Final Design

For the current dynamometer the inner hole diameter was increased to 1.5 inches to reduce the octagon�s wall thickness. These thin walls help to amplify the signal read by the strain gauges by allowing the dynamometer to be flexible. The octagon�s faces are .7 inches long, which provides an excellent mounting surface for strain gauges. Like the prototype, we used a Bridgeport Mill to create the final product out of a solid block of 6061-T6 aluminum. Extreme care had to be taken when milling out the 1.5 inch diameter holes of the octagon. The faces of the octagon were filed and sanded to a smooth surface finish for proper mounting of the strain gauges. A mounting plate was made to firmly secure the base of the dynamometer to the mill. A plexiglass splashguard was then fashioned to shield the strain gauges and cables from the coolant of the mill.

Close-Up View of Force Dynamometer