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Mechanical Engineering Commons

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Western Michigan University

Honors Theses

Theses/Dissertations

2018

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Design Of Force Versus Displacement Test Stand, Andrew Fritchley Apr 2018

Design Of Force Versus Displacement Test Stand, Andrew Fritchley

Honors Theses

Performing mechanical design around sensors is a critical skill which all engineering students should be familiar with. Of equal importance is gathering and correctly interpreting electrical data from engineering tests. The aim of this project is to design a force versus displacement test stand for applications related to the measurement of spring force-displacement correlation. The design uses a strain gauge load cell, and a magnetic linear encoder to provide accurate, repeatable force and travel measurements. A mechanical design to mount each sensor was created based initial project constraints. Finite element analysis was performed on all critical components to ensure that …


Structural Reinforcement Of Streamline Tubing, Peter Grohs Apr 2018

Structural Reinforcement Of Streamline Tubing, Peter Grohs

Honors Theses

Structural integrity of suspension components is important to the safety and the longevity of vehicles. Streamline tubing, an aerodynamically shaped material used in high performance vehicle controls, can be prone to failure if not properly analyzed for its asymmetric geometry. The component was redesigned as a composite structure using modern materials to make a highly aerodynamic product stiffer, stronger, and lighter per unit weight than a conventional all steel design. Finite element analysis was conducted and five prototypes using different materials were constructed and tested. This method of maximizing component lightness and stiffness using the beneficial properties of each material …