A synchronous motor attached to the end of the rig drives the ram at a constant velocity into the deformation cell. The velocity of the ram can be varied by changing the synchronous motor.
The deformation cell itself comprises two glass plates with frosted grips and the sample material in between. The ram pushes the upper glass plate relative to the lower one, resulting in a simple shear deformation of the rock analogue material.
Externally controlled heating elements allow one to vary the temperature in the deformation cell.