DESIGN OF THE LEVER AND REACTION BEAMS FOR THE UK TORQUE MACHINE

L. Marks, B. Greensmith, R. Sangster, F. A. Davis

Abstract

The IMEKO - XV, World Congress provided the opportunity to describe the design of the first UK national torque calibration machine. Torque is realised by a lever-deadweight system with the transducer under calibration mounted vertically. The vertical deadweight forces are converted to a horizontal torque using castored pulley bearings mounted on a reaction beam positioned underneath the lever beam. The two beams are of identical material construction, consisting of high modulus carbon fibre tubes with stainless steel end fittings and central boss.<BR />To provide confidence in the design and modelling of the composite lay-up to optimise material properties, a detailed finite element (FE) analysis of the lever beam and reaction beam were undertaken. The FE analysis considered the beam structures both singly and as a sub-assembly. The results predicted the deflection of the beam under self-weight and at the full torque application. In addition, the frequency responses of the beams and sub-assembly were analysed.<BR />During commissioning of the machine the lever beam and reaction beam deflections will be measured and the frequency response established to close the design loop with the FE analysis.

Keywords

2 kN·m static torque machine, FE analysis, Carbon fibre beams

Download

IMEKO-WC-2000-TC3-P088.pdf

DOI

-

IMEKO TC

TC3 - Measurement of Force, Mass, Torque, and Gravity

Back to the proceedings