METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A FILM-LIKE TEST BODY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing a film-shaped test body from a solidifiable, in particular liquid, test substance.

[0002] In research and development, but also in quality assurance as part of the manufacturing process, it is crucial that newly developed, reformulated, or newly created substances can be tested, analyzed, and compared quickly and with minimal effort. This is to identify the substance variant(s) that possess the desired and targeted properties, or to ensure that substances in the manufacturing process meet the physical requirements. The development and formulation of new substances, or the production of known and established substances, is becoming increasingly automated these days, as automated formulation and manufacturing processes offer significant advantages over manual, non-automated procedures.Automation allows for the research of new substances and materials with comparatively less effort and resource requirements, as the batch sizes are typically smaller than with traditional, manual laboratory methods. Furthermore, automated processes can run independently around the clock without requiring a human operator to perform the individual work steps. Furthermore, the automated processes can largely eliminate potential human operator errors during substance production.

[0003] To test the physical properties of a liquid substance that hardens or dries after application (e.g., plastic, adhesive, paint, etc.), tensile tests are performed, among other things. In these tests, a test specimen made of the material to be tested is stretched (extended) until it breaks. The force required to break a test specimen with defined dimensions (in terms of cross-sectional area), as well as the measured relationship between the length of the stretch and the applied force, allow conclusions to be drawn about the tensile strength of the material.

[0004] Typically, for such test procedures, the still liquid substances to be tested are applied to a poorly adhering surface, such as a test cardboard, and then, after the substance has dried / cured, carefully removed from this surface, cut or punched into a desired shape, and then tested for tensile strength.

[0005] The test substance is applied to the carrier surface, for example, by spraying the liquid, by drawdown (squeegeeing off the liquid), by pouring the test substance directly onto the surface or by other methods such as brushing, stamping, spin coating or vapor deposition.

[0006] After application, the test substance is dried or cured on the carrier surface and then removed from the carrier surface and brought into a form (test specimen) suitable for testing (e.g. by cutting to a defined size and shape or by punching out a defined shape).

[0007] The test itself essentially consists of clamping the test specimen at two ends into a measuring device (tensile testing machine / universal testing machine) and then moving the two ends apart, whereby a force acts on the test specimen clamped between them and the test specimen is stretched. The force is applied until the test specimen breaks, and the forces acting for the corresponding elongation lengths are recorded and usually presented as so-called stress-strain diagrams. Such tensile testing machines comply with current standards, are familiar to those skilled in the art, and therefore require no further explanation.

[0008] While both the application of the test substance to a substrate (e.g., by spraying, drawdown, pouring into a mold, spin-coating, brushing, etc.) and the subsequent testing / measurement of the test specimen are technically easy to solve and automate using today's industry-standard equipment, the removal of the film-like test specimen produced in this way from the substrate's support surface is difficult to automate, as the resulting film is very easily damaged. This removal process is therefore usually performed manually, e.g., by lifting a corner of the film with a finger or by tearing the substrate and then carefully peeling off the film with the fingers.

[0009] However, for fully automated formulation / production, e.g. in the field of research and development or in quality control, it is necessary to be able to automate this manual step of removing the finished film-like test specimen from its substrate.

[0010] JP 2002 221473 A relates to a method for a tensile strain test to measure mechanical properties of various thin films produced in semiconductor manufacturing.

[0011] The method and device according to the invention aim to make the process for producing a film-shaped test specimen completely automatable, i.e., including the delicate detachment of the film from the substrate to which it is adhered. This should enable automation from the production of a film-shaped test specimen to the subsequent measurement of its tensile strength or other physical and chemical properties.

[0012] In particular, the present invention is intended to provide a method and an apparatus for producing a film-shaped test body which are intended to make full automation of the production of a film-shaped test body possible.

[0013] The object underlying the invention is achieved by the method according to the invention defined in independent patent claim 1 and by the device defined in independent patent claim 9. Particularly advantageous developments and refinements of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are the subject of the respective dependent patent claims.

[0014] In the method according to the invention for producing a film-shaped test body from a solidifiable test substance, a) the test substance is applied to a substrate so that a substance film is formed on the substrate; b) a film removal tool is placed on the substance film, whereby the film removal tool leaves a partial area of ​​the substance film free; c) the substance film solidifies into a test film which adheres to the film removal tool; d) the film removal tool is separated from the substrate together with the test film adhering to it; and e) the film-shaped test body is formed by or from the test film separated from the substrate.

[0015] By using the special film removal tool, the solidified test film can be removed from the substrate very simply and easily, so that the removal of the test film from the substrate can also be easily automated.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the film removal tool comprises an adhesive surface facing the substance film, which has a greater adhesive strength with respect to the test film than the substrate. Alternatively or additionally, an adhesion promoter is applied between the adhesive surface of the film removal tool and the substance film, so that the adhesive strength between the film removal tool and the test film is greater than that between the test film and the substrate. This ensures that the test film adheres reliably to the film removal tool.

[0017] Advantageously, the test body is formed by cutting or punching the test film while it is still adhering to the film removal tool. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the test film is separated from the film removal tool, and the test body is formed by cutting or punching the test film separated from the film removal tool. The test film can thus be easily further processed, e.g., cut or punched to the desired shape of the test body.

[0018] In another advantageous embodiment, the test film separated from the substrate and adhering to the film removal tool forms the film-shaped test specimen, wherein the film removal tool preferably comprises two non-contiguous frame parts. After separation from the substrate, the test film remains connected to the two frame parts adhering to it and can be inserted together with them directly into a tensile testing device.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, parts of a measuring device for the test specimen are used as frame components for the film removal tool. This eliminates the intermediate step of clamping the frame components into the measuring device.

[0020] The test substance is preferably a liquid that solidifies through drying, curing, or freezing, for example, glue or paint. The test substance can also advantageously be a suspension containing living cells, such as skin cells, which forms a cell layer upon solidification. Furthermore, the test substance can also be a powder that becomes a continuous, preferably homogeneous solid through a treatment step.

[0021] With regard to the device, the essence of the invention is as follows: The device for producing a film-shaped test body from a solidifiable test substance comprises a substrate on which a substance film can be formed from the test substance applied thereto. The device further comprises a film removal tool having an adhesive surface with which it can be placed onto the substance film that can be formed on the substrate. The film removal tool is shaped such that it leaves a portion of the substance film exposed.

[0022] The specially designed film removal tool allows the solidified test film to be removed from the substrate very simply and easily, so that the removal of the test film from the substrate can also be easily automated.

[0023] Advantageously, the adhesive surface of the film removal tool exhibits greater adhesive strength than the substrate with respect to a test film that can be produced by solidifying the substance film. This ensures reliable detachment of the test film from the substrate.

[0024] In advantageous embodiments, the film removal tool is designed as a one- or two-part frame with a window, which can be placed with its adhesive surface on the peripheral area of ​​the substance film that can be formed on the substrate, so that the window leaves a central area of ​​the substance film free.

[0025] Advantageously, the film removal tool is formed by parts of a measuring device for the test specimen, preferably integrated directly into the measuring device. This further simplifies the automation of the test process.

[0026] Preferably, the device comprises a substrate storage for substrates, a film removal tool storage for film removal tools, a storage container for test substance and a computer-controlled manipulator which is designed to remove a substrate from the substrate storage and place it at a work location, to remove test substance from the storage container and apply it to the substrate provided at the work location so that a substance film is formed on the substrate, to remove a film removal tool from the film removal tool storage and place it on the substance film formed on the substrate, and to separate the film removal tool together with a test film adhering to it and created by solidification of the substance film from the substrate.

[0027] This device allows the fully automatic execution of all steps of the method according to the invention.

[0028] Advantageously, the device comprises an aggregate storage for accommodating aggregates, each comprising a substrate, a substance film formed thereon, and a film removal tool. In this aggregate storage, a plurality of aggregates can be cured or dried simultaneously, and the respective substance films can be solidified into test films.

[0029] Preferably, the manipulator of the device is designed to deposit an aggregate consisting of substrate, substance film and film removal tool in the aggregate storage and to remove an aggregate consisting of substrate, solidified test film and film removal tool from the aggregate storage.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a cutting tool, preferably a punching tool, which can be operated by the manipulator and with which a test body of the desired shape can be cut or punched out of the test film.

[0031] The method and device according to the invention are described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1-8 - a simplified representation of the sequence of the inventive method from the empty substrate to the finished film-shaped test body; Fig. 9-15 - a simplified side view representation of the sequence of the inventive method from the empty substrate to the test film removed by the film removal tool; Fig. 16 - an embodiment of a film removal tool according to the invention; Fig. 17 - an embodiment of the inventive device for producing a film-shaped test body with test film and punching lines for three test bodies; Fig. 18-20 - various test body shapes; Fig. 21 - an example of a cutting tool in the form of a punching tool for punching out a test body; Fig. 22-23 - two multi-part variants of a film removal tool that allow direct clamping into a measuring device or can be directly integrated into a testing device; Fig.Fig. 24 - a schematic sketch of a measuring device with an integrated film removal tool; and Fig. 25 - a greatly simplified basic structure of an inventive device for producing a film-shaped test body suitable for carrying out the inventive method.

[0032] The following definition applies to the following description: If reference symbols are provided in a figure for the purpose of clarity but are not mentioned in the directly related description, reference is made to their explanation in preceding or subsequent description sections. Conversely, to avoid graphic overload, reference symbols that are less relevant for immediate understanding are not shown in all figures. For this purpose, reference is made to the other figures.

[0033] In the context of the present invention, substrate is understood to mean a usually, but not necessarily, flat, plate-shaped support which can accommodate a test substance in the form of a film.

[0034] A test substance is any substance, in particular a liquid, pasty or spreadable substance, that can be applied to the substrate in such a way that a film of the substance is formed on the substrate and that can be chemically or physically solidified, e.g. by curing or simply drying. In principle, however, all substances are possible that are initially slightly deformable but are at least somewhat solidified in their final state. This therefore also includes, for example, certain powders that combine to form a solid layer during a processing step. In principle, however, the method is suitable for all substances that are initially liquid but then, after a processing step or a waiting period, are solid or at least solidified, i.e. also for liquids that are frozen or gelatinized after being applied to the test substrate.It is also possible to use cell suspensions, for example, whereby the cells coalesce during the curing phase to form a thin cell layer, which could be used, for example, for the cultivation and transplantation of skin tissue. Furthermore, the substance film can also be created by sublimation from a gaseous substance.

[0035] A film removal tool is understood to be a frame arrangement consisting of one or more parts with an adhesive surface with which it can be placed on the substance film that can be formed on the substrate, wherein it is shaped in such a way that it does not cover or leaves free a preferably central or inner part of the substance film.

[0036] The Figures 1 to 8 represent in a highly simplified manner the process of producing a film-shaped test specimen, without showing the parts of a Fig. 25 shown example manipulator.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows an empty, plate-shaped substrate 1, which acts as a carrier for the test substance that is subsequently applied, the substance film formed from it, and finally the solidified test film. The substrate 1 is designed in such a way that it has poor adhesion to the test film. For this purpose, the substrate is made, for example, from a poorly adhering material or is provided with a poorly adhering coating (e.g., PTFE). The adhesive strength of the substrate, its surface, or the coating is determined by interfacial energetic forces. A structuring of the surface (surface roughness) also influences the adhesive strength. The surface of the substrate, or its coating, should therefore, among other things, be as smooth as possible in order to achieve the lowest possible adhesive strength.

[0038] Advantageously, the substrate 1 consists, for example, of a flat, flexible plate, such as paper, cardboard, or plastic, which has a poorly adhering surface in the above sense. This poor adhesion can be achieved, for example, by a suitable non-stick coating or simply by manufacturing the corresponding parts from a poorly adhering material. Depending on the substance to be used, even a simple plasticizing of a paper or cardboard plate can already achieve the desired effect of low adhesion of the test substance or the solidified test film to the substrate 1.

[0039] In a further advantageous embodiment, the substrate 1 consists of a solid (relatively rigid) plate, for example, made of cardboard, metal, plastic, or glass, whose surface is also poorly adhesive. Therefore, plates made of PTFE or other plastics with low surface roughness and low adhesive strength are particularly advantageous.

[0040] In a first step of the method according to the invention, the test substance is applied to the substrate 1, for example by doctoring, spraying, etc., so that a substance film L is formed on the substrate 1 ( Fig. 2 ). Substrate 1 could also be formed with a (shallow) depression into which the test substance is applied. The test substance can also be applied by sublimation from the gas phase.

[0041] In a next step, a film removal tool is positioned over the substrate 1 ( Figures 3 and 9) and placed or pressed onto the substrate 1 with the substance film L thereon ( Figures 4 and 10 ). In this example, the film removal tool is designed as a one-piece, closed, flat frame 2 with a window 2a (see also Fig. 16). The film removal tool or frame 2 rests with its flat underside or adhesive surface 2c on the outer area of ​​the still moist or not yet solidified substance film L in direct contact. The surface quality of the adhesive surface 2c of the frame 2 facing the substance film L, i.e. the frame side which touches the substance film L, is designed to adhere relatively well to the test substance, whereby the adhesive strength is significantly greater than for the substrate 1. This has the consequence that after the solidification (drying / curing) of the substance film L, the test film T thus formed adheres better to the frame 2 than to the substrate 1. The higher adhesive strength of the film removal tool or frame 2 compared to the substrate 1 can be achieved by appropriate choice of material and also by surface structuring (surface roughness) of the adhesive surface 2c.Alternatively or additionally, the higher adhesive strength can also be achieved by applying an adhesion promoter.

[0042] The film removal tool does not need to have the same external dimensions as the substrate. The only important thing is that it covers the substance film applied to the substrate, leaving a portion of the substance film exposed, preferably in the central or inner part.

[0043] The aggregate formed from the substrate 1 coated with the substance film L and provided with the film removal tool or frame 2 is stored for the solidification (drying / curing) of the substance film L. This can be done, for example, in a suitable aggregate storage 104 ( Fig. 25) that is equipped with one or a plurality of storage positions for such aggregates. Depending on the substance S used, aggregate storage facilities are advantageous here that have suitable devices to support solidification (drying / curing), for example through increased temperature (oven cabinet) and / or improved air circulation for water- or solvent-based, air-drying substances, or UV radiation for e.g. UV-curing substances. When processing test substances that solidify relatively quickly on their own, the aggregate can be further processed directly, i.e. without intermediate storage.

[0044] Through solidification (drying / curing), a test film T is created from the substance film L. After solidification and, if necessary, intermediate storage in the aggregate storage 104, the film removal tool or frame 2 is separated from the substrate 1, e.g., by lifting. Since the adhesion of the now solidified test film T to the film removal tool or frame 2 is greater than to the substrate 1, the test film T is also lifted together with the film removal tool or frame 2 and removed from the substrate 1 ( Figures 5 and 12 ). Depending on the design, either the frame 2 with the test film T adhering to it is lifted off the substrate 1, or, conversely, the frame 2 is first turned over ( Fig. 11 ) and the substrate 1 is then removed from the frame 2 with the test film T adhering thereto, e.g. by a gripping tool 121 ( Figures 12 and 25) is gripped and lifted. The film removal tool or frame 2 and the substrate 1 are easier to grip than the test film T, so that the separation of the test film T from the substrate 1 can be automated relatively easily.

[0045] The separation of the test film T from the substrate 1 can also be achieved by removing the substrate 1 chemically, e.g., by etching. This, of course, requires the use of a suitable substrate.

[0046] The film removal tool or frame 2 with the test film T adhering to it can now either be stored in a suitable intermediate storage facility for later reuse or be reused directly.

[0047] For further use, the test film T is removed from frame 2 in the illustrated embodiment ( Fig. 6 ) and for example by cutting along cutting lines sl1 and sl2 ( Fig. 7) into the desired shape of the final film-shaped test body K ( Fig. 8 ), which can then be used for the measurement of tensile strength (not shown here) or another physical or chemical test method. In an advantageous embodiment, the test film T is additionally provided with a thin layer of powder, for example talcum powder, which further protects the test film T and simplifies subsequent handling. The removal of the test film T from the frame 2 can, for example, be carried out simply by ejecting it from the frame, which is Figures 13-15 For this purpose, the frame 2 with the test film T adhering to it is placed, for example, on a stamp 130 shaped like the window 2a ( Fig. 13 ) and the frame 2 is moved further along the stamper 130 ( Fig. 14). The stamp 130 holds the test film T on the base, and the test film T detaches from the frame 2. The test film can then be removed and reused after lifting the stamp 130 ( Fig. 15 ).

[0048] In an alternative advantageous embodiment, the test body K is not cut out of the test film T, but is separated by means of a suitable cutting tool in the form of a punching tool (cf. Fig. 21 ) into the desired shape of the test specimen. The shape of the test specimen K corresponds to the shapes commonly used in these applications and can vary as required. The test specimen can, for example, be rectangular (K1, Fig. 18 ), but also have other shapes that are advantageous in use, such as a rectangular web with widened areas at both ends (K2, Fig. 19), which allow a good grip during the measuring process. In principle, the test body can be of various shapes and sizes and, depending on the application, is useful, e.g., the shape of a circular disk (K3, Fig. 20 ).

[0049] It is also possible to cut or punch out one or more test bodies, either identical or differently shaped, from a test film T, in particular without the test film T being previously separated from the film removal tool or frame 2. In the case of Fig. 17In the embodiment shown, the test film T is not previously removed from the film removal tool or frame 2 for cutting / punching, but the test body is cut / punched directly from the test film T, which is still held by the film removal tool or frame 2, from the area of ​​the test film left free by the frame 2. In particular, three film-shaped test bodies K2 are punched out of the test film T still adhering to the frame 2.

[0050] It is also possible to use the test film T directly as a test body without prior cutting / punching if the outline of the originally formed substance film is sufficient for the measurement and suitable for the measurement process (K4, Fig. 23 and 24 ). This can also be useful for penetration attempts, for example.

[0051] In a further design variant according to Fig. 22The film removal tool is designed as a two-part frame, with its two frame parts 21 and 22 each holding one side of the test film and forming the window 2a between them, which does not cover the substance film. In this embodiment, the two frame parts 21 and 22 can be clamped directly into a tensile measuring device after the test film T has been cut / punched into the desired shape of the test body by cutting / punching and removing the unnecessary parts. In a simplified embodiment ( Fig. 23 ), the film removal tool can also be formed by two, for example, rectangular plates 23 and 24, which form a window 2b between them and lie over the two ends of the substance film or the test film T. Advantageously, the two plates 23 and 24 are directly the mutually movable parts of a Fig. 24schematically illustrated (tensile) measuring device M, so that the intermediate step of clamping the frame parts 23 and 24 into the measuring device M is omitted. This has the advantage that it would be impossible to lose the test specimen during transport and clamping into the measuring device or to damage the highly sensitive and fragile test specimen during this process. In this variant, the plates 23 and 24 forming the film removal device (together with the measuring device) are pressed onto the test film located on the substrate. Here, too, after the test film T has solidified, the substrate 1 is peeled off, e.g., by means of a gripping tool 121, whereby the test film remains adhered to the plates 23 and 24 of the measuring device M. Cutting or cutting out is thus omitted, and the test specimen K corresponds to the entire test film T.

[0052] The film-shaped test specimens produced according to the above explanations are then available for examination in known measuring / testing devices according to physical and, if necessary, chemical test methods.

[0053] In Fig. 25 The basic structure of an apparatus according to the invention for producing a film-shaped test body, suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention, is shown in a highly simplified manner.

[0054] The device, designated as a whole by 100, advantageously, but not necessarily, comprises, arranged on a base plate 101 or a frame, a substrate storage 102, a film removal tool or frame storage 103, an aggregate storage 104, a storage container 105 for test substance S and a computer-controlled manipulator in the form of, here, for example, two robotic arrangements 110 and 120.

[0055] The substrate storage 102 comprises several storage positions in which substrates 1 are kept in stock. Analogously, the film removal tool or frame storage 103 comprises several storage positions in which film removal tools or frames 2 are kept in stock. The aggregate storage 104 comprises several storage positions designed to accommodate substrates 1 with substance films L formed thereon and film removal tools or frames 2 lying thereon. The aggregate storage 104 is advantageously equipped with devices to support the solidification (drying / curing) of the substance films L. For this purpose, the aggregate storage can be designed, for example, as an oven cabinet and can contain air circulation means and / or radiation sources, in particular UV sources. When processing test substances that solidify relatively quickly on their own, the aggregate storage 104 can be omitted.

[0056] The robotic arrangement 120 comprises a gripping tool 121 and is designed to remove a substrate 1 from the substrate storage 102 and place it on the base plate 101 at a work location. The substrate 1 can be fixed locally on the base plate 101, for example, by means of a suction device (not shown).

[0057] The robotic arrangement 110 comprises an application tool 111 and is designed to remove test substance S from the storage container 105 and apply it to the substrate 1 provided at the work site, so that a substance film L is formed on the substrate 1. The storage container 105 can be arranged, for example, on a carriage 105b movable along a rail 105a. The application tool 111, which is only symbolically represented, can comprise, for example, a doctor blade device, spray device, vapor deposition device, stamp device, brush device, or other application devices commonly used in industry for liquids or pasty or spreadable substances. Such suitable devices are known to those skilled in the art and are therefore not explained in detail here.

[0058] The robotic arrangement 120 is further configured to remove a film removal tool or frame 2 from the film removal tool or frame storage 103 and to place it onto the substance film L formed on the substrate 1 and to possibly press it onto it.

[0059] Furthermore, the robotic arrangement 120 is designed to place an aggregate consisting of substrate 1, substance film L and film removal tool or frame 2 into a storage position in the aggregate storage 104.

[0060] The robotic arrangement 120 is further configured to remove an aggregate consisting of substrate 1, solidified test film T and film removal tool or frame 2 from the aggregate storage 104 and to separate the substrate 1 from the film removal tool or frame 2 with the test film T adhering thereto by gripping the substrate 1 by the gripping tool 121 and pulling it off the frame 2 (see also Fig. 12 ).

[0061] Furthermore, the robotic arrangement 120 can be configured to cut or punch out a test body K of the desired shape from the test film T. For this purpose, the robotic arrangement 120 can be equipped with a suitable cutting or punching tool as a separating tool. An example of a punching tool is shown in Fig. 21 The punching tool 122 comprises a base 122a and a punching frame 122b thereon, the outline of which corresponds to the desired shape of the test specimen to be produced.

[0062] The functions of the robotic arrangements 110 and 120 described above can also be realized, for example, by a computer-controlled manipulator in the form of a multi-axis robot with a multi-purpose work head or interchangeable tools.

Claims

1. Method for producing a film-shaped test body (K; K1; K2; K3; K4) from a solidifiable test substance (S), wherein a) the test substance (S) is applied to a substrate (1), so that a substance film (L) is formed on the substrate (1); b) a film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) is placed on the substance film (L), the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) leaving a sub-region of the substance film (L) uncovered; c) the substance film (L) is solidified to form a test film (T) which adheres to the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24); d) the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24), together with the test film (T) adhering thereto, is separated from the substrate (1); and e) the film-shaped test body (K; K1; K2; K3; K4) is formed by or from the test film (T) separated from the substrate (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) comprises an adhesive surface (2c) which faces towards the substance film (L), which adhesive surface exhibits greater adhesiveness towards the test film (T) than does the substrate (1).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) comprises an adhesive surface (2c) which faces towards the substance film (L), between which adhesive surface and the substance film (L) there is applied an adhesion promoter, so that the adhesiveness between film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) and test film (T) is greater than between test film (T) and substrate (1).

4. Method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the test body (K; K1; K2; K3) is formed by cutting or punching the test film (T) adhering to the film-detachment tool (2).

5. Method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the test film (T) is separated from the film-detachment tool (2); and the test body (K; K1; K2; K3) is formed by cutting or punching the test film (T) which has been separated from the film-detachment tool (2).

6. Method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the test film (T) which has been separated from the substrate (1) and is adhering to the film-detachment tool (21, 22; 23, 24) forms the film-shaped test body (K4), the film-detachment tool preferably comprising two non-contiguous frame members (21, 22; 23, 24).

7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that parts of a measuring device (M) for the test body (K1) are used as frame members for the film-detachment tool (23, 24).

8. Method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterised in that the test substance (S) is a liquid that is solidifiable by drying, curing or freezing, a suspension containing living cells which forms a cell layer on solidification, or a powder which becomes a continuous solid as a result of a treatment step.

9. Device for producing a film-shaped test body (K; K1; K2; K3; K4) from a solidifiable test substance (S), comprising a substrate (1) on which a substance film (L) can be formed from test substance (S) applied to the substrate, characterised by a film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) having an adhesive surface (2c) with which the tool can be placed on the substance film (L) formable on the substrate (1), the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) being shaped so that it leaves a sub-region of the substance film (L) uncovered.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the adhesive surface (2c) of the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) exhibits greater adhesiveness towards a test film (T) that can be created by solidification of the substance film (L) than does the substrate (1).

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the film-detachment tool is configured as a one-part or two-part frame (2; 21, 22) having a window (2a), which frame can be placed with its adhesive surface (2c) on the peripheral region of the substance film (L) formable on the substrate (1), so that the window (2a) leaves a central region of the substance film (L) uncovered.

12. Device according to any one of claims 9-11, characterised in that the film-detachment tool (23, 24) is formed by parts of a measuring device (M) for the test body (K1).

13. Device according to any one of claims 9-12, comprising - a substrate storage unit (102) for substrates (1), - a film-detachment tool storage unit (103) for film-detachment tools (2; 21, 22; 23, 24), - a supply container (105) for test substance (S) and - a computer-controlled manipulator (110, 120) which is configured to remove a substrate (1) from the substrate storage unit (102) and deposit it at a working area, to remove test substance (S) from the supply container (105) and apply it to the substrate (1) ready-positioned at the working area, so that a substance film (L) is formed on the substrate (1), to remove a film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) from the film-detachment tool storage unit (103) and place it on the substance film (L) formed on the substrate (1), and to separate the film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24), together with a test film (T) adhering thereto, which test film has been formed by solidification of the substance film (L), from the substrate (1).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that it has an assembly storage unit (104) for holding assemblies which each comprise a substrate (1), a substance film (L) formed thereon and a film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the manipulator (110, 120) is configured to deposit an assembly consisting of substrate (1), substance film (L) and film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) in the assembly storage unit (104) and to remove an assembly consisting of substrate (1), solidified test film (T) and film-detachment tool (2; 21, 22; 23, 24) from the assembly storage unit (104).

16. Device according to any one of claims 13-15, characterised in that it comprises a separating tool operable by the manipulator (110, 120), preferably a punching tool (122), with which a test body (K; K1; K2; K3) of the desired shape can be cut out or punched out from the test film (T).