SAIP2015

Characteristics and function of the South African national measuring standard for force.

3 Jul 2015, 11:30

20m

Oral Presentation Track F - Applied Physics Applied

Speaker

Mr Sipho Dlamini (National Metrology Institute of South Africa)

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

Yes

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD, N/A)?

No

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

No

Please indicate whether<br>this abstract may be<br>published online<br>(Yes / No)

Yes

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

Corne Gouws cgouws@nmisa.org National Metrology Institute of South Africa

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>

This paper describes the force comparator machine by which a national measuring standard for force is established. The design of the machine is described focusing on the mechanical structure of the force comparator. High-precision strain gauge load cells are at the heart of the force comparator machine. Characteristics of these force measuring devices are discussed. The process of calibration of load cells for industry using the comparator machine is explained and it is shown that it can be carried out to uncertainties as low as 0.03%.