# US 2014/0190269 A1 · Bond strength tester with switchable backlash control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190269 A1 - Document ID: US20140190269A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/224,560 - Filed: 2014-03-25 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-05 - Assignees: Nordson Corporation - Applicants: Nordson Corporation - Inventors: David Lilley; Martin Bugg; Robert John Sykes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190269A1 ## CPC - G01N 19/04: Measuring adhesive force between materials, e.g. of sealing tape, of coating - G01N 3/24: by applying steady shearing forces (G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence) - G01N 2203/0025: Shearing - G01N 2203/0623: using piezoelectric gauges - H10W 72/07531: {Techniques} - 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) - H10W: GENERIC PACKAGES, INTERCONNECTIONS, CONNECTORS OR OTHER CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 ## Abstract A testing apparatus for testing the strength of a material connection to a substrate. A drive mechanism couples a test tool mount to a main body and allows for relative movement between the test tool mount and the main body in an axial direction. A biasing element is coupled between the main body and the test tool mount, that, in operation, biases the test tool mount relative to the main body in an axial direction. The biasing element is switchable between a first state in which the test tool mount is biased either toward or away from the substrate and another state in which the biasing element provides one of: no biasing force to the test tool mount toward or away from the substrate, or a biasing force in a direction opposite to the direction of bias applied in the first state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A testing apparatus for testing the strength of a material connection to a substrate, comprising: a main body, a test tool mount for holding a test tool, an axial drive mechanism, the drive mechanism coupling the test tool mount to the main body and allowing for relative movement between the test tool mount and the main body in an axial direction, and a biasing element, coupled between the main body and the test tool mount, that, in operation, biases the test tool mount relative to the main body in an axial direction, wherein the biasing element is switchable by a user between a first state in which the test tool mount is biased either toward or away from the substrate and another state in which the biasing element provides one of: no biasing force to the test tool mount toward or away from the substrate, or a biasing force in a direction opposite to the direction of bias applied in the first state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biasing element comprises a pneumatically operated piston and cylinder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A testing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the piston is coupled for movement with the test tool mount and cylinder is fixed in position relative to the main body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A testing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the axial drive mechanism comprises a screw and nut assembly, wherein the piston is coupled for movement with the nut and the cylinder is fixed in position relative to the screw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A testing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller connected to a user interface, the controller and user interface being configured to allow a user to select a type of test, and wherein the controller is connected to the biasing element and controls switching of the biasing element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A testing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the biasing element provides a biasing force which can be set at different force levels. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A testing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the biasing element comprises a pneumatically operated piston and cylinder and wherein the cylinder can be charged with different air pressure settings to provide different biasing force levels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biasing element provides a biasing force which can be maintained as a constant force as the test mount moves axially relative to the main body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the first state an upward bias is applied by the biasing element to the test tool mount. ### Claim 10 A testing apparatus according to claim, 1 further comprising a controller connected to a user interface, the controller and user interface being configured to allow a user to select a type of test, and wherein the controller is connected to the biasing element and controls switching of the biasing element, and wherein when a user selects a type of test, a bias is applied by the biasing element to the test tool mount in the same direction as the force resulting from the type of test selected. ### Claim 11 A method of testing the strength of a material connection to a substrate by using a testing device comprising a test tool coupled to a main body, comprising the steps of: selecting a test; applying a biasing force on the test tool in a first direction; positioning the test tool relative to the material; providing relative movement between the test tool and the substrate in a manner that results in a force being applied by the material to the test tool in the first direction; and recording the force applied to the test tool by the material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of applying a biasing force comprises operating a pneumatic cylinder and piston coupled between the test tool and the main body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of initially positioning the test tool relative to the material prior to applying a biasing force on the test tool, and more accurately positioning the test tool relative to the material subsequent to applying a biasing force on the test tool.