TWI has offered its Industrial Members the facility of on-site strain measurement for over 40 years, and many have taken advantage of it.
One company, already aware of the advantages of experimental stress analysis, called in TWI to evaluate a prototype rough terrain vehicle. Sixty-one strain gauges were attached to the machines at critical locations and a comprehensive programme of test manoeuvres was carried out, both at the factory and in the local quarry. Static and dynamic strain data were recorded and analysed back at TWI. Areas of high and low stress were quickly identified together with the machine operations that produced the stresses.
Furthermore, TWI performed a comprehensive fatigue analysis. Fatigue is one of the worst enemies of rough terrain handlers. Experimental analysis minimises the risk of fatigue failure by allowing real service loading data to be collected from a real machine - generally much more reliable than theoretically-produced data. Any areas identified as high risk can be redesigned before production begins, thus avoiding expensive modifications and recalls, and improving product reliability and customer confidence.
As well as providing the strain gauge service, TWI is always on call to help and advise in related areas such as general design, production methods and of course, welding.
For information about TWI's capabilities please contact us.