To develop the current design, we ran several design iterations using the ANSYS finite element package. The FEA analysis showed that the first design would be too rigid and would produce poor results. It was apparent from the FEA analysis that the walls were too thick to yield a sensitive measuring device. Therefore, for the current dynamometer, the inner hole diameter was increased to 1.5 inches. This increase in the diameter would reduce the octagon’s wall thickness. These thin walls would help amplify the signal from the strain gauges by allowing the dynamometer to be flexible. The figure below displays the excellent flexibility in the walls of the pentagon. Finally, once the group was satisfied with the FEA results the dynamometer was manufactured.
ANSYS Stress Analysis of Dynamometer with 2 lb Normal Force
