Usage and Policies

Capstone Design Projects

The Mechanical Properties Characterization Facility (MPCF) is a multi-user facility with multiple pieces of equipment in use on a regular basis. Users include graduate students, undergraduate students, and industry partners. If your project may use MPCF equipment, please use the following guidelines to make sure you meet your project deadlines:

  1. All users - including senior Capstone Design project students - must submit a test proposal prior to equipment training and access to equipment. Please review the request guidelines and proposal templates.
  2. Often, Capstone Design experiments involve component testing or non-standard specimens. If your test does not conform to ASTM standards, please set up a meeting with the MPCF Research Engineer prior to submitting a test proposal.
  3. If you have questions about mechanical test setup, available grips, equipment capabilities, or questions about the test proposal forms, contact the MPCF Research Engineer.
  4. To allow for sufficient time to design your test, submit a proposal, have a test frame set up, and complete training on equipment, allow for 1 month between establishing interest in working in the MPCF and gaining access to the equipment to run your test program. A shorter time frame can not be guaranteed and you may not be able to complete your project deadline. 
  5. If you are not already trained on the MPCF test equipment you wish to use for your project, requests for equipment use with a timeframe of one week or shorter are not possible due to the multi-user nature of the MPCF. Please plan accordingly to meet your project deadline.