My New Impact Tester and How Impact Testing Works

Published on July 2, 2021
Duration: 9:26

This video details the construction and operation of a DIY linear impact tester, designed to measure the impact resistance and toughness of various materials, particularly 3D printed filaments. The tester utilizes a falling mass, an opto-interrupter for velocity measurement, and a shock-absorbing base. By comparing calibration runs with and without a test sample, the energy absorbed by the material can be calculated, providing valuable data for material comparison.

Quick Summary

A DIY linear impact tester measures material toughness by calculating the energy absorbed during fracture. It uses a falling steel mass, a 3D printed structure, and an opto-interrupter to track the hammer's velocity before and after breaking a test sample, allowing for quantitative comparison of material properties.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Impact Testers
  2. 00:30How Impact Testers Work
  3. 01:50DIY Linear Impact Tester Design
  4. 04:00Tester Components and Assembly
  5. 06:00Velocity Measurement and Calculation
  6. 08:00Interpreting Test Results
  7. 08:30Future Testing and Applications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a traditional impact tester work?

Traditional impact testers, like Izod or Charpy, use a swinging pendulum with a mass. This pendulum is raised to a specific height, then released to strike and break a test sample. The energy absorbed by the sample is calculated by measuring how high the pendulum swings back up on the other side, accounting for friction.

What is the principle behind the DIY linear impact tester?

The DIY linear impact tester uses a falling mass that drops vertically to strike a test sample. It measures the hammer's velocity before and after impact using an opto-interrupter and a fin. The difference in velocity, combined with the hammer's mass, determines the energy absorbed by the sample.

What materials are used in the DIY linear impact tester?

The tester features a 3D printed base and other components, a steel mass for the hammer (around 2.5 lbs), and a TPU shock absorber at the base. An opto-interrupter and a fin are used for velocity measurement.

How is the energy absorbed by a material measured with this tester?

The tester first performs a calibration run without a sample to measure the hammer's velocity. Then, with a sample loaded, it measures the hammer's velocity after breaking the sample. The reduction in velocity directly corresponds to the energy absorbed by the material.

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