Development of 3-Component Force Measurement Apparatus Using Zero-Compliance Mechanism

(2nd report: Experiment of Force Measurement)

Abstract

Zero-compliance mechanism is applied to force measurement. In the proposed measurement system, force is estimated from the displacement of a detection point without displacing the point of force. The efficacy was proved by an experimental apparatus that uses double series magnetic suspension. In addition, a 3-component force measurement appratus was fabricated which combines four single-axis measurement units, each of which uses parallel springs and a voice coil motor as an actuator. However, the accuracy of measurement was limited mainly because of some interaction among the four units. To solve such a problem, a new apparatus for 3-component force measurement is designed and fabricated. It has a common detection point for three components. Force measurements were carried out with the apparatus. The results show that 3-component forces were measured with a high resolution by the developed apparatus.