University of Houston Team 6 - Blog 2
University of Houston Capstone Team 6 - Blog 2
The University of Houston Capstone Team 6 is dedicated to creating a testing device to address SLB's critical need for specialized testing of polymer springs. This device will accurately calculate spring compression, load, and temperature, enabling a comprehensive understanding of spring behavior under different force and temperature conditions.
The project presents certain challenges and constraints. The device must accommodate spring samples ranging from 0.125 to 0.500 inches in size, subjecting them to compression forces between 50 and 500 pounds. It should also be capable of raising the spring temperature from ambient to 400°F while monitoring how the compressed springs gradually lose their force over time. Furthermore, the team aims to design a compact device with minimal footprint, targeting dimensions of approximately 1 x 1 x 1 ft, though adjustments may be necessary.
The physical constraints of the project create several challenges. The team must identify materials for efficient thermal conduction in the polymer springs, select suitable insulation for a high-temperature load cell (up to 250°F) with 500 lbf performance, and determine the best method for heating the polymer springs efficiently. Safety considerations during testing and validation are crucial, ensuring that the device operates within the specified constraints and yields accurate data on force over time and spring compression.
The successful development of this compact compression testing device will empower engineers and researchers, fostering innovation in product design and manufacturing processes. It will provide valuable insights into spring behavior under varying conditions, contributing to advancements in the field.
Table 1. Major Project Constraints
Ultimately, there are the following areas to consider as current physical design challenges:
· Infrastructure of a device capable of compressing a polymer spring an upwards of 500 lbf.
· Feasibly heating a polymer spring from ambient to 400°F.
· Protecting a load cell from high temperatures with rigid insulation supporting an applied load.
The infrastructure would be modeled in SolidWorks
utilizing CAD provided by McMaster-Carr on selected frame parts online. With a geometry
made this can be brought into COMSOL and forces will be applied representing
the point load on the device. The resulting Von Mises stress plot and max
values on the geometry will provide the team with a visual descriptor for any
yielding on conceptual designs.
Utilizing linear heat transfer equations based on potential
heating elements and chamber materials, the team will determine the amount of
time required to bring the chamber walls and air inside the chamber up to
temperature. Completing this analysis with several materials will allow the
team to choose those with a desirable conductive heat constants and material
thicknesses.
Protecting the load cell in our design will require both linear heat transfer analysis and solid mechanics based on the applied load and geometry of the design. Heat transfer calculations will provide the team with thermal conductivity constants, insulation thickness values, and temperatures of the load cell at any given time during a test at temperature. Solid mechanics will be used to determine insulation material yield stress and compressive strength based on the geometry and expected load on the chamber and insulation.
Although the team has identified its main goals and objectives, Team 6 will still need to plan out its potential options on how to move forward with each task and milestone. For example, the lack of clarity and understanding of how polymers operate may hinder the team's approach to the design. Therefore, the team will need to test and thoroughly research the best options and alternatives for the design. Through each milestone, team 6 will need to define the priorities per task to meet the purpose of the milestone altogether. By conducting a detailed scope of the task it will establish boundaries and deliverables to be able to present to the client and it will help measure success within correct theoretical outputs. The client is transparent about their flexibility with the budget and resources in order to get a design that fits their needs with a specific timeline. If things were to change we have prepared a bill of materials with other options/alternatives that will meet the minimal requirements of the constraints. Another way our team will measure our success will be through the modeling's and calculations. If our calculations fit within our desirable goal that will satisfy the minimum temperature and load without hindering any factors of safety then it will be considered a success. Some factors of safety may consist of the structural design not breaking down due to the heavy load and the selected materials being able to withstand the high temperatures without corrosion.
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