Methods for calibration and testing of flexible arm measuring devices

The most important characteristic of measuring devices is the measuring uncertainty. To achieve and confirm high accuracy performances of flexible arm measuring devices, related test methods and appropriate equipment are needed. After a general discussion of this problem and presentation of some existing methods for : calibration and testing of flexible arm measuring devices, a new approach of such measuring device is presented. As a result of this research work, a high precision measuring equipment "MOLLI" for testing and calibration of devices with rotational axes has been developed. In the paper we discuss the design and construction of this equipment, provide a theoretical calculation of measuring accuracy level and carry out some preliminary measurements to confirm the theoretical hypotheses.