Force, Weight, and Motion Measurement

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Force, Stress, and Strain

Topics: Units of force; Static forces; Elasticity; Strain gauges; Gauge factor; Gauge configurations; Other force-measuring devices

Learning Objectives:

• Define force, stress, strain, and deformation in terms of the English and SI units used for their measurement.
• Describe the relationship between stress and strain (Hooke's law).
• Describe the operation and construction of various kinds of strain gauges.
• Identify the electrical circuits used with strain gauges.
• Describe the piezoelectric effect and the capacitance mat and discuss typical applications.

Chapter 2: Weight and Mass Measurement

Topics: Weight vs. mass; Acceleration; Spring scales; Balances; Load cell scales; Hydraulic, LVDT, and pneumatic load cells; Batch scales

Learning Objectives:

• Define and compare weight and mass, including SI and English units.
• Explain the relationship between a mass and the acceleration of that mass.
• Discuss Newton's first law of motion.
• Describe spring scales, equal-arm balances, and unequal-arm balances.
• Discuss the operating principles governing load cells.
• Describe the operation and application of industrial batch scales.

Chapter 3: Weighing Materials in Motion

Topics: In-transit weights; Belt-scale systems; Roller scales; Nuclear scale operation; Radiation detectors; Weigh feeders

Learning Objectives:

• Name the parts of a belt scale and explain how a typical belt scale operates.
• Discuss the use of roller scales.
• Describe the scale comparison, calibration chain, and electronic integrator methods of calibrating in-transit scales.
• Explain how radiation detectors work and describe the operation of a nuclear scale.
• Describe how continuous weigh feeders operate and discuss typical applications.

Chapter 4: Position Measurements

Topics: Micrometers; Dial indicators; Potentiometers; Tracer systems; Variable-reluctance transducer; Proximity detection; Air gauging; Moving-coil transducer; LVDT gauge; Inspection gauging

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how micrometers and dial indicators are used to gauge an object and to make a position measurement.
• Explain how precision potentiometers, tracer systems, variable-reluctance transducers, and proximity detectors measure linear position.
• Describe how air gauging is used to measure inside and outside diameters.
• Discuss the operation and uses of LVDT gauge heads.
• Explain how typical rotary potentiometers, synchros, and code disks converters operate.
• Discuss applications for extensometers and full-field devices.

Chapter 5: Acceleration, Vibration, and Shock

Topics: Speed vs. velocity; Radar devices; Machine tool control; Linear and angular acceleration; Accelerometers; Vibration; Balancing machinery

Learning Objectives:

• Compare speed and velocity and calculate speed from distance and time.
• Explain how the accelerometer works.
• Contrast direct and indirect speed measurement and give examples of each.
• Discuss the operation of LVDT, potentiometric, and piezoelectric accelerometers.
• Describe the undesirable effects of vibration and discuss ways of preventing them.

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