Pneumatic accelerator

This device is used for impact testing of structural components. By means of compressed air, a projectile with a mass in the range 20-50 kg can be accelerated to to velocities between 25m/s and 40m/s.

The impact velocity is measured using photocells located above the test specimen. The maximum diameter of the accelerator tube is 160 mm. During impact the interface force between the projectile and target is measured by means of strain gauges. Assuming the projectile as a rigid body, integration of the measured force time history makes it possible to generate the dynamic force displacement curve.

Components

The rig consists of :

• an accelerator tube (with an internal diameter of 160mm)
• which is connected to a compressed air chamber at the top, and
• a projectile which is designed to act as a piston inside the accelerator tube during testing.

The projectile consists of a central rod, a replaceable nose and is equipped with guides and an interchangeable mass.