Patent ID: 6055867
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
Apparatus for non-destructively testing the stiffness of panels having opposed panel surfaces and ends comprising:a support framework;infeed, centre and outfeed support assemblies mounted to the framework in spaced, successive positions, each support assembly being adapted to contact the opposed panel surfaces of each panel to define a travel path along which the panel is advanced through the assembly;a first deflection member intermediate the infeed and centre support assemblies movable to contact one of the panel surfaces as each panel extends between the infeed and the centre support assemblies with one end of the panel being supported by the infeed support assembly and the opposite end being supported by the centre support assembly, the first deflection member acting to bend the panel to a first pre-determined curvature;a second deflection member intermediate the centre and outfeed support assemblies movable to contact the same one of the panel surfaces as each panel extends between the centre and the outfeed support assemblies with one end of the panel being supported by the centre support assembly and the opposite end being supported by the outfeed support assembly, the second deflection member acting to bend the panel to a second pre-determined curvature;load cells associated with the first and second deflection members to measure the force require to bend the panels to the pre-determined curvatures for calculation of the stiffness of the panels;whereby the infeed, centre and outfeed support assemblies are movable relative to each other to position the support assemblies such that the travel paths through the support assemblies define a generally ""C"" shaped path through the apparatus that accommodates the curvatures that each panel adopts in travelling through the apparatus.