Print-A-Punch: A 3D printed device to cut dumbbell-shaped specimens from soft tissue for tensile testing.

ABSTRACT: The failure behavior and mechanical properties of soft tissue can be characterized by conducting uniaxial tensile tests on small sectioned specimens, called test coupons. An ideal coupon geometry for tensile testing is a dumbbell shape (dog-bone), yet the cost and time required to fabricate custom steel punches to cut dumbbell-shaped coupons has hindered their universal application in biomechanics research. In this study, we developed an economical and reliable cutting device that can extract dumbbell-shaped coupons from soft biological tissue. The novel device, called Print-A-Punch, uses three-dimensional (3D) printed components in combination with standard fasteners and replaceable flexible razors. We identified design factors that influence the dimensional accuracy and symmetry of elast

SUBMITTER: Nelson SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8519300 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature