The Ray-Ran Advanced Universal Pendulum Impact Tester utilises advanced microprocessor technology to determine the energy required to break or rupture specimens such as plastics, composites, ceramics and non ferrous metals to International testing methods for Izod, Charpy and Tension Impact Testing. To calculate the impact energy, the apparatus uses advanced and highly accurate rotary encoder technology to record the lost angle of the hammer after impacting a test sample against the angle recorded after calibrating the hammer. The resulting lost angle is calculated as the test sample’s impact energy by the advanced microprocessor system.