Scratch and Indentation Tester
SMT-1000 The First Indenter Truly Designed for Teaching
The SMT-1000 Educational Nanoindenter is designed to introduce students and researchers to the fundamentals of instrumented indentation and nanoscale mechanical characterization. Built with the reliability and precision of advanced nanoindentation technology, the SMT-1000 provides a practical platform for learning how materials respond to mechanical loading at small scales. The system enables users to measure key properties such as hardness and elastic modulus while visualizing indentation processes and data analysis. With an intuitive interface and robust design, it is ideally suited for universities, teaching laboratories, and training environments. The SMT-1000 bridges theory and practice, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with modern materials characterization techniques.
KEY FEATURES
Hands-On Learning of Nanoindentation Principles
The SMT-1000 enables hands-on learning of instrumented indentation, allowing students to explore load–displacement curves, hardness, and elastic modulus. Through real experiments, users gain a clear understanding of how mechanical properties are measured and analyzed at micro- and nanoscale levels, bridging theory with practical application.
YZ Motorized Stage
Integrated YZ automatic table ensures precise tip calibration and automated measurement lines for consistent results. An optional XYZ table enables advanced mapping and accurate positioning, especially when used with the microscope, providing enhanced surface analysis and efficient navigation for comprehensive and reliable testing workflows.
Optional Optical Microscope
Enhance testing accuracy with advanced sample visualization using an upgradeable optional microscope, allowing clear inspection of surface defects and microstructural features before measurement. Precisely position indentations on targeted areas, ensuring reliable, repeatable results and greater confidence in material characterization.
Ultra-Fast Piezoelectric Actuation
A high-performance piezoelectric actuator drives the nanoindentation process with nanometer-scale precision and ultra-fast response time. This advanced actuation technology enables precise force control and dynamic testing capabilities, ensuring highly repeatable measurements across a wide range of materials.
True Force and True Depth Measurement
The PiQ nanoindenter head integrates independent true force and true depth sensors, providing continuous metrological monitoring throughout the entire indentation cycle. This dual-sensor architecture ensures accurate load and displacement measurements, delivering reliable mechanical property data even for thin films, coatings, and micro-scale structures.
More about
SMT-1000 – The First Indenter Truly Designed for Teaching sets a new standard in educational tools. In fact, SMT-1000 – The First Indenter Truly Designed for Teaching stands out among educational nanoindenters for its innovative approach.
The SMT-1000 Educational Nanoindenter is designed to introduce students to nanoindentation and nanoscale mechanical characterization. It furthermore provides a user-friendly platform to measure hardness and elastic modulus through precise load and depth control. Additionally, integrated sensing enables real-time monitoring of material response, helping users understand load–displacement behavior.
The system is suitable for metals, polymers, ceramics, and coatings, therefore supporting a wide range of teaching applications. With Y and Z motorized stages, it allows tip calibration, automated testing, and mapping. Moreover, the optional integrated optical microscope ensures accurate positioning.
Combining simplicity, reliability, and scientific relevance, the SMT-1000 is consequently an ideal solution for universities and training laboratories. This is yet another reason why SMT-1000 – The First Indenter Truly Designed for Teaching is recommended for educators and students alike.
SMT-1000 Nanoindenter for Education
Bring world-class instrumented indentation to every teaching laboratory.
The SMT-1000 Nanoindenter has been developed specifically for universities, colleges, and research laboratories. It provides a high-performance, easy-to-use, and affordable instrument for teaching and research. Students can furthermore quickly master instrumented indentation thanks to an intuitive interface and automated testing routines. The robust mechanical design is additionally built to withstand daily use in multi-user environments. As a result, professors spend less time training and troubleshooting, allowing more time to focus on materials science and engineering concepts.
Unlike many educational systems that sacrifice performance for cost, the SMT-1000 consequently delivers research-grade accuracy and repeatability at one of the most competitive prices on the market. It is therefore the ideal platform for teaching hardness, elastic modulus, creep, viscoelasticity, thin-film characterization, and advanced materials analysis. In summary, SMT-1000 – The First Indenter Truly Designed for Teaching offers both reliability and a complete teaching solution.
To ensure laboratories can begin teaching immediately, every SMT-1000 is moreover delivered with three calibrated reference samples. As a result, experiments can start from the first day of installation.
Why universities choose the SMT-1000
- One of the best price-to-performance ratios in instrumented indentation
- Robust construction designed for years of student use
- Intuitive software with minimal learning curve
- Research-grade performance for both education and advanced research
- Three reference samples included for immediate hands-on training
- Low cost of ownership with reliable, long-term operation
Whether equipping a teaching laboratory or expanding research capabilities, the SMT-1000 makes advanced nanoindentation accessible to every institution—delivering exceptional performance without the premium price. Above all, SMT-1000 – The First Indenter Truly Designed for Teaching is the trusted choice for hands-on learning and instructional laboratories.
| Maximum indentation load | 500 mN |
|---|---|
| Load resolution | 0,015 μN |
| Load noise floor [rms] | 1 μN |
| Maximum indentation depth | 200 μm |
| Depth resolution | 0.005 nm |
| Depth noise floor [rms] | 0.1 nm |
| Data acquisition rate | 1 MHz |
| XYZ Stage | 180 x 15 mm |
| Resonance Frequency | 260 Hz |
| Size | 35 x 35 x 35 cm |
| Weight | 23 kg |
