Tabletop Mechanical Tester
Abstract
The need for hands-on and face-to-face experiences in the engineering classroom is very great. The equations, principles, and concepts can all be learned, but without the visual and tactile application, these don’t always sink in or become concrete. A small-scale tensile test machine was designed, sourced, manufactured, and tested for the purpose of being applied in classroom settings to provide this experience to engineering students. Extensive research was performed concerning tensile machines on the market, the essential elements of which are the load cell, grips, crosshead, extensometer, motor, and frame. The raw materials for the frame were purchased and drawings were compiled for machining and manufacturing. Other parts were sourced and purchased for integration to the machine as a whole. The data acquisition system was researched and purchased to read, store, and output data from all machine systems as well as control the motor function. The machine was capable of testing aluminum wire samples to failure with the addition of some part modifications. The controls system was made compatible with the motor to allow it to run. More work can be and we have hope for the future of this project as well as the young engineering students impacted by it.