Calibrating the Force Measuring System
Preface All electronic force measuring systems, including industrial weighing systems, consist of a series of components. These components carry the end-to-end signal flow, from the force sensor(s) to the output display or control system. Each of these components can...
Load Cell Summing: Junction Boxes, Signal Trim, and Excitation Trim
Preface Large-scale and complex weighing systems often require the combination of multiple load cells to record accurate measurements. These multiple load cell devices are arranged symmetrically to form the “corners” of the measurement platform. This distributes...
Reducing Noise in Very Sensitive Load Cell Applications
Preface Load cells produce very small voltages, on the order of millivolts, when measuring a force. Consequently, any unwanted voltage from the load cell, such as that induced by environmental interference, creates error in the measurement. Therefore, when making very...
Load Cell Mounting and Installation Best Practices
While selecting the appropriate load cell for an application is important, its measurement output could be meaningless if the load cell installation and mounting are off. Proper installation is critical to obtaining high-quality, accurate readings. It also guarantees...
Why Do I Need a Load Cell Amplifier (and Other Signal Conditioners)?
Preface A load cell is a transducer or sensor, that converts the kinetic energy of a force into a quantifiable electrical signal. This output signal is very small for strain gauge load cells, in the order of millivolts. On the other hand, most displays need a larger,...
Connecting a Force Sensor to a DAQ
When connecting a force sensor and data acquisition (DAQ) system, it is helpful to have a general overview of how these various subsystems integrate. The block diagram in Figure 1 below shows the individual components and how a signal flows through them. This...
How to Test for Faults in Load Cells
Preface Load cells may, from time to time, encounter faults that disrupt their performance. This article highlights common strain gauge load cell faults and how to troubleshoot them. Common Load Cell Faults The following faults are common to a typical strain gauge...
Load Cell FAQ
Why should I select Tacuna Systems load cells and accessory products? At Tacuna Systems, we strive to ensure the success of our customers’ projects through our personalized product support and encompassing design services. To realize these projects we offer a wide...
Installing and Mounting Piezoelectric Force Transducers
Preface Piezoelectric force transducers serve an important purpose in force measurement. They are small in size and well-suited for applications requiring small components, or measurement of dynamic forces. This article discusses the various concepts and process that...Load Cell Research Example: Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Freshwater Snails
The following paper was provided by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as an example of the use of load cells in practical research applications. Dr. Paul E. Brunkow, PhDDepartment of Biological SciencesSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville We are...
How to Build a Digital Weighing Scale
Preface Build a digital scale for your next DIY electronics project. Whether you’re looking to increase your background learning around force measurement or in search of a school science project, this DIY eletronics project can be completed by anyone with a...
How to Measure Axial Thrust Using a Load Cell
Preface Measuring an axial thrust load with a load cell requires a clear understanding of both axial thrust and load cell designs. This depth of understanding clearly influences the choice of measuring technique and the load cell type to use. Therefore this...