Level 2 Industrial Case Study: Chainsaw
For many products, mechanical performance is important and must be considered during their design. For certain applications, it might be possible to find polymers that are competitive, particularly in terms of cost, weight and corrosion resistance. In this Case Study, we look at materials for a lightweight blade of a chainsaw. It includes deriving performance indices for a stiffness-limited design. We also take durability and cost considerations into account and reflect on the materials of a real chainsaw blade in a reality check. There is a set of student exercises to accompany this case.
