Desarrollo de una prensa para pruebas estáticas y dinámicas de elementos ortopédicos y tejidos biológicos Developing a press for static and dynamic testing of orthopedic devices and biological tissue

This paper describes designing and constructing a test machine having a 1,800 N capacity and maximum 3 Hz frequency which will be used in static and dynamic testing of biological tissues and orthopedic devices such as external fixers. It consists of an octagonal base with 500 mm distance between faces and a crosshead which slides between two columns (useful 350 mm opening) thus allowing changing the height (maximum 600 mm) according to the size of the specimen to be tested. A ball screw actuator is mounted over the crosshead which transforms a servomotor’s rotating movement into a lineal movement (maximum 150 mm stroke). First validations indicated that the machine performed within the design parameters. This project shows that the technology required for supporting research is possible in developing countries thereby avoiding dependence on foreign companies for supporting, maintaining and updating equipment. Some conditions were also produced for the evolution of mechanical engineering in Colombia.