Abstract
This paper presents a 6 force component balance to be used in wind tunnel vehicle model tests. Several parallel plate force sensors were built in the balance, and strain gauges were used to measure strain caused by 6 force components of loads. 24 strain gauges were arranged to 6 full bridges. Each bridge outputs voltage in proportion to one of the 6 force components. Output gains were estimated through theoretical and FEM calculations. Calibration result shows that the balance realized high-linearity, small-crosstalk and small-hysteresis performance. Single component load calibration results agree with FEM estimations, and the sensitivity design process of 6 force component balance was established.
