Simple Connector Lab - Bearing/Compression Failure Test

Simple Connector Lab
This simple connector was designed by students at SDSU for an experiment. The connector is designed to break at a specific compressive force to obtain the ultimate bearing/compressive strength of the 3D printed material. From our testing we found the average ultimate bearing/compressive strength of 3D printed PLA to be 34.3 MPa (5000 psi).

To calculate the ultimate bearing/compressive strength of the material the follow equation can be used:

B = P / A

Where:

P = the load at which the specimen broke
-The connector is designed to break between 2.8 kgs to 3.0 kgs or 6.2 to 6.6 lbs

A = area of failure surface = (Thickness of layer below block)*(perimeter)
-The failure surface for the bearing/compressive connector is the area at the bottom of the small peg – The dimensions are designed to be 2 mm x 0.4 mm; however, you should measure the dimensions with a caliper to check these values.

This lab is designed to give students experience with basic eng