectors and software upgrade for adding media bath package (requires factory installation)
UV-200-11
UniVert S Horizontal 300 mL temperature controlled fluid bath
- Temperature control up to 40°C
- 300 mL volume
- Fixture compatibility for tension, compression, and other UniVert test setups
- The Horizontal Media Bath is a compact, pivoting bath designed for efficient
immersion and removal of specimens during testing
Requires UV-200-22 connector and software upgrade
UV-200-11-500
UniVert S Horizontal 500 mL temperature controlled fluid bath
- Temperature control up to 40°C
- 500 mL volume
- Fixture compatibility for tension, compression, and other UniVert test setups
- The Horizontal Media Bath is a compact, pivoting bath designed for efficient
immersion and removal of specimens during testing
Requires UV-200-22 connector and software upgrade
UV-200-12
UniVert S Vertical 600 mL temperature controlled fluid bath
- Temperature control up to 40°C
- 600 mL volume
- Fixture compatibility for tension, compression, and other UniVert test setups
- The Vertical Media Bath is a high-capacity option for larger specimens
Requires UV-200-22 connector and software upgrade
UV-1000-23
UniVert 1KN sync pulse wiring upgrade. Connectors and software for adding a 5V trigger pulse to sync external equipment.
UV-200-23
UniVert sync pulse wiring upgrade. Connectors and software for adding a 5V trigger pulse to sync external equipment.
UV-308
3-point bend test fixtures for UniVert system up to 80mm span
UV-311
Brackets for BioRake attachment on UniVert
- Includes 1 set of BioRakes
- Requires use of horizontal test orientation
UV-200-18
Hard-shell storage/transport case for UniVert/UniVert S2 system and accessories
UV-1000-1K
500-1000N Force Package for UniVert 1kN model
- Includes: 1 load cell (500N or 1000N)
- High force tension grips (screw closure) with 1000N force capacity and screw closure for precise measurements. Three grip face patterns: Flat, Horizontal, and Diamond.
- High force compression platens with 1000N force capacity to measure stiffness, strength, viscoelastic behaviour, and structural failure at higher compressive forces
- Only compatible with UniVert 1kN model
UV-1000-200N
10-200N Force Package for UniVert S & 1kN models
- Includes: 1 load cell (10N, 20N, 50N, 100N or 200N)
- Medium force tension grips (screw/spring closure) with with 200N force capacity and combination screw/spring closure with 3 spring stiffnesses. Also includes interchangeable grip jaw liners
- Medium force compression platens with 200 N force capacity and durable construction for medium-force compression testing
UV-1000-5N
1-5N Force Package for UniVert S & 1kN models
- Includes: 1 load cell (1N, 2.5N or 5.0N)
- Low force tension grips (polymer, spring closure) with 5N force capacity
- Low force compression platens (polymer) with 5N force capacity, designed for low force compression testing of delicate or soft specimens
- Suitable for soft or fragile samples
UV-200-06
UniVert S Clasroom Kit - includes
- Dogbone cutting die and press
- Artificial skin and bone materials
- .docx files of student and instructor curriculum
- 3-point bend components
The kit is built around a UniVert S system that students can operate with minimal supervision once the workflow is introduced. An intuitive software interface and modular fixtures (grips, platens, and 3-point bend) help reduce the learning curve for new users, making the kit well suited for structured lab courses and open-ended project work.
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