CFI: HIGH FORCE TENSILE FRAME FOR MATERIALS TESTING

The proposed High Force Tensile Frame is part of the CFI grant “Canadian Technology Accelerator for Digital Transformation of Manufacturing ”; henceforth, “the grant”, and will support materials science and mechanical engineering research at the University of Waterloo. The short term purpose of the test frame will be to support the grant’s research into machining of gears, for which it must be able to handle testing of cutting tool materials, such as high strength steels (HSS) and carbides, as well as gear materials. Machining processes result in high rates of deformation of metals, thus the ability to achieve relatively high crosshead speeds, will be viewed favourably. In addition to supporting the grant, the medium and long term use of this system will be to support research in welding, joining and material characterization.