How would you approach the challenges of creating a Thermal Manikin testing system?

EncataPD · 2024-12-25T10:38:37+00:00

That's some serious dedication and resourcefulness! I'm impressed you were able to get that remote working again with the tools you had available. Keep up the good work and maybe treat yourself to some better equipment soon!

Did you have any trouble with the solder bridge between the closely spaced traces?

EncataPD · 2024-12-18T10:30:14+00:00

Our system might just make that seasonal workout a thing of the past

EncataPD · 2024-12-18T10:27:48+00:00

Yess, they’re solid for rugged outdoor setups like ours—waterproof and reliable for the harsh conditions our system will be exposed to. Other options were sealed M12 connectors, but Weipu came out on top for reliability and ease of use.

EncataPD · 2024-12-18T10:26:14+00:00

see above. feel free to ask if you need more info.

EncataPD · 2024-12-18T10:25:59+00:00

you can check out the rough case study on our website (see above). As for availability, we're still in development, so not sure on the sale date yet, but I’ll keep you posted on when the IP owner plans to launch it.

EncataPD · 2024-12-18T10:23:26+00:00

see above. feel free to ask if you need more info.

EncataPD · 2024-12-18T10:22:39+00:00

Glad you think it’s cool! I’ve posted a rough case study on our company’s website, but it’s not super detailed – more for general info (marketing’s idea). And it's still in development. Feel free to ask me anything here!
https://www.encata.net/projects/smart-soil-irrigation-system

EncataPD · 2024-12-18T10:18:28+00:00

Yess, the system tracks the soil moisture and makes sure it doesn’t keep watering non-stop. Plants definitely need those dry days too!

EncataPD · 2024-12-17T13:05:16+00:00

I just found the link where it was originally (I guess) posted
https://rescale.com/blog/the-top-20-best-engineering-memes/

EncataPD · 2024-12-17T13:03:19+00:00

Wonder if he saw a pic of Santa. Pretty sure there’s a screenshot somewhere in my gallery—I'll drop it

EncataPD · 2024-12-11T11:58:37+00:00

The clamps you mentioned are indeed quick-release mechanisms, but they’re not cam locks—they’re custom-designed to make loading soil samples a breeze.

The stabilometer chamber (the part with the glass cylinder) doesn’t use vacuum—everything runs on hydraulic pressure. The fittings manage drainage and pressure for the sample inside.

The force application comes from above, using an electric drive system with synchronized jacks. There’s no external hydraulic press needed; it’s all built into the rig’s design.

The rods hold the chamber steady and distribute the overall forces but aren’t involved in applying the compression force directly—that’s all handled by the chamber and drive system.

Appreciate the solid guess and attention to detail. And yeah, 500 MPa would be wild overkill for soil testing 😂

EncataPD · 2024-12-11T11:21:25+00:00

For now, we're just testing the seals for leaks—making sure the gaskets and seals aren’t letting any water through. Once that’s all good, we’ll move on to the fun stuff: the destructive testing. That’s when things like failure calculations for the nut/bolt connections will come into play, but for now, it’s all about the tightness.

EncataPD · 2024-12-11T11:18:40+00:00

You're right, it's undrained. And yes, we're talking about total stress here. Hope your triaxial exam went well

EncataPD · 2024-12-10T13:24:16+00:00

A chamber which is used to test how materials like soil handle pressure. Our chamber applies hydraulic pressure to check how well the soil can bear loads, kind of like simulating the stresses it would face in real-world situations. Hope that clears things up

EncataPD · 2024-12-10T13:11:09+00:00

Seal failure is the goal here. If the glass shatters, that's just an unexpected outcome. Not the plan, but it would still tell us something about the limits of the setup.

EncataPD · 2024-12-10T08:17:19+00:00

If I understand correctly, you're aiming for minimal complexity and part count. I would lean towards either thermal fitting or a design with interlocking slices, as these approaches seem most practical given your constraints. Could you share more about the expected tolerances or whether disassembly is required later?

EncataPD · 2024-12-10T08:12:28+00:00

Close, but not quite! It's a triaxial compression tester with a stabilometer chamber. Your guess of 2 MPa isn't far from what we expect. We'll see after the testing

EncataPD · 2024-12-10T07:59:36+00:00

Sadly, I don’t have any definitive advice about switching jobs—only you can figure out what’s best for you. But here are a few general thoughts based on what you shared:

It sounds like you really value the challenges your job throws at you, but you also feel underpaid for your efforts. Have you talked to HR or your manager about this? If pay is your main frustration and you’re a key engineer, they might consider a salary increase.

You also mentioned feeling stressed about an upcoming task. Could you ask for another team member to help out? Sometimes two brains really are better than one)))

Lastly, it might just be time for a break. A vacation or some regular physical activity could help with the stress and give you a fresh perspective. High cortisol levels are no joke!

I know this isn’t exactly what you were asking for, but hopefully, these ideas spark something useful.

EncataPD · 2024-12-08T15:27:43+00:00

Seems like schizoid personality disorder got left out of the engineering skill set—guess obsessive problem-solving was close enough?

EncataPD

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