The ultimate in 3D printing DIY! This tensile tester from FrankerFab follows the ASTM D638 standard for determining the ultimate tensile strength of thermoplastics and allows you to quickly get accurate strength data on your materials.
FrankerFab 3D Printed Tensile Tester - Product Demo
This kit comes with the digital STL files and all of the hardware required. All you need is your 3D printer with basic PLA filament to complete this kit.
With a gear driven lever mechanism, torque is applied and is then converted into linear force at the clevis end where the ASTM "dogbone" sample is loaded. The dogbone samples have a modified slot configuration (does not affect the center cross-section) that allows tool-less loading and removing of the samples. Watch the video for a demonstration.
The components here were carefully engineered using FEA and topology optimization tools to produce this elegant design! Stiffness and strength are maintained with a final product that requires just 1.5 kg of filament to print.
Kit Includes:
- 6x Needle Bearings
- 3x Machined Steel Shafts
- 1x Dowel Pin
- 10x Fasteners, Nuts & Washers
- 1x Oak Board, pre-drilled
- 1x PLA tensile dog-bone sample
- 7x STL files (including ASTM D638 sample)
- Assembly and Instruction Manual
- Excel Calculator Tool
What you'll need:
- 3D printer and about 1.5 kg of PLA (colors up to you!)
(note, printer must be capable of a 220mm X and 160mm Z build volume) - 1/4 Digital Torque Wrench (amazon.com/dp/B0BTM5X2R7)
- Basic hand tools for assembly
The included Excel calculator tool has been calibrated to account for friction and gear tooth losses, ensuring you get accurate results. While not as accurate as an industrial hydraulic tensile tester (costing many thousands of dollars); this machine is very capable of repeatable results that allow you to make data driven decisions on your materials and print settings.
Check out our blog posts for helpful articles on tensile testing and heat treating!