PASCO CI-6461 User Manual
®
Force Platform
CI-6461
Instruction Manual
012-09493A
Included Equipment Part Number
Force Platform CI-6461
Required Equipment
ScienceWorkshop
Optional Equipment
Handle Set PS-2548
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Compatible ScienceWorkshop interfaces include the ScienceWorkshop 750 (CI-7650),
ScienceWorkshop 500 (CI-6400), and others. See the PASCO catalog, visit www.pasco.com, or contact
PASCO tech support for more information.
Interface
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See PASCO catalog or www.pasco.com
Introduction
The ScienceWorkshop Force Platform, used with a ScienceWorkshop interface, continuously measures force (up
to 4400 N or 1000 pounds) applied by a person or object. You can use the Force Platform to measure the static
weight of a person standing on it, or the dynamic vertical force involved in moving and jumping. It has the measurement range and strength to accommodate people of all sizes and the sensitivity to measure smaller forces
such as the weight of a ball. Put the platform on the floor or tabletop to measure vertical force, or mount it on a
wall to measure horizontal force. With the optional handle set, you can use the platform to measure both “pulling” and “pushing” force.
800-772-8700 www.pasco.com
Force Platform How It Works
How It Works
When an object is placed on the Force Platform, it applies a force normal to the platform's surface; this force is the object's weight. Because the Force Platform does not
move (much), the force applied by the floor to the platform's feet increases by an
amount equal to the object’s weight. Each of the four feet is connected to a beam with
a strain gauge, through which the platform's electronics measure the force. The platform outputs a voltage proportional to the sum of these four forces, which is read by
the interface and translated into a force measurement (in newtons or pounds) by
DataStudio software. Force is measured in this way even if it is not constant, for
instance, the force applied by a bouncing ball or jumping person.
Hardware Setup
On the floor
Place the Force Platform on the floor. It works best on a hard
floor such as tile or wood, rather than carpet, which would
allow the platform to move slightly when you step on it. If the
floor is not perfectly level, adjust the platform's feet by turning
them to make the platform level and stable. The platform
should have all four feet on the floor with nothing touching
the flat bottom surface.
Hang the Force Platform using side tabs
Turn feet to level Force Platform
On a Wall
To measure horizontal force, use the tabs on the side of the
platform to hang it from a pair of bolts or hooks on a wall.
Make sure that all four feet are in stable contact with the wall.
With the Optional Handle Set
Fasten the handles to the threaded brass inserts on the top of
the platform, or remove the feet and fasten the handles to the
bottom of the platform. With the handles, you can hold the
platform against a wall to measure horizontal pushing force. If
you have two platforms with handles (attached to the bottom),
you can demonstrate Newton's third law by pushing the platforms together. Note that the platform measures only the component of force normal to the surface.
Optional handles
attached to bottom of
Force Platform
Interface and Software Setup
Connect the platform's cable to channel A, B, or C of a ScienceWorkshop interface. A
green LED on the side of the platform lights to indicate that the unit is powered and
ready to take data. Press the tare button to set the output to zero.
Tare button
Using the Force Platform with DataStudio
Start DataStudio. In the Experiment Setup window, click the channel that the Force
Platform is connected to and select Force Platform from the sensors list. Click the
Start button to begin data collection. By default, the platform collects data at 10 samples per second and displays it in units of newtons (N). You can change these settings
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