Moment calibrating apparatus for multi-component force gauge and method of moment calibration

A moment calibrating apparatus for a multi-component force gauge capable of measuring at least two component values including a force along an axis and a moment about an orthogonal axis to the axis, comprising:

• an elongated force transmitting member that includes a base end portion connected to the multi-component force gauge and a tip end portion located on an opposite side of the base end portion, and transmits a force input on the tip end portion to the multi-component force gauge;
• a load applying mechanism comprising a load transmitting part that applies a load to the tip end portion of the force transmitting member along a vertical direction without changing a direction of force, and
• a calculation unit that calculates, based on a moment value about an axis along a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction measured by the multi-component force gauge under a condition that the vertical load is being applied along the vertical direction to the tip end portion by the load applying mechanism, a true moment from which an effect of the vertical load is eliminated,
• wherein the true moment calculated in the calculation unit is used to perform moment calibration on the multi-component force gauge,
• wherein the tip end portion of the elongated force transmitting member includes a spherical part, and wherein the load transmitting part includes a spherical part that engages the spherical part of the tip end portion of the elongated force transmitting member to apply the load to the tip end portion of the force transmitting member along the vertical direction without changing a direction of force.