Testing the mechanical properties of modern materials and non-classical materials requires the use of modern testing methods. Commercial equipment allows for advanced research, but is also expensive. At present, mechatronics and modern machine design methods offer a wide range of possibilities in this field. A self-built mechatronic testing machine for measuring the mechanical properties of fragile materials is presented. The kit is based on a stepper motor with controller, force sensor, screw mechanism and commercially available components and provides an inexpensive system for testing samples such as polymer fibres, biological tissues, porous materials (sponge structure, etc.). The constructed device is mobile and can be easily transported. Changes in the elongation of the specimen are applied with a resolution of 0.02 µm and the force reading is realised using a KMM62-500 sensor. This paper describes the process of controlling the device and processing the measurement signals using an arduino platform. The control system allows tensile, compression, hysteresis loop, creep and relaxation tests to be performed on one-dimensional specimens. The results obtained with the system can be used to accurately describe energy models, mechanical properties of models.