THE PROJECT HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE REQUEST MADE TO A GROUP OF MECHANICAL FIRMS, RELATING TO THE MECHANICAL DISTRICT OF THE HIGH VICENZA DISTRICT, TO ANALYSE THE TECHNOLOGICAL FEASIBILITY OF A SET OF AMENDMENTS TO THE RFX TEST MACHINE BY RFX, THE RESEARCH ORGANISATION, ESTABLISHED IN PADUA, WITH ITS HEADQUARTERS IN PADUA, WITH THE CNR, THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (CNR), THE UNIVERSITY OF PADUA AND THE VENETO STEELWORKS.