SE8913 Small Payload Center of Gravity

The SE8913 Small Payload Series for CG Measurement

• Measures 2-axis Center of Gravity (third axis can be measured by refixturing)
• Typical Accuracy with maximum weight part: ±0.005 inch
• Concept: Moment reading (measures CG only). A separate scale must be used to measure weight.
• Interface: 4.5 inch diameter rotary table with threaded inserts.

Calibration Standard: A precision weight is supplied to calibrate the instrument.

Test Fixture: A fixture is required to support the test object at a known location relative to the instrument. Since there is no motion during measurement, this can be a simple light-weight bracket. Contact our sales department for more details. We offer a number of standard fixtures.

Measurement Principle: This simplified drawing illustrates the basic theory of operation. A rotary table is mounted on a precision spindle bearing. Crossed web flexures provide a frictionless horizontal pivot axis. A torsion rod in line with this pivot axis creates a linear torsion spring around this axis. When the test part’s CG is displaced from the measurement axis, an unbalance moment is created, resulting in displacement of the LVDT mounted at the end of the moment arm. Rotating the test part 180 degrees on the rotary table eliminates systematic errors such as incorrect leveling, zero drift in the readout, or displacement of the rotary table axis from the pivot axis. Since the weight of the part is supported by the web flexure pivot and only the unbalance moment is sensed by the LVDT, high sensitivity is possible. The output of the LVDT is digitally filtered in the moment readout, which eliminates vibratory and other high frequency components. To measure CG offset, the operator rotates the table to 0° and records the value of unbalance moment. He then rotates the table to 180° and records a second moment. CG is computed by subtracting the two moment readings and dividing by the test part weight.