Cantilever Beam Used to move
Electronic Parts

A mechanical assembly system moves sensitive electronic parts from one location to another using a small cantilever beam. The beam has two sections as shown in the diagram. The electronic parts will only be located on the extended section of the beam. The deflection of the beam tip is critical in the assembly process.

What is known:

• A solid steel beam supports electronic parts over half of the beam.
• The parts have an average weight per area of 0.04 N/mm².
• The steel stiffness, E, is 200 GPa.
• The two beam parts are rigidly connected.
• The beam is attached to the delivery mechanism and the connection can be assumed to be fixed.

What is the deflection of the beam tip?

• Modify the area load to a linear load.
• Determine the moment of inertia and the moment equations for both beam sections.
• Identify the boundary conditions.
• Integrate the moment equations to find the deflection equations.