In November 2023, the European standard
EN 17869 “Hardware for furniture - Test methods for strength and overload tests of connectors for furniture constructed from panel material” was implemented by UNI.
The aim is to determine the mechanical strength and stiffness of connectors for panel-manufactured furniture and to define the procedures for evaluating the test results, comparing them with the values obtained from a standard reference fastening system.
The standard provides for
2 types of specimens:
- specimen 1
- specimen 2
and
4 test methods:- Perpendicular force
- Lateral force
- Torque load
- Overload test
To perform the tests,
ten specimens are required for each test method.
A brief description of the listed methods follows:
- Perpendicular force At the point of application “F1”, in the direction defined in the image below and with the specimen clamping system “1”, a tensile load is applied at a constant rate until failure or yielding of any of the elements making up the system is reached. The maximum load obtained expressed in N is recorded.
- Lateral force At the point of application “F2”, in the direction defined in the image below and with the specimen clamping system “2”, a load is applied at a constant rate until failure or yielding of any of the components of the system is reached. The maximum load obtained expressed in N is recorded.
- Torque loading In the same way as described in the “lateral force” test method but with point of application “F3”, a load is applied at a constant rate. . The force in N required to achieve a loading device displacement of 4mm and the force required to achieve failure of any of the system components is recorded. The results are then expressed as torque values in Nm through a post-test calculation.
- Overload test In the same way and at the same point of application described in the “torque loading” test, the force necessary to obtain a displacement of the loading device of 4 mm from its initial position is applied for a total of 10 cycles, without reaching the maximum load.
At the end of the load application cycles, the force required to obtain a displacement of 4mm and the resulting gap, intended as the residual deformation of the system (displacement to the initial zero position in which the loading device does not come into contact with the system), is evaluated.
With the data obtained from this test, it is also possible to perform a calculation of the system's stiffness coefficient.
The CATAS laboratory is equipped with the necessary test equipment to carry out the 4 above-mentioned methods and is therefore able to meet the requests of manufacturers of hardware and fastening systems for panel furniture.
For info:Nicola Marussi
+39 0432 747268
[email protected]
Verify
