ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 — read the full explanation
Load–deflection & proof loadOffice chairs — static load, proof and durability tests on seat, back and arms (force-application frames).
Furniture, bedding & interiors
Material Testing Machines for Furniture, Bedding and Interiors
Turn material choices into measurable performance. DAK testing systems help laboratories evaluate the foams, fabrics, panels, bonds and components used in furniture and interiors, with the machine, fixtures and measurement selected around the specimen and the result you need.
DAK systems
One laboratory, different materials and test requirements
A soft foam specimen, an upholstery seam and a rigid panel place different demands on the test setup. Select the working force range, test space, loading arrangement and measurement together.
Flagship platform
Series 7200 Universal Testing Machine
DAK’s flagship platform brings together flexible test programming, precise specimen setup, measurement and analysis. Explore Series 7200 for material development, demanding quality control and laboratories working across different specimen types and loading sequences.
Established laboratory methods
Series 9000 Universal Testing Machine
Travel-controlled testing with standalone Console operation or a PC-connected workflow. Explore Series 9000 for established tensile, compression, flexural and adhesion methods, configured around the required specimen, working range and measurement.
Materials and components
Start with the material you are selecting or improving
Cushion and mattress foams
Evaluate indentation firmness, compression response, tensile strength and tear resistance as distinct properties. Include foam type, specimen thickness and conditioning when comparing formulations, incoming batches or prepared cushion samples.
Upholstery fabrics and sewn covers
Assess the fabric and the sewn construction separately. Tensile, tear and seam tests help identify whether the material, stitching or assembled seam governs the result; include the fabric direction and seam preparation.
Wood-based boards and panels
Connect bending strength and stiffness to the panel’s load-bearing role, then assess internal bond where the panel construction requires it. Include board type, thickness, direction and conditioning in the test specification.
Bonded timber, laminates and coverings
Define which bond you want to assess and how it is loaded. A wood-block shear test and a peel test on a flexible covering load the joint differently; specimen preparation and the observed failure location belong with the result.
Carpet and floor-covering construction
Distinguish the force needed to pull a tuft from its backing from the force needed to separate bonded backing layers. Identify the yarn, backing structure and interface before choosing the specimen-holding arrangement.
Springs and metal components
For spring-supported seating and bedding, define the required load–deflection response and component geometry. Follow metal frame and fastening materials into their dedicated testing guides rather than treating every component as the same specimen.
Tests and results
Choose the result that answers your product question
| Your question | What the measurement tells you | Explore |
|---|---|---|
| How firm is this foam? | Density describes mass per unit volume; it does not by itself specify firmness. Indentation testing measures the force response at defined indentation conditions. Keep the method, thickness, loading history and dwell consistent when comparing samples. | |
| How does the foam respond to compression? | Compression stress–strain testing characterises the material under the specified platen loading. It is different from an indentation result, and a compression-set measurement asks another question: how much deformation remains after a defined treatment and recovery. | |
| Is the panel stiff, or strongly bonded internally? | Bending evaluates the panel across a support span. Internal-bond testing applies tension perpendicular to its faces. These results describe different properties and use different specimen preparation and fixtures. | |
| Does the cover material or its seam govern failure? | A fabric test loads the material; a seam test loads a prepared sewn joint. Record the method, loading direction, stitch construction and failure mode so the result can guide a material or manufacturing decision. |
How firm is this foam?
Density describes mass per unit volume; it does not by itself specify firmness. Indentation testing measures the force response at defined indentation conditions. Keep the method, thickness, loading history and dwell consistent when comparing samples.
How does the foam respond to compression?
Compression stress–strain testing characterises the material under the specified platen loading. It is different from an indentation result, and a compression-set measurement asks another question: how much deformation remains after a defined treatment and recovery.
Is the panel stiff, or strongly bonded internally?
Bending evaluates the panel across a support span. Internal-bond testing applies tension perpendicular to its faces. These results describe different properties and use different specimen preparation and fixtures.
Does the cover material or its seam govern failure?
A fabric test loads the material; a seam test loads a prepared sewn joint. Record the method, loading direction, stitch construction and failure mode so the result can guide a material or manufacturing decision.
Specimen holding
Make the specimen, fixture and measurement work together
The loading arrangement is part of the test. Choose jaw faces for flexible fabrics, support geometry for panels and the specified indenter or platen arrangement for foam.
Wide textile specimens
DAK’s 100mm Wide Vice Action Grips have jaw faces 100 mm wide and 50 mm long, with interchangeable flat and corrugated forms. Select the contact surface around the fabric and prepared specimen.
Panel and timber bending
DAK’s Three Point Bend Fixture provides an adjustable span from 25 to 300 mm for samples up to 150 mm wide. Light- and heavy-duty versions allow the fixture range to be selected around the test load.
For foam indentation, specify the indenter, support surface, specimen dimensions and loading sequence together. Include the required force resolution and how deformation is measured; for tensile specimens, choose an extension measurement suited to their softness, gauge length and expected elongation.
Laboratory workflow
Make comparisons useful from development to incoming inspection
Keep the sample history
Record material grade, supplier or batch, specimen orientation and preparation. Include foam recovery history, fabric direction, panel conditioning and adhesive cure conditions where they affect the selected test.
Define methods and reports together
Plan the reported forces, deformation, strength or bond results before selecting the setup. Dyna Desk – Test Bench supports saved methods, graphing and reports with spreadsheet, PDF and CSV exports.
Connect material tests to the finished product
Material specimens, joints and complete furniture assemblies require different support and loading arrangements. Share whether the programme concerns a cut specimen, a component or a complete article, together with the required static or repeated-loading sequence.
Methods and references
Find the method for your furniture material or component
Use these starting points, then search the complete furniture, bedding and interiors library by designation, material or test type. Define the specimen or assembly and the particular test within your programme.
Runs onSeries 7200
AS/NZS 2111.16
Peel & adhesionTextile floor coverings — bond strength determination (delamination of backing).
ASTM D1335 — read the full explanation
Peel & adhesionTuft bind of pile yarn floor coverings (force to pull a tuft from carpet backing).
ASTM D143 — read the full explanation
TensileSmall clear specimens of timber — static bending, compression parallel/perpendicular, shear, tension.
ASTM D198 — read the full explanation
Flexure & bendStatic tests of lumber in structural sizes.
ASTM D2061 — read the full explanation
TensileStrength tests for zippers — crosswise strength, slider lock holding, pull-off of puller.
ASTM D3574 — read the full explanation
TensileFlexible cellular materials — slab, bonded and molded urethane foams (IFD, CFD, tensile, tear, compression set).
ASTM D905 — read the full explanation
ShearStrength of adhesive bonds in shear by compression loading (wood block shear).
EN 12520
TensileDomestic seating and storage furniture — static load requirements.
EN 16121-adjacent
TensileDomestic seating and storage furniture — static load requirements.
EN 16139
TensileDomestic and non-domestic seating — strength and durability static load tests.
EN 1728
TensileDomestic and non-domestic seating — strength and durability static load tests.
EN 1957
TensileBeds and mattresses — durability rig companion; firmness characterization via ISO 2439-type indentation on UTM.
EN 310 — read the full explanation
Flexure & bendWood-based panels — modulus of elasticity in bending and bending strength.
EN 319 — read the full explanation
TensileParticleboards and fibreboards — internal bond (tensile strength perpendicular to plane).
EN 747-1 / -2
TensileBunk beds and high beds — static strength of frame, guard rails and ladder.
ISO 11644 — read the full explanation
Peel & adhesionLeather — adhesion of surface finish coating.
ISO 13935-1 / -2 — read the full explanation
TensileSewn seam strength and maximum force to seam rupture of woven fabrics.
ISO 13937-2 — read the full explanation
TearTear properties of fabrics — trouser, wing and tongue-shaped specimens.
ISO 1798 — read the full explanation
TensileTensile strength and elongation at break of flexible cellular polymers.
ISO 23910 — read the full explanation
TearLeather — stitch tear resistance (upholstery and footwear seam design).
ISO 2439 — read the full explanation
CompressionIndentation hardness (IFD/ILD) of flexible cellular materials — seating and mattress foams.
ISO 3386
CompressionSeating and mattress foam — IFD/ILD hardness, CFD and compression set.
ISO 3386-1 / -2 — read the full explanation
CompressionStress-strain characteristics in compression of flexible cellular polymers (low- and high-density).
ISO 8067 — read the full explanation
TearTear strength of flexible cellular polymeric materials.
Showing 1–8 of 25 standards
Plan your laboratory
Tell us what you make and what you need to measure
Share your testing requirements with DAK so the quotation can cover the machine, specimen holding, measurement and reporting as one setup.
- Material or product: foam, fabric, panel, bond, spring or assembled component.
- Specimen dimensions, preparation, conditioning and the applicable test method.
- Working forces, required deformation or elongation, and expected results.
- Static or repeated-loading requirements, test frequency and material changeovers.
- Laboratory location, installation, training, calibration and report requirements.