Automated Tensile/Compression Tester
2 minutes read •
During my senior year of high school, I interned with Drake Labs in collaboration with Orbital Composites as part of my Science Research Program thesis. Drake Labs works at the intersection of biomechanics and advanced composite manufacturing, pushing the boundaries of how continuous carbon fiber can be shaped for ultra-lightweight, performance-driven wearables. I designed, machined, wired, and programmed a custom automated tensile/compression tester to measure deformation and load response in continuous carbon fiber (CCF) 3D-printed footwear.
Summary of Work
- Designed and fabricated an automated tensile/compression test rig for evaluating CCF structural performance.
- Machined steel structural components and adjustable mounting geometry in-house.
- Integrated a Raspberry Pi, 1320 lb linear actuator, 100 kg load cell, and custom enclosure.
- Developed control scripts to automate testing procedures using real-time load-cell feedback.
- Presented results through a formal research paper and poster at the yearly Science Research Fair.
Prototype Hardware
 Tensile Tester Structure |  LoreOne CCF Shoe Tested |
Results
- Successfully applied controlled tensile and compressive loads to characterize deformation behavior.
- Future improvement: integrate camera-based strain measurement for higher-resolution analysis.