Time for a long overdue update!
A week ago my team performed some tensile testing of our support structure. This was done using an Instron type tensile testing machine. The part loaded up to just under 6,000lb of loading before the test fixture we made sheared the carbon. For the final part, an aluminum plate insert will be used to distribute the load and prevent the winch from tearing through under high loads. Other than the front face shear, there was no other damage to the part.
Part mounted in the test fixture:
Close up view of where the carbon sheared:
The mounting tabs that had previously been viewed as potentially problematic held up fine, so construction of a final part will continue very soon!
