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Instrument Calibration

Instrument Calibration

Instrument calibration is essential for ensuring that instruments produce accurate and consistent results. It is vital in manufacturing, healthcare, testing laboratories, and scientific research. Calibration processes are specific to each instrument and help enhance data accuracy. Each instrument has a unique calibration process tailored to its design and function to improve data accuracy.
Analytical Balance Calibration
An analytical balance measures mass and requires regular calibration to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

Published on: August 30, 2016

A simple method for calibrating force plates and force treadmills using an instrumented pole.

Steven H Collins¹, Peter G Adamczyk, Daniel P Ferris

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. shc@umich.edu

|August 30, 2008

Summary

We developed a new Post-Installation Least-Squares (PILS) calibration method to significantly reduce errors in force plate measurements. This technique improves accuracy for forces, moments, and center of pressure, crucial for biomechanical research.

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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

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Published on: August 30, 2016

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Published on: June 4, 2020

Substantiating Appropriate Motion Capture Techniques for the Assessment of Nordic Walking Gait and Posture in Older Adults

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Published on: May 12, 2016

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Instrumentation
Experimental Methods

Background:

Force plate calibration is critical for accurate biomechanical analysis.
Errors can arise from improper installation, such as treadmill integration, affecting force, moment, and center of pressure (CoP) data.
Existing calibration methods may be complex or less effective.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel, simplified calibration method, Post-Installation Least-Squares (PILS), for force plates.
To reduce errors in force plate measurements caused by installation artifacts.
To improve the accuracy of force, moment, and CoP data in biomechanical studies.

Main Methods:

The PILS method combines motion capture and an instrumented pole to apply reference loads.
Reference loads are applied manually at arbitrary locations and directions.
A linear calibration matrix is derived from reference and force plate data to minimize errors.

Main Results:

The PILS calibration reduced force errors by over 20% and moment errors by over 60%.
Center of pressure errors decreased by 63% for standard force plates and 91% for force treadmills.
The method demonstrated comparable error reduction to more complex techniques.

Conclusions:

The PILS calibration offers a simple yet effective solution for improving force plate accuracy.
The use of an instrumented pole allows for efficient and versatile load application.
This method enhances data reliability for biomechanical research, particularly with integrated systems like force treadmills.