HIGH PERFORMANCE MULTI-AXIS FORCE SENSOR

DESCRIPTION
This innovative device is engineered in order to measure position thanks to its deformable structure. In this configuration, this device becomes a 6 component force sensor, that measures translations of the mobile system, with no contact, no hysteresis, and with great linearity.
By measuring the strength applied to one of two systems, the user is no longer tied to the constraint of the solid geometrical alignment.
The deformable structure is not linked to the sensor. This configuration gives the possibility to modify the design (changing the number of wires, their diameter and length), in accordance to the resolution and range needed for force measurement.
The FPGA autonomus calculator computes all data and deliver measuring information with an adapted scale. It is also possible to choose the filtering frequency.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS
This first prototype has been designed for measuring low friction coefficent in Ultra High Vacuum, but the system can be transposed for other applications, in ambiant air or controlled atmosphere.
An uncertainty budget has been studied for that device.
Resolutions expected for this sensor are of hundreds of micro-Newton of tangential force for a normal force applied of tens of Newtons.

IP STATUS
A patent application has been filed in France (FR1555288) on June 12, 2015.

RESEARCH TEAM
Matthieu GUIBERT
Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des systèmes (ENISE - CNRS - ENTPE - ECL)

ADVANTAGES / NOVELTY
• This method helps reduce the measure uncertainty of the friction coefficient. Existing solutions deliver measures of lower performance (in terms of sensitivity and resolution) and it is necessary to control the alignment of the 2 solids in contact
• Moreover, multiaxis sensors that are already commercialized show resolutions that are even in every direction, where this patented innovation allows
the user to choose the resolution needed for a given design.

APPLICATIONS
• Friction measurements (tribology under UHV or ambient air).
• Mechanical analysis of materials (traction tests, indentation tests, 3 point bending tests...)
• Weight scales.
The aerospace, the automotive, the metallurgical industries might be interested in using these devices to characterise mechanical properties of technical parts.

COLLABORATION TYPE
R&D Collaboration – Licensing out

CONTACT
Tech Transfer Officer - Engineering
Florent BOUVIER
florent.bouvier@pulsalys.fr
+33 (0)4.26.23.56.96