README.md

This is documentation for impact testing infrastructure, intended to measure peak acceleration and energy return of foam samples.

The specs for the test are a mass of 7.8 kg, traveling at 1 m/s, with an circular impact area of diameter of 4 cm.

<img src='impactor/release-design.png' height=250px>
<img src='pcb/impact-logger-layout.png' height=250px>
<img src='video/tracker.png' height=250px>

<a href='https://gitlab.cba.mit.edu/calischs/foam-impact/tree/master/impactor'>impactor/</a> contains design files for a release mechanism for the mass.  This is built around a solenoid and a push-button quick release pin (90985A311 from McMaster-Carr).

<a href='https://gitlab.cba.mit.edu/calischs/foam-impact/tree/master/pcb'>pcb/</a> contains design files and firmware for an embedded logging system using the ADXL372Z accelerometer.

<a href='https://gitlab.cba.mit.edu/calischs/foam-impact/tree/master/video'>video/</a> contains details of video analysis of the drop test.  For now, this is implemented with a Sony RX-100 IV camera shooting at 960 fps and the free software <a href='http://physlets.org/tracker/'>Tracker</a> to analyze acceleration profiles.