In the modern manufacturing landscape, the durability and flexibility of materials are non-negotiable. Whether you are producing high-grade packaging materials, advanced flexible printed circuits (FPC), or lithium battery components, the ability of a material to withstand repeated bending without fracturing is a critical quality indicator. The MIT folding endurance tester is the industry-standard equipment engineered specifically to evaluate the folding fatigue strength of a wide spectrum of flexible materials.
Unlike traditional testers that focus solely on the paper making industry, our highly versatile MIT folding fatigue testing machine is meticulously designed to serve cross-industry applications. By seamlessly accommodating paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic films, copper foils, aluminum foils, and flexible printed circuits, this equipment stands as the ultimate quality control solution for R&D laboratories, third-party testing centers, and factory QA/QC departments.
| Equipment Model: | WEW-MIT-FET-01 |
| Measuring Range: | 0 ~ 99,999 Cycles |
| Folding Angle: | 135° ± 2° (Left and right)｜(Fixed angle; adjustable/customizable upon request. Customizable angles available for fiberglass and other materials) |
| Folding Speed: | 175 ± 10 CPM (Cycles per minute)｜(Adjustable/customizable upon request) |
| Spring Tension: | 4.9N – 14.7N (For every 9.8N of tension applied, the spring compresses by at least 17mm) |
| Folding Clamp: | Tension variation caused by eccentric rotation is no greater than 0.343N |
| Folding Head Width: | 19 ± 1 mm |
| Folding Radius: | 0.38 ± 0.02 mm (Custom R-angle available for fiberglass and other materials) |
| Clamp Gap Distance: | 0.25mm / 0.50mm / 0.75mm / 1.00mm (Custom clamps available for fiberglass and other materials) |
| Standard Weights: | 4.9N, 9.8N |
| Human-Machine: | Interface (HMI) 3.2-inch (320*240) dot-matrix LCD screen, real-time display of folding cycles |
| Print Output: | Integrated modular thermal printer |
| Machine Dimensions: | W330 * D250 * H400 mm |
| Power Supply: | AC 220V / 110V, 50/60Hz, 1 Phase |
| Machine Weight: | 38.5 KGS |
What is Folding Endurance and Why is it Critical? Folding endurance is defined as the logarithm (to the base 10) of the number of double folds a specimen can withstand under a specified resting tension before it completely breaks or ruptures. In practical terms, it measures the flex fatigue life of a material.
When a product is deployed in the real world, it rarely remains static. Think of a cardboard shipping box being assembled and folded, a banknote changing hands and being crushed into wallets, or a flexible printed circuit (FPC) constantly bending inside a folding smartphone or a dynamic robotic arm. If the material’s folding fatigue strength is insufficient, it will lead to micro-cracks, loss of structural integrity, and ultimate catastrophic failure.
By utilizing an MIT folding endurance testing machine, manufacturers can simulate years of mechanical stress within hours. The machine grips the specimen under a precisely controlled spring tension and bends it back and forth at a fixed angle (typically 135° left and right) and a continuous speed. A highly sensitive photoelectric sensor immediately detects when the specimen breaks, automatically stopping the test and recording the exact number of folding cycles. This empirical data allows engineers to refine material formulations, compare different supplier batches, and guarantee that the final product meets stringent international safety and durability standards.
Investing in a high-precision MIT folding endurance tester is the most effective way to eliminate material failures, reduce product return rates, and guarantee client satisfaction. While historically known as an MIT paper folding tester, technological advancements and the rise of flexible electronics have vastly expanded the application scope of this equipment. Our universal MIT flex tester is engineered for precision across four major industrial sectors:
| The traditional stronghold of the folding tester remains as important as ever. Packaging structural integrity directly impacts product safety during transit. | A. Paper & Packaging Industry |
| Paper Folding Endurance Testing Machine: Tests kraft paper, printing paper, currency paper, and specialty tissues. | |
| Corrugated Cardboard Folding Tester: Assesses the crease strength of heavy-duty corrugated boards used in shipping containers to ensure the flaps do not tear off during automated box erection. | |
| The electronic components sector is currently one of the most demanding industries for flex fatigue testing. As devices become smaller, lighter, and more flexible, the internal wiring must survive extreme bending conditions. | B. Electronics & Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) |
| FPC Folding Endurance Tester: Evaluates the bending lifespan of single-sided, double-sided, and multi-layer flexible circuit boards. | |
| Copper & Aluminum Foil Testing: Acts as a highly accurate copper foil folding fatigue testing machine, essential for lithium battery manufacturers who need to ensure the electrode foils will not fracture during battery winding and assembly processes. | |
| From food packaging to advanced optical displays, plastic films undergo continuous dynamic stress. | C. Plastics & Flexible Films |
| Plastic Film Folding Endurance Tester: Measures the flex life of composite packaging films, preventing premature tearing that could lead to product contamination. | |
| Insulation Separators: Tests the durability of battery separators and electrical insulation films. | |
| Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber: With customizable R-angle folding heads, the machine can test the brittleness and folding endurance of advanced composite fiber materials. | D. Advanced Fibers & Textiles |
| Conductive Fabrics & Leather: Ideal for testing wearable electronics and synthetic leathers. |
| ● | Q: Can this machine be used specifically as an FPC folding endurance tester ? |
| ● | A: Yes, absolutely. While it utilizes the MIT testing principle, it is exceptionally popular in the electronics industry for testing Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC), copper foils, and aluminum foils used in batteries and circuitry. We can customize the folding radius and clamping gaps to ensure it strictly meets electronic testing requirements like IPC-TM-650. |
| ● | Q: How do I know which standard weight and tension to apply ? |
| ● | A: The tension applied depends on the material type and the testing standard you are following. For standard paper testing under ASTM D2176, a tension of 9.8N (1 kg) is typically applied. For thinner, weaker materials like thin plastic films or delicate foils, a lower tension of 4.9N (0.5 kg) is recommended to isolate the folding fatigue from sheer tensile tearing. |
| ● | Q: Is the machine’s folding angle strictly fixed at 135 degrees ? |
| ● | A: By default, the MIT standard requires a 135° ± 2° angle on both the left and right sides. However, as a direct factory manufacturer, we support non-standard customization. If your specific laboratory testing protocol requires different bending angles for specialized fiberglass or aerospace materials, we can engineer the equipment to meet those specific angular requirements. |
How to Perform a Folding Endurance Test
Operating the MIT folding fatigue testing machine is straightforward. Follow these essential steps for accurate, standard-compliant testing:
- 1. Sample Preparation Cut the material (paper, FPC, or foil) into precise rectangular strips according to the relevant standard (e.g., 15mm width for paper under ISO 5626). Ensure the edges are clean.
- 2. Calibration and Tension Setting Use the included standard calibration weights (4.9N or 9.8N) to set the appropriate initial spring tension to mimic real-world stress.
- 3. Clamping the Specimen Secure the sample into the upper tension clamp and lower folding clamp. Select the appropriate clamp gap distance (0.25mm to 1.00mm) for a secure grip.
- 4. Initiating the Test Enter the test parameters on the touchscreen and press ‘Test’. The lower jaw will oscillate at 135 degrees at 175 cycles per minute.
- 5. Data Collection Once the material fractures, the sensor instantly stops the motor. The screen displays the total fold count for immediate lab reporting.
Whether evaluating heavy-duty corrugated packaging, lithium battery copper foils, or flexible printed circuits (FPC), this machine delivers precise, repeatable results. By adhering to protocols like ASTM D2176, ISO 5626, and IPC-TM-650, QA/QC departments can confidently validate material formulations and prevent premature product failures.
| Application Field | Core International Standards | Tested Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Paper & Packaging Board | ASTM D2176, TAPPI T 511, ISO 5626 | Paper, Corrugated Board, Kraft Paper, Banknotes |
| Plastics & Flexible Films | ASTM D2176 | Plastic Film, Composite Film, Optical Film, Insulation Separators |
| Electronics & FPC | JIS C5016, IPC-TM-650 | Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC), Circuit Boards, Copper Foil, Aluminum Foil |
