FCM RT Force Calibration Machine – Calibration Machine with 0.1% Measurement Uncertainty
Our new FCM RT Force Calibration Machine bridges the gap between traditional calibration laboratory Force Standard Machines (FSMs) and universal testing machines in the areas of quality assurance and production. Users benefit from a cost-effective solution for calibrating force transducers and load cells.
High Precision for Various Calibration Applications
Metrology meets industry: The FCM RT Force Calibration Machine combines a proven material testing machine frame with GTM reference force transducers and the WebForceManager software. The result: a metrologically traceable, fully automated calibration machine for accredited calibration laboratories, industrial calibration laboratories, load cell manufacturers, and for research and development tasks. Designed for calibration procedures in accordance with ISO 376, ASTM E74, DKD-R 3-3, and customer-specific methods. Optionally, we provide a calibration certificate for the force calibration machine in accordance with the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.
The FCM RT Force Calibration Machine (FCM RT stands for Force Calibration Machine with Reference Transducer) bridges the gap between traditional calibration laboratory Force Standard Machines (FSMs) and universal testing machines or other force measurement devices in the fields of quality assurance and production. It is thus a breakthrough in the field of industrial force measurement technology.
What sets the new Force Calibration Machine apart?
GTM’s FCM RT industrial Force Calibration Machine combines the best of both worlds. The calibration machine consists of a production-proven materials testing machine frame equipped with precise GTM reference force transducers and brings together over 30 years of metrology expertise and know-how in the field of force measurement technology in a single system.
1. Design & Measurement Principle
The highly rigid frame, in combination with one or more reference transducers that are fixed to the setup, ensures a purely axial force flow. The reference transducers are loaded in only one direction and remain fixed within the Force Calibration Machine. This increases reproducibility, prevents remanence effects, and minimizes installation and setup errors.
2. Control System & Software
The control system is based on proven Beckhoff components and the GTM WebForceManager, a powerful software solution. Fully automatic calibration procedures in accordance with ISO 376, ASTM E74, and DKD-R 3-3 can be initiated with a single mouse click. Intelligent correction algorithms - including those for hysteresis compensation and linearity correction - stabilize the measurement chain against the effects of nonlinearities.
3. Platform & Operation
The industrial platform is designed for permanent operation (screw-driven crossbeam, rigid frame, and virtually maintenance-free mechanics) and can be expanded modularly. Different frame rated loads ranging from 20 to 250 kN and configurable measurement ranges allow for a precisely tailored design of the calibration machine for production, calibration laboratories, and quality assurance—with long-term cost-effective operation and a low TCO (total cost of ownership).
The result: a highly precise, reliable, and cost-effective solution for calibrating force measurement instruments such as force transducers and load cells.
Key Features of the FCM RT Force Calibration Machine at a Glance
- Measurement uncertainty of 0.1% across the defined measurement range - metrological level for both production and laboratory use.
- Production-proven material testing machine frame with high rigidity and precise alignment for purely axial force transmission and reproducible calibration results.
- Fixed-mount reference force transducers.
- Fully automated calibration procedures in accordance with ISO 376, ASTM E74, and DKD-R 3-3 via the browser-based WebForceManager.
- Compatible with common amplifiers.
- Virtually maintenance-free mechanics with a lead screw-driven crosshead - designed for permanent operation in laboratories and production environments.
- Optional and unique in Germany: On-site calibration in accordance with the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 (Procedure AA0045) by GTM - without disassembly or transport of the Force Calibration Machine.
- Flexible rated loads from 20 to 250 kN, as well as single- or three-range configurations for different application profiles.
Features | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Rated loads for frames | 20 / 50 / 100 / 250 kN (others available upon request) |
| Possible nominal loads of the reference transducers | 5 / 6.3 / 10 / 16 / 20 / 25 / 50 / 63 / 100 / 160 / 200 / 250 kN (other sizes available upon request) |
| Measurement ranges of the reference transducers | Depending on the required measurement uncertainty, between approx. 0.5–100% and 5–100% |
| Load steps | Freely selectable within the defined measurement ranges |
| Relative expanded measurement uncertainty | ≤ 0.1% or 0.2% (k = 2) for all generated forces |
| Initial calibration of the reference force transducers | In accordance with GTM-RL-003 ( calibration in four mounting positions, each with two series, each with 8 to 10 load levels) |
| Automatic operation | Fully automatic operation via WebForceManager—independent of the PC operating system |
| Mechanics | Virtually maintenance-free, spindle-driven, long service life |
Benefits for Your Day-to-Day Work
With the new FCM RT Force Calibration Machine, audit-compliant calibrations can be performed directly on-site, independent of external calibration service providers. This opens up numerous new possibilities for users in the field of force measurement technology, enabling them to accelerate processes and thereby save time and money.
Proven technology - in use at GTM since 2019
Tried-and-true technology - now available on the market
Since 2019, GTM has been using the FCM RT Force Calibration Machine in its own operations in two versions:
- a 250 kN model in series production
- a 100 kN version, used, among other things, for time-consuming TkC measurements overnight.
Results from GTM’s daily operations:
- Two complete ISO 376 calibrations per day (tensile and compressive) can be performed reliably and reproducibly.
- Consistent results in temperature-compensated measurements: Runs that used to take up an entire day now run in a controlled manner overnight.
- Greater efficiency in the lab: Calibration laboratory Force Standard Machines with even lower measurement uncertainty remains available - creating additional capacity for accredited calibrations.
The system has not only proven itself technically but has also permanently transformed daily lab operations at GTM - serving as a best-practice example for higher productivity and predictable calibration processes.
What distinguishes the FCM RT Force Calibration Machine from a Force Standard Machine?
The new calibration machine brings the essence of metrology to industrial-grade solutions: robust, compact, and cost-effective.
Force Standard Machine | FCM RT Force Calibration Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Highest precision for calibration purposes | Precise, traceable measurements in production, quality assurance, and calibration laboratories |
| Measurement uncertainty | ≤ 0.02% (k = 2) Reference level for National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and leading calibration laboratories | ≤ 0.1% (k = 2) Metrology level for industrial applications and in-house calibration laboratories |
| Operating Environment | Metrology laboratories, national institutes, and specialized calibration facilities | Industrial quality assurance departments, R&D laboratories, and production environments with high accuracy requirements |
| Traceability | According the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 at the highest reference level | On-site calibration by GTM in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 |
| Application Objective | Establishment and maintenance of the metrological infrastructure of a country or institute | Process-oriented calibration and measurement tasks in everyday industrial operations - in-house, flexible, and with a clearly defined level of accuracy |
| System Size / Costs | Large, highly specialized systems with correspondingly high investment and maintenance costs | Compact, scalable solution with significantly lower investment and operating costs |
Is it possible to operate a FCM RT Force Calibration Machine as a Force Standard Machine (FSM) as well?
By definition, a FSM is operated in an accredited calibration laboratory. From a purely technical standpoint, the FCM RT Force Calibration Machine is ideally suited for use as a FSM. The resulting measurement ranges and their associated measurement uncertainties are then the responsibility of the operating calibration laboratory and open up additional opportunities to improve the CMC (Calibration and Measurement Capability).
What distinguishes the FCM RT Force Calibration Machine from a materials testing machine?
A materials testing machine and the FCM RT may look similar on the outside. However, they serve different metrological purposes.
FCM RT Force Calibration Machine | Materials Testing Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Main Function | Precise, traceable force measurement and calibration of force transducers and load cells | Testing of materials and components; force measurement is a subfunction |
| Uncertainty determination | According to EURAMET Calibration Guide No. 4 | According to DIN EN ISO 7500 |
| Uncertainty contribution of reference force transducers | The uncertainty contribution is accounted for via an initial calibration, e.g., according to GTM-RL-003 | The reference force transducer is not considered as a separate contribution in the uncertainty budget |
| Calibration of the measuring system | Complex, accredited GTM procedure AA045 with metrological traceability to GTM reference standards | Calibration or verification of force measurement in accordance with DIN EN ISO 7500 |
| Measurement uncertainty | > 0.05% … 0.1% or 0.2% depending on the scope of GTM’s accreditation and the measurement uncertainty guaranteed by GTM | Typically about 0.12% to 0.5% |
| Calibration Strategy and Operational Effort | A complete recalibration is generally not economically feasible due to the high cost; therefore, regular proficiency tests conducted by the operator are recommended. Calibration of the force calibration machine according to the GTM method AA045 is a complex metrological process and should not be equated with the calibration of a materials testing machine according to DIN EN ISO 7500. Due to the effort involved, repeating the full calibration annually is generally not recommended for cost reasons or is not economically viable in this form. Instead, the operator verifies the performance of the measuring system at regular intervals through proficiency tests using traceable transfer transducers or golden samples, as required under DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. This allows the operator to manage the testing effort themselves as needed, based on their operational requirements, usage, and the results of the proficiency tests | In practice, recalibration is often performed at short intervals. This means that materials testing machines are generally recalibrated at short intervals in accordance with DIN EN ISO 7500 |
| Typical applications | Internal and external calibration, quality assurance, production, and industrial metrology | Material properties, component characteristics, and tests under defined test conditions |
| Conversion option of force measurement ← → materials testing | For materials testing, a force calibration machine lacks essential functions in its control sequence; in particular, force spikes can occur during materials testing, which must be avoided at all costs in a force calibration machine. Therefore, a force calibration machine is not suitable for materials testing | A materials testing machine can be converted into a force calibration machine with considerable effort. The conversion aims to reduce measurement uncertainty through appropriate measures; however, after conversion, the materials testing machine is no longer suitable for materials testing |
A Force Calibration Machine and a materials testing machine are not directly comparable.
Although the FCM RT uses a proven materials testing machine frame, it is specifically designed for traceable force measurement and calibration.
In summary: While a materials testing machine uses force measurement as part of a testing process that requires regular calibration, the FCM RT, as a traceable Force Calibration Machine, is designed for precise force measurement and enables the operator to manage the calibration effort themselves as needed through regular proficiency tests.
