This machine is designed for use in measuring hardness of metals and alloys of all types including hard and soft metals and whatever shape. It can also be used for plastics. These machines offer reliable results demanded by laboratories, tool rooms, inspection departments, educational institutions, foundries and the like, in Rockwell, Brinell or Vickers hardness values. The MAT24 Combined Microprocessor Controlled Hardness Tester provides a direct digital readout of the test hardness figures. A statistical data facility is incorporated as standard with an RS232 output for printer or computer interfacing. Each test carries a serial number and battery backed RAM holds the constants used for computing Brinell and Vickers results. A test routine to display the transducer output directly can also be initiated. The 'Statistics' printout will include the number of tests after which the 'Print' key was pressed, the maximum, minimum and mean values, the standard deviation and the number of tests that are outside the upper and lower limit values. Unloading the machine after a test will automatically reset the machine for the start of the next test. A preload control is also provided. The machine is supplied with three sets of weights to carry out Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers hardness testing at loads of 10, 60, 100, 150 and 187.5kgf. The robust, totally enclosed anti-deflection frame keeps the mechanism free from dust and dirt and ensures lasting accuracy. A work piece clamp simplifies the test procedure and prevents overloading of minor load as well as protecting the indenter.