Patent ID: 7062983

Claim:
A simulation apparatus comprising: a fixed main body; a carriage associated with said main body for movement relative to said main body; a first device coupled to said fixed main body for engaging a workpiece; a second device coupled to said carriage for movement with said carriage, said second device also engaging said workpiece; at least one motor apparatus coupled to said fixed main body and said carriage for effecting movement of said carriage and said second device relative to said main body such that a tensile load is applied to said workpiece; sensor apparatus comprising at least one force sensor for sensing the tensile load applied to said workpiece during the movement of said second device; and a drive controller coupled to said at least one motor apparatus for controlling the operation of said at least one motor apparatus in accordance with predefined carriage positions corresponding to discrete time intervals and in response to feedback from said sensor apparatus comprising said at least one force sensor.