Requests
NASA Ames Balance Calibration Lab Services
- Balance Calibrations
- Balance Electrical and Taper Checks
- Borrowing a NASA Ames Balance (Outside Ames)
- Other Services
The lab calibrates balances for both internal and external tests. The calibration process includes proper balance selection, formulating the calibration load schedule, calibration loading, calibration matrix determination and accuracy evaluation. Ames can offer both single gage and machine combined loading. To request a calibration Submit a Request.
Balance Electrical and Taper Checks
The Balance Calibration Lab conducts electrical checks to determine the health of a balance before and after every use. We record the no-load balance output and bridge resistance for each gage. Taper mounted balances require good contact between the balance and support system matting surfaces. We determine the percent of contact using the fluorescent oil technique.
Borrowing a NASA Ames Balance (Outside Ames)
NASA Ames Balances may be loaned out for US government sponsored tests. In a loan situation, the requestor takes full financial responsibly for the balance and all associated hardware. The requestor is required to sign a contract agreeing to these terms. Management will determine the final approval and terms of the loan. Approval will depend upon the availability of the requested balance(s).
A sample Request for Loan Letter that states the Contract Terms is show below. You can download this Loan Letter in a MS Word format. Any Request for Loan Letter must contain the information included in the following sample.
If a calibration is also required, state so in the Balance Calibration Request Form. To request an Ames balance loan Submit a Request.
Sample of a Request for Loan Letter:
Today's Date
From:
Person Requesting Loan
Title
Sponsoring Organization/Company
To:
Mr. Don Nickison
Division Chief
Wind Tunnel Operations AO
MS 227-4
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035
Subject: REQUEST FOR LOAN OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AT AMES 2.5 INCH MK 34 A STRAIN GAUGE BALANCE
1. Request
The Sponsoring Organization/Company requests the loan of the NASA AMES 2.5 inch internal strain gauge balance for use by Testing Organization for the Test Name in the Test Location and Wind Tunnel Name from Start Date through End Date. This balance will be used as the Primary/Backup Test Balance. The Sponsoring Organization/Company accepts responsibility for repairing or replacing the balance and associated equipment should damage occur while in our possession (this includes all mechanical and electrical aspects of the balance including the taper and outer sleeve). Balance calibration personnel shall be notified of problems in an effort to reduce potential damage to the balances.
2. Items Requested
The balance(s) and associated equipment desired are the 2.5 inch MK 34A and its calibration body. The balances and associated equipment are required for the time period:
Loan Start Date through Loan End Date
3. Static and Dynamic Loading Limits
The use of the balance requires two balance-to-model pins. Additionally, as per the balance load limit monitoring of NASA Ames Research Center, the balance loads will not exceed the following:
Static + Dynamic loads shall not exceed 110% of any balance element capacity.
Dynamic loads shall not exceed 50% of balance capacity.
If the loan of the balance and associated equipment is agreeable, then please ship to:
ATTN: Person to ship to
Shipping to Address
Name, Title
Signature
The Sponsoring Organization/Company point of contact is Name, Title, and telephone #.
Please see the attached Balance Calibration Request Form for further information.