UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MESB333 – ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS AND LAB

PROJECT REPORT

PROJECT TITLE : SPRING BALANCE

SECTION : 03B
GROUP NUMBER : 4

GROUP MEMBER:
1. ID: ME095818 NAME: MOHD SYAFIQ BIN MOHD FAUZI
2. ID: ME096271 NAME: MUHAMMAD FIRDAUS BIN MAT ISA
3. ID: ME095826 NAME: MOHAMMAD BADRUL BIN ISMAIL
4. ID: ME096920 NAME: NIK NOR AZNIZAM BIN NIK NORIZAM

INSTRUCTOR : SAIFUDDIN BIN HJ. M. NOMANBHAY, PROF. DR.

 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO. CONTENTS PAGES

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM 1
2. LITERATURE REVIEW 2-3
3. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 4-5
4. FABRICATION METHODS 6-7
5. USER MANUAL 8
6. PROCEDURE
 EXPERIMENT 1 8
 EXPERIMENT 2 9
7. PROBLEM ENCOUNTER AND SOLUTIONS 10
8. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
 EXPERIMENT 1 11 – 12
 EXPERIMENT 2 13 – 14
9. GRAPHS 15 - 16
10. CONCLUSION 17
11. REFERENCES 18
12. DRAWING/SKETCHES/PHOTOS 19 - 23
 DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM

A spring scale or spring balance is a type of weighing scale. It consists of a spring

fixed at one end with a hook to attach an object (load) at the other. It works by Hooke’s Law,
which states that the force needed to extend a spring is proportional to the distance that spring
is extended from its rest position. Therefore, the scale markings on the measurement tape are
equally spaced. A spring cannot measure mass, only weight. But, by using a formula, the value
of mass can be obtained. The formula is; W = mg with m representing mass and g representing
gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s2). Also, by using the formula F = kx, the force can be
calculated where k is the spring constant and x is the deformation.

The load in this project is equivalent to F, which govern by both of these formula F=
ma and F = kx. The loads’ masses multiply by gravitational acceleration will have a Force
as the product.

A spring will only read correctly in a frame of reference where the acceleration in the
spring axis is constant. The concept of our project is to have an easy handling instrument, fast
assembly and perfectly adjustable.

1
 LITERATURE REVIEW

The project is a compulsory requirement needed for this course, Engineering Measurement Lab
(MESB333) where students are required to design, fabricate and test a measurement device to
measure force or mass. We are required to use the principle of elasticity that can be used on
different material and with a constant load.

Thus, according to our knowledge on this aspect, we decided to choose Spring Balance
as a guide for our project. The device being used in order to obtain and measure the weight. It
consists of a spring fixed at one end with a hook to attach an object (load) at the other. A spring
balance can be calibrated for the accurate measurement of mass in the location in which they
are used, but many spring balances are marked right on their face "Not Legal for Trade" or
words of similar import due to the approximate nature of the theory used to mark the scale.
Also, the spring in the scale can permanently stretch with repeated use.

Spring balances come in different sizes. Generally, small scales that measure Newton
will have a less firm spring (one with a smaller spring constant) than larger ones that measure
tens, hundreds or thousands of Newton.

A spring balance may be labelled in both units of force (pounds, litres) and mass (grams,
kilograms). Strictly speaking, only the force values are correctly labelled. In order to infer that
the labelled mass values are correct, an object must be hung from the spring balance at rest in
an inertial reference frame, interacting with no other objects but the scale itself.

2
 Figure 1: A conventional weighing scale (spring balance)

Figure 2: Standard scale on a spring balance

Main uses of spring balances are industrial, especially related to weighing heavy loads
such as trucks, storage silos, and material carried on a conveyor belt. They are also common in
science education as basic accelerators. They are used when the accuracy afforded by other
types of scales can be sacrificed for simplicity, cheapness, and robustness.

A spring balance measures the weight of an object by opposing the force of gravity with
the force of an extended spring.

3
 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Hooke's Law

An ideal spring is remarkable in the sense that it is a system where the generated force is
linearly dependent on how far it is stretched. This behaviour is described by Hooke's law, and
you would like to verify this in lab today. Hooke’s Law states that to extend a string by an
amount ∆x from its previous position, one needs a force F which is determined by F = k∆x.
Here k is the spring constant which is a quality particular to each spring. Therefore, in order to
verify Hooke’s Law, you must verify that the force F and the distance the spring is stretched
are proportional to each other (that just means linearly dependant on each other), and that the
constant of proportionality is
k.

In our case the external force is determined by attaching a mass m to the end of the
spring. The mass will of course be acted upon by gravity, so the force exerted downward on
the spring will be Fg = mg. Regard Figure 1. Consider the forces exerted on the attached mass.
The force of gravity (mg) is pointing downward. The force exerted by the spring (k∆x) is
pulling upwards. When the mass is attached to the spring, the spring will stretch until it reaches
the point where the two forces are equal but pointing in opposite directions:

Fs – Fg = 0
or
k∆x = mg (1)

This point where the forces balance each other out is known as the equilibrium point.
The spring + mass system can stay at the equilibrium point indefinitely as long as no additional
external forces come to be exerted on it. This relationship in (1) allows us to determine the
spring constant k when m, g, and ∆x is known or can be measured. This is one way in which
you will be determining k today.

4
Figure 3: The Spring in Equilibrium

5
 FABRICATION METHODS

Fabrication is the act of taking raw stock material and turning it into a part for use in an
assembly process. There are many different types of fabrication processes. The most common
are cutting, folding, machining, punching, shearing, stamping and welding.

However, this project involves only cutting process. There are many ways to cut
nowadays. The old standby is the saw. Others now include plasma torches, water jets and lasers.
There is a wide range of complexity and price, with some machines costing in the millions.

Below are the list of materials/tools needed to build this project:

MATERIALS/TOOLS QUANTITIES
PVC Pipe (60 cm) 4
PVC Pipe (25 cm) 6
L elbow 8
T elbow 6
Mini handsaw 1
Springs 2
Container 1
Measuring Tape 1
Table 1: List of materials and tools

Figure 4: Cutting process by using a mini handsaw

6
The processes to build the device are as follow:
1. First, the PVC pipe was measured and marked at required length (6 x 25 cm and 4 x
60 cm).
2. The marked PVC pipe was then cut by using mini handsaw to several pieces.
3. The assembly process was as easy as attaching the L elbow and T elbow to the pieces.
The device will have a square base (25 cm x 25 cm) and a height of 60 cm.
4. The springs are then attached to the top of the measuring device.
5. Lastly, the container to hold the load was installed.

Overall dimensions for the device:

Length : 25 cm
Width : 25 cm
Height : 60 cm

SPRINGS

INDICATOR

CONTAINER

MEASURING
TAPE

Figure 5: Experimental setup of the device

7
 USER MANUAL

In this project, 2 sets of experiments will be conducted. Both experiments supposedly will have
the same value of spring constant, k. The 2 sets of experiments are:
1. Single Spring
The experiment is conduct with a single spring arrangement.

2. Double Spring
The experiment is conduct with double springs, parallel arrangement and the sum of
spring constant will be calculated.

Both experiments will have the same procedure but with different spring arrangements.
Thus, a list of procedure is adequate and applicable to both experiments.

PROCEDURE

EXPERIMENT 1 (SINGLE SPRING)

1. First, install a spring for the single spring experiment.

2. Set the container and make sure the indicator lines up with the measuring tape.

3. If it does not, fix the spring position so that the indicator can be adjust accordingly.

4. The initial reading is taken, that is without any load.

5. Frequently check the scale for accuracy while the measurements are taken.

6. The 1 kg load to be measured is insert into the container, and let the spring to stabilize.

7. Read the measurement tape scale for final reading.

8. Repeat step 2 until 7 with loads of 2 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg and 5 kg. Record the measurements.

8
EXPERIMENT 2 (DOUBLE SPRINGS)
1. First, install both springs for the double spring experiment.

2. Set the container and make sure the indicator lines up with the measuring tape.

3. If it does not, fix the spring position so that the indicator can be adjust accordingly.

4. The initial reading is taken, that is without any load.

5. Frequently check the scale for accuracy while the measurements are taken.

6. The 1 kg load to be measured is insert into the container, and let the springs to stabilize.

7. Read the measurement tape scale for final reading.

8. Repeat step 2 until 7 by using load of 2 kg, with increment of 1, until 10 kg. Record the
measurements.

9
 PROBLEM ENCOUNTER AND SOLUTIONS

From the device that we built, there are some problem that we must solve first on behalf
to get the best result. One of it is, the stability of the device. For the first time the device was
assembled, we encounter stability problem. Then, we figured out to add a PVC pipe as a support
on the bottom of the device, between the vertical pipe. This will add more stability to the device.

Second, we must know the spring constant first. This constant related to the elasticity
and the result of the scale itself. With it we can know what the maximum and minimum load
the spring can stand before reach the elasticity. So, we buy springs that can withstand up to 20
kilograms, and throughout the experiment, the spring constant was calculated.

Advantage of using spring is its required less space than weight and pulley itself. So in
term of size, spring is the most practical. We must decide on how long the force that we want
to measure would be. Different type of spring has different constant and different result. For
an example there a lot of type in out there, wide diameter of spring, long spring, short ones and
big ones. It depends on size for all.

On making a good spring the manufacturer must use the great material to ensure the
elasticity of spring balance. Material used on making the spring must be suitable and good
enough to stand the load that will be exerts.

The chosen places are to determine are there any difference in the result if the condition
is difference. Some places might restrain the movement of the load, resulting the reading on
the scale. Thus, we choose in a standard room condition. The experiment was conducted on a
table to gain stability and measured accurate readings.

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 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

RESULTS FOR EXPERIMENT 1 (SINGLE SPRING)

READINGS (cm)
LOAD (kg)
INITIAL FINAL INITIAL - FINAL
1 106.3 0.3
2 107.5 1.5
3 106 109 3
4 110.5 4.5
5 111.5 5.5
Table 2: Single spring

INITIAL – FINAL (x) x - mean (x - mean)2

0.3 -2.66 7.0756
1.5 -1.46 2.1316
3 0.04 0.0016
4.5 1.54 2.3716
5.5 2.54 6.4516
Table 3: x - mean and (x - mean)2

COUNT (n) 5
SUM (∑𝒙) 14.8
SUM (∑(𝒙 − 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏)𝟐 ) 18.032
̅)
MEAN (𝒙 2.96
VARIANCE (𝝈𝟐 ) 3.6064
STANDARD DEVIATION (𝝈) 1.8991
PRECISION (Sn) 2.1234
UNCERTAINTY (Un) 0.9495
Table 4: Calculated data

11
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Sum, ∑𝒙 = 0.3 + 1.5 + 3 + 4.5 + 5.5 = 14.8

∑𝑥 14.8
𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏 = = = 2.96
𝑛 5

𝒙 − 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 = 0.3 − 2.96 = −2.66

(𝒙 − 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏)𝟐 = (−2.66)2 = 7.0756

∑(𝒙 − 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏)𝟐 = 7.0756 + 2.1316 + 0.0016 + 6.4516 = 18.032

𝟐
∑(𝑥 − 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛)2 18.032
𝝈 = = = 3.6064
𝑛 5

𝝈 = √3.6064 = 1.8991

𝑛 5
𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑺𝒏 = √ 𝜎=√ (1.8991) = 2.1234
𝑛−1 5−1

𝑆𝑛 2.1234
𝑼𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚, 𝑼𝒏 = = = 0.9495
√𝑛 √5

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RESULTS FOR EXPERIMENT 2 (DOUBLE SPRPINGS)
READINGS (cm)
LOAD (kg)
INITIAL FINAL INITIAL - FINAL
1 106.1 0.1
2 106.3 0.3
3 107 1
4 108 2
5 108.5 2.5
106
6 109 3
7 109.7 3.7
8 110.7 4.7
9 111.7 5.7
10 112.3 6.3
Table 5: Parallel configuration

INITIAL – FINAL (x) x - mean (x - mean)2

0.1 -2.83 8.0089
0.3 -2.63 6.9169
1 -1.93 3.7249
2 -0.93 0.8649
2.5 -0.43 0.1849
3 0.07 0.0049
3.7 0.77 0.5929
4.7 1.77 3.1329
5.7 2.77 7.6729
6.3 3.37 11.3569
Table 6: x - mean and (x - mean)2

COUNT (n) 10
SUM (∑𝒙) 29.3
SUM (∑(𝒙 − 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏)𝟐 ) 42.461
̅)
MEAN (𝒙 2.93
VARIANCE (𝝈𝟐 ) 4.2461
STANDARD DEVIATION (𝝈) 2.0606
PRECISION (Sn) 2.1721
UNCERTAINTY (Un) 0.6869
Table 7: Calculated data

13
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Sum, ∑𝒙 = 0.1 + 0.3 + 1 + 2 + 2.5 + 3 + 3.7 + 4.7 + 5.7 + 6.3 = 29.3

∑𝑥 29.3
𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏 = = = 2.93
𝑛 10

𝒙 − 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 = 0.1 − 2.93 = −2.83

(𝒙 − 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏)𝟐 = (−2.83)2 = 8.0089

∑(𝑥 − 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛)2
= 8.0089 + 6.9169 + 3.7249 + 0.8649 + 0.1849 + 0.0049 + 0.5929 + 3.1329
+7.6729 + 11.3569
= 42.461

∑(𝑥 − 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛)2 42.461

𝟐
𝝈 = = = 4.2461
𝑛 10

𝝈 = √4.2461 = 2.0606

𝑛 10
𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑺𝒏 = √ 𝜎=√ (2.0606) = 2.1721
𝑛−1 10 − 1

𝑆𝑛 2.1721
𝑼𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚, 𝑼𝒏 = = = 0.6869
√𝑛 √10

14
GRAPHS

The graphs obtained will show the values of spring constant, k in (N/m). Thus, unit
conversion is needed in order to achieve required value and unit. The conversion is done
according to the formula below:

𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 (𝑁) = 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 (𝑘𝑔) × 9.81𝑚/𝑠 2

𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑚) = 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑐𝑚) ÷ 100

LOAD (kg) LOAD (N)

1 9.81
2 19.62
3 29.43
4 39.24
5 49.05
6 58.86
7 68.67
8 78.48
9 88.29
10 98.1
Table 8: Load in Newton (kg.m/s2)

DEFLECTIONS (SINGLE SPRING) DEFLECTIONS (DOUBLE SPRINGS)

cm m cm m
0.3 0.003 0.1 0.001
1.5 0.015 0.3 0.003
3 0.03 1 0.01
4.5 0.045 2 0.02
5.5 0.055 2.5 0.025
3 0.03
3.7 0.037
4.7 0.047
5.7 0.057
6.3 0.063
Table 9: Deflection in metre (m)

15
 Effect of Load on Deflection for Single Spring
60
y = 729x + 7.8515
50

40
Load (N)

30

20

10

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Deflection (m)

Graph 1: Load (N) vs. Deflection (m) for single spring

Effect of Load on Deflection for Double Spring

120
y = 1359.6x + 14.117
100

80
Load (N)

60

40

20

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
Deflection (m)

Graph 2: Load (N) vs. Deflection (m) for double springs

Based on the graph given, spring constant, k for single spring is 729 N/m, whereas for
double springs is 1359.6 N/m. Double spring configuration is calculated by using the formula
below and the average value of k for a spring can be determine according to kequivalent.
𝑘𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝑘1 + 𝑘2 = 1359.6 𝑁/𝑚
𝑘𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 1359.6
𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = = = 679.8 𝑁/𝑚
2 2

16
 CONCLUSION

Springs are usually spirals made out of metal. They have the useful property that they
are very stretchy—the scientific term for this is elastic. If you squish a spring or pull on it, then
let go, it will bounce back to its original shape. There are limits to this behaviour, however. If
you pull (or push) too much, you might take the spring past its elastic limit. After that point,
there will be some permanent change—or deformation—in the spring, and it will not fully
recover its original shape.

Luckily, the elastic behaviour of a spring is defined by a well-known equation called

Hooke's law, which states that the restoring force of a spring (how hard the spring pushes or
pulls to get back to its original length) is proportional to the distance the spring has been
stretched (or compressed) from its original length.

The device is characterized by their high precision: Maximum aberrance ± 0.3 % of

load (in grams). What’s more, this device can be quickly converted from being a measuring
device for drag force to being a measuring device for compressive force. This device designed
with a high-quality material and design which long–living, robust and mechanical material.
This make the device can be easily to handle and adjust perfectly. This modular concept of
device also can be assembly easy and fast by any users.

By analysing the tabulated data, mean for both experiments are approximately similar
which are 2.93 cm and 2.96 cm. As for the variance, the double springs configuration has
higher value which is 4.2461 whereas only 3.6064 for single spring configuration. The
precision of single spring configuration 2.1234 while the double spring configuration has
higher precision value which is 2.1721. Calculated uncertainty for both single and double
spring configurations are 0.9495 and 0.6869.

In this project, the value of spring constant, k for single spring is 729 N/m whilst the
average value of k for double springs is slightly lower, 679.8 N/m. Both plotted graph will
portray the value of spring constant as the slope in the equation. As a result, in this experiments,
load will act perpendicularly to deflection.

17
 REFERENCES

Book
1. B. C. Nakra and K.K. Chaudry. Instrumentation Measurement and Analysis Third
Edition. New Delhi, 2009.

Internet
1. Spring Scale. 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_scale#Uses

2. Spring Balance Concept. 2010. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/spring-

balance-concept.426207/

3. Concept of Spring Balance. 2012.

http://m.physicsgalaxy.com/lectures/1/8/126/Concept%20of%20Spring%20Balance

18
DRAWING/SKETCHES/PHOTOS

Figure 6: Double spring setup

Figure 7: Single spring setup

19
Figure 8: How readings are taken for double springs

Figure 9: How readings are taken for single spring

20
Figure 10: 2.5 kg load

Figure 11: 1.23 kg load

21
 Figure 12: 0.5 kg load

Figure 13: Tools used (mini handsaw)

22
Figure 14: Full setup for double springs experiment

Figure 15: Full setup for single spring experiment

23