Upgrade for Sauter Crank test stand TVL [Tensile test]

Introduction

With this upgrade, the Sauter Crank test stand TVL can be used with a load cell and various attachments to test a wide range of samples.

The load cell is connected via an Arduino, which can then plot the measured force over time, for example.

You can see the whole thing in action in my videos about materials testing:

BOM

Note: this manual is currently under development

• Load Cell S-Type, I used this one: YZC-516C S Type (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• Arduino UNO + some wires
• HX711 load cell amplifier
• Printed parts
• The screws that came with the test stand
• 2x M4 x 20 mm
• M12 x 30 mm
• M12 x 35 mm

The above screws can vary by a few millimetres, they are only approximate values. 

Printing the parts

• Make sure to use a stiff material and high infill + perimeters

Assembly instructions

1. Fasten the load cell to "loadcell-holder-stl" with the M12 x 30 mm screw
2. Screw "loadcell-sample-holder.stl" with the M12 x 35 mm screw to the other end of the load cell
3. Put the two M4 screws into "loadcell-sample-holder.stl" and "block-sample-holder.stl"
4. Attach "block-sample-holder.stl" to the block, using the screws supplied for this purpose.
5. Place the load cell holder on the two silver rods and fasten the provided screws
    

Using Arduino and load cell

• Connect the load cell to the Arduino using the HX711 
• Calibrate the load cell according to these instructions
• Flash the provided code to the Arduino UNO and adjust the pins and enter your calibration factor

Happy material testing!