Abstract
A new high precision six-axis load cell is presented in two companion papers. The first paper (this one) is focused on the presentation of the load cell, the conceptual design, the modelling and the embodiment design. The second paper refers to the error analysis, the construction and the experimental assessment of the performances. The new load cell is able to measure the three components of both a force and a moment acting on the load cell itself. The sensing structural element of the six-axis load cell is basically a three spoke structure. Strain gauges are conveniently located on highly stressed areas. The sensing structural element is constrained to the frame of the load cell by means of special joints conceived to avoid friction. The mechanical behaviour of the load cell is described by means of analytical equations that allow a quick preliminary design focused on the given technical specifications. A finite element model has been used to asses the mechanical behaviour of the load cell.
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Abbreviations
- F :
-
vector of forces and moments acting at the load cell centre
- Ε b :
-
vector of the strains \( {\varepsilon_{i\left( {1 = 1, \ldots, 6} \right)}} \)
- C b :
-
load cell calibration matrix
- T :
-
vector of reaction forces at the three joints N i , \( {T_{i\left( {i = 1,2,3} \right)}} \)
- ΔV :
-
vector of the output voltages \( \Delta {V_{i\left( {i = 1, \cdots, 6} \right)}} \) at the Wheatstone bridges
- K :
-
gauge factor
- V :
-
excitation voltage at the Wheatstone bridges
- L :
-
spoke length
- M i :
-
calibration matrix
- M tst :
-
calibration matrix (statically determined structure)
- M e :
-
experimental calibration matrix
- M thp :
-
calibration matrix (quasi-statically determined structure)
- k a :
-
joint axial stiffness
- k rx /k ry :
-
joint radial stiffnesses
- k t :
-
joint torsional stiffness
- k bt /k b :
-
joint bending stiffnesses
- k x /k y /k z :
-
load cell interface stiffnesses
- S :
-
vector of the internal forces and moments acting at the spoke tips
- δ i :
-
displacements and rotations at a spoke tip
- R t (α) :
-
rotation matrix
- A(ω) :
-
Inertance—transfer function acceleration/force
- h :
-
distance between a strain gauge and the spoke tip (see Fig. 4)
- h z :
-
distance between a strain gauge and the three spoke structure centre (see Fig. 4)
- ν :
-
vector of the bending moments acting on the six strain gauge bridges
- ν tst :
-
vector of the bending moments—statically determined structure
- ν thp :
-
vector of the bending moments—quasi-statically determined structure
- χ :
-
load cell sensitivity matrix
- χ tst :
-
statically determined structure sensitivity matrix
- χ trj :
-
rigid joints model sensitivity matrix
- χ trs :
-
rigid spokes model sensitivity matrix
- δν :
-
error on the strain (bending) measurements
- δχ :
-
error on the sensitivity matrix
- :
-
Note: bold symbol refers to a vector or a matrix
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Appendix
Appendix
Analytical expressions of the 18 internal forces and moments acting at the 3 spoke tips (rigid disk considered in the model):
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Mastinu, G., Gobbi, M. & Previati, G. A New Six-axis Load Cell. Part I: Design. Exp Mech 51, 373–388 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-010-9355-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-010-9355-1