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MPA BAU HANNOVER implements the latest testing technology from ZwickRoell after modernizing two testing machines

The Materials Testing Institute for Construction Engineering in Hanover (MPA BAU HANNOVER) is operated by the German state of Lower Saxony and is a division of the Lower Saxony Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor, and Transportation. It serves as an independent, impartial materials testing facility for business, public authorities, courts, and private persons in the construction industry. Moreover, the MPA performs duties in the state's direct interest, primarily involving the establishment of technical rules and the preparation of construction-related decisions.

The MPA BAU HANNOVER is notified as a certification body and testing laboratory according to the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) (notified body No. 0764). It is accredited as a testing laboratory compliant to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 and as a certification body compliant to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065.

The MPA performs material tests, component tests, and design tests for concrete construction, masonry construction, metal construction, woodworking, and road construction at its locations in Hanover and Clausthal-Zellerfeld. It has efficient laboratories for chemical and structural inspections as well as for the fire behavior of construction materials.

Materials testing machines from ZwickRoell are used for these tests. During the past year, MPA modernized its ZwickRoell Z100 and Z050 testing machines, manufactured in 1996 and 2001 respectively, with state-of-the-art testing technology. MPA chose to modernize to the newest testControl II electronics because guaranteed support for DUPS electronics installed in 2004 ended on of December 31, 2014. Service reliability along with quick replacement of parts are guaranteed for at least another ten years with the latest testing technology.

In addition to support services, the ability to test using state-of-the-art sensors is yet another reason to modernize. Both testing machines use optical extensometers whose full capabilities can only be realized when paired with the latest electronics generation.

"Our 18 year old testing machine is still in good mechanical condition; however, we would like to ensure that it can continue to be used as technology changes by modernizing it. Installing a new extensometer allowed us to solve even the most difficult measuring tasks," states Mr. Bredemeier, Modernization Project Manager for MPA. Mr. Bredemeier views adaptive control, which enables precise testing and exact results, as one of the greatest advantages of the new testControl II measurement and control electronics. In addition to the mechanical and electronic modernization, the testXpert II testing software was updated to the latest version. It supports new and enhanced features, such as operator and specimen protection, peripheral device integration, and external software interfaces.

Further information on the RetroLine tC II modernization packages can be found here.

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