Site Updated
2 February 2017

Si-Plan Electronics Research has developed machines to test lower limb and foot prostheses to ISO 10328 in conjunction with Blatchford Endolite and the Medical Devices Agency. The Double sided test machine, Single sided test machine and Desktop machine are marketed directly by Si-Plan Electronics Research Ltd. Prosthetic feet and lower limbs can be tested to the requirements of the European Medical Devices Directives for CE marking of prostheses.

Single sided test machine (left)
and Desktop machine (right)

The accompanying, specially written software package runs the test machines to the requirements of ISO 10328. Using RISC (reduced instruction set chip) Computers, the programs incorporate control options, graphic displays of the progress of the test with extensive data collection and storage.

The test machines use the Servo-pneumatic Actuator designed and built by Si-Plan Electronics Research. Controlled by easy-to-use RISC software, load and displacement waveforms are displayed and logged for each loading module. When the test parameters have been programmed, machines can run unattended until testing is complete.

Double sided test machine.

A versatile machine with four loading modules which can be configured to test two feet, two limbs or a combination.

Double sided
test machine

• Maximum force per loading module: 3000 newtons at 6 bar.
• Loading module stroke:
  • Toe module 80mm.
  • Heel module 60mm.
• Normal operating frequency: 1 hertz at toe stroke of 60mm and heel stroke of 30mm.
• Dimensions:
  • Base 1010 x 1000mm, excluding guards.
  • Height:1600mm.
  • Weight: 500 kilograms approximately.
• Power: 110/230 volts ac, 4 amps maximum.
• Air supply: 6 - 10 bar clean, dry, oil-free air.
• Air consumption: 650 litres per minute at 1 hertz with two test items fitted.
• Control computer 460 x 460 x 460mm.

Single sided test machine.

The two loading modules can be configured to test a foot or lower limb.

Pneumatic actuators apply
load to a prothestic foot

• Maximum force per loading module: 3000 newtons at 6 bar.
• Loading module stroke:
  • Toe module 80mm.
  • Heel module 60mm.
• Normal operating frequency: 1 hertz at toe stroke of 60mm and heel stroke of 30mm.
• Dimensions:
  • Base 850 x 900mm, with door closed. 850 x 1280mm with door open.
  • Height:1600mm.
  • Weight: 400 kilograms approximately.
• Power: 110/230 volts ac, 4 amps maximum.
• Air supply: 6 - 10 bar clean, dry, oil-free air.
• Air consumption: 325 litres per minute at 1 hertz with two test items fitted.
• Control computer 460 x 460 x 460mm.

Desktop 5 kN Electro-pneumatic servo test machine.

A two-column single loading-module machine for static or dynamic lower limb testing.

Testing a lower limb

• Maximum force per loading module: 4530 newtons at 6 bar.
• Working stroke: 60mm (other strokes available).
• Normal operating frequency: 1 hertz (adjustable between 0.1 and 15 hertz.).
• Dimensions:
  • Base 1010 x 1000mm, excluding guards.
  • Height:1600mm.
  • Weight: 70 kilograms approximately.
• Power: 110/230 volts ac, 4 amps maximum.
• Air supply: 6 - 10 bar clean, dry, oil-free air.
• Air consumption: 200 litres per minute at 1 hertz and 25mm stroke.
• Control computer 460 x 460 x 460mm.

Si-Plan Electronics Research is always able to consider and discuss a customer's special requirements, where these differ from the standard machines.

Updated 20 April 2005