Manual, F/T Sensor, Data Acquisition (DAQ) Systems
Document #9620-05-DAQ.indd-20
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Glossary
Term
Definition
Accuracy
See Measurement Uncertainty.
ActiveX Component
A reusable software component for the Windows applications.
BNC
Calibration File
A computer file containing transducer calibration information. This file must match the transducer
serial number and is required for operation.
Compound Loading
Any load that is not purely in one axis.
DAQ
Data Acquisition device.
FS
Full-Scale.
F/T
Force and Torque.
Fxy
The resultant force vector comprised of components Fx and Fy.
Hysteresis
A source of measurement caused by the residual effects of previously applied loads.
IFPS
InterFace Power Supply box.
IFPSMC
Multiple InterFace Power Supply box.
IP
LabVIEW
A graphical programming environment created for data acquisition tasks by National Instruments.
Manual Calculations
Programmatically calculating force and torque values without using the ATI DAQ F/T component.
MAP
Mounting Adapter Plate. The MAP part of the transducer is attached to the fixed surface or robot
arm.
Maximum Single-Axis
Overload
The largest amount of pure load (not compound loading) that the transducer can withstand without
damage.
Measurement Uncertainty
The maximum expected error in measurements, as specified on the calibration certificate.
NI
National Instruments Corporation, the owner of the “National Instruments” and “LabVIEW”
trademarks. (www.ni.com)
OEM
Overload
The condition where a load greater than the transducer can measure is applied, resulting in
saturation of the transducer, and cause irreparable damage.
PC Card
A small computer card for use in most laptop computers.
PCMCIA Card
See PC Card. (PCMCIA has been renamed PC Card by its standards organization.)
Point of Origin
The point on the transducer from which all forces and torques are measured.
PS
Power Supply box.
Quantization
The process of the continuously varying transducer signal being converted into discrete digital
values. Usually used when describing the change from one digital value to the next.
Resolution
The smallest change in load that can be measured. The resolution is usually much smaller than
accuracy.
Saturation
The condition where the transducer or data acquisition hardware has a load or signal outside of its
sensing range.
Sensor System
The entire assembly consisting of parts from transducer to data acquisition card.
TAP
Tool Adapter Plate. The TAP part of the transducer is attached to the load that is to be measured.
TIF
A larger transducer that has integrated electronics to condition the transducer signal.
Tool Transformation
Mathematically changing the measurement coordinate system by translating the origin and/or
rotating the axes.
Transducer
The component that converts the sensed load into electrical signals.
TW
Small transducers that do not have integrated electronics for conditioning the transducer signal
require the use of a interface power supply box, which houses the electronics.
Txy
The resultant torque vector comprised of components Tx and Ty.
Visual Basic
A Microsoft programming environment for developing Windows-based applications.
