A microscope mounting system includes a sample holder shaped and configured to fit a particular horizontal microscope stage and fix one end of a soft material sample. A blade holder configured to position a cutting blade and connect directly or eventually to the particular microscope or a frame of the particular microscope. A load measurement device is configured to determine a load applied to the cutting blade. A precision adjustment assembly sets positioning of the cutting blade in the horizontal x-y plane and the z vertical plane such that a cutting edge of the cutting blade can be positioned at a focal point of the particular microscope. At least two grips are configured to grip a second end of the soft material sample at at least two discrete locations on opposite sides of the cutting blade when the blade contacts the soft material sample at the focal point. A tension mechanism can apply tension in the x-y plane to each of the at least two grips.

A microscope mounting system includes a sample holder shaped and configured to fit a particular horizontal microscope stage and fix one end of a soft material sample. A blade holder configured to position a cutting blade and connect directly or eventually to the particular microscope or a frame of the particular microscope. A load measurement device is configured to determine a load applied to the cutting blade. A precision adjustment assembly sets positioning of the cutting blade in the horizontal x-y plane and the z vertical plane such that a cutting edge of the cutting blade can be positioned at a focal point of the particular microscope. At least two grips are configured to grip a second end of the soft material sample at at least two discrete locations on opposite sides of the cutting blade when the blade contacts the soft material sample at the focal point. A tension mechanism can apply tension in the x-y plane to each of the at least two grips.

A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.

A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.

A system and method for performing a tear test are described herein. The system may include a fixed clamping station configured to hold a first portion of a film specimen and a movable clamp coupled to an actuator, the movable clamp may be configured to hold a second portion of the film specimen. The movable clamp may be configured to move in a direction away from the fixed clamping station to tear the film specimen. The system may include a slitter blade configured to cut the film specimen at a location between the fixed clamping station and the movable clamp. The system may include a load cell coupled to one of the fixed clamping station and the movable clamp. The load cell may be configured to measure a force associated with tearing of the film specimen. The actuator may be configured to manipulate the movable clamp along a trajectory.

This patent studies a scale-span modeling method to simulate the structural mechanical responses and dynamic progressive failure behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) in drilling. Firstly, considering the different mechanical behaviors of fiber and matrix in micro state, a three-dimensional multi-scale dynamic progressive damage evolution model based on micro failure theory is proposed. Based on the degradation elastic parameters of microcomponent in typical volume element model, a new damage evolution model of fiber and resin matrix and an auxiliary deletion criterion of failure element are proposed. Secondly, the relationship between the macro stress and the micro stress of representative volume element in the composite model is established by using the stress amplification factor. Combined with the bilinear cohesion element model, the damage behavior of the composite in and between layers under the cutting action of dagger drill is simulated.

A system includes a carrier assembly, a replacement tool movably supported by the carrier assembly, and a sensor configured to capture sensor data associated with a wear part removably connected to a rotatable drum. The system also includes a controller configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor, and identify the wear part using the sensor data. In such a system, the carrier assembly is configured to move the replacement tool such that an axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with an axis of the wear part. Additionally, the replacement tool is configured to remove the wear part from the drum while the axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with the axis of the wear part.

A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.

A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.

A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor array comprising a plurality of AE sensors, the plurality of AE sensors configured to measure a plurality of acoustic signals generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the plurality of acoustic signals, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.