The following project describes how to design a Tensile Load tester
based around the NXT.
For building and project instructions see the
accompanying video.
Overview
Engineering design requires large sets of data and statistics to understand how materials will behave under a set of conditions. One of the material properties important to structural and mechanical engineers is the tensile strength. The tensile strength corresponds to the force, or load, that a certain material can take along its axis before failing or yielding. For example, if you were to pull on both ends of a string until it snapped, the amount of force needed to break the string would be the tensile failure force (known as normal failure stress).
Note: To measure the force, we will use a Vernier Dual-Range Force Sensor. This sensor can be accessed though Robolab using Vernier's Robobook. The Robobook can be found at http://www.vernier.com/nxt/. We will also employ a NXT motor, touch sensor and two gear boxes.