Technical note: Food texture-modification of the shear press using a strain gauge system

The shear press is an instrument for measuring food texture (Kramer, Burkhardt &Rogers, 1951). The original model was introduced in 1950 and it was later modified for electrical indicating and recording (Decker et al., 1957). A new more versatile and precise model was introduced in 1956 (Kramer & Twigg, 1958). In this instrument force is measured by a maximum-reading dial gauge fitted across the vertical diameter of a proving ring. If time-force texture graphs are required, a transducer can be fitted across the ring in place of the dial gauge to give a print-out on a strip chart as the sample is tested. This note reports an alternative and relatively cheap system for converting a dial reading shear press to a recording model. Strain gauges are attached to the proving ring and the electrical output is amplified and is recorded on a strip chart in the form of a texturegram. The dial gauge remains in place to indicate maximum deflection. The system is simple and easy to construct.