The hardness value is an important characteristic during monitoring of the manufacturing process for cast and forged components. The highload Brinell method is often used on components, the large indentations enabling a stable average value for the metallographic constituents to be obtained. The hardness of metallographic constituents is determined on specimens via Vickers microhardness testing. Zwick’s operator-friendly Brinell hardness testing machines with automatic indentation measurement up to load stage 3000 (29,000 N) are complemented by a comprehensive micro Vickers instrument range, including fully automatic systems.