Calibrate a Wireless Force-Acceleration Sensor

Improve the accuracy of the Wireless Force-Acceleration Sensor by calibrating its force sensor.

Before you start

Calibrating the force sensor of the Wireless Force-Acceleration Sensor will require the following supplies:

• A 1 kilogram (kg) mass
• The hook attachment provided with the sensor
• A horizontally mounted support rod to hold the sensor

Calibration

1. Screw the hook attachment into the Wireless Force-Acceleration Sensor; this will connect the hook to the internal force sensor, allowing force measurements to be collected.

2. Mount the sensor to the support rod as shown in the diagram below. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the sensor in place.

   

3. Connect the sensor to Capstone.

4. Click in the Tools palette to open the Calibration tool.
5. Select Force from the list of measurements to calibrate, then click Next.

6. Select Two Standards (2 point) from the list of calibration types, then click Next.

   

7. Hang the 1 kg mass from the hook attachment on the sensor.

8. The force on the sensor is now -9.8 newtons (N). Enter -9.8 into the Standard Value box, then click Set Current Value to Standard Value.
9. Remove the mass from the hook attachment. The force on the sensor is now 0 N.

10. Enter 0 into the Standard Value box, then click Set Current Value to Standard Value.

    

11. Review the new calibration, then click Finish.