Design and Development of a Mini Tensile Test Machine to Enhance Teaching and Learning in Strength of Materials Laboratory

Abstract

This study presents the design and development of a Mini Tensile Test Machine (MiTTM) to enhance teaching and learning effectiveness in the Strength of Materials laboratory. The development was motivated by the unavailability of a functional conventional tensile testing machine, which limited students’ opportunities for hands-on experimental learning. To address this issue, a low-cost and compact MiTTM utilizing a NEMA 17 stepper motor and lead screw mechanism was developed for small-scale tensile testing applications. The study involved 25 Diploma Mechanical Engineering students, and a quantitative approach was employed using pre-test and post-test questionnaires based on a five-point Likert scale. Experimental validation was performed using thin dumbbell-shaped PLA specimens. The findings revealed significant improvements in students’ learning outcomes, with mean scores for understanding increasing from 2.39 to 4.62 and those for skills and confidence increasing from 2.62 to 4.57. Tensile testing results showed that the developed MiTTM successfully evaluated the mechanical behavior of PLA specimens, achieving an average maximum tensile load of 36.07 N and an average tensile stress of 18.03 N/mm². These results demonstrate that the proposed MiTTM is an effective, practical, and economical teaching aid that enhances students’ conceptual understanding, practical skills, and confidence while promoting experiential learning in engineering education.