Thickness Measurement Extensometer for Psylotech
Project: Design a extensometer, distance measurement device, to measure the change in thickness of a new plastic sample under cycle strain testing.
Constraints:
Temperatures between -100C and 200C
Thickness change on the order of 10 microns
100mm diameter environmental chamber
Humidity present in chamber throughout test
Design: Flex Hurricane
The Flex Hurricane is a design that utilizes pivoting arms and hinges in order to bring the thickness measuring sensors towards the polymer sample. Specifically, the user mounts the sample inside with the sensor mounts split up, then the user brings the two arms together making them perpendicular with the base. Next, the heads of both arms are thumb screwed together which causes the two sensors to be locked into a parallel position with one another. Finally, the sample is ready to undergo testing and the reverse process is used to remove the sample.
The Flex Hurricane works with a circular flexure and contact inductive sensor. This sensor is mounted to the base of the chamber which allows for easy set up and removal. During testing, as the thickness of the sample varies, the sensor head in contact with the sample moves in and out of its stationary housing with the help of a spring force in order to record changes in thickness measurement.
Spiral Planar Flexure:
Allows for movement only in a single plane
