Materials Test
Overview
In Bucknell's Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, I upgraded a materials punch-testing apparatus to enhance its functionality and automate testing procedures. The mechanical hardware was re-engineered to seamlessly integrate a second Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) alongside the system's existing stepper motor and load cell sensors.
Circuitry Design
To synchronize testing operations, I designed and routed a custom printed circuit board (PCB) using KiCad for the microcontroller logic. The board integrates both AC and DC power supply inputs while utilizing specific voltage dividers and calculated high-current traces to safely manage the load cell and dual LVDT sensor inputs.
Output Files
The completed system enables users to automatically execute mechanical testing operations with a single button click. I developed data acquisition firmware that logs high-resolution, real-time data from all sensors, compiling the results into a single, user-friendly file exported directly to a local micro-SD card.
