Harvest Timing

Growers use fruit firmness measurements to determine the optimum harvesting time, helping ensure produce is picked at the ideal stage of maturity for maximum quality and shelf life.

Quality Control

Packers and quality assurance personnel use penetrometers to verify that fruit meets specified firmness standards before distribution and sale.

Storage & Ripening Monitoring

Regular firmness testing allows producers to track ripening and softening during storage, transport, and distribution, helping to maintain product quality and reduce waste.

Variety & Growing Condition Assessment

Fruit firmness can vary between varieties, growing regions, climates, and seasons. The GY Series helps growers compare results and establish firmness benchmarks specific to their crops and growing conditions.

Research & Development

Agricultural researchers use firmness testing to:

• Evaluate new fruit varieties
• Study ripening characteristics
• Assess post-harvest treatments
• Investigate storage and packaging methods

Commonly Tested Produce

The GY Series is suitable for a wide range of fruits and vegetables, including:

• Apples
• Pears
• Peaches
• Nectarines
• Kiwifruit
• Mangoes
• Avocados
• Tomatoes
• Melons
• Other produce where firmness is a critical quality parameter

Key Benefits

• Provides objective measurement of fruit ripeness
• Supports optimal harvest decisions
• Helps maintain product quality and shelf life
• Monitors ripening during storage and transport
• Assists with quality assurance and research programs
• Simple, reliable, and repeatable testing method

The Shore A scale is used for testing softer materials such as rubber, elastomers, and flexible plastics, while the Shore D scale is intended for harder materials including hard rubber, rigid plastics, and thermoplastics.

Both models feature a large LCD display for clear and easy reading of measurement results. Additional functions such as data hold and automatic power-off enhance usability and help improve battery life. The timed hold function allows users to capture and record consistent hardness readings with greater confidence.

Typical Applications

Shore A

• Rubber seals and gaskets
• O-rings
• Silicone products
• Tyres and rubber compounds
• Flexible plastics and elastomers

Shore D

• Rigid plastics
• Thermoplastics
• Hard rubber components
• Nylon and acrylic materials
• Polycarbonate products

Key Features

• Measures hardness according to ASTM D2240, DIN 53505, ISO 868, and ISO 7619
• Available in Shore A and Shore D versions
• Large LCD display for easy reading
• Hold function for timed measurements
• Automatic power-off feature
• Portable and easy-to-use design
• Suitable for laboratory, quality control, and production environments

Designed to conform to EN 14752:2015, the BIA-600 BT provides accurate and reliable force measurements to support safety testing and compliance requirements within the rail industry. Its rugged construction ensures dependable performance in demanding field and maintenance environments.

The wireless design improves ease of use by eliminating cable connections, making testing more efficient while maintaining the high levels of accuracy and durability expected from DriveTest products.

Key Features

• Wireless pinch force measuring system
• Designed for railway, light rail, and tramway applications
• Suitable for testing automatic doors and steps
• Conforms to EN 14752:2015
• Accurate and reliable force measurement
• Rugged and durable construction
• Flexible wireless operation for improved ease of use
• Based on the proven DriveTest BIA-600 design
• Ideal for safety testing, maintenance, and compliance verification

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.

The kit includes all the essential components required for efficient and accurate testing, centred around a 500 N Analogue Force Gauge. Easy to use and simple to read, the gauge features a peak-hold function that retains the highest reading until manually reset. As it requires no batteries, it is always ready for use when needed.

An ergonomic cradle enables two-handed operation of the force gauge, improving comfort and testing efficiency. The kit also includes a cone manufactured to the dimensions specified in AS 1926.1-2012. Constructed from lightweight HDPE and fitted with adjustable straps, the cone can be easily positioned within fence openings to verify compliance with the required load of 150 N.

For testing structural components, a rubber-padded compression plate is attached to the opposite end of the gauge, eliminating the need to change accessories during testing. Structural components must withstand an initial force of 250 N and, following inspection, a force of 330 N. The rubber padding helps protect fence surfaces from damage during testing.

Supplied in a durable carry case, the Pool Fence Testing Kit provides a practical, portable, and comprehensive solution for pool fence compliance inspections.

Key Features

• Designed in accordance with AS 1926.1-2012
• Complete kit for pool fence strength and rigidity testing
• Includes 500 N Analogue Force Gauge
• Peak-hold function for easy reading of maximum force
• No batteries required
• Ergonomic two-handed operating cradle
• Lightweight HDPE cone manufactured to standard dimensions
• Adjustable straps for easy positioning in fence openings
• Integrated rubber-padded compression plate
• Suitable for testing fence openings and structural components
• Supplied in a durable protective carry case

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.

Mecmesin offers an extensive range of grips, fixtures, and accessories designed to complement its force and torque testing equipment. These solutions support a variety of test methods and specimen types, providing the flexibility needed for both standard and specialised testing requirements.

For unique applications, S.I. Instruments can also supply custom-designed fixtures tailored to your specific product, test method, or industry requirements.

To explore the full range of available accessories, visit the Mecmesin Accessory Catalogue.

Key Features

• Wide range of grips, fixtures, and accessories
• Designed for force and torque testing applications
• Suitable for various products, materials, and test methods
• Improves test accuracy and repeatability
• Supports both standard and specialised testing requirements
• Custom fixture design and manufacture available
• Compatible with Mecmesin force and torque testing systems

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.

The pouch is easily inserted into the holder, which securely positions the cap in the centre of the torque tester for accurate and repeatable measurements. This ensures consistent alignment while improving testing efficiency and ease of operation.

Designed for maximum flexibility, the pouch holder can be quickly installed or removed, allowing the Mecmesin Vortex to be used for standard bottle closure torque testing whenever required.

Key Features

• Designed for use with Mecmesin Vortex Torque Testers
• Enables accurate closure torque measurement of pouch caps
• Securely positions the cap in the centre of the tester
• Improves testing consistency and repeatability
• Quick and easy to install or remove
• Allows seamless changeover between pouch and standard bottle testing
• Custom-designed by S.I. Instruments

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.

By maintaining proper alignment and minimising slippage during testing, custom cap holders help improve the accuracy, repeatability, and reliability of closure torque measurements. They are ideal for testing non-standard caps, specialised packaging designs, and application-specific closures where standard fixtures may not provide adequate support.

Custom holders can be designed and manufactured to suit a wide range of cap sizes and configurations, providing a practical solution for consistent and dependable torque testing.

Key Features

• Designed for use with Mecmesin Vortex Torque Testers
• Custom-made to suit specific cap sizes and profiles
• Ensures secure cap engagement during testing
• Minimises slippage and improves alignment
• Enhances measurement accuracy and repeatability
• Suitable for non-standard and specialised closures
• Custom-designed and manufactured by S.I. Instruments

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.

The pouch slips easily into the holder, automatically positioning the cap in the centre of the torque tester for accurate and repeatable measurements. This convenient design simplifies testing, improves alignment, and helps ensure consistent results.

The holder can be quickly removed, allowing the torque tester to be used as normal for standard bottle closure torque testing, providing maximum flexibility for multiple applications.

Key Features

• Designed for use with Mecmesin Orbis and Tornado Torque Testers
• Enables accurate closure torque measurement of pouch caps
• Securely positions the cap at the centre of the tester
• Improves testing consistency and repeatability
• Quick and easy insertion of pouches
• Removable design for standard bottle testing
• Custom-designed by S.I. Instruments
• Simple, efficient, and user-friendly operation

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.

The preform bottle slips easily into the holder, automatically positioning the cap in the centre of the torque tester for fast, accurate, and repeatable measurements. By ensuring consistent alignment during testing, the holder helps improve measurement reliability and testing efficiency.

Designed for maximum versatility, the Preform Holder can be quickly removed, allowing the torque tester to be used as normal for standard bottle closure torque testing.

Key Features

• Designed for use with Mecmesin Orbis and Tornado Torque Testers
• Enables accurate closure torque measurement of screw caps on preform bottles
• Securely positions the cap at the centre of the tester
• Improves testing consistency and repeatability
• Quick and easy insertion of preform bottles
• Removable design for standard bottle testing
• Custom-designed by S.I. Instruments
• Simple, efficient, and user-friendly operation

Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.