Instrumented Indentation Machine With Floating Carriages for Wide Load Ranges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indentation machines face limitations due to the extreme range of load forces and mechanical yielding of the supporting structure, requiring improvements for rapid tool changes and the ability to generate loads from extremely low to high forces while maintaining system rigidity and compactness, and preventing bending issues.
Innovation Solution
An instrumented indentation machine with a rigid L-shaped frame, two movable carriages, and elastic return means, allowing precise alignment and load application, enabling a wide range of loads without deformation, using known materials to keep costs low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the load range is extended from extremely low loads (less than one gram) to extremely high loads (over 3000 kilograms), then the versatility of the machine is improved, but the mechanical yielding of the supporting structure worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into two independent carriages: an abutment carriage for high-load applications and a main carriage for low-load precision measurements. This segmentation allows each carriage to be optimized for its specific load range, preventing mechanical yielding while maintaining versatility across the full load spectrum from less than one gram to over 3000 kilograms.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the two carriages, allowing them to function independently when needed while still working together when required. This mediator enables the system to adapt to different load conditions without compromising the structural integrity of either carriage.
2Productivity
If rapid tool changing capability is added, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The tool changing system uses a dynamic, motor-driven mechanism that can rapidly swap indenters and accessories on the main carriage. The system transitions between static tool holding and dynamic tool changing modes, enabling quick reconfiguration without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated mechanical structures.
3Ease of operation
If the machine is designed to be compact and light, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rigidity of the system worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The main carriage is nested within the abutment carriage structure, with the high-load pusher mechanism housing the low-load measurement system. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall footprint and weight of the machine while maintaining the structural rigidity of both carriages, as each is supported by the other's framework.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid tool changes and precise load application from 1g to 3000kg, ensuring high rigidity and reliability with compact design, suitable for micro- and macro-indentation tests.
Implementation Method 1
a main carriage (15) which supports the tool (16) selected for the performance of said mechanical test, said main carriage being associated in a floating manner with said abutment carriage (12) parallel to said loading direction (13) in contrast to and by virtue of the action of elastic return means
Implementation Method 2
said main carriage being associated in a floating manner with said abutment carriage (12) parallel to said loading direction (13) in contrast to and by virtue of the action of elastic return means, so as to be drawn by said abutment carriage (12) toward said workpiece (10) until an indentation load is reached which is predetermined by said elastic return means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An instrumented indentation machine (1), particularly for micro- and macro-indentation tests and conventional hardness tests, comprising a main frame (2) which defines a rigid structure having a substantially L-shaped geometric shape structure so as to define a worktop (3), designed to be oriented in space horizontally, and a supporting column (4), designed to be oriented in space vertically. The worktop (3) is provided with a table (5) which can move along two Cartesian axes (8, 9) which are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the worktop (3) and which is adapted to support the workpiece (10) on which a mechanical indentation or hardness test is to be performed, and the supporting column (4) is associated with means of measurement (11) of the mechanical test to be performed on the workpiece (10). An abutment carriage (12) is associated with the supporting column (4) so that it can slide along a loading direction (13) which is substantially normal to the worktop (3) and is associated with pusher means (14) for generating the load necessary to perform the mechanical test; - a main carriage (15) supports the tool (16) selected for the performance of the mechanical test. The main carriage (15) is associated in a floating manner with the abutment carriage (12) parallel to the loading direction (13) in contrast to and by virtue of the action of elastic return means, so as to be drawn by the abutment carriage (12) toward the workpiece (10) until an indentation load is reached which is predetermined by the elastic return means and beyond which the tool (16) receives, by virtue of engagement means (17), the load generated by the pusher means (14).