Powder dispensing fixture

A fixture for dispensing a material, comprising:

• a base;
• a beam comprising a first end, a second end, and a fulcrum disposed between the first and second ends and coupled to the base;
• a receptacle coupled to the first end of the beam and configured to receive the dispensed material;
• a load transfer beam comprising a first end, a second end that is fixedly coupled to the base, two rigid panels, and four hinge points that are respectively coupled between one of the panels and one of the first end and the second end of the load transfer beam;
• and
• a force sensor coupled to the load transfer beam;
• wherein:
• the beam can rotate about the fulcrum with respect to the base;
• the second end of the beam makes a point contact with the first end of the load transfer beam;
• and
• the dispensed material disposed in the receptacle creates a load that is applied by the beam through the point contact to the load transfer beam and causes the first end of the load transfer beam to translate vertically without rotation, thereby reducing introduction of error in a measurement made by the force sensor due to a change in geometry of the fixture.