Dillon AP Mechanical Dynamometers — In Stock, Expert-Specified, Ship Fast

Annual recalibration is the standard interval required by most utility, aerospace, and industrial quality systems. NIST-traceable calibration is available through our Houston facility — ship your unit to us, and we’ll return it calibrated with a dated certificate. Standard fee is $295; expedited is $395. Request calibration here →

Both measure force using the same proven AP mechanism. The 10″ dial provides a larger display with finer graduation increments — particularly useful for high-capacity applications (20,000 lb and above) where reading accuracy at a distance or in fine increments is important. The 5″ dial is the most widely used format for general utility and field applications.

Yes. AP models are available in both imperial (lb/lbf) and metric (kg/kgf) configurations. Filter by your preferred unit of measure in the product listings above, or call us and we’ll confirm availability for the specific metric capacity you need.

We maintain on-hand inventory across the most in-demand AP capacities. In most cases, we can ship same or next business day from our Houston facility — compared to 14–15 week lead times when ordering through the factory. Call us at 281-405-0606 to confirm current stock on your specific model.

Yes. The AP is used in MRO, rigging, and structural applications throughout the aerospace supply chain. We hold CAGE Code 1W4R9 for federal and defense procurement, and our calibration certificates meet NIST traceability documentation requirements for aerospace quality systems. Contact us to discuss your specific application →

Ship it to our Houston facility and our factory-trained technicians will diagnose the issue and provide a repair quote before any work begins. We stock common replacement parts and can typically turn around repairs faster than ordering a replacement from the factory.

Yes. We can configure non-standard capacity ratios for specialized applications — for example, 3-to-1 ratio configurations used in pipe torquing operations. Call us at 281-405-0606 or submit a custom request here → and we’ll discuss your requirements.

Torque dynamometers measure the rotational output of a motor or engine — capturing torque and rotational speed simultaneously to calculate power curves across a test range. Force dynamometers like the Dillon AP measure the force exerted along a single axis — tension or compression between two fixed points — with no rotational component involved. When specifying the right instrument, measurements of torque require a rotary torque transducer or engine dyno; measurements of static line tension or load require a force dynamometer.

Engine test dynamometer systems fall into two broad categories: absorption dynamometers, which dissipate the energy output of the unit under test, and motoring dynamometers, which can both absorb and apply torque to simulate real-world load conditions. Common absorption designs include hydraulic dynamometer (water-brake) units, eddy-current models, and air cooled friction types. More advanced AC dynamometer setups use an electric motor to reproduce transient test profiles and replicate full test cycle conditions — standard in automotive engine development and powertrain certification for environmental regulations in a controlled test cell environment.

In an electronic dynamometer, a transducer converts the physical force applied into an electrical signal that can be displayed, logged, and transmitted digitally. Most digital dynamometers use a strain gauge-based transducer bonded to a load-bearing element — when the element deflects, the gauge changes resistance proportionally, producing a measurable output. The Dillon AP operates without a transducer — it measures the force directly through a calibrated flexing beam and dial face.

A mechanical dynamometer measures the force exerted through a precision flexing beam — deflection under load moves a dial pointer proportional to the applied weight or tension. Calibration is verified against a known mass at the factory and confirmed annually through NIST-traceable recalibration. In an electronic dynamometer, the same force applied is digitized by a transducer and output as dynamometer measurements that can be logged and reviewed — making electronic models better suited for applications requiring ongoing data acquisition and full traceability.

No — the Dillon AP is a tension and compression force dynamometer, not an engine or powertrain test instrument. Automotive applications — including chassis dyno testing and measuring the performance of engines under load — require rotary dynamometers built to measure torque and speed from a rotating shaft. The AP is used in utility, rigging, aerospace, and industrial applications where the goal is to measure the force exerted along a cable, line, or structural member — not the rotational output of a drivetrain.

An eddy-current dynamometer uses electromagnetic resistance — induced by a rotor spinning through a magnetic field — to absorb the torque produced by an engine or motor under test. A water-brake dynamometer achieves a similar result using hydraulic pressure, metering water through a rotor and stator to dissipate energy as heat. Eddy-current designs offer finer control at constant torque and are well-suited to transient testing; water-brake units are preferred for high-power applications where raw absorption capacity matters more than precise torque and power profiling.

Accuracy during transient conditions can be affected by hysteresis in mechanical components, system resonance, and the rate of acceleration through a test range. Electronic dynamometer systems compensate through high-speed sampling and calibration corrections applied in the data acquisition chain. For static force dynamometers like the Dillon AP — used in low-speed tension and load applications — hysteresis is managed through proper calibration against a known mass and by operating within the rated capacity range.

Yes — handheld medical dynamometers are designed specifically to measure grip strength and upper extremity force output in clinical and ergonomic settings. Brands such as Régnier produce calibrated hand dynamometers used in occupational therapy and musculoskeletal assessment. These instruments measure the force exerted by a patient against a resistance mechanism and are an entirely separate product category from the industrial tension dynamometers Dynamic Measurement Systems supplies.