Additional Types of Testing Using Load Cells

Interface is renowned for its extensive product line of sensor technologies and testing solutions, catering to a diverse range of testing types used across various industries. Our standard and engineered-to-order models and capacities of force measurement products offer numerous options for test labs and programs to meet unique requirements, ranging from our ultra-miniature load cells to wireless and IO-Link LowProfiles.

In our testing type series, we have selected 15 types of tests for review, supported by industry examples. We began the series with the most common types of testing, including tension, compression, torque, and structural. Read our first post in the series: Types of Testing Applications Using Load Cells.

Part two of our types of testing series highlights the range of applications that utilize Interface test and measurement solutions, including weighing, lifting, environmental, calibration, and impact testing. We emphasize how our load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, instrumentation devices, and data acquisition systems support testing professionals and their projects in these areas.

The following illustrates Interface’s capabilities in supporting a broad range of testing applications, demonstrated by industry use case examples and prevalent methods in test and measurement.

Additional Types of Testing with Industry Use Cases

WEIGHT TESTING

Weight testing determines an object’s mass using load cells, which are essential for quality control, inventory management, and monitoring equipment performance. High-precision load cells deliver accurate weight measurements. Temperature compensation is crucial for load cells used in varying environmental conditions, and proper grounding and vibration minimization is recommended for optimal accuracy.

• Industrial weighing equipment must accurately verify the weight of materials and finished products.
• Scales undergo thorough weight testing to guarantee accurate weight measurements for goods sold by weight, as well as for transportation and distribution purposes.
• Aerospace testing labs utilize sensors for weight testing to measure the loads of aircraft components for balance and payload calculations.

Additional industry weight testing references:

• How Are Load Cells Used for Weighing?
• Weighing Solutions Video
• Aquafarming Fish Weighing
• Inventory Weighing
• Mining Tank Weighing
• Water Bottle Dispensing and Weighing
• Gantry Crane Weighing
• Gantry Crane Weighing Animated Application Note
• Weighing Solutions Brochure
• High Accuracy Load Cell Solutions for Trustworthy Scales

LIFT TESTING

Lift testing assesses the capacity and safety of lifting equipment, including cranes, hoists, and elevators. Load cells monitor the applied lifting force. High-capacity load cells capture transient forces, providing insights into system behavior. The load cell’s capacity should exceed the expected loads, and regular proof testing is essential for ensuring accuracy and safety.

• Construction equipment makers use lift testing data to verify the safe working load of cranes and lifting beams.
• Automotive manufacturers test the lifting capacity of vehicle lifts and assembly line hoists.
• Material handling machinery, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, undergo rigorous lift testing for safe operations.

Additional industry lift testing references:

• Rescue Helicopter Hoist Test
• Bridge Lifting and Positioning
• Lifting Heavy Objects
• Airplane Jacking System
• Patient Hoyer Lift
• Best Practices and Tips for Using Sensors in Lifting
• 5 Whys for Using Load Cells in Lifting
• Crane Capacity Verification Animated
• Drone Delivery Lifting Video
• The Rise of Intelligent Measurement in Lifting Equipment
• Lifting Solutions Guide

CENTER OF GRAVITY (CoG) TESTING

CoG testing determines an object’s balance point, which is crucial for stability and performance. Multi-axis sensors and load cells measure forces and moments, enabling the precise calculation of the center of gravity. See our Center of Gravity Case Study Highlights Testing for Stability and Safety. Proper sensor calibration and accurate placement of the test object are essential.

• Aerospace utilizes CoG testing to optimize the balance of aircraft and spacecraft for improved flight stability.
• Automotive design centers and test labs must determine the center of gravity through testing to ensure proper vehicle weight distribution, which enhances handling and safety.
• Sports equipment manufacturers use CoG testing to fine-tune product performance and balance for golf clubs, rackets, and racing bicycles.

Additional industry center of gravity (CoG) testing references:

• Rocket Center of Gravity
• Center of Gravity Testing for Robotics
• Tank Weighing and Center of Gravity App Note
• Finding the Center of Gravity
• Reduced Gravity Simulation
• Crew Module Center of Gravity
• Center of Gravity Case Study Highlights Testing for Stability and Safety
• The Force Behind Accurate Center of Gravity Testing

VACUUM TESTING

Vacuum testing evaluates the integrity of sealed systems by measuring leakage rates under vacuum conditions. Vacuum controllers maintain desired levels. Proper test chamber sealing and leak detection methods are essential.

• Spacecraft assembly utilizes vacuum testing to verify the seals of spacecraft components for space operations.
• Manufacturers conduct vacuum tests to evaluate the behavior of materials, parts, and components under isolated and extreme conditions.
• Medical device companies use vacuum testing to assess and validate the seal integrity of medical device packaging.

Additional industry vacuum testing references:

• Exploring Vacuum Load Cells
• Vacuum Testing for Aviation Performance
• Vacuum Testing for Automotive Performance
• Are Load Cells Used in Vacuum Environments?
• Interface Advanced Sensors Assist in Simulating the Cosmos

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING

Environmental testing simulates various conditions, including force, temperature, and vibration, to assess product performance and durability. Sensors monitor environmental parameters and product response.

• Electronic devices undergo environmental testing under extreme temperatures and humidity.
• Automotive test labs use sensor data from environmental tests to evaluate corrosion resistance in salt spray chambers.
• Aerospace qualification relies on accurate environmental testing to verify the functionality of equipment under vibration and thermal cycling conditions.

Additional industry environmental testing references:

• Hazardous Environment Solutions from Interface
• Force Measurement Expands Environmental Testing Capabilities
• Examining Force Measurement in Subsea Oil and Gas
• Dam Spillway Gate
• Soil Compression Testing
• Seaweed Farming
• Soil Compression Testing
• Proppant Crush Test
• Ruggedized Test and Measurement Solutions Webinar
• Interface Submersible Load Cells
• High Temperature Load Cells 101
• Robust Solutions for the Emerging Blue Economy

IMPACT TESTING

Impact testing evaluates a material’s ability to withstand sudden, high-force impacts. Load cells in accelerometers measure impact force and material response. Interface Single Point Impact Load Cells (SPI) are sensors that accurately measure the impact force or load exerted on a single point. The Interface SPI and MBI are two models for platform scale single-point impact load cells used for impact testing.

• Automotive safety engineers use impact testing to determine the resistance of vehicle bumpers and airbags.
• Sports, recreational, and professional equipment makers require impact testing to evaluate the absorption of helmets and protective gear.
• Packaging designers use impact testing to determine the packaging’s ability to protect products during shipping and handling.

Additional industry impact testing references:

• Vehicle Crash Test Load Cell Wall
• Rock Fall Monitoring
• Package Drop Tester
• Bike Helmet Impact Test
• Safeguarding Products and Packaging Integrity Using Load Cells

CALIBRATION TESTING

Calibration testing verifies that your testing equipment provides readings consistent with national standards. This eliminates doubt and ensures data integrity, crucial for maintaining lab credibility. As the ultimate arbiters of measurement accuracy, calibration labs ensure test and measurement equipment perform as intended. The answer lies at the heart of their operations: high-accuracy, reliable calibration equipment to guarantee precision performance. All industries benefit from calibration when it comes to test and measurement.

Additional industry impact testing references:

• Calibration-Grade Solutions For Demanding Applications
• System Level Calibration
• Calibration Equipment Selection Guide
• Accurate Report on Calibration

PEEL TESTING

Peel testing evaluates the force required to separate one flexible material from another, which is crucial for assessing adhesive strength, bond integrity, and resistance to delamination. Load cells, particularly those with low force ranges and high resolution, capture subtle force variations during peeling.

• Packaging utilizes peel testing to evaluate the seal strength of food packaging, ensuring product freshness and preventing leaks.
• Manufacturers use adhesive peel tests to evaluate the bonding strength of tapes and labels on various substrates.
• Electronics makers use peel testing to measure the adhesion of flexible printed circuits to rigid boards.

Additional industry peel testing references:

• Peel Testing
• Interface Load Cells 501 Materials and Process Control Testing Guide
• Load Cells for Adhesive and Bonding Shear Testing

By offering this detailed breakdown of testing methodologies and the critical role of instrumentation, Interface empowers engineers and researchers to select the optimal solutions for their specific applications, ensuring accurate, reliable, and consistent results. Contact our application engineers and global representatives if you need help selecting the best test and measurement solution for your project.