This project involved the reverse engineering of a flat spring used in the vibrato or “whammy bar” system of Parker Fly electric guitars. These springs fail in service and are no longer manufactured, leaving a potential market of 60,000 guitars in need of springs. The team investigated the mode of failure of the original springs. SEM analysis did not show any signs of fatigue, but ANSYS analysis and calculations showed buckling to be a potential mode of failure. Hardness testing showed that the original springs were harder than specification. The team designed and manufactured a testing rig as well as a die to produce springs that can be tested by guitarists.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Burkes, Katherine
• Delaney, Lanna
• Fauerbach, Andrew

Subject

• Innovation
• Community

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042822-114614
• 65211

Advisor

• Manzo, V J
• Levey, Fiona

Year

• 2022

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
• 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Date created

• 2022-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright