Portable Hardness Tester

• Brand: Proceq (Switzerland)
• Fully integrated and handy Leeb hardness tester with a compact and robust housing
• Ideally suited for quick on-site hardness tests.

The Differences between Piccolo 2 and Bambino 2
The Equotip Piccolo 2 and Bambino 2 are both suited for on-site hardness checks of metals where the test indentation should be as small as possible. The robust design and large display allow the user to work at dusty worksites with low visibility. Both products also display metal hardness in all common scales.

The Equotip Piccolo 2 offers the same features as the Equotip Bambino 2, but has the following additional features:
1) user defined hardness conversions
2) Piccolink software for:
     a) systematic real-time monitoring of hardness
     b) automated testing during serial production
     c) evaluation and processing of measured data
     d) remote controlling of Piccolo 2 settings


Equotip Piccolo 2 and Bambino 2 are supplied with a D impact device. It can be interchanged with an optional DL impact device, which is useful for measurements in restricted areas.

Leeb Rebound Principle of Equotip Hardness Testers
The portable hardness testers used most commonly for metals are based on the Leeb rebound method invented by Proceq SA. The Equotip Piccolo 2 / Bambino 2 operate according to the Leeb principle, in which the hardness value is calculated from comparing the energy of a test body before and after impacting on a sample. This Energy QUOtient (EQUO) is quoted in the hardness unit HL and is calculated from comparing the impact and rebound velocities (vi , vr) of the impact body. It rebounds faster from harder samples than from softer ones, resulting in a greater energy quotient which is defined as 1000·vr/vi.

Immediate Conversion to established Metal Hardness Scales
Metal hardness can be displayed in different hardness scales: HL (Leeb), HRC (Rockwell C), HB (Brinell), HV (Vickers) and so forth. The Equotip Piccolo 2 / Bambino 2 enables measurements to be rapidly taken and displayed in any chosen hardness scale. The Equotip Piccolo 2 has an additional feature that lets the user customize conversion curves for special alloys and also allows the user to convert hardness readings into tensile strength.

Equotip DL Accessory Kit - This is a unique feature offered by Proceq. It allows the user of a Piccolo 2 / Bambino 2 to quickly and easily interchange the D and DL impact devices.

Test Blocks - It is necessary to regularly conduct 3 to 10 test impacts on a reference hardness object to verify the correct operation of the Equotip device. Various test blocks are available depending on the users hardness requirements. For added convenience, the test blocks also indicate the reference hardness value in different hardness scales.

Support Rings - Leeb rebound testers only work correctly when the impact body is held at a proper distance from the test surface during impact. The wide range of support rings permits testing on a great variety of part geometries, i.e. flat surfaces, concave or convex cylindrical surfaces, spherical test surfaces.