Patent ID: 6336359
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An impression forming mechanism which is used for a testing apparatus for measuring material characteristics of a sample by forming an impression with an indentor on a surface of the sample, comprising:a force applying part for applying a force in order to apply a pressing force to the indentor so as to form an impression on the surface of the sample, a plate spring for transmitting the force applied by the force applying part to the indentor, the plate spring being deformed elastically by the force applied by the force applying part, a deformation measuring unit for measuring an amount of an elastic deformation of the plate spring by setting a predetermined reference position of a predetermined part of the plate spring to a reference point, a force applying control unit for controlling the force applied by the force applying part on the basis of the amount of the elastic deformation of the plate spring, which is measured by the deformation measuring unit, an arm which is movable rotationally, and attaches the indentor to a free end portion thereof, and wherein the force applying part pulls the arm via the plate spring when the pressing force is applied to the indentor.