Modern load cells work using a combination of the Wheatstone bridge equation and the strain gauge. The Wheatstone bridge equation was developed in 1833 by Samuel Hunter Christie, and improved upon and popularized in 1843 by Sir Charles Wheatstone. Wheatstone bridge circuits illustrate the concept of a difference measurement. Today, load cells are usually made up of four strain gauges in a Wheatstone configuration.
Load cells have a specified load direction, do not apply side forces, bending or torsional movements on load cells. Inappropriate loading applications will risk reducing the life of load cells, plus distortion of correct measurement results.
The most popular type of force torque sensor is the six-axis sensor. This particular force torque (FT) sensor is capable of measuring forces in every direction. A six-axis FT sensor generally utilizes strain gauge technology; when pressure is applied, the resistance within the gauge increases or decreases proportionally to the force it receives. This is how the sensor measures the movement of its external frames in relation to one another. Six-axis sensors can be found in robotic arms at the “joint.”
The basic principle, it is a measure of the “force” being used (or attempting) to turn an element. This measurement is achieved by the use of strain gauges bonded to the shaft, measuring the strain, induced in the shaft by the applied torque or “force”.
① Ambient Conditions Humidity, pressure, temperature, etc. of the medium surrounding the load cell. ② Ambient Temperature The temperature of the medium surrounding the load cell. ③ Angular Load Eccentric A load applied eccentric with the primary axis at the point of application and at some angle with respect to the primary axis.
How to select the appropriate sensor When we provide sensing solutions, it is very important to choose the right products. There are so many kinds of sensors. Once the selection is not good, it will bring a lot of issues to the application.
A load cell is a sensor that converts force or weight into a measurable electrical output, the most common output signal is mV/V.
