Precision force transducer for international comparison measurements on force standard machines

International comparison measurements performed on the force standard machines of national metrological institutes require standards in the form of force transducers which must possess qualities that can satisfy the very highest demands.

International comparison measurements performed on the force standard machines of national metrological institutes require standards in the form of force transducers which must possess qualities that can satisfy the very highest demands. Due to the unavoidable interaction between the force standard machine and the comparison standard, the force transducer output signal must not be affected by slight inclinations of the force application and supporting surfaces.

The force transducer described in this article possesses a rotationally symmetrical measuring element to which a total of 48 strain gages are bonded. For the first time it is possible to perform creep correction even after the force transducer has been manufactured and is ready for use.

The article also discusses in detail the measurements for examining the repeatability, the effect of the mounting position and the non-axial application of load. The error effects relevant to comparison measurements were found to be within a tolerance of 0.002 %.