Small in Dimension and Precise in Measurement
The world of force measurement is vast. Interface products are used across industries and in a wide range of applications. From the measurement of minute forces in catheter stint testing to jumbo load cells for massive structural testing of rockets, Interface load cells provide highly accurate measurement no matter the size of the load cell.
One of the many benefits of Interface products is the extensive range of measurement capacities and dimensions we offer, including our Mini Load Cells used for small and precise measurements. Interface Mini™ load cells are ideal for light touch, weight, or limited space test and measurement applications. The Mini Load Cells provide remarkably accurate measurements like our LowProfile load cells. With capacities available as low as 0.11 lbf / 0.5 N and as high as 100 kN, there are various miniature load cells for testing and options for custom OEM solutions.
TIP: Explore your options with our Mini Load Cell Selection Guide
Typical applications for measuring tiny, accurate forces are within the medical, manufacturing, robotics, and consumer product industries.
Medical device manufacturers are working to provide handheld point-of-care devices for patients. Additionally, medical devices used within the human body must provide extremely delicate forces to achieve their intended purpose without harming the patient.
Take something that seems relatively simple, like a vascular clamp. These types of delicate instruments are used on heart valves. If they provide too little force, they cannot do their job. However, providing too much force could severely harm the patient. Medical device manufacturers of these surgical tools use miniature load cells to measure the clamping force to ensure precise accuracy to toe the line between too much and too little force, which is a very precise number.
In the pharmaceutical industry, very small load cells are crucial for accurately measuring the force applied to the pills (tablets) during the press marking phase and other manufacturing processes to ensure consistent dosage and tablet integrity.
With consumer products, precision force measurement is critical to various manufacturing processes and real-time monitoring. A load button load cell is the right size for testing the durability of a smart device by applying a force to the screen and measuring the amount of force the screen can withstand before cracking or breaking. Read: Touchscreen Force Testing App Note
A miniature load cell can measure the force required to open a food package. This information can be used to ensure that the packaging is easy for consumers to open and secure enough to protect the food from damage. In food processing, load cells measure the force applied to food during mixing, blending, and other processes to ensure consistent product quality and prevent damage to the food itself. For instance, load cells can monitor the force applied to a dough mixer to ensure the dough is correctly mixed without becoming overworked or tough.
MINIATURE LOAD CELLS FOR SMALLER, MORE PRECISE FORCE MEASUREMENT APPLICATIONS
CONVEXBT LOAD BUTTON LOAD CELL
The ConvexBT Load Button Load Cell is superior to any other load button. Constructed from heat-treated stainless steel and environmentally sealed with integral temperature compensation. Learn more about ConvexBT on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/l4xEKNjKREw
- 5 lbf to 1,000 lbf, 22.24 N to 4.44 N
- Integral temperature compensation
- Enhanced eccentric load rejection
- Multi-point calibration
- Integral load button
- Minimal diameter
Model SMTM is the miniature overload-protected S-type load cell and is excellent to use where size is a constraint.
- Capacity 5, 25, 50 lbf (20, 100, 200N)
- It can be used in tension and compression
- Micro-sized 3/4” x 3/4” x 1/4”
- Excellent temperature compensation (0.005%/°F Temp Effect on Output)
- Overload protected
SUPERSC S-TYPE MINIATURE LOAD CELL
The SuperSC is an economical general-purpose load cell with a high force in a compact design. The SuperSC is environmentally sealed and insensitive to off-axis loading. The proprietary form factor is 80% smaller and 50% lighter than other models of s-type load cells. READ: New Technical White Paper Analyzes SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cells
- 25 to 1000 lbf (100 N to 5 kN)
- High force in a compact design
- Environmentally sealed
- High stiffness
- Low deflection
ULC ULTRA LOW CAPACITY LOAD CELL
The Interface model ULC is the world’s most accurate ultra-low capacity load cell measuring loads from 0.1 to 2 N (10.2 grams to 500 gmf).
- Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
- Highest performance low capacity load cell in the world
- Overload protected
- Safe side load overload to 5X capacity
- Low extraneous load sensitivity
- Low-temperature effect on zero (0.002%/°F)
- Tension and Compression
- 5 ft integral cable included
MBP OVERLOAD PROTECTED MINIATURE BEAM LOAD CELL
Model MBP series load cells perform similarly to the famous Model MB series with the added safeguard of internal overload protection.
- 5 lbf to 10 lbf
- Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
- 10x overload protection
- Low height – 0.99 in (25.1 mm)
- 0008%F temp. effect on output
- 5′ Integral Cable (custom lengths available upon request)
- NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate
SMALL AND PRECISE MEASUREMENT APPLICATIONS
SPECIMEN RESEARCH
In the medical industry, medical experts need the best equipment to research multiple specimens. In this case, a medical researcher needs to monitor the load force of their linear actuator that uses a needle to collect material from the desired specimen. Interface’s SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cell can easily be installed into the linear test stand. A needle with a gripper on the end is installed on the lower end of the SuperSC. As the needle is pushed to collect specimen material, the load feedback is captured using the 9330 Battery Powered High-Speed Data Logging Indicator through an SD card or another laptop. Read: Specimen Research App Note
AIRBAG CONNECTOR TESTING
Testing airbag connectors functionality is needed to ensure perfect deployment in case of a car crash. Eight to twelve connectors are installed in each vehicle, and tests must be made to clarify whether the connectors are working effectively. These connectors usually work when latched, but that does not ensure the electrical properties are performing. The amount of force needs to be tested to see when an electrical current is connected. Interface’s solution is to attach the WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell to the actuator of the test rig. The airbag connector is placed at the test rig’s bottom. Forces are applied and measured using the 9330 High-Speed Data Logger as the connector is pushed down to latch together. When connected to a computer, results can be logged, downloaded, and reviewed.
COBOT MONITORING SYSTEM
Collaborative robots, or cobots, are offering more manufacturing operations in the industrial packaging industry. Protective cages or fences are no longer needed for safety purposes, but safety testing is still required to ensure humans and robots can work together. Four 3-axis Force Load Cells (creating one 6-axis Force Plate) are installed between two metal plates at the base of the cobot. Interface suggests installing a 6-axis force plate under the cobot and two ConvexBT Load Button Load Cells in the pinchers of the cobot. If a human were to knock into the cobot or have any object stuck in the pincher, the cobot would sense the force measured from the load cells and be programmed to stop immediately.
Interface can serve a wide range of test and measurement applications from millions of pounds force to the most minute. If you want sensors with small, more precise measurement capabilities, please check out our miniature load cell selection guide.
