Experimentally measuring torque.

[mech-pige]

What experimental methods are there for measuring the static (and dynamic if possible) torque required to turn a simple tooth gear? This tooth gear is used to rotate 4 wheels, 2 of which are connected to the shaft and 2 are on another shaft with the two shaftes connected with a toothed belt to rotate both.

I know i could use a torque sensor but was wondering what other methods there was.

 

[NdotA]

In our testfield we used calibrated DC-motors. Calibrated means we had the motors on a braking rig first to assess velocity / power / current characteristics. DC-motors for the ability to run at diffeent speeds. Once you know the shaft power and speed required to rotate your gear, you can compute the torque easily.

 

[greentlc]

Depending on the accuracy you need to achieve, a simple torque wrench might be able to give you a reasonable value.