Durometer Test Stands

Handheld durometer readings can vary by 3 to 5 Shore points between different operators due to inconsistencies in pressing force, downward approach velocity, and off-axis tilting. ABQ Industrial supplies laboratory-grade Durometer Test Stands from Checkline, Rex, Imada, and Asker engineered to eliminate operator influence. By holding the durometer strictly perpendicular to the specimen table and applying the exact dead-weight mass and descent speed mandated by ASTM D2240, DIN 53505, ISO 868, and ISO 7619, our operating stands guarantee repeatable quality control and laboratory R&R compliance

Precision Durometer Stand Configurations by Testing Application

Selecting the proper operating stand depends on the durometer brand/mounting thread, the ASTM scale being tested (which dictates the required dead-weight mass), and whether your laboratory requires manual lever operation, pneumatic/hydraulic speed dampening, or motorized automation:

Fully Motorized & Programmable Laboratory Stands (Maximum Repeatability & Dwell Timing):

High-throughput R&D and quality assurance laboratories eliminate all human contact during the test cycle by automating approach speed, measuring velocity, perpendicular contact alignment, and measurement dwell time.

Target Applications: Multi-operator QA labs, audit-critical polymer certification, and viscoelastic creep studies across Shore A, B, C, D, DO, E, O, OO, OOO, and Asker C scales. Recommended Solutions: Imada YMS Motorized Durometer Test Stand (available in YMS-L for Shore A/B/E/O/OO/Asker C and YMS-H for all scales including C/D/DO), featuring an OLED menu screen, Fast Approach with programmable measuring speed up to 20 mm/s, 0.5–99 s timer hold, Auto Contact alignment, and ASCII external control. Rex OS-AUTO Motorized Durometer Test Stand, supplied with both small and large interchangeable weights to test all Shore scales (A, B, C, D, DO, E, O, OO, OOO, OOO-S) with a 0–9999 second programmable dwell timer. Asker CLE-150 Durometer Motorized Constant Speed - Load Stand (offered in CLE-150L, CLE-150H, and CLE-150M), featuring adjustable test speeds from 0.1 to 19.9 mm/s in 0.1 mm increments and a flexible coupling that self-aligns to inclined specimen surfaces.

Pneumatic & Hydraulic Speed-Dampened Operating Stands (ASTM D2240 Descent Control)

ASTM D2240 specifies that the durometer presser foot must contact the test specimen at a controlled maximum downward velocity of 3.2 mm/s (0.125 in/s) without impact shock.

Target Applications: Certified ASTM D2240 and ISO 868 testing of rubber, elastomers, and rigid plastics where operator lever-drop speed must be mechanically regulated. Recommended Solutions: Imada SY Durometer Stand Lever-Operated Operating Stand (available in SY-L and SY-H, directly replacing the discontinued Asker CL-150), combining simple pull-lever operation with a pneumatic damper and Auto Contact alignment. Rex OS-2 & OS-2H Durometer Test Stand, available in standard gravity-load (OS-2) or dampened descent (OS-2H) models, plus OS-2-E / OS-2H-E configurations pre-fitted for Checkline AD-100 and Checkline DD-100 durometers.

Manual Lever & Large-Clearance Operating Stands (Shop-Floor & Bulky Specimen Testing)

Precision mechanical lever and cam-actuated stands provide perpendicular alignment and repeatable loading for routine incoming inspection, large specimens, and cylindrical parts.

Target Applications: Rapid benchtop hardness verification of thick molded rubber parts (up to 8-3/4" tall), bowling balls, rollers, and general elastomers. Recommended Solutions: Rex OS-1 Durometer Test Stand, accommodating specimens from 1/4" up to 8-3/4" (or 10") thick across OS-1 (for Rex RX series), OS-1-E (for Checkline AD-100/DD-100), OS-1-LB (for Rex 3000/4000 series), and OS-1-HH (for Mitutoyo HH series). Checkline OS-300-2 Durometer Test Stand, featuring a spring-loaded lever with mechanical overload protection specifically engineered for Checkline AD-300 and Checkline DD-300 durometers. Checkline PTS-HP HP Durometer Test Stand, purpose-built for Checkline HP Series Durometers (HPSA, HPSD, HPSO) with optional V-grooved and V-block base plates for cylindrical samples.

Low-Mass Foam Stands (Type OO/OOO), Micro O-Ring Stands (Type M) & Calibration Systems

Standard 1 kg test stand arbors are too heavy for ultra-soft Shore OO/OOO foam durometers (which require 400 g total mass) or delicate Type M micro durometers (which require ASTM D2240 micro-loading).

Low-Force Foam Testing (Shore OO & OOO): Select the Rex OS-4 Durometer Test Stand for Type OO & OOO, offered in standard (OS-4), hydraulic-dampened (OS-4H), and Checkline AD-100/DD-100 compatible (OS-4-E / OS-4H-E) models. Thin Elastomers & O-Rings (Shore Type M): Select the Rex OS-3 Durometer Test Stand for Type M Durometer. In-House Calibration & Multi-Channel Data Collection: Perform primary spring-force calibration on your durometers using the Rex RDC-1 Durometer Calibrator, or log USB readings from up to four gauges simultaneously on a 7" color Android tablet stand using the Rex EMS4 Remote Readout Data Collection App.

Durometer Test Stand Technical Comparison & Compatibility Guide

Pair your operating stand with a gauge from our Durometers subcategory, or explore complete automated systems in IRHD Hardness Testers.