Swivel Durability Tester Chair Testing Machine BIFMA 5.1 For Office Seating Furniture

Swivel Durability Tester is used for seating furniture, with load pad and accessories for the fixing of the chair,acc. to DIN 4551, EN 1335, NEN 1812 and BIFMA 5.1.

It is used for office chairs, stools, gas springs, tested units are subjected either to the entire test procedure prescribed by the standards or to selected individual tests.

The test axes each have their own controllers assembled in the immediate vicinity, which are operated from a Touch panel and controlled by PLC.

Application

• Office chair manufacturers – Quality assurance and product development testing

• Furniture testing laboratories – Third-party certification and compliance testing

• Procurement and quality departments – Supplier qualification and incoming inspection

• Ergonomic seating producers – Validation of swivel mechanism durability

• Stool and gas spring manufacturers – Component durability assessment

• Research institutions – Comparative product analysis and material studies

Applicable to: All types of chairs with a swivel seat.

Specifications

Standards
DIN 4551, EN 1335, NEN 1812, BIFMA X5.1, BIFMA X5.4, BSI/BS 5459, EN 581-2

Consisting of

1 test frame

1 swivel test rig, driven electrically

1 actuator load controlled, piston diameter 80mm, piston stroke 500mm, 2500N

1 load pad, diameter 200mm in acc. to DIN EN 1335 with cardanic clamping connection

1 range of standard fixing elements

1 load cell 5kN - 1 set of stops, clamps

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is this equipment used for?
This machine tests the durability of chair swivel mechanisms by simulating years of repeated rotation under load. It helps manufacturers verify product quality and meet international certification requirements before market release.

Q2: How does the machine work?
The tester places a weighted load on the seat and rotates the chair or platform at a controlled speed (5–15 rotations per minute) for up to 120,000 cycles. PLC and touch panel controls allow easy setup and monitoring.

Q3: What standards does it comply with?
It supports BIFMA X5.1, BIFMA X5.4, EN 1335, DIN 4551, NEN 1812, BS 5459, and EN 581-2. The primary test reference is BIFMA X5.1-2002, Test No. 9, with procedure based on BIFMA X5.1-2017.

Q4: What types of chairs can be tested?
All types of chairs with a swivel seat – including office chairs, stools, and gas spring-equipped seating – can be tested using the included fixing elements and load pad.

Q5: What are the key test parameters?
Loading weight: 102 kg (225 lb) adjustable. Cycle rate: 5–15 rotations/min. Test duration: 120,000 cycles. Rotation range: 0–360°. Counter capacity: 999,999 cycles.

Q6: What comes with the machine?
The package includes a test frame, electrically driven swivel test rig, pneumatic actuator (80 mm bore / 500 mm stroke / 2,500 N), 200 mm load pad with cardanic connection, fixing elements, 5 kN load cell, and stops/clamps.

Q7: What power supply is required?
Single-phase AC 220V 50Hz 5A.

Reference Doc: BIFMA X5.1-2017 Swivel Test

a)The chair shall be restrained on a platform. Either the seat or the platform shall be restrained from rotation.

b)If the seat adjustable, set it to the maximum seat position. Set all other adjustable features to the normal use condition.

c)A 122 kg (270 lb.) load shall be placed on the seat such that the centre of gravity of the load is 51 to 64 mm (2 to 2.5 in) forward of the centerline of the rotational axis as shown in Picture 1.

d)The cycling device shall be adjusted to rotate the lesser of the following: the available range of rotation or 360 degrees ± 10 degrees. If the available range of rotation is less than 360 degrees, the rotation of the test machine shall be adjusted such that the swivel mechanism touches but does not override the stops. The rotation may be either bidirectional or unidirectional.

e)For chairs that swivel 360 degrees, a cycle is one full rotation. For chairs that swivel less than 360 degrees, one cycle is rotating from one stop to the other stop.

f)The seat or platform shall rotate for 60,000 cycles at a rate between 5 and 15 rotations per minute.

g)If the seat height is adjustable set the height to its lowest position.

h)For all chairs, continue the test for an additional 60,000 cycles to a total of 120,000 cycles.

Testing Image: