A testing system should be calibrated in the following situations:
1. When relocating or moving the machine (change of location): Calibration ensures that the precision of the testing system is not affected by the new location. Vibrations and changes in the environment can influence measurement accuracy.
2. When intervening in the measuring system: Maintenance work, repairs, or modifications to the measuring system can alter settings and precision. After such interventions, the system should be recalibrated to ensure the reliability of measurements.
3. In case of deviating measurement results: If you notice that measurements are inconsistent or deviate from expected results, incorrect calibration may be the cause. Recalibration is then necessary to restore confidence in the measurement data.
4. When replacing components: The replacement of components can lead to changes in measurement. After such replacements, a check and, if necessary, recalibration is appropriate.
5. Regular maintenance: Regardless of the above points, it is advisable to have your testing system calibrated regularly – especially when highly precise measurements are involved.
Should you require support with the calibration of your testing system, please feel free to contact our customer support with your inquiry. We will reliably and professionally assist you in ensuring the optimal performance of your testing system.

Hardness reference blocks (HVP) are essential accessories for the calibration and verification of hardness measuring instruments and should therefore be in perfect condition to ensure precise results. The decision of when to replace an HVP depends on various factors:

1. Certificate validity period: The supplied certificate for a hardness reference block has a limited validity. Generally, this certificate is valid for a maximum of five years. For hardness reference blocks made of aluminum, this period is only three years. After this period, the block must be replaced with a new one to ensure the continued accuracy of hardness measurements.
2. Surface utilization rate: If approximately 75% of the surface of a hardness reference block is covered with indentations, it is time to consider replacement and, if necessary, order a new block. Remember to factor in delivery time so you can continue your hardness tests without interruption.
3. Forbidden measuring surfaces: Please note that the underside of a hardness reference block generally must not be used for measurements, as it is not designed for this purpose and could therefore provide unreliable measurement results.
4. Condition of the hardness reference block: Damage such as corrosion, both on the top and bottom of the hardness reference block, can impair the accuracy of the measurement results. If there are signs of corrosion, the block should also be replaced.

Yes, under certain circumstances, repair of indenters is possible. For diamond indenters, for example, repairs are considered if there are no cracks or broken parts. However, it should be noted that such a repair is only feasible for Rockwell diamonds and Vickers indenters from HV 5.

Another important factor for the possibility of repair is the specific design of the indenter, which can vary and depends on the manufacturer of the test body. If a repair is possible, the diamond will be reground by our partner. The indenter will then be handed over to an affiliated testing laboratory, which will check and certify it according to ISO standards.

For an individual assessment of repair options, we require detailed information on the test method and hardness testing device used. Based on this information, we are able to make a recommendation for a possible repair process. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need support or have further questions.

Repair is not possible for ball indenters.

Yes, it is possible that LATZKE purchases machines. If you have a machine you would like to sell to LATZKE, you should first send an inquiry by email to service@latzke.de. Make sure to include meaningful photos of the machine with your inquiry, and a photo of the type plate is also important so that the specifications and condition of the machine can be properly assessed. After receiving your inquiry and reviewing the photos, a decision can then be made as to whether a purchase might be of interest to LATZKE.

A diamond indenter does not have an exact “shelf life” in the sense of an expiry date, as diamonds are extremely hard and durable. You can certainly buy diamond indenters in stock without having to worry that they will lose their suitability for testing purposes over time.
However, there is a general recommendation based on standards. It is suggested to replace the indenter after two years from its first use. This is a preventive measure to ensure that the precision and reliability of hardness tests remain constant.
It is important to note that the actual service life of an indenter also depends on other factors such as frequency of use, care, storage, and the materials being tested. Regular inspections for wear and potential damage can help identify the need for an earlier replacement.

A hardness reference block made of aluminum typically has a service life of about 3 years. For hardness reference blocks made of steel, a longer service life of approximately 5 years can be expected.

An indenter used in material testing must have precise calibration to ensure reliable measurements. For the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS), an official test certificate is required to prove compliance with specific standards and guidelines.
Without such a DAkkS test certificate, it would only be possible to carry out an in-house factory calibration, which may be adequate for internal purposes but does not represent accredited quality assurance. With an in-house factory calibration, the confirmation from an independent testing body, which ensures that the indenter is precisely calibrated according to requirements, is missing.

Yes, at LATZKE you can reserve an appointment for the coming year in advance. You have the option to select a calendar week, which will then be reserved for you. It is customary for us to coordinate everything precisely with you some time before the actual appointment to ensure that the appointment fits into your schedule.

Yes, telephone support is available. Should you have problems or require assistance, you can reach our service technicians on weekdays during our working hours. You can contact us by email at hotline@zwickroell.com or by phone at +49 7305 10 11 225. We are here to help you and answer all your questions. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need support.

The waiting time for our on-site service can vary depending on a number of factors. We generally offer a 24-hour express deployment, but the availability of this fast service depends on the specific circumstances of your case.
To ensure prompt service, one of our hotline staff will contact you to clarify all important details and discuss the further process. This will include investigating whether spare parts are required for the repair. Thanks to our extensive spare parts warehouse, we can quickly send required parts by express, if necessary.
To keep waiting times as short as possible, we recommend that you contact our hotline as soon as possible. You can reach us by email at hotline@zwickroell.com or by phone at +49 7305 10 11 225. By clarifying immediately, we can initiate the necessary steps and create an efficient deployment plan for you.

Yes, loan devices can definitely be provided. We have an extensive range of mechanical and electronic hardness testing devices for various needs and applications. Through our cooperation with EmcoTest, we also have access to the devices of the DuraLine product family.
Under certain conditions, we even offer our customers a special service. If you opt for our Service Package M or L, you will receive a loan device free of charge during the repair of your own hardness testing device to ensure uninterrupted continuation of your work. The only costs you incur in this case are those for transport and commissioning of the device, including the necessary calibration.
Providing loan devices is part of our commitment to ensure that our customers do not experience any interruptions in their testing processes.

For complex or extensive repairs that require specialized handling and therefore cannot be adequately performed on-site, we offer our professional repair service at our Wiehl or Kuchl plants.
Our comprehensive service package includes the dismantling of your device at your location as well as the possible provision and commissioning of a loan device during the repair period. The transport of the defective device to one of our plants and the subsequent return delivery including recommissioning are also part of our service offering.
To provide you with financial planning security, we will prepare a detailed cost estimate after receipt of goods and careful examination of your device. In certain cases, it is possible to provide a guideline price in advance to give you an initial financial overview.
We have experienced specialists and the necessary technical equipment to carry out even demanding repairs with high quality and efficiency in our plants. With this offer, we ensure that your device is repaired with the greatest possible expertise and put back into operation promptly.

The calibration and repair of mobile hardness testing devices, such as UCI or Leeb hardness testers and models like the EmcoTest N4, are crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of your measurements.
For the service of these special devices, our plants in Wiehl or Kuchl offer corresponding services. To send your hardness testing device for calibration or repair, please enclose a repair accompanying slip. This document should contain all relevant information about the device and the desired service.
Before sending the device to us, we recommend that you contact us by email. This way, we can announce your order in advance and ensure that our technicians in the workshop are scheduled accordingly to process your device quickly and efficiently.
Our goal is to ensure that your devices are kept up-to-date with as little interruption to your operations as possible.

The delivery time for spare parts can vary, depending on the part and the model you own. For products from our DuraLine series, we work closely with our sister company, EmcoTest. Through this cooperation, we can ensure fast delivery of most spare parts, usually within a week directly to you.
For older mechanical devices, we maintain an extensive stock of spare parts. We can usually ship these immediately from our warehouse in Wiehl, which significantly shortens waiting times.
If a required spare part is not in stock, our customers benefit from our extensive network of partner companies. Through these connections, we are usually able to procure even special spare parts promptly and keep delivery times as short as possible.

Yes, we sell both new and used machines. New machines are offered through the product distribution of the parent company ZwickRoell. It is therefore worth taking a look at their website to discover the latest machines currently available on the market.
For used equipment, however, LATZKE is your contact. If you are interested in purchasing a high-quality used machine, you should contact us directly. We will advise and support you in selecting the most suitable machine for your specific requirements.

Yes, there are definitely ways to precisely maintain the minimum distance between indentations during the hardness testing procedure. A sensible method involves using modern laser technology to engrave a grid directly onto the surface of the material to be tested.

By applying such a grid before testing, you have a clear visual aid that ensures each new indentation maintains the required minimum distance from previous indentations. This not only increases the accuracy of your measurements but also helps to avoid overlaps and resulting measurement errors.

Yes, it is certainly possible to calibrate multiple methods on a single hardness reference block. The block can be set to accommodate different loads and thus different hardness methods such as HV1, HV2, and HV3.
However, in practice, it is not common or recommended to perform more than three calibration methods on a single block. The reason for this lies in the potential inaccuracy that can arise from overloading the block with too many calibration marks.