PASCO ME-6988A User manual

®
Instruction Sheet
012-12312A
Force Platform Structures Bracket
ME-6988A
800-772-8700 www.pasco.com
*012-12312*
Introduction
The PASCO model ME-6988A Force Platform Structures
Bracket includes two brackets and four thumbscrews. The
adapter bracket is designed to connect members of the PASCO
Structures System to a PASCO Force Platform.
Each Force Platform Structures Bracket has six positions where
members of a PASCO Structure System can be attached, and two
thumbscrews for attaching the bracket to a Force Platform. Note
that each bracket also has two threaded holes for storing the
thumbscrews when they are not in use.
Examples of the PASCO Structures System include:
Truss Set (ME-6990) - A small set for building trusses
Bridge Set (ME-6991) - A larger set with road bed and
cables for building bridges and roller coasters
Advanced Set (ME-6992A) - The largest set with pulleys,
axles, and additional connectors that make possible bridges
which have angles other than 45 and 90 degrees. This set can
also be used to build suspension bridges, cranes, cars and
catapults.
Attachment
positions
Thumbscrews
Brackets Storage hole
Storage hole
Force Platform Model Number
PASPORT 1-Axis PS-2141
PASPORT 2-Axis PS-2142
ScienceWorkshop 1-Axis CI-6461
Recommended Equipment Model Number
PASCO Structures System see www.pasco.com

Model No. ME-6988A Installation
2
The Structures System also includes sensors for measuring forces
in a structure.
Load Cell and Amplifier Set (PS-2199) - Load Cell Ampli-
fier (PS-2198) with four 100 N Load Cells (PS-2200)
Load Cell Amplifier (PS-2198) - Can plug in up to six Load
Cells; requires a PASPORT interface to connect to the USB
port of a computer.
100 N Load Cell (PS-2200) or 5 N Load Cell (PS-2201) -
Strain gauges mounted on a beam with no electronics so a
Load Cell requires the Load Cell Amplifier (PS-2198).
The Force Platform allows the student to measure tension and
compression forces in trusses, bridges, roller coasters, or other
structures assembled with the PASCO Structures System sets.
See the PASCO catalog or web site (www.PASCO.com) for
more information about the PASCO Structures System.
Installation
Use two thumbscrews to mount a bracket to one side of a PASCO
Force Platform. Note that two brackets will fit on one Force Plat-
form.
Use Truss Set thumbscrews (ME-6994) from one of the PASCO
Structures Systems sets to attach I-beams or other members of a
structure set to the six attachment positions on the bracket. (See
Figure 1.)
Using Brackets on a Force
Platform
If a structure is connected to one or two Force Platform Structure
Brackets that are mounted on a Force Platform, the dynamic
changes in tension or compression of the members of the struc-
ture can be measured.
The different attachment positions along the side of the bracket
allow different I-beam members to be used between two Brackets
mounted on a Force Platform. Let the span of a structure be the
distance between its attachment positions on two Brackets. Let
the separation of the structure be the distance between two verti-
cal members attached to the same Bracket.
The center attachment positions (labeled “3”) allow a span and
separation of a #3 I-beam member. The next two attachment posi-
tions relative to the center allow a span and separation of a #4
I-beam. (See Figure 2.)
Use the thumb-
screws to attach
the Bracket to a
Force Platform.
Thumbscrew in
storage hole.
Use Truss Set thumbscrews to attach
I-beams, etc., to the Bracket.
Tr u s s S e t
thumbscrew
Figure 1: Force Platform
Structures Bracket
Bracket
Structures
I-beams
Attachment
positions 3,
4, and 5
#3 #3 Innermost
attachment
position (3)
Thumbscrew
Span
Separation
#4
#4
Middle
attachment
position (4)
Figure 2: Mount Various Structures on a Force Platform

Model No. ME-6988A Other Uses for the Bracket
3
The outermost attachment positions relative to the center are
designed for a span of a #4 I-beam and a separation of a #5
I-beam if the Brackets are mounted on a PASCO Force Platform.
However, if the Brackets are mounted on another platform, or no
platform as shown in Figure 3, then the span can be longer or
shorter than a #4 I-beam.
Please refer to the instruction manuals for the PASCO Structures
System Sets for ideas of what structures can be built and attached
to the Force Platform Structures Bracket and a Force Platform.
Examples include large bridges and a tower crane.
Other Uses for the Bracket
You can use the Force Platform Structures Bracket on a different
force-measurement platform if you have the means to attach the
Bracket to your platform.
As shown in Figure 4, it is also possible to attach a structure to
just one Force Platform Structures Bracket.
The attachment positions on the Bracket are at the same height as
the top attachment position on a “half-round” connector (part of
the ME-6990 Truss Set).
Technical Support
For assistance with any PASCO product, contact PASCO at:
For more information about the Force Platform Structures
Bracket and the latest revision of this Instruction Sheet, visit:
www.pasco.com/go?ME-6988A
Limited Warranty For a description of the product warranty, see the
PASCO catalog. Copyright The PASCO scientific 012-12312A Force
Platform Structures Bracket Instruction Sheet is copyrighted with all rights
reserved. Permission is granted to non-profit educational institutions for
reproduction of any part of this manual, providing the reproductions are
used only in their laboratories and classrooms, and are not sold for profit.
Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the written consent
of PASCO scientific, is prohibited. Trademarks PASCO and PASCO
scientific are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO scientific, in
the United States and/or in other countries. All other brands, products, or
service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are
used to identify, products or services of, their respective owners. For more
information visit www.pasco.com/legal.
Patents Pending The following PASCO products have patents pending:
#5
Outermost
attachment
position (5)
#5
#4
#4
Half-round
connector
#3
#3
Figure 4: Using one Force Platform Structures Bracket
Half-round
connector
Innermost
attachment
position (3)
Address: PASCO scientific
10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100
Phone: [phone] (worldwide)
800-772-8700 (U.S.)
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.pasco.com
Email: [email protected]
ME-6984 Structures Hydraulics Set ME-7004 Destructible Bridge Set
ME-6987 Flat Structures Members ME-7009 Cast Beam Structures Set
ME-6989 Physics Structures Set PS-2198 Load Cell Amplifier
ME-6990 Truss Set PS-2199 Load Cell and Amplifier Set
ME-6991 Bridge Set PS-2200 100 N Load Cell
ME-6992A Adv. Structures Set PS-2201 5 N Load Cell
ME-6995 Road Bed Spares PS-2205 Dual Load Cell Amplifier