Impact response evaluation of a force sensor

A method for evaluating impact response of force transducers is described. In the method, a mass is made to collide with a force transducer and the impact force is measured highly accurately as the inertial force acting on the mass. A pneumatic linear bearing is used to realize linear motion with sufficiently small friction acting on the mass, i.e., the moving part of the bearing. By means of the developing method, impulse response of a force transducer embedded in an impulse hammer is evaluated, and the points to be considered for the future improvements are discussed.