Design Tool for Compression Testing of Small Samples

[Andromeda1992]

TL;DR Summary

I need to design a tool to appropriately position and align my compression samples

Hello all,

I am looking for some design ideas. I need to do some compression testing and here is my testing platens:

The platens are small (5mm*5 mm) and my samples are even smaller with the cross section of 3mm*2.4mm, so it would be difficult to both position them within the platens and align them with the center of the platens. I need to design a simple tool like a jig or something to help me position and align my samples. I can print that with a 3D printer. Does anyone have any design idea for such a tool. I'd really appreciate your ideas.

 

[berkeman]

Welcome to PF.

What material(s) will your samples be made of? Ferrous or non-ferrous?

It looks like the right platen is stationary, so you could make a small magnetic clip that sits on the top surface of the right platen and holds the sample either magnetically or with a dab of adhesive. You can then position the clip left-right to put the sample against the right platen surface, and you can have some sort of up-down adjustment as part of the clip's sample holding mechanism.

 

[DaveE]

Only half joking here. How complex are your requirements?

 

[jrmichler]

More ideas:

1) Stick the sample in place with cyanoacrylate glue.

2) Cut a (rectangular?) hole in a sheet of paper/plastic/rubber/thin sheet of something, press the sample into the hole, clamp the thin sheet in a larger fixture to position the sample.

3) Superglue the side of the sample to the end of a rod. Clamp the rod in an external fixture.