Use the Grips for the purpose they were designed for.
ü Know your fibre type! Its characteristics will affect what grips you need to use, gauge length and pressure that will be required to perform the test.
ü Make sure the maximum load capacity of the grip is suitable for the specimens to be tested.
ü Ensure the jaw faces are suitable for the forces that are going to be applied during the test. 

Note Rubber faces will degrade quickly at higher loads.

ü The faces should not be too aggressive for the type of specimen such that it causes premature failure.
ü Make sure the specimen is centrally mounted and fully inserted into the grip faces.
ü Correct maintenance of the grips whether they are manual, pneumatic or hydraulic.
ü If in doubt ask your supplier for advice.

General Maintenance
ü  Check all fastenings are secure and in good order no loose or wobbly parts.
ü  Check they are moving freely / lubricated also free of loose fibres and any debris.

Manual grips
ü  Do not over tighten them.
ü  Make sure all catches lock securely.

Pneumatic grips
ü  Ensure the compressed air supply is clean and dry; that means regularly emptying the relief valve to drain off any moisture regularly.
ü  Adjusting the pressure to be appropriate in order to prevent jaw breaks but not exceeding the maximum operating pressure.
ü  If you suspect air leaks get them checked/serviced. 

Hydraulic grips
ü  Check your fluid levels.
ü  Look for any signs of a leak.
ü  Note pressure level required to give a good break and apply this consistently for each specimen.  

Jaw faces (applicable to all grip types)
ü  Check the faces for wear and tear before you fit them into your grips.
ü  Again you need to use the correct faces for the product you are testing.
ü  Please use the locating pins provided with the grips.
ü  Replace the rubber faces when they show signs of wear; badly worn or uneven faces can lead to slippage, premature failure of specimens and incorrect test results.
ü  Clean off any off any residual lubricants/ finishes’ that may have built up during testing of some specimens.

Yarn / cord testing using bollard grips
ü  Check the cord path is not worn or damaged and free of any residual build up from the yarn or cord.
ü  Set up the gauge length from nip point to nip point.
ü  Surfaces of clamp faces can become polished and cause slippage.
ü  Aggressive faces or too much pressure will cause jaw breaks.

Nose pieces
ü  Make sure they are tightened correctly but again not over tightened, which may lead to twisting of the load cell and permanent damage of the load cell.
ü  Know the rating of your grips and don’t assume the nose piece size dictates the load capacity.

Compression - Puncture Testing
ü  Check probes for damage and/or signs of wear as this will influence the way the probe penetrates the fabric under test and affect your results.
ü  After attaching the probe to the nose piece check for alignment to the lower clamping unit to ensure the probe passes through the aperture freely.
ü  Check the fabric in the lower clamping unit is clamped evenly with sufficient pressure to prevent slippage during testing.