Page 3 - Dillon_2024 Catalog_501427.indd

FORCE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT

Dillon Information

Common Conversions

FORCE Description Abbreviation Conversions
Newton N 1 N = 0.2248 lbf = 0.1020 kgf
kilogram-force or kilogram (“force” is dropped & implied) kgf or kg 1 kgf = 1 kg = 9.807 N = 2.204 lbf
pound-force or pound lbf or lb 1 lbf = 1 lb = 4.448 N = 0.4536 kgf
thousand pounds kip 1 kip = 1000 lbf
MASS Description Abbreviation Conversions
short ton ton 1 ton = 2000 lb
long ton long ton 1 long ton = 2240 lb
metric ton ton, tonn or tonne 1 metric ton = 1000 kg
TORQUE Description Abbreviation Conversions
Newton-meter N*m 1 N*m = 0.102 kg*m = 0.738 ft*lb
kilogram-meter kg*m 1 kg*m = 9.807
foot-pound or pound-foot ft*lb or lb*ft 1 ft*lb = 1 lb*ft = 1.356 N*m
inch-pound or pound-inch in*lb or lb*in 12 in*lb = 12 lb*in = 1 ft*lb

Key Terms Divisions
Accuracy The size of the increment when moving from one
1. The closeness of a measurement to a standard or electronic digit (or mechanical marker) to the next.
a true value. Almost always a multiple of 1, 2 or 5.
Divisions = Capacity / Resolution
2. The predicted closeness of an instrument for a
given measurement in good measuring conditions. Excitation
% full scale accuracy is the largest expected error The voltage inputted to a load cell.
throughout the range from zero to rated capacity. Force
Example: ±0.5% full scale accuracy on a 10,000 kg
dynamometer = 0.5% * 10,000 kg = 50 kg potential A push or pull that one body exerts on another.
error (low or high). Some forces include gravity, spring, adhesion,
friction, magnetic and impact.
Calibration
Full-scale capacity
The process which assigns display readings under known
and controlled conditions and then verifies correctness See capacity.
of the assignment. Load
Capacity Another term to describe force or torque.
The rating or working limit of the instrument. Recalibration
Compression The process of comparing an instrument against a
A force pushing equally from two directions in load standard and adjusting if readings are outside
the same axis. tolerance.
Repeatability
The consistency of readings when a constant load is
applied and removed multiple times.

Compression

1