Press stud popper pull-off test

Case study

Popper press-stud pull-off test with UltraTest

Popper and press-stud pull-off testing grips, fixtures and tensile tester

Solution

Motorised tensile test stand and gauge
Clamping fixture and claw accessory

Benefits

Approved product quality testing to customer specification
Simple and reliable test procedure
Test To Failure (TTF) condition detected and captured automatically
Confidence in meeting safety standards

Requirement

The customer was a supplier to major clothing retailer Marks & Spencer, who stipulate that all fasteners and attachments must be tested to failure.

The strength of the press-stud joint was critical to ensure that it met design tolerance and safety levels, particularly in baby clothing.

A motorized unit with a test speed was defined as 200 mm/min as the system needed to be simple to use in a production environment and provide consistent results.

Solution

The female part of the press-stud or 'popper' was placed under the retaining ring of the lower half of the Pull-Off fixture. The retaining ring was then locked in place by turning the lever of a cam mechanism.

The upper half of the fixture had an adjustable collet to fit over the male part of the press-stud. The collet was then tightened over the male part of the press-stud. The collet was then tightened to secure it in place. For ease of loading the male-press stud and to ensure a straight pull, the upper half of the fixture was connected to the force gauge via a flexible chain link.

The peak tension load to separate the press stud (or break the material joint) was captured on the force gauge display at the fast data-acquisition speed of 1200 Hz.