Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Bruce Kang

Abstract

In material nano- and micro-indentation research, Young's modulus can be obtained based on the initial unloading stiffness of the load-depth curve. The accurate load and displacement measurement as well as high precision position control of the indenter are needed to achieve the required measurement resolution. The application of PZT actuator is often used to perform the indentation experiment. However, conventional PZT controllers can only provide displacement control. Furthermore, each PZT actuator only serves a specific PZT controller using its unique calibration factor. Thus, it is beneficial to develop a controller, which can carry out both load and displacement control algorithm, and also applicable to different PZT actuators. Development of the load-controlled system will be the focus of this study. Valid experiment results of load-control design indentation application using microprocessor are presented in this thesis research.

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