Material properties of TETRIX for demonstration equipment

In order to design and manufacture the demonstration equipment for an automatic control theory, we focus on the strength of a MAX channels made of the aluminum alloy in expansion kit TETRIX of LEGO MindStorms. The tensile test and bending test were carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of the MAX channel and, notice on the design of the MAX channel subjected to combined load of bending and torsion was discussed. 0.2% proof stress and Young's modulus obtained by tensile test were 174[MPa] and 76[GPa], respectively. 0.2% proof stresses obtained by bending test was 137[MPa]. The relationship between critical bending load and critical torque of the center of the tensile side at the yield of the MAX channel was calculated.