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Vector VTR-17-0000 instrumented drop tower for plastics, composites and metals — 0.2 J to 2000 J impact energy, HMI control, and compliance with ASTM D3763, ASTM D7136, ISO 6603 and related standards.

VTR-17-0000
product

Drop Weight Impact Tester

Instrumented drop tower — 0.2 J to 2000 J for plastics, composites and metals per ASTM D3763, ASTM D7136 and ISO 6603

Overview & Technical Specification Downloads Standards
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Overview

The Vector VTR-17-0000 Drop Weight Impact Tester is an instrumented drop tower for evaluating how plastics, composites, metals, and light alloys respond to dynamic impact loading — with precise energy delivery, real-time data capture, and reporting aligned to international test methods.

Impact testing reveals impact strength, fracture toughness, and energy absorption under conditions that simulate real-world strikes. Vector configures each machine for your specimen geometry, energy range, and standard programme — from thin plastic films and plates to heavy-duty metal components.

The system covers methods including ASTM D3763, ISO 6603, ASTM D7136, ISO 11343, and ISO 8256, with optional modules for instrumented impactors, temperature conditioning, and high-speed speed measurement.

At a glance

  • 0.2 J – 2000 J — wide energy range for films to metal plates
  • 2000 mm drop height — up to 20 kg hemispherical striker mass
  • PLC + HMI control — joule or height input with automatic calibration
  • Real-time acquisition — optical sensors, 2000 Hz response
  • Fully enclosed cabinet — interlocks, anti-rebound, emergency stop
  • Motorized lift/reset — streamlined high-volume testing

Standards & conformity

Standards library

Vector maps your required codes to striker mass, drop height, specimen support, and reporting fields before build. Core polymer and composite methods include ISO 6603-2, ASTM D3763 (plastic plates), ISO 7765-2 (films), ISO 18352 and ASTM D7136 (composites), plus pipe, profile, and general impact standards such as ISO 3127, ISO 4422, ASTM D2444, and selected GB/T methods.

ASTM D3763ASTM D7136ISO 6603ISO 8256ISO 11343
Vector VTR-17-0000 drop weight impact tester — instrumented drop tower

Product video

See the drop weight impact tester in action — instrumented falling-weight tests for pipes, composites, and structural materials.

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Industries & applications

From aerospace laminates and automotive panels to construction products and polymer R&D — the drop tower delivers consistent energy impacts with integrated sensing for pass/fail and research-grade analysis.

Plastics & composites

Puncture resistance, CAI, and post-impact performance on plates, films, and laminated structures per ISO 6603, ASTM D3763, and ASTM D7136.

Aerospace & automotive

Safety-critical material qualification — energy absorption and damage tolerance data for lightweight structures and interior components.

Metals & alloys

Fracture toughness and dynamic load durability on plate and product forms within the configured energy envelope.

Construction

Impact durability of building products, profiles, and pipe systems referenced to ISO, BS EN, and GB/T impact methods.

Material science & R&D

Comparative screening of formulations, heat treatments, and lay-ups using graphical energy, deformation, and fracture reports.

Quality control

Production lot release with photo-integrated pass/fail documentation and multi-level operator access for audited laboratories.

Key features

Advanced electromechanical control, enclosed safety, and software reporting — engineered for repeatable high-energy impact programmes.

Energy

Wide impact range

0.2 J to 2000 J with adjustable masses and drop heights — lightweight films through heavy metal components.

PLC

Precision control

Advanced PLC calibration of drop height and impact location; electromechanical positioning and controlled hammer release.

DAQ

Real-time data

High-speed optical sensors capture force, displacement, and energy with 2000 Hz frequency response and live curves.

HMI

Integrated software

Joule or height input, automatic calibration, pass/fail photo documentation, and secure multi-level user access.

Safe

Enclosed operation

Ground-fixed steel and aluminum frame, viewing window, safety interlocks, emergency stop, and anti-rebound system.

Auto

Motorized workflow

Automatic lifting and resetting of the impactor streamlines preparation, testing, and analysis cycles.

Vector drop weight impact tester — striker and tower detail

Test workflow

Vector drop towers follow a structured three-stage programme aligned with international impact methods:

  • Preparation — specimens conditioned per method; optional cooling or temperature chamber for low-temperature programmes.
  • Testing — consistent energy delivery with integrated sensors recording force, displacement, and absorbed energy throughout the event.
  • Analysis — comprehensive reports with curves for energy absorption, deformation, and fracture characteristics; optional instrumented impactor data.
Vector drop weight impact tester — control and software interface

Optional configurations

Extend the base platform with accessories matched to your standard and research requirements:

  • Load cells — precise force measurement on instrumented programmes.
  • High-speed sensors — impact speed verification and enhanced accuracy.
  • Instrumented impactors — granular energy and displacement data for advanced fracture analysis.
  • Specimen holders — fixtures for varied plate, film, pipe, and product geometries.
  • Temperature chambers — performance evaluation under extreme environmental conditions.
Vector VTR-17-0000 drop weight impact tester — brochure cover

Downloads

Product brochure for the Vector VTR-17-0000 drop weight impact tester — energy range, control features, standards coverage, optional accessories, and typical laboratory applications.

Brochure (PDF)

Vector drop tower

Technical overview

Product code
VTR-17-0000
Impact energy
0.2 J – 2000 J
Release distance
2000 mm
Test weight
Up to 20 kg — hemispherical striker
Control
Fully automated — HMI and PC; integrated mechanical, electrical, and PLC control
Data acquisition
Real-time recording and display with test curves — 2000 Hz frequency response
Power supply
220 V AC
Construction
High-strength steel and aluminum; ground-fixed frame with adjustable levelling feet
Safety
Fully enclosed cabinet, electrical and mechanical protections, safety interlocks, emergency stop
Software
Automated calibration; joule/height input; pass/fail photo documentation; multi-level user access
Standards alignment
ASTM D3763, ASTM D7136, ISO 6603, ISO 8256, ISO 11343, ISO 3127, ISO 4422, ISO 6603-2, ISO 7765-2, ISO 18352, ASTM D2444, BS EN 12608, BS EN 744, BS 2782-11, EN 397, and selected GB/T methods
Optional add-ons
Load cells, high-speed sensors, instrumented impactors, temperature chambers, specimen holders, automatic weight detection sensor

Applications support

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  • Matched to EN, ISO, and ASTM test methods
  • Quote and lead time typically within one business day
  • On-site demo or remote walkthrough available
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