Traceable Dynamic Calibration of Force Transducers by Primary Means

Area of Science:

• Metrology and Measurement Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Instrumentation and Sensor Technology

Background:

• Accurate dynamic calibration of force transducers is crucial for reliable measurements in various engineering applications.
• Existing methods for dynamic force calibration often face limitations in traceability and accuracy, especially at higher frequencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel apparatus for traceable, dynamic calibration of force transducers.
• To demonstrate the system's capability in performing accurate dynamic calibrations up to 2 kHz.

Main Methods:

• Utilized harmonic excitation to generate a dynamic force based on Newton's second law (F=ma).
• Measured acceleration using primary means via laser interferometry for high precision.
• Quantified and analyzed all significant sources of uncertainty, including dynamic tilting effects.

Main Results:

• Successfully performed dynamic calibrations of shear-web-type force transducers up to 2 kHz.
• Achieved an expanded uncertainty below 1.2 % for the calibration measurements.
• Provided a comprehensive uncertainty budget, addressing key factors like dynamic tilting.

Conclusions:

• The developed apparatus offers a traceable and accurate method for dynamic force transducer calibration.
• The system demonstrates robust performance and low uncertainty, suitable for demanding applications.
• Understanding and mitigating dynamic tilting is essential for improving harmonic force calibration accuracy.