Robust Load Pins Measure Force with Accuracy

Load pins offer a versatile solution for measuring force in various applications. They often serve as direct replacements for clevis or pivot pins. A load pin measures the force applied through strain gages typically housed within a small bore at its center. Two precisely machined grooves on the pin’s outer circumference define the shear planes strategically positioned between where force will be applied.

Interface load pins are made from durable stainless steel and built to withstand harsh environments. Welded or O-ring-sealed end caps and careful attention to the signal cable gland ensure high operational reliability, even in underwater applications and maritime use cases.

The load pin’s inherent waterproof design makes it ideal for submersible and adverse conditions. To protect the device against challenging environments, a standard polyurethane sheathed cable can offer further shielding using a hydraulic hose. This offers excellent abrasion resistance and the convenience of readily available associated fittings.

Load rating is a critical consideration. High-strength steels are employed in the manufacturing process to optimize the load-bearing capabilities of each load pin design. It’s important to understand that there’s a trade-off between the output signal strength and the ultimate strength of any given design.

Interface offers standard, custom, and wireless load pins for integration into a wide range of products, machines, equipment, and structures. They are a top pick for retrofitting equipment with accurate control and measurement solutions. Interface load pins are useful measurement tools in lifting, weighing, rigging, and hoisting applications.

LOAD PIN ADVANTAGES

• Cost-Effective
• Rugged Stainless-Steel Material
• Easy to Retrofit
• Safety
• Intrinsically Safe (Environment)
• High IP, Waterproof
• Customized to Application (No NRE)
• Smarter Systems

INTERFACE LOAD PIN PRODUCTS

ILMP Standard Stainless Steel Load Pin

• Capacities range from 1.1K lbf (0.5 MT) to 3,307K lbf (1500 MT)
• Keeper plate supplied
• Environmentally Sealed to IP67
• High Tensile Stainless Steel Construction
• It can be provided with an integral connector
• Submersible versions available
• Options available with integral signal conditioning providing 0-10V, 0-5V, 4-20mA, RS485 outputs
• Available with Hazardous Area certified – Explosion Proof (Ex d) and Intrinsically Safe (Ex i)
• Integral signal conditioning by request
• Special electrical connectors and TEDS option

Access the ILMP Specifications

LP Stainless Steel Load Pin

• Custom designs
• Capacities up to 3,000K lbf (1,360 MT)
• Designed to replace pins or bolts that carry a load
• Stainless steel construction
• Used with clevises or pulley shafts to monitor loads
• Robust, lightweight housing
• Environmentally sealed to IP67 or higher
• Available with Hazardous Area certified – Explosion Proof (Ex d) and Intrinsically Safe (Ex I)

TIP: Use IInterface’sLoad Pin Configurator for Design Requirements

WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pin

• Custom designs
• Capacities up to 3,000K lbf (1,360 MT)
• Stainless steel construction
• Low power consumption for extended battery life
• 600 (1,969 ft) meter range
• Configured and calibrated via PC using a base station and telemetry toolkit
• Compatible with Interface WTS Wireless Products
• Robust, lightweight housing
• Environmentally sealed to IP67

Review the WTSLP specifications here.

Optional Design Features for Interface Custom Load Pins

• Radial Cable Exit
• Axial Cable Exit
• End Connector
• Radial Connector
• Recessed End Connector
• Anti-Rotation Features
• Axial Retention Features
• Greaseways

Load Pin Integration Considerations

LOAD PIN INDUSTRY USE CASES

Load pins are typically used in rope, chain, brake anchors, sheaves, shackles, bearing blocks, and pivots. They are ideal for lifting and rigging mechanisms in construction, structural assemblies, and moving devices. Industries using load pins include infrastructure, aerospace and defense, industrial automation, manufacturing, maritime, and energy markets such as oil and gas.

CRANES AND LIFTING EQUIPMENT

AEROSPACE

Inflatable space habitats are the newest innovation in the space industry, creating a new space where humans can live and work beyond the atmosphere. A space company wants to test the overall design and material of the inflatable habitat by conducting a burst test. Multiple clevises and LP Stainless Steel Load Pins are attached to the webbing habitat. The load pins will capture how much force the heavy-duty material will hold at specific pressures until it explodes. Review: Inflatable Space Habitat

AGRICULTURE AND HEAVY MACHINERY

A farming equipment manufacturer wants to measure the forces applied to the tractor’s draft control between the tractor and any linked-on attachments. Measuring the force helps the farmer sense any strains on the tractor hitch, and specific settings will be needed for the draft control when the tractor encounters rough terrain. The WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pins are installed where the tractor’s original shear pin would be located. An implement is installed to the hitch. The force results are measured and relayed to the wireless telemetry systems, such as the WTS-BS-4 Wireless Base Station, where the customer can review the results with the supplied WTS toolkit. It is also transmitted to the WTS-BS-1-HS handheld display, where customers can view the measurements alternatively in real time. Review: Tractor Linkage Draft Control

MARITIME AND LIFTING

A reach stacker is a vehicle used in shipping ports and container terminals to lift, move, and stack heavy containers. A force monitoring system is needed to ensure the safety of surrounding personnel and to determine if the reach stacker can lift heavy loads. The four WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pins are installed at the corners of the lifting mechanism of the reach stacker. A heavy load or container is lifted. The WTSLP wirelessly transmits the force data results to the WTS-BS-1 Wireless Handheld Display For Unlimited Transmitters. Data is logged, graphed, and recorded with Log100 software. Review: Reach Stacker

INFRASTRUCTURE

Road bridge lifts are specially constructed on roads or highways that intersect with water bodies such as rivers, canals, or harbors, allowing navigation to continue unimpeded. A force sensor system is needed to ensure the bridge’s structural integrity and safe operation. The LP Stainless Steel Load Pins are installed in the pulleys of the pulley system used to lift the vertical bridge. Force data can be displayed when connected to the paired 920i Programmable Weight Indicator and Controller, which will measure all three bridges. Review: Road Bridge Lift Monitoring

MANUFACTURING

A weaving loom machine is a device used to create woven fabric by interlacing threads or yarns at right angles to each other. A real-time tension monitoring system is needed to ensure the tension of the material is perfect to create optimal weave efficiency. Interface’s custom WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pins are integrated into the beam of the weave loom machine. The WTSLP measures the tension from the beam and wirelessly transmits the data to a computer through the WTS-BS-4 Wireless Base Station with a USB Interface and Industrial Enclosure. Data is displayed, logged, and graphed with supplied Log100 software. Review: Weave Loom Efficiency

OIL AND GAS

A top drive drill is found in the oil and gas industry. It is a large, motorized drill that allows for the rotation of the drill string from the top of the drilling mast. Load pins are needed to suspend the top drive more accurately to measure the weight on the bit since it is installed between the traveling block and the top drive. ILMP Standard Stainless Steel Load Pin is installed at the traveling block to suspend the top drive drill. As the top drive drilling operations commence, the 920i Programmable Weight Indicator and Controller display the forces detected by the load pin. Review: Top Drive App Note

Getting started? Let’s discuss your load pin application and configuration requirements. Contact our application experts today.