An automated monitoring system for the production and measurement of metal fatigue

New equipment for producing and following the fatigue process, in metals, has been developed. The specimens, which must be in the shape of tuning forks, are resonated at high amplitudes. This is achieved by attaching small, powerful, samarium-cobalt magnets to the ends of the tynes, enabling them to be driven efficiently by a "U"-core electromagnet. A small, piezoceramic strain gauge provides a method of picking up the vibrations. To maintain resonance, the signal is used in a positive feedback loop, which incorporates an analogue multiplier to provide AGC. This also keeps the amplitude constant at any desired level, throughout the duration of an experiment.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Electrical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

1988

Author dc:creator

• Upton, David Mark

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Bell, J F W

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8324

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/8324