# US 12,222,328 B2 · Testing apparatus and testing method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,328 B2 - Document ID: US12222328B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/808,626 - Filed: 2022-06-24 - Published: 2023-01-12 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-07-09 - Assignees: Disco Corporation - Applicants: Disco Corporation - Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222328B2 ## CPC - G01N 3/08: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence) - G01N 3/20: by applying steady bending forces (G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence) - G01N 3/06: Special adaptations of indicating or recording means - G01N 3/42: by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid (G01N3/54 takes precedence) - G01N 2203/0019: Compressive - G01N 2203/0023: Bending - G01N 2203/0067: Fracture or rupture - G01N 2203/0078: using indentation - G01N 2203/0282: Two dimensional, e.g. tapes, webs, sheets, strips, disks or membranes - G01N 2203/06: Indicating or recording means; Sensing means - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A testing apparatus includes a support unit that supports a lower surface side of a test piece, a pressing unit having an indenter that presses the test piece supported by the support unit, a drive unit that raises and lowers the pressing unit, a load measurement instrument that measures a load generated when the indenter presses the test piece supported by the support unit, and a controller that controls raising and lowering of the pressing unit. The controller is configured to be capable of stopping movement of the indenter when a measurement value of the load measurement instrument has turned from a rise to a fall after the indenter has started pressing of the test piece. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A testing apparatus comprising: a support unit that supports a lower surface side of a test piece; a pressing unit having an indenter that presses the test piece supported by the support unit; a drive mechanism that raises and lowers the pressing unit; a load measurement instrument that measures a load generated when the indenter presses the test piece supported by the support unit; and a controller that controls raising and lowering of the pressing unit, wherein the controller is configured to be capable of stopping movement of the indenter when both a measurement value of the load measurement instrument has turned from a rise to a fall after the indenter has started pressing of the test piece and a subsequent measurement value of the load measurement instrument, after the change from the rise to the fall, shows a reduction in the load that is greater than a predetermined value. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller stores a program that executes, based on selection by an operator, either one of: first control to stop the movement of the indenter when both the measurement value of the load measurement instrument has turned from a rise to a fall after the indenter has started the pressing of the test piece and a subsequent measurement value of the load measurement instrument, after the change from the rise to the fall, shows a reduction in the load that is greater than a predetermined value, and second control to stop the movement of the indenter when the measurement value of the load measurement instrument has become zero after the indenter has started the pressing of the test piece. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the measurement value when turning from the rise to the fall is defined as K1; the predetermined measurement value is defined as Ka; and Ka equals b×K1, where b is a value selected between 0.05 and 0.10. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the measurement value when turning from the rise to the fall is defined as K1; the predetermined measurement value is defined as Ka; and Ka equals b×K1, where b is 0.05. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the measurement value when turning from the rise to the fall is defined as K1; the predetermined measurement value is defined as Ka; and Ka equals b×K1, where b is a 0.10. ### Claim 6 A testing method comprising: providing a controller that includes a program to execute both a first stop step and a second stop step; a selecting step of selecting, by the operator, either the first stop step or the second stop step; a support step of supporting a lower surface side of a test piece by a support unit; a pressing step of pressing the test piece supported by the support unit with an indenter; and a measurement step of measuring a load of pressing by the indenter with a load measurement instrument in conjunction with start of the pressing step; and wherein the first stop step comprises stopping movement of the indenter when a measurement value of the load measurement instrument has turned from a rise to a fall in the measurement step, and wherein the second stop step comprises stopping movement of the indenter when the measurement value of the load measurement instrument has become zero through continuing the movement of the indenter after the measurement value of the load measurement instrument has turned from a rise to a fall in the measurement step. ### Claim 7 A testing apparatus comprising: a support unit that supports a lower surface side of a test piece; a pressing unit having an indenter that presses the test piece supported by the support unit; a drive mechanism that raises and lowers the pressing unit; a load measurement instrument that measures a load generated when the indenter presses the test piece supported by the support unit; and a controller that controls raising and lowering of the pressing unit, wherein the controller stores a program that includes both of the following: first control to stop the movement of the indenter when the measurement value of the load measurement instrument has turned from a rise to a fall after the indenter has started the pressing of the test piece, and second control to stop the movement of the indenter when the measurement value of the load measurement instrument has become zero after the indenter has started the pressing of the test piece, and wherein the controller is configured and arranged to execute: said first control when an operator makes a first selection that directs the controller to perform said first control; and said second control when an operator makes a second selection that directs the controller to perform said second control.