Loadcells
Loadcells are measuring devices that monitor and gauge forces of compression, tension and shear. They are a type of transducer which converts sensed mechanical force into electrical signals for measurement used in mechanical testing, ongoing system monitoring and as components in devices such as industrial scales. Various types of loadcells, pressure sensors and gauges are used in manufacturing, processing and testing industries. The food processing industry uses loadcells to precisely measure ingredients and for product distribution during packaging. Industrial warehouse environments where pallets of inventory are shuffled around often use loadcells to determine the precise weight of loaded pallets, which is crucial for filling and accepting orders. Other loadcell applications include the testing of bridge building materials like beams, for tension strength, as well as in railcar weighing and truck scales. They are important components in calibration systems, and are also used in fatigue testing for research and development laboratories.
The most common type of loadcell uses strain gauges, which are very small devices that measure the strain of an object by converting internal deformation into electrical signals to precisely measure weight, force or strain. Force gauges use strain gauges in push-pull testing and flow measurement. While most loadcells measure and test with strain gauges, some are piezoelectric sensors which use quartz crystals to measure weight, strain, movement and vibrations. Many of these sensors, although quite small, are built to support or hold as much as several tons, while miniature loadcells are build to provide precise measurement for much smaller applications. After loadcells transduce mechanical stress into electrical energy, the information that they monitor is then signaled to a recorder or other computerized data collection system. Loadcells use analog or digital technology for the recording and transferring of information.