What Affri Hardness Testers does

Affri Hardness Testers (commercially operating as AFFRI Testing Instruments / ATI) is a privately held Italian manufacturer of hardness testing and measuring systems, founded in 1954 and headquartered in Induno Olona, Italy, with a second commercial office in Wood Dale, Illinois. The company designs and builds hardness testers covering the major standard methods — Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop, Shore, IRHD, and Universal — across bench, automatic, portable, and large-format CNC portal configurations, plus complementary products including universal material testing machines, metallographic sample-preparation equipment, Nikon industrial microscopes distributed under partnership, and Clemex image-analysis software. Its core technology is a patented closed-loop load-cell control system operating at 1 kHz that electronically applies and regulates test forces, achieving 0.05% load accuracy and eliminating the structural-deflection and vibration issues associated with traditional deadweight systems; this architecture underpins all product lines and is supplemented by patented features such as the L.I.S.A laser pointing system, automatic camera-based indentation reading, and multi-probe motorized turrets.

The company serves industrial and laboratory customers in automotive, aerospace, energy, metallurgy and steel, plastics and rubber, and quality-control laboratories, with specialized systems tailored to crankshafts, large forged parts, and forges. Affri monetizes primarily through one-time capital equipment sales priced by quote, with a recurring revenue layer from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration services and certified master hardness test blocks issued by its ANAB-accredited laboratory (AC 3026.01, ILAC-MRA recognized). Go-to-market runs through two direct sales offices (Italy and USA) that route leads to a global network of authorized distributors and service centers; the legal entity is a sole proprietorship (Affri di Affri Roberto) with no disclosed external institutional investment.

Name

Affri Hardness Testers

Legal name

Affri di Affri Roberto

Website

https://affri.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Affri Hardness Testers (ATI) is a privately held Italian manufacturer, founded 1954, that designs patented closed-loop load-cell hardness testers and complementary metallographic, microscope, and UTM products for automotive, aerospace, energy, metallurgy, and lab customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Testing Equipment

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL), Metrology, Inspection & Process Control Equipment (HDAHAEAH)

Keywords

• Hardness testing equipment
• Rockwell Brinell Vickers testers
• Metallographic sample preparation
• Industrial material testing machines
• ISO 17025 calibration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wood Dale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardness Testing Equipment Sales: Sale of Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop, Shore, and Universal hardness testers. Ranges from portable manual units to fully automated CNC systems. One-time capital equipment purchases with varying automation levels affecting price.
2. Metallographic Preparation Equipment: Sales of cutting machines, polishing machines (ATIPOL series), and mounting presses for metallographic sample preparation.
3. Industrial Microscopes: Distribution of Nikon industrial microscopes (ECLIPSE series) for material inspection and semiconductor inspection.
4. Image Analysis Solutions: Software and systems for cleanliness analysis, inclusion rating, and microscopic image analysis including Clemex solutions.
5. Calibration and Certification Services: ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration services, certified master hardness test blocks, and maintenance services for hardness testers.
6. Universal Testing Machines (UTM): Sales of universal material testing machines, torsion testing machines, spring testing machines, and extensometers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Affri (AFFRI Testing Instruments / ATI) manufactures and sells a complete range of hardness testers and measuring systems covering Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop, Shore, IRHD, and Universal methods for metals, plastics, rubber, and coatings, supported by metallographic sample preparation machines (ATICUT, ATIPOL, ATIGLOB), Nikon industrial microscopes, image analysis software, certified master hardness test blocks, and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration services. Products range from portable manual units to fully automatic CNC portal systems with built-in milling, all built around the company's patented Closed-Loop load cell platform.

Product overview

AFFRI Testing Instruments (ATI) is a global provider of hardness testing and measuring systems, offering a comprehensive portfolio of precision testing equipment organized into three main brand lines: AFFRI-branded products (MATRIX, EASYFLAG, EASYPORTAL, DAKOMASTER, MRS, RSD, DRM, LD, Wiki series), ATI-branded products (Rockwell ATI IN/R/RS/MARS, Brinell ATI B3000-2, Vickers ATI V/DM2, Universal ATI HVBR), and partner products (Nikon microscopes, MICRODAKO plastic/rubber testers). The portfolio spans multiple hardness testing methods (Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop, Shore, IRHD, Universal) supporting metals, plastics, rubber, coatings, and special materials across bench, automatic, and portable configurations. Supporting products include Universal Material Testing Machines (UTM), metallographic sample preparation equipment (ATICUT, ATIPOL, ATIGLOB), industrial microscopes, image analysis solutions, and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration services. ATI's core technology integrates closed-loop load cell control (1 kHz frequency, 0.05% accuracy), motorized automation, touchscreen PC interfaces, high-definition camera systems with autofocus, and Industry 4.0 connectivity through USB/Ethernet data outputs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ATIPOL: Metallographic Grinding & Polishing Machines - grinding and polishing machines for metallographic sample preparation
• EASYFLAG
• EASY PORTAL
• MICRODAKO
• MICRODAKO
• IRHD
• Electronic Shore
• Shore
• WIKI
• DAKOMASTER
• MRS Serie
• RSD Serie
• DRM/EX/RT
• LD250/LD750
• LD3000AX
• LD3000

Products and services

• Rockwell Hardness Testers Bench and automated Rockwell hardness testers measuring metal hardness using diamond cone or ball indenters, conforming to ASTM E18 and ISO 6508 standards, for laboratory and industrial users.
• Brinell Hardness Testers Brinell hardness testers using carbide tungsten ball indenters (1–10 mm) for testing rough metals, forgings, castings, and heat-treated parts, conforming to ASTM E10 and ISO 6506 standards.
• Vickers Hardness Testers Vickers hardness testers using diamond pyramid 136° indenters for precise laboratory testing of any metal from very soft to very hard, conforming to ASTM E384/E92 and ISO 6507 standards.
• Universal Hardness Testers Universal hardness testers supporting multiple methods (Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop) on a single platform for diverse material testing applications.
• Portable Hardness Testers Portable hardness testers providing the same accuracy as stationary machines for on-site testing of large parts, production floors, and incoming material inspection.
• Rubber and Plastic Hardness Testers Hardness testers for plastics and rubber including Shore (A, B, C, D, E, O, OO, M, 000, 000-S) and IRHD (L, H, N, M) scales, conforming to ISO 48 and ASTM 1415 standards.
• Universal Material Testing Machines (UTM) Universal Testing Machines for tensile, compression, and flexural testing including Torsion Testing Machines, Spring Testing Machines, and Extensometers.
• Nikon Industrial Microscopes High-precision Nikon industrial microscopes including ECLIPSE LV150NA (upright modular), L300ND (semiconductor inspection), and MA200 (inverted) for material inspection and quality control, distributed by Affri.
• Metallographic Sample Preparation Machines Sample preparation equipment including ATICUT cutting machines, ATIPOL polishing machines, and ATIGLOB mounting presses for metallographic specimen preparation.
• Image Analysis for Microscopy Image analysis solutions including Cleanliness Analysis, Ultrarapid Inclusion Rating v9, and Clemex Image Analysis Solutions for microscopy data interpretation.
• Certified Master Hardness Test Blocks ISO/IEC 17025 accredited master hardness calibration blocks for Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, and Knoop scales with ANAB certification (AC 3026.01) and ILAC-MRA traceability.
• ISO/IEC 17025 Calibration Services Accredited calibration and certification services through ANAB-accredited laboratory (AC 3026.01) for hardness testing equipment verification and compliance.
• ATI IN Rockwell Hardness Tester Automatic Rockwell hardness tester with built-in image viewing and specially designed indenter for reaching deep cavities and internal parts of rings and tubes (minimum 25 mm internal diameter), with closed-loop load cell control.
• ATI R/RS Rockwell Hardness Tester Automatic bench Rockwell and Superficial Rockwell hardness tester with optional Brinell HBW and Vickers scales, featuring touchscreen control panel and electronic closed-loop force control.
• MATRIX Hardness Tester for Camshaft and Crankshaft Automatic Rockwell hardness tester with modular structure for camshaft and crankshaft testing, featuring 3-axis movement and 360° rotation, with closed-loop load cell control at 0.05% accuracy.
• EASYFLAG 3000 Radial Brinell Hardness Tester Radial Brinell hardness tester with built-in milling for forges, heat treatment, and steel factories, featuring automatic surface preparation, indentation, and camera autofocus reading in one cycle.
• EASYPORTAL 3000 Portal Brinell Hardness Tester CNC Portal Brinell hardness tester with automatic milling surface preparation, XYZR robotized movement on frames up to 16 m long, 5 m high, 4 m wide, for testing very large forged and heat-treated parts.
• MICRODAKO IRHD and Shore Hardness Tester Fully motorized multi-probe hardness tester for rubber and plastics supporting Shore A-B-C-D-D0-0-00-E-M-000-000S and IRHD L-H-N-M scales with 5 hardness testing units on a rotating turret.
• IRHD Hardness Tester Fully motorized IRHD hardness tester with closed-loop load cell control for rubber and plastics supporting IRHD L-H-N methods, with optional micro IRHD method M.
• Electronic Shore Digital Hardness Tester Portable digital Shore hardness tester supporting Shore A-B-C-D-D0-0-00-E-M-000-000S scales with optional bench stand support, conforming to ASTM 2240, ISO 7619, and ISO 868 standards.
• Shore Portable Hardness Tester Portable analog Shore hardness tester with 5-year warranty, conforming to ASTM 2240, ISO 7619, and ISO 868 standards, with optional bench stand support.
• WIKI 90 JS Micro Hardness Tester Micro Vickers and Knoop hardness tester with test loads from 0.001 to 62.5 kgf, featuring motorized turret with 6 positions, automatic camera reading, and semi-automatic CHD case depth testing capability.
• WIKI 200 JS Vickers Hardness Tester Fully automatic Vickers hardness tester with test loads from 0.001 to 100 kgf, motorized XY stage with 0.5 µm step accuracy, automatic surface recognition, and anti-collision system for automated CHD testing.
• EXPLORER Hardness Tester for Robots and CNC Automatic Rockwell hardness tester designed for connection to robots and CNC machines, with test loads from 3 to 187.5 kgf.
• ATIPOL Polishing Machines Full line of metallographic grinding and polishing machines including ATI POL-1000 (single/double plate), ATI POL-500, ATI POL-250, ATI POL-230, and ATI POL-X automatic dropper with PLC and AI control.

Quantifiable outcome

• Load accuracy of 0.05% (Better than 0.1% for micro Vickers) with Closed-Loop technology
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Easydur AFFRI GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partnership where Easydur produces EASYFLAG 3000 and EASYPORTAL 3000 systems under the AFFRI Group. Easydur is specifically designed to overcome problems of radial drills for high-load Brinell testing with built-in milling capabilities.
• NikoncoreTechnology or IntegrationDistribution partnership for Nikon industrial microscopes including ECLIPSE LV150NA, ECLIPSE L300ND, and ECLIPSE MA200 for material inspection and semiconductor inspection applications.
• ANABcoreOthersAccreditation body providing ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation (ANAB n. AC 3026.01) with ILAC-MRA international recognition for AFFRI's calibration laboratory.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Shimadzu: Shimadzu is a Japanese global manufacturer of analytical and testing instruments, including hardness testers alongside a much wider scientific instrument portfolio. It competes with Affri in Asia-Pacific labs and is a representative large diversified incumbent.
• Instron (Illinois Tool Works): Instron, part of Illinois Tool Works, is a global leader in materials testing instruments including hardness testers alongside tensile, impact, and fatigue systems. It competes with Affri in enterprise lab and production testing with deeper R&D resources and a much larger global service network.
• Mitutoyo: Mitutoyo is a global leader in precision measurement instruments, including hardness testers (Rockwell, Vickers, microhardness) as well as a much broader dimensional metrology portfolio. It competes with Affri in QC labs and represents a larger, more diversified incumbent.

Direct peers

• Zwick/Roell: Zwick/Roell is a leading global manufacturer of materials testing machines including hardness testers (Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell) as well as tensile, fatigue, and creep testing systems. It is the most direct competitor to Affri's universal hardness testing portfolio and competes in the same automotive, aerospace, and metallurgy accounts.
• Buehler / Wilson Hardness (ITW): Buehler, an ITW company, manufactures Wilson hardness testers (Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop, microhardness) and metallographic preparation equipment. It is the closest direct competitor to Affri's combined hardness testing + metallographic prep offering.
• Innovatest: Innovatest is a Dutch manufacturer of Vickers, Knoop, Rockwell, and Brinell hardness testers with strong focus on automated and motorized systems. It is a close comparable in product scope and target market (metallurgy, automotive, production QC).
• EMCO-TEST: EMCO-TEST is an Austrian specialist in Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, and Knoop hardness testers with strong penetration in European automotive and metallurgy. Comparable to Affri as a focused, technology-driven hardness testing specialist competing in the same verticals.
• Hegewald & Peschke: Hegewald & Peschke manufactures hardness testing machines and universal material testing systems for metals, plastics, and composites, with similar focus on European industrial customers. It is a comparable mid-sized specialist in the same end markets as Affri.
• Struers: Struers is a leading manufacturer of materialographic and hardness testing equipment, with strong presence in metallographic preparation and a full line of hardness testers. It directly competes with Affri in metallography labs and QC environments.

Emerging players

• Qness GmbH: Qness is an Austrian hardness testing equipment manufacturer (Vickers, Knoop, Brinell, Rockwell) serving metals, automotive, and electronics applications. It is a comparable niche specialist competing with Affri in European lab accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xyoutube.com/AFFRI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgZ9FnQc8xF5H9nvF7GirXQ
• Facebookgoogle.com/search?q=Affri+Hardness+Testers&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXrL7QkYrqAhVQzqQKHfnKAJ4Qj55B3oECAwQAw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/affri
• Instagramdirectindustry.com/en manufacturer/affri-23779.html

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Affri Hardness Testers