Load Cell And Shockproof Load Cells Used In Bench Or Platform Scales
By definition a load cell is an electronic device (a transducer) that is used to convert a force into an electrical signal
. What does this mean? A load cell is a transducer which converts force into a measurable electrical output.
How does this work? The conversion of the force into an electrical current is indirect and happens in two phases. A load cell can consist of one, two or four strain gauges depending on the type of load cell, and it is the strain gauge that converts the force into the electrical current. Now not all load cells use strain gauges, there are many different types such as hydraulic, pneumatic load cells, fibre optic, button and washer load cells to name a few.
History of the Load Cell
A load cell converts force into a measurable output, meaning a load cell allows us to weigh items accurately. Strain gauge based load cells are probably the most popular form but there are many different types such as Hydraulic Load Cells, Pneumatic Load Cells, and Fiber Optic, and many more. But where did it all begin, how did the load cell come about and who invented the theory behind it all?
It is fact that heavy objects deflect a spring support more than lighter ones. Think of a fisherman and a fishing rod. The fishing pole is securely in place at one end by the grip of the fisherman, and the pole is deflected down in the water by the fish on he other end. If the fish is pulling back the deflection is larger than if the fish is not pulling back at all. We can measure the difference of the deflection to measure the weight of the item as the more the deflection the higher the weight. This is the same idea behind a set of scales. The scale is merely a coiled spring with a scale, the more weight placed on the spring the more it is deflected which will mark off on the scale the weight of the item. A load cell, in its most simplistic form, is a springy element which supports the load, and a deflection measuring element which indicates the amount of deflection caused by the load.
Load cells are used today to weigh industrial applications but this hasn't always the case. Before load cells mechanical lever scales were used. Mechanical lever scales are accurate if they are calibrated and maintained properly. The principle of the mechanical lever scale is either the use of a weight balancing mechanism or the detection of the force developed by mechanical levers.
In 1843 an English physicist called Sir Charles Wheatstone devised a bridge circuit that could measure electrical resistances. This bridge circuit was used for measuring the resistance changes that occur in strain gages. In the 1940s the first bonded resistance wire strain
gage was developed. Together with the technology developed the strain gages have produced both mechanical scale components and stand-alone load cells.
What can you do with the electrical output? Well before the electrical current can be used the electrical signal output usually requires amplification by an instrumentation amplifier and then it can be used. Load cells are primarily used as a weighing apparatus. The strain gage-based load cell has become the method of choice for industrial weighing applications.
Which applications use load cells? To name a few load cells can be found in electronic crane scales, finding the center of gravity of an object by weight, force measurement, force gauge, onboard weighing, railcar weighing, structural health monitoring, and tension measurement.
Examples of Digital Load Cells and Their Applications
There is a massive variety of load cells today, all of which are better used in certain applications and circumstance than others for example the new compression load cell is used for applications in tough environments. The new beam load cell is great for belt scales, platform scales, filling machines, and process equipment. The single point load cells are usually found in applications such as multihead weighers, checkweighers, filling machines, belt scales, platform scales, and bench scales. Depending on your requirements and the type of weighing you are conducting will depend on the type of load cell you should use.
by: Joe Denver
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