Abstract: A capacitive strain gage assembly (10) for measuring strain in a component (40) includes a housing (12) attachable to the component (40) at a first location (42). The strain gage assembly (10) includes a first target sensor (24,26) and second target sensor (28,30) disposed in the housing (12). The strain gage assembly (10) also includes a sensor member (14) attachable to the component (40) at a second location (44) in movable relation to the housing (12). The sensor member (14) includes a sensor element (32) operable to transmit capacitive signals to the first and second target sensors (24,26,28,30). The sensor element (32) is disposed between the first and second target sensors (24,26,28,30). The strain gage assembly (10) may also be constructed using generally buckle resistant flexible materials for nonplanar strain measurement applications.

Abstract: A capacitive strain gage assembly (10) for measuring strain in a component (40) includes a housing (12) attachable to the component (40) at a first location (42). The strain gage assembly (10) includes a first target sensor (24,26) and second target sensor (28,30) disposed in the housing (12). The strain gage assembly (10) also includes a sensor member (14) attachable to the component (40) at a second location (44) in movable relation to the housing (12). The sensor member (14) includes a sensor element (32) operable to transmit capacitive signals to the first and second target sensors (24,26,28,30). The sensor element (32) is disposed between the first and second target sensors (24,26,28,30). The strain gage assembly (10) may also be constructed using generally buckle resistant flexible materials for nonplanar strain measurement applications.

Abstract: A system for forming sheet metal (118) is disclosed. The system comprises a support plate (102) that is coupled to a base (108) and has at least one side plate (104) adjacent thereto. A clamping mechanism (200) fixes the side plate (104) to the support plate (102) so sheet metal (118) can be formed.

Abstract: A strain gage assembly 10 includes a mounting substrate 12 having an adhesive surface 14 and a gage surface 16. The adhesive surface 14 of the mounting substrate 12 includes an adhesive layer 18 disposed thereon operable to affix the mounting substrate 12 to a component. The adhesive layer 18 is further operable to allow ready detachment of the mounting substrate 12 from the component. The gage surface 16 of the mounting substrate 12 includes a strain gage 20 disposed thereon. The mounting substrate 12 may be formed from a material operable to reduce a strain level received by the strain gage 20.

Abstract: The invention resides in a module used in conjunction with other such modules in an apparatus for rapidly producing an article having a three-dimensional design comprising a base, a plurality of translating members mounted on the base and the plurality of translating members movable relative thereto, the base is an interconnectable block of parallel drivetrain elements having a single input shaft and a series of parallel output shafts at right angles to the input shaft whose power flow to the output shafts is connected/disconnected electrically via electromagnetic clutches.

Abstract: A shadow Moire grille may be inexpensively produced by enlarging the lines of a master grille on an adjacently positioned photoreproduction MYLAR strip. By varying the ratio of magnification, the line density on the MYLAR strip may be quickly and accurately created. The created MYLAR grille is then vertically positioned against an abutting glass plate; and by evacuating the space therebetween, the MYLAR grille will maintain a vertical planar orientation as needed in a shadow Moire set-up.

Abstract: Photographic mapping of structural surfaces is accomplished by a projection Moire method. Deformations of the structure surface being investigated are zeroed out when under no load. This is accomplished by projecting a master grille pattern onto a test surface. The reflection then exposes a photographic plate. After the photographic plate is developed, it is repositioned in its original position and the distorted image thereon is projected back to the structure surface being investigated. It is then viewed from behind the master grille. By reprojecting the distorted image against the structure surface, the distortions on the photographic plate become reversed so that they appear at the recording station in coincidence with the master grille. Thus, any minor deformations of the structure surface produce no fringes at an observation point. As loading of the structure proceeds, the fringes will develop in proportion to buckling of the structure.

Abstract: The method of caustics employs a laser for illuminating an extended crack in stock sheet metallic material. A shadow area image is generated which has geometrical parameters which may be measured and applied to the calculation of stress intensity factor (K.sub.I). The variation of the shadow shape in response to specimen loading provides signatures corresponding with the degree and direction of residual stresses in the material adjacent a hole formed in the material. By determining stress-intensity factors and stress-intensity distributions, a higher degree of quality control for sheet stock material becomes possible in addition to allowing the assembling of such material in directions that will best counteract anticipated destructive external forces.