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4 months ago in Additive Manufacturing By Abhay R

Measuring Axial Load on a 3D-Printed Cylinder Using Strain Gauges

I have a cylindrical test specimen printed in PLA with a 0° raster orientation, and I've bonded a uniaxial strain gauge along the longitudinal axis. The standard hookean calibration assumes isotropic modulus, but I know FDM parts exhibit significantly different stiffness depending on print direction relative to load. I need to extract an accurate effective modulus from this specific orientation to convert my strain readings to meaningful load data.

 

All Answers (2 Answers In All)

By Vishwas Rao Answered 2 months ago

Yes, axial load can be measured using a strain gauge, but surface preparation is crucial. The layered surface of a 3D-printed part must be sanded smooth and thoroughly cleaned to ensure proper adhesive bonding and accurate strain transfer to the gauge.

By Akash Answered 1 month ago

Yes, you can get accurate readings, but the real challenge isn't the strain gauge, it's the 3D-printed part itself. Surface roughness, inconsistent material density between layers, and anisotropic behavior mean the strain your gauge picks up might not evenly represent the actual load. It works best if you print a smooth, flat bonding surface, use annealed parts, and calibrate carefully. Definitely doable, just not as clean as testing a machined metal cylinder.

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