1. Capstone Project Proposal
1916 Riehle Tension/Compression Test Machine Installation and Modernization
Support frame design, direct drive motor and automatic load balancing system
Capstone Project Proposal

2. Basic Triple Beam Balance Design

3. Ancient Greek Balance, circa 2000BC

4. 1916 Balance Test System partially disassembled at the City of Portland test laboratory
System was installed below main floor level
and anchored to concrete footing
Side support arms for beam testing and motor
have been removed
Load frame assembly
Triple beam balance assembly
Manual transmission gears

5. Manual transmission Gear assembly to move crosshead up/dn

6. Test system, minus beam attachment side arms at PSU Materials lab at OMSI

7. Test system with beam test side arms positioned, (upside down) for reference
Existing motor assembly

8. Riehle Test System Details
150,000 Ib load capacity with triple beam balance beam to determine load (accurate to 10lbs)
Tensile, Compression, Bending
Mechanically driven 4 speed transmission
Triple-beam balance load scale
8,500 Ib estimated total weight, excluding test material
Crosshead displacement applied by gear driven twin lead screw/gear assembly connected to transmission

9. Capstone Project Goals
FEA base frame design
Variable speed motor sizing and installation
Calibration
Optional: Automatic load balancing using LVDT and motor control position of triple beam balance weight position

10. Major Project Requirements
Must be able to move system and support frame with forklift
Rigid, stable sub-frame assembly with ergonomic operator design
Must maintain ability to use 1916 manual operation of load scale
Replacement of belt driven clutch assembly with direct drive variable speed motor with provision for variable displacement and load control
Safely encased and visible transmission drive and gear driven lead screw assemblies to for education purposes
Safety shields preventing chards or broken test pieces from being ejected.
Data output of load and displacement