Thermal Conductivity Test Fixture
Insulated and Flow Optimized Structure
Engineering Principles Studied:
|
Software Utilized:
|
Tools Utilized:
|
Main Objective:
To create a test fixture used to hold a 6"x3"x0.5" aluminum test specimen in a wind tunnel for experimental testing.
To create a test fixture used to hold a 6"x3"x0.5" aluminum test specimen in a wind tunnel for experimental testing.
Background:
Some material properties such as thermal conductivity can only be determined empirically. For this reason, a test fixture must be created in order to support the specimen in the configuration, orientation, and location in which the experiment is to be carried out. In order to measure the thermal properties of the material, it was desired that the test specimen be placed in a well insulated container with only one side exposed to ambient air. For additional testing, the experiment was to be carried out in a wind tunnel environment. |
Results:
- Determined the temperatures, conditions, and configuration of the test specimen and wind tunnel.
- Determined that MDF would be the best material to build the structure for the given constraints.
- Foam was to be used for the insulation due to its extremely low thermal conductivity properties.
- Designed a fixture in SolidWorks 3D CAD.
- Ran Computational Flow Dynamics (CFD) to ensure smooth and even flow over the test specimen.
- Modify the design to improve flow characteristics.
- Cut the pieces on the ShopBot CNC router. Cut the insulating material using the Laser Cutter.
- Assembled the final structure.