A tow bar has a first bar element, a second bar element, and a latch mechanism. Each active part includes a position sensor for acquiring and storing position data specifying a sequence of positions assumed by the active part as the assembly is reshaped, and a controllable drive motor for moving the active part relative to a connected part in accordance with the position data. The substrate handler is configured to move the substrate relative to a substrate table. One testing machine is disclosed in which a test specimen is clamped in a die with a nesting slot while a punch bends a sample against a forming surface that has a radius. A filter member may be used for filtering purposes, and a tray disposed below the filter member to collected filtered materials.