Design and use of a fixed-end low-load material testing machine
Author(s)
Ames, Nicoli M. (Nicoli Margret), 1978-![Thumbnail](/bitstream/handle/1721.1/33156/48705344-MIT.pdf.jpg?sequence=5&isAllowed=y)
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Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor
Lallit Anand.
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Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of this low-load material testing machine is to provide students an opportunity to perform basic material tests on their own instead of watching a lab technician, thus improving the student's lab experience. The machine proposed is small, low cost, and easy to manufacture, assemble, and operate. Its design is based on a compound flexure mechanism that provides rectilinear motion for uniaxial tension and compression tests. It is actuated by a voice coil and displacement is measured using strain gauges. This thesis outlines some of the basic theory involved in the design and use of this low-load machine. Then it details calibration routines and tension testing procedures. Next, it analyzes results from tension tests. Then it discusses a possible source of error found in the tension tests, a lack of rigidity in the apparatus. Finally, it provides a reasonable solution to the rigidity issue and suggests further testing of the new apparatus before it is available for student use.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2000. This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 25).
Date issued
2000Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical EngineeringPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Mechanical Engineering.