Oct 26 2015
Thwing-Albert, a manufacturer of physical property testing instrumentation for over 115 years, is honored to be part of The Franklin Institute’s new SportsZone exhibit. The Franklin Institute approached Thwing-Albert Instrument Company to assist with testing the flexural properties of a professional hockey stick for their new exhibit.
SportsZone is designed around a central narrative theme: Ready? Set. Go! and evokes the immersive look and feel of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Each area contributes to the overall mission of the exhibit—to discover how sports connect the science of the human body, technical innovation, and laws of motion. The exhibit features a series of 21 interactive experiences allowing visitors the opportunity to compete with others or improve on their own performance, and each focuses on a different scientific principle that is fundamental to sports.
- The Franklin Institute
Thwing-Albert’s universal testing machine is being used in the SportsZone display to discover how new materials and specialized designs can make hockey sticks strong and flexible. The VantageNX test frame is fit with a custom three-point bend fixture that allows for the span of a hockey stick. MAP-4 Materials Testing Software is configured to run the test according to industry standard ASTM D790.
The test replicates the force needed to flex a hockey stick and what that means to the player’s effectiveness on the ice. The SportsZone exhibit is the reimagining of the 15 year-old Sports Challenge exhibition which closed in April. Sports Challenge was a long-standing visitor favorite and Thwing-Albert is proud to be a part of this updated hands-on experience.
The Thwing-Albert VantageNX was chosen based on its versatility and durability, given that thousands of daily visitors will be interacting with the instrument. The VantageNX is a universal testing machine that can be modified by the use of grips and fixtures to meet many industry standards, like the one displayed at The Franklin Institute. When you see a finished product out in the world, there are many quality assurance and research factors that come in to play for durability, safety and everyday usage.