The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for simulating the chewing process for the purpose of testing dental materials and implants and for the purpose of analyzing food samples. The apparatus comprises a frame, a stationary platform connected compliantly to the said frame and a moving platform corresponding to the maxillae and mandible of humans or animals, to which dentures or teeth are affixed. The moving platform is guided and driven in mandibular motion using six rods fitted with spherical joints at both ends. Said ball-jointed rods are attached with one end to the moving platform, and with the other end either to the frame of the apparatus, or to rotary cranks driven synchronously by a motor via a transmission. The rotary cranks together with their motor and transmission are mounted on a carrier which is adjustably attached to the frame of the apparatus. To closely reproduce a desired mandibular motion, the locations of the spherical joints to the frame, the position and orientation of the carrier relative to the frame, and the lengths of the rotary cranks and of the ball-jointed rods are suitably adjusted.