If you conduct compression and tension force testing on older test stands -- and make ship or no ship decisions based on the results -- it may be time to invest in new equipment.
All test stands eventually give out. When they do, the consequences can be costly – especially if you don’t have a backup. It can take weeks or even months to repair machines, depending on the availability of parts. The risk of delay is exponentially higher for older test stand models and those that have been discontinued; many no longer have replacement parts available.
Any lag in your ability to test can interrupt business, delay shipping, and potentially jeopardize your credibility with end users. To avoid being left in a lurch, it’s important to plan ahead.
Discontinued Test Stands & Recommended Replacements
The chart below provides information about popular test stand models that have been discontinued, whether replacement parts are available, and which products we recommend as replacements for older models:
Product Replacement Chart
| Discontinued Test Stand | Replacement Parts Available? | Recommended Replacements |
|---|---|---|
| EZ | No | Lloyd Instruments LD Series |
| LR | No | Lloyd Instruments LD Series |
| LTCM100 | No | Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur, Chatillon TCM100 |
| LTCM500 | No | Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur, Chatillon TCM350 |
| TCD200 | No | Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur, Chatillon TCM100 or TCM350 |
| TCD500 | No | Chatillon CS2-1100, Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur or IntelliMESUR |
| TCD1000 | No | Chatillon CS2-1100, Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur or IntelliMESUR |
| TCD225 | Limited | Chatillon CS2-225, Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur or IntelliMESUR |
| TCD1100 | Limited | Chatillon CS2-1100, Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur or IntelliMESUR |
| TCM1000 | No | Chatillon CS2-1100, Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur or IntelliMESUR |
| TCM201 | No | Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur, Chatillon TCM100 or TCM350 |
| LRX | No | Lloyd Instruments LS1 |
| LRX Plus | No | Lloyd Instruments LS1 |
| ESM300 | Yes | Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur, Chatillon TCM100 or TCM350 |
| ESM301 | Yes | Mark-10 Series F EasyMesur, Chatillon TCM100 or TCM350 |
Test Stand Considerations & Best Practices
When evaluating older test stand models and considering whether a replacement is needed, here are a couple of additional considerations to keep in mind:
- Software used by older test stands may not be compatible with newer operating systems
- It’s often difficult to receive technical assistance on very old models due to a lack of expertise
- Motorized test stands are likely to have long lead times when a replacement is needed
If your test stand has been discontinued and replacement parts are no longer available, we recommend investing in a new replacement promptly. Older models may be kept in reserve as a backup.
Your Trusted Test Stand Partner
JLW Instruments has extensive experience selling and servicing a variety of force instruments and material testing machines, including motorized and manual test stands from Mark-10, Chatillon and Lloyd Instruments.
If you are ready to upgrade your test stand, contact us for more information about which model will best suit your needs.
