Reconditioning of a Satec 60WHVL universal machine for educational purposes

An Instron universal testing machine (UTM) was made operational for educational proposes on a low budge, at the Mazatlán campus of the National Institute of Technology of Mexico (TecNM). The machine was inactive for 27 years due to the lack of funds for repairs and calibration. This UTM is needed to undertake essential practices in engineering careers offered by the institution. In addition to its repair its reconditioning represented the redesign of three components: 1) the clamping system, 2) the general data collection system, and 3) the computer program. It is noted that redesigns 2 and 3 were carried out with the objective of enabling the staff at the institute to perform repairs and calibration on the data acquisition system as well as providing maintenance to the electromechanical system. This significantly reduce costs both for its current commissioning and future maintenance, since the original components, supplier assistance, and calibration services are difficult for the institution to afford. The machine is currently operational for experimental tests undertaken in the modules of Mechanics of Materials and Mechanical Design, which are being taught to more than 150 students per semester.