4 Point Bend Specimen & Test Fixture

thingiverse

I'm crafting a blog series that delves into designing and building a partially 3D printed test machine, alongside employing it to assess the mechanical properties of 3D printed materials. Check out the project at the link below - any input or fresh perspectives would be highly valued! The rectangular specimen is specifically designed for a four-point bend loading on my machine. This part should withstand 200 lbs before breaking when printed with 100% infill. The test fixture design included here streamlines later build lists by reducing the size of components. The fixture is constructed so that the load path runs solely through steel-to-steel contacts, avoiding plastic interfaces to maintain structural rigidity. To explore this project in more depth, head over to engineerdog.com/2015/03/24/introduction-to-3d-printing-materials-testing-series/. Key specifications: * Specimen Dimensions: 13.3 cm x 1.3 cm x 0.95 cm Print this specimen with various infill patterns for the purpose of mechanical testing. Four-point bend fixture parts list: Common hardware stores carry all necessary components: * (4) socket head cap screws * (2) 7" long slotted hole channels (13/16" × 1 5/8") * (4) standard strut channel nuts * (4) 1/2" NOT x 3" long pipe nipples * (8) rubber bands