Arm Test With Door Closer

Arm Test With Door Closer

Date: 3.6.17
Location: Logan HS
Goal: Test the tension and compression of the arm with screen door closers.
Students: Taren P.
Inst: Mr. Pitz and Mr. Johnston

Mr. Pitz wanted to see if screen door closers would work on the arm. He borrowed one from his Dad but the closer was pretty wore out. He then purchased two new ones that were rated for "Heavy Duty". We could not find a closing strength in pounds on them though. The closer did a nice job of making the action (up and down) very smooth. However, this needed to be counter balanced to offset the weight. The main problem was we did not feel we could increase the resistance of the closer enough to support the weight of the grinder. We could slow down the action by adjusting the closer, but that was it. We also tried to flip one of the closers around to counter the other one and that seemed to work better but still not enough. We may need to try out some spring tension here for the next test.

Bench test of door closer system. Not successful in current configuration.

Video showing the action of the arm with the closers.