Column-type multi-component force transducers and their evaluation for dynamic measurement

We describe the dynamic evaluation of multi-component force–moment transducers. Two of these transducers, which can measure three force components, Fx, Fy and Fz, and three moment components, Mx, My and Mz, were developed. One has a solid cylindrical sensing element and the other has a hollow cylindrical shape. They were calibrated statically with a force–moment calibration machine in the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany. We evaluated the dynamic characteristics of the force–moment transducers by using a shaker system and a multi-channel dynamic analyser system. The frequency range of the normal force component Fz is very wide up to 1 kHz, the test frequency in this study. However, the frequency ranges for the transverse force components and moment components are restricted to about 200 Hz and 130 Hz respectively. The column-type force–moment transducer has a high stiffness and so its frequency range is wider than that of a binocular-type force–moment transducer.