Design of Unique Test Equipment

Test machine built to determine sliding friction at high temperatures.

The Structures and Materials Evaluation group evaluates the durability of materials and manufactured components. 

Most of our projects have nonstandard test requirements. We work with customers to define their goals and requirements. With access to specialists within UDRI and the School of Engineering, we take advantage of expertise in a wide range of scientific fields.  We can:

• Design and fabricate unique test equipment and test fixtures that simulate service applications and conditions. Equipment design duplicates mechanical loading and environmental conditions.
• Use Pro-Engineer® CAD/CAM software to design new equipment and test fixtures.
• Develop software programs with LabView® software to provide automatic control and data acquisition for the required tests.
• Build prototype hardware in our complete in-house machine shop.
• Construct custom instrumentation where off-the-shelf equipment does not exist or needs to be modified.
• Support development of on-site customer test facilities.

Recent projects Include:

• An environmental test system which contained SO2 gas
• A manifold system which simultaneously pressurized and fatigued several automotive engine hoses
• A fatigue drop test for elastomeric gaskets
• Hot oil heat treating equipment with supporting quench tank and component lift mechanism
• Flight loading and temperature profile simulation
• Fully immersible adjustable height fixturing for holding jet engine disks during ultrasonic inspection

Most of this work is carried out in the Structural Test Laboratory, and is supported by other facilities in the Research Institute such as the Machine Shop, the Composites Lab, and the Electronics Lab.