Multicomponent force transducer calibration procedure using tilted plates

Calibration of MFTs strictly depends on the range of the applied transversal forces. From 0 N to an upper limit of 1 kN, it is possible to use two graduate rotating tables combined with a mass able to generate an accurate vertical force [1]. To increase this range to the meganewton range, side loads are usually generated with systems based on pulleys, while moments are obtained with torque measurement structures [2]. At the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), a FSM able to apply and read all force and moment components was developed [3]. In particular a different system for the application of side loads and torque moment was realised, each one with its advantages and disadvantages. Most of MFTs are composed of multiple force/moment outputs, each one dedicated to a single component. Nevertheless every output generally does not only depend on the relevant measured component. Therefore, a MFT calibration system should combine force and moment components in order to verify the exact correlation between them and, at the same time, should fit every type of FSM. In this work, a calibration method using tilted plates, which guarantees the simultaneous generation of force and moment components, is presented. Measurements performed at INRiM, PTB and LNE are compared in order to evaluate the correlation between the MFT outputs.