Probes: all standard sizes
available; 4.7, 8, and 11 mm tips standard
With non-standard probes, automatic correction to standard fruit
firmness / pressure values is provided in
software -- e.g., accidentally testing a pear with an apple plunger
influences results only minimally
Test Characteristics
Tests are user-programmable
Example test profiles:
Standard Magness-Taylor
replacement test + diameter testing -- 25+ tests/min
Full test with internal fruit firmness / pressure, constant
firmness / pressure, and high-frequency firmness measurement
segments -- 20+ tests/min
Test capabilities unique to the MDT:
Internal as well as external fruit firmness / pressure, tested
at constant rate
Creep -- time-dependent deformation of fruit structure under
constant pressure
Crispness -- high frequency tearing characteristics of fruit
material
Penetrometer Electronics
Displacement sensitivity: 0.001
mm
Testing rate: 0-38 mm/s
Load cell firmness sensitivity: 6.8 g; with signal averaging, 0.01 g
Load cell firmness range: 0-30 kg, interchangeable, user-modifiable
gain settings
Data acquisition rate: to 5000 firmness samples / second
Time resolution: 1 msec
Dimensions
6.5" (16.5 cm) W
5.5" (14.0 cm) L
14.9" (37.8 cm) H
Weight
portable: 10.9 lb.
(4.9kg)
heavy-duty: 17.0 lb.
(7.7 kg)
Battery storage
More than 1000 tests on a single charge
>1 week typical (moderate-heavy) use
Internal NiMH batteries
Data storage
256 MB standard, enough
for 18,000 raw-data records
