HBM increases calibration capability to 5 MN

HBM has introduced a new calibration machine for forces up to 5 MN at its DKD (German Calibration Service) laboratory in Darmstadt. The machine means that the laboratory can now calibrate force transducers from 2.5 N up to 5 MN on site.

The German Calibration Service – in conjunction with experts from HBM and the German Metrology Institute, the PTB - has attested the calibration machine as having a measurement uncertainty of only 0.02% of the measured value. The maximum permissible force of 5 MN corresponds to a mass of about 500 t; by contrast a 200 m long ICE3 train has a mass of about 400 t.

A hydraulic power unit generates the forces required for calibration in the machine. During calibration, signals from the force transducer under calibration are compared to the machine’s integrated reference transducer. The new machine has been specially designed to produce the huge maximum force and calibrates both compressive and tensile force transducers.

The latest machine strengthens HBM’s leading role in force calibration and backed by its many years of experience since the calibration laboratory became the first to be accredited by German Calibration Service in 1977.

HBM provides customers with a complete measurement chain including products and services for force measurements. The company offers integrated solutions ranging from force transducers through a comprehensive range of amplifiers and software. Calibration undertaken in a properly accredited laboratory ensures that HBM can provide a complete measurement service to its customers.

More information at www.hbm.com/calibration.