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Operating and Calibrating the FT-300S Force Torque Sensor Subtitle

Understand how the FT-300S works and perform accurate calibration to ensure optimal force and torque measurements.

Knowledge

Context

The FT-300S force torque sensor uses capacitance-based deformation measurements to detect forces and moments applied to the tool. Proper calibration is critical to account for tool mass, mounting stresses, and drift—ensuring accurate sensor data in your robot’s application. Calibration data is stored permanently in the sensor and influences readings on all future startups.


Information

1. How the FT-300S Works

  • A spring-like plate inside the FT-300S deforms under load, altering the distance between the plate and the PCB.

  • This deformation changes the capacitance, which the PCB electronics measure and convert into force and torque readings.

What Calibration Does

Calibration compensates for several factors:

  • Mass and center of mass of the sensor + tool

  • Pre-load from mounting screws or coupling stress

  • Signal offsets due to drift (via a temporary “Zero sensor” offset) robotiq.zendesk.comblog.robotiq.com

After calibration, these adjustments are saved to the sensor’s permanent memory, affecting all future readings

 

Performing Calibration

You can calibrate via:

  • Visual Demo Software (PC): Use the “Tool Calibration” tab, then review readings in the “Sensor Data” tab. assets.robotiq.com

  • Universal Robots (UR) Dashboard: (From instruction manual insights)

    1. Navigate in PolyScope to Program Robot → Installation → FT Sensor.

    2. Open the Calibration tab.

    3. Launch the calibration wizard.

    4. Follow prompts to orient the sensor’s axes downward:

      • X axis pointing down, then confirm → Y axis pointing down → Z axis pointing down.

    5. View payload and center of gravity in the Calibration menu.

 

Zeroing Before Key Tasks

Use the Zero sensor routine as a temporary offset to compensate for signal drift when performing sensitive tasks like surface detection, force insertion, etc.

When to Recalibrate

Recalibrate whenever:

  • The sensor is installed or reinstalled on a robot arm.

  • A new end effector is mounted.

  • Mounting screws or tool changes may shift the mass or stress on the sensor.