4 Point Bend Specimen & Test Fixture

pinshape

I am developing a comprehensive blog series on crafting a partially 3D printed test machine and leveraging it to assess the mechanical properties of 3D printed materials. You can explore the project in-depth at the link below; any insightful feedback or innovative ideas are highly encouraged! The square is a test specimen custom-designed for a four-point bend loading on my machine. The part should require 200 pounds to break when printed at 100% infill density. I have also included the test fixture design here to minimize the size of later BOMs. The fixture is engineered so that the load path is entirely steel-to-steel, as opposed to traversing any plastic, which keeps the frame rigid and stable. http://engineerdog.com/2015/03/24/introduction-to-3d-printing-materials-testing-series/