Traceable Force Metrology for Micronewton Level Calibration

Published

October 1, 2004

Author(s)

Jon R. Pratt, Richard Seugling

Abstract

The research presented in this abstract concerns the calibration and implementation of a prototype secondary force standard to disseminate the SI (Syst?me International d''unit?s) unit of force ranging from 5.0 mN to 5.0 mN. The elastic-force measuring device under consideration combines an elastic member packaged between two outer electrodes providing a capacitance-based load detection scheme. Transfer standards of this nature are primarily envisaged for use as a means of calibrating probe force apparatus such as instrumented indention machines, but may also be utilized for mechanisms like coordinate measuring machine scanning probes. The unit of force is derived from mass (kg) and acceleration (mxs-2), generally due to gravity, which is traceable to SI units through the definitions of mass, length and time. However, SI traceability through conventional mechanical units is difficult to achieve at forces smaller than micronewtons, primarily due to the uncertainties of mass artifacts at milligram levels, among other more practical difficulties including sample preparation, contamination and handling. Alternative approaches for establishing traceable small force standards are currently under investigation at NIST [], PTB [] and NPL [], though such approaches are outside the scope of methods considered here.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the American Society for Precision Engineering 19th Annual Meeting

Conference Dates

October 24-29, 2004

Conference Location

Orlando, FL, USA

Conference Title

American Society for Precision Engineering 19th Annual Meeting

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

calibration, metrology, small force, traceable

Citation

Pratt, J. and Seugling, R. (2004), Traceable Force Metrology for Micronewton Level Calibration, Proceedings of the American Society for Precision Engineering 19th Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, USA (Accessed April 26, 2024)