CHARACTERISTICS OF A FORCE TRANSDUCER INCORPORATING A MECHANICAL DETF RESONATOR

The use of double-ended tuning fork (DETF) resonators as force transducers has, in recent years, been increased due to their inherent stability, low hysteresis and their virtually digital output. The transducer whose characteristics are described here was designed for a 50 N applied force. The results indicate the open-loop and closed-loop operation of the device, and the preferred method of drive and pick-up is described. The performance of the sensor is tested using a highly accurate dead-weight system. The results confirm the superior performance of the DETF resonator over the strain gauge in force measurements.