Centripetal Force Apparatus (CFA)
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING
-Primary Test: Is the apparatus level?
If not, follow these steps:
     1. Secure the Counterbalance Carriage to the outer end of the Rotating Beam.
     2. Place three of the masses in the carriage.
     3. Use a flathead screwdriver to lower each foot on the CFA footer to its lowest height.
     4. Give the Rotating Beam a very slow spin and watch its motion. The beam will tend to settle to its lowest point. Confirm the location of lowest point by spinning the beam a couple more times.
     5. Raise the lowest end or side of the apparatus by increasing the height of the nearby footer or footers.
     6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the beam spins without returning to a consistently low spot.

-Secondary Test: Is the Sliding Carriage mounted properly?
The Sliding Carriage should be oriented on the Rotating Beam such that the end of the carriage with the single bottom set of bearings slides on first. If you orient the carriage the other way, it will not be able to reach its maximum radius (~16 cm) on the beam.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES
What experiments can I do with the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
How do I apply a torque to the Rotating Beam of the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
What sensors can I use with the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
How do I attach the carriages to the Rotating Beam of the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
Why can't I see angular and tangential velocity data using the Centripetal Force Apparatus with a photogate? (Advanced Physics experiment # 12A)
Is the old Vernier Photogate compatible with the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
No points appear when taking data with LabPro and Centripetal Force Apparatus
Why do I get no photogate data when also using an analog sensor?
Why does my data table have holes (empty cells) in it?
Why am I getting poor data from the photogate and LabPro with the CFA?
The moving carriage on the Centripetal Force Apparatus is binding
What is the mass of the moveable carriage of the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
Can I use the Moment of Inertia Accessory kit with the original CFA?
What falling mass should I use with the CFA Moment of Inertia Kit?
How do I use the Moment of Inertia Kit with the original CFA?
Is the old Vernier Photogate compatible with the Centripetal Force Apparatus?

SPECIFICATIONS
-Order code: CFA
-Includes:
     -Rectangular frame
     -Support legs (2)
     -Rotating assembly consisting of Rotational Shaft, Encoder Wheel, 3-Step Pulley, Rotating Beam, Bearing Housing
     -Sliding Carriage to hold the test masses
     -Counterbalance Carriage to balance the rotating beam
     -Swivel assembly (connects Sliding Carriage to a Dual-Range Force Sensor)
     -Ultra Pulley
     -Ultra Pulley Bracket (installed on Assembly)
     -Photogate Bracket with 1/4 x 20 mounting screw (installed on Assembly)
     -Dual-Range Force Sensor Bracket (installed on Assembly)
     -100 g masses (4)
     -50 g masses (4) (early units had only six 100 g masses)
     -Hook (attaches a Wireless Dynamic Sensor System (WDSS) to the Sliding Carriage)
     -WDSS Mounting Screw and T Nut to secure a WDSS

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS
Dual-Range Force Sensor (DFS-BTA)
Photogate (VPG-BTD)
Wireless Dynamics Sensor System (WDSS)
Rotary Motion Sensor (RMV-BTD)