Determining the exact mass and inertia properties of a rigid body, including the center of mass and the principal directions of the inertia tensor, is crucial for a range of applications. These properties play a key role in the orientation and control of flying objects, where precise knowledge of the body’s dynamics is essential for stability and maneuverability. Additionally, accurate inertia properties are vital for design optimization and manufacturing verification, ensuring that the produced components meet the required specifications and perform as intended under operational conditions.
This research introduces a new methodology for determining complex-shaped rigid bodies’ complete mass and inertia tensor properties through an automated dynamic testing procedure. The proposed approach enables accurate computation of the center of mass and all inertia products during a routine vibration test. By leveraging the variable forces applied during the vibration test, the method generates a wealth of data points within a single experimental setup. This abundance of data potentially facilitates precise estimation of the center of mass and inertia properties, achieving higher accuracy than conventional methods currently in use.
