UCM System Guide 270R2

The Morehouse Universal Calibrating Machine (UCM) is designed

to use a compression force standard, proving ring or load cell to
calibrate units under test in compression and tension. The
reference standard and unit under test (UUT) are positioned in
the machine and loaded in series with a mechanical force. The
force is produced by a hydraulic jack activated by a precision,
manually operated, two speed hand pump and auxiliary screw
pump.

The entire design of the machine has one purpose – ultimate

accuracy. Friction between the calibration standard (proving ring
or load cell) and the unit under test has been completely
eliminated. This is essential as even slight friction found in some
types of calibrating machines results in gross errors in
measurement. Non-axial loading, another factor contributing to
imprecise calibrations, is minimized by the use of the proper
accessories and adapters.

Universal Calibrating Machines are used with secondary force

standards. These machines are capable of generating forces to
better than 0.01 -0.05 % of applied force. The machine is capable
of calibrating secondary and working standards to ASTM Class A
and ISO 376 Class 0.5

Performance of accurate force calibrations may require the

following kits:

 Morehouse Reference Standard Kit – This kit consists of

Morehouse Reference Standards, typically load cells and
the adapters necessary to ensure proper force application.

 Morehouse Load Cell Indicator Kit - This kit will contain an

indicator, cable assemblies, software and an optional com-
puter.

 Morehouse Unit Under Test (UUT) Kit – This kit includes

tension and compression adapters to properly align the
UUT on the primary force axis during calibration.

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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM
 UCM System Guide 270R2

Construction
The Morehouse Universal Calibrating Machine consists of three
major parts; the stationary frame, the movable frame or yoke,
and the hydraulic jack (See Figure 2). While a Proving Ring or Load
Cell is essential to the function of calibration, they are not
supplied as part of the machine.

The lower platen of the stationary frame and the lower yoke have
center holes. These holes provide a means by which an instrument
to be calibrated in tension can be attached to the machine with
suitable studs or tension members.

Machines with capacities of 200,000 lbf and less have a ball

seat adapter. The ball seat adapter assures axial loading by
allowing a hardened steel ball to be positioned between the
upper yoke and the Proving Ring or Load Cell being used as the
force standard.

The upper yoke is adjustable to allow for instruments of varying

Figure2 -60,000 lbf
heights. The hydraulic jack is activated by a pump. The pump is machine showing (A)
connected to the jack by a hydraulic hose with a quick disconnect. adjusting motor, (B)
Figure 1- 100,000 lbf Morehouse
hydraulic jack, (C)
Universal Calibrating Machine using a
upper machine platen,
Morehouse Proving Ring to calibrate a The hydraulic jack is activated by a pump. The pump is connected
(D) upper yoke, (E)
Load Cell in compression. An optional to the jack by a hydraulic hose with a quick disconnect. lower yoke, and (F)
Auxiliary Screw Pump is attached to
lower machine platen
Application
Machine’s upper platen.

The Morehouse Universal Calibrating Machine is designed

to accommodate various instruments that require calibration
including Load Cells, Proving Rings, Force Gauges, Crane
Scales, Traction Dynamometers, and other load sensing
elements used in weighing and force calibration.

In a standard compression calibration, the calibration

standard, Morehouse Proving Ring or Load Cell, is positioned
between the jack and the upper yoke. The unit under test is
placed between the upper machine platen and the lower
yoke. (Figure 3)

In a tension calibration the setup of the calibration

standard is the same. The unit under test is connected
between the lower yoke and the lower platen by tension
members. The tension calibration setups show a load cell
standard used to calibrate another load cell in tension
(Figure 4) and an electronic dynamometer (Figure 5).
Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5
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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM
 UCM System Guide 270R2

Setup for Compression

The setup of the Morehouse Universal Calibrating Machine for calibration is best described in two
steps. Positioning the force standard, Morehouse Proving Ring or Morehouse Load Cell, and positioning
the unit under test. Prior to use, the machine should be set on a solid surface and leveled by adjusting
the feet. Selection of a location where an even temperature prevails will facilitate the calibration.

Morehouse Reference Standard Kit – This kit consists of Morehouse Reference Standards, typically
load cells and the adapters necessary to ensure proper force application

The kit on the left is the typically configuration on mounting

reference standard load cells in a 10,000 lbf (50 kN) to 150,000 lbf
(670 kN) UCM.

The kit contains the following:

 Load Pad
 Load Ball Compression Adapter
 Reference Load Cell
 Alignment Plug
 Load Cell Alignment Adapter
 Jack Compression Block

The kit on the left is the typically configuration on mounting

reference standard load cells in a 200,000 lbf (900kN) to 2,250,000
lbf (10 MN) UCM.

The kit contains the following:

 Top Block Compression Adapter
 Reference Load Cell
 Alignment Plug
 Load Cell Alignment Adapter
 Jack Compression Block

Figure 6: Compression Setups

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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM
 UCM System Guide 270R2

Setup for Tension

Morehouse Unit Under Test (UUT) Kit - Tension “Quick Change” Adapters. Saves time by making
connections easier and more efficient. Faster testing and calibration turn-around can improve the bottom line
in your operation.

Figure 7: Morehouse Quick Change Tension Members

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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM
 UCM System Guide 270R2

Setup for Compression/Tension Calibration over 200K

Morehouse Unit Under Test (UUT) Kit – This kit includes tension and compression
adapters to properly align the UUT on the primary force axis during calibration.
There are adapters available for calibration of tension links and other lifting
transducers.

The figure below is a typical setup for tension or compression with a 200K lbf, or
greater, Morehouse Universal Calibrating Machine (UCM).

Figure 8: Morehouse Compression/Tension Kit options

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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM
 UCM System Guide 270R2

Typical Universal Calibrating Machine

Setups for Calibration
With the many different types of instruments than can be calibrated using the Morehouse Universal
Calibrating Machine there are many accessories and adapters for mounting them. Bulletin 271
illustrates many of these accessories and adapters. Please visit our website (www.mhforce.com) for a
copy of Bulletin 271. If the accessories or adapters required are not listed in this Bulletin, please contact
us to discuss your requirements. The following figures exemplify some typical calibration set ups using
the recommended accessories and adapters:

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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM
 UCM System Guide 270R2

Morehouse Load Cell Indicator Kit - This kit will contain an indicator, cable assemblies, software,
and an optional computer.

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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM
 UCM System Guide 270R2

Complete Calibration System with Computer Interface

Morehouse Instrument Company can provide a complete calibration system.
Proving Rings and Load Cells are offered for use as calibration standards with the
Morehouse Universal Calibrating Machine, mounting accessories and adapters for
both the force standard and unit under test are available. Pictured left is a 60,000 lbf
Morehouse Universal Calibrating Machine set up to calibrate a load cell in
compression. The machine is shown with the standard hand pump and optional
Auxiliary Screw Pump. A Morehouse Ultra Precision Calibration Standard Load with a
Morehouse Model 4215 Load Cell Indicator. A laptop computer uses software
developed by Morehouse to convert the mV/V output of the load cell standard into
engineering units. The result is the “As Found” is the same as the “As Left” calibration
data and the system is updated with the current coefficient file of the most recent
calibration.

Listed above are standard dimensions and weights. We can build any machine to suit your needs.
Contact Us at: info@mhforce.com
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Morehouse Instrument Company, Inc.

717-843-0081 1742 Sixth Avenue, York, PA 17403-2675 U.S.A. WWW.MHFORCE.COM