Precision Universal Testing Machines
The AUTOGRAPH AGX-V series is a precision universal testing machine that evaluates the mechanical properties and strength of steels and plastics by applying a constant load to the material and examining the changes. It is mainly used in research and development and quality control departments, contributing to the improvement in reliability of materials development.
The AUTOGRAPH AGX-V series is a precision universal testing machine that evaluates the mechanical properties and strength of steels and plastics by applying a constant load to the material and examining the changes. It is mainly used in research and development and quality control departments, contributing to the improvement in reliability of materials development.
Our aim was to provide a safe and certain user experience by acquiring the ideal test results with as little stress on the operator as possible. To achieve this, we designed the testing machine while focusing on the human using the instrument.
A safe and certain working environment is essential for obtaining highly reliable test results. To guide the user’s actions safely and correctly, our goal was to design a form that enables testing operations to be performed in a natural posture, an intuitive touch panel UI that displays the most appropriate buttons according to the situation, and reliable voice feedback in response to operations.
Space for the user’s knees was created by designing a dent in the center of the instrument that appears to be cut from solid block of metal. This enables the placement of the test specimen (test piece) to be performed in a more natural posture. The aim was to eliminate as much as possible the factors that cause stress to the user and increase the testing efficiency.
The new large-sized touch panel on the controller displays the information for each step of a testing machine operation in an easy-to-understand way. Also, the operability has been unified with the computer software for data analysis so that users have the same experience when performing operations, regardless of the device.
One of the most important feedbacks for the user is the sound made when a button is pressed. We placed importance on operating sounds and improved their quality through many trial and error after preparing many prototypes. By providing reliable feedback to the user in each situation, the sounds not only prevent operating errors but also lead to a more comfortable testing experience.
The body of a universal testing machine must have a high degree of rigidity. During development, we wanted to express the high rigidity achieved by the design in the external appearance as well. For this reason, we utilized the hard texture of aluminum materials and used a forming process that appears to be carved from solid metal across all models in the AGX-V series. This gives the whole series a more highly robust impression.
Similar images have been systematically created across the series by precisely calculating and defining the dimensional proportions of each detail and repeatedly incorporating them into all models despite each specification having a different body size, thereby improving the brand image.
B to C products are common in the lives of users of production equipment, and they are accustomed to high-quality user experience. In recent years the number of users unfamiliar with the operation of these machines has increased rapidly, so usability and quality of external appearance are certainly not superficial matters just because it is a B to B product. Rather, Shimadzu continues to pursue designs that are easy to use by as many people as possible and have an aesthetic feel, precisely because these are B to B products.
Product Designer : Jun Kawai, Jun Kimura, Hyeri Kang
UI designer : Ryo Takegawa, Misa Nobori, Tomohiro Hirama
September 27,2021
