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Where to Find 50 New Force Measurement Application Notes

One of the advantages we have at Interface is that our application engineers and solutions experts are constantly recommending Interface load cells, torque transducers, instrumentation and accessories for a wide range of projects and programs.  In this fortunate position, it enables our team to explain why and how these solutions work through a series of illustrative application notes. We detail the problem statement, the products required to achieve the desired outcome, and the measurable results in every Interface application note.

The purpose of our app notes is to show the range of capabilities for products we offer, as well as inspire product designers, engineers, and testing professionals to expand how they use sensor technologies. We also increased our industry solutions to highlight a growing interest of how our products are used in agriculture, maritime and infrastructure force and torque measurement projects.

In 2021, Interface produced a record 50+ new application notes.  We have so many application notes, we even produced a first ever complete Interface Applications Catalog.  The type of applications we detailed this year range from space docking to golf swing testing, with everything in between. You can find applications for livestock weighing, crash wall testing, crane safety regulation and even commercial fishing line tests.

Every application note includes a graphic that highlights how the test project is designed and how the products work together. All our illustrated application notes can be found here.  We also have a collection of animated application notes you can watch here.

So if you didn’t keep up with every application note we added this year, here is a quick reference:

AUTOMOTIVE AND VEHICLE

Automotive Head Rest Testing

Pre-Installation Sealing Sensor Testing

Automotive Window Pinch Force Testing

Airbag Connector Testing

Vehicle Crash Test Load Cell Wall

Torque Measurement for Electric Vehicles

TEST AND MEASUREMENT

Garbage Truck On-Board Weighing

Bike Helmet Impact Test

Bike Handlebar Fatigue Testing

Mobile Force System

Gaming Simulation Brake Pedal

Mountain Bike Shocks Testing

Spring Compression Testing

Proving Theoretical Cutting Forces of Rotary Ultrasonic Machining

Fitness Equipment and Machines

6-Axis Load Cell Solutions using Raspberry Pi

Mouse Touch-Pad Force Testing

Treadmill Force Measurement

Veterinary Weighing Scales

E-Bike Torque Measurement

Bike Power Pedals

Bike Load Testing

Bike Frame Fatigue Testing

Golf Club Swing Accuracy

Golf Ball Tee

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

Commercial Food Processing

6-Axis Force Plate Robotic Arm

INFRASTRUCTURE

Aerial Lift Overload Control

Concrete Dam Flood Monitoring

Hydraulic Jacking System Testing

AGRICULTURE

Tractor PTO Torque Testing

Silo Grain Dispensing

Poultry Feeder Monitoring

WTS Equine Bridle Tension System

BTS Equine Bridle Tension System

Livestock Weighing System

Tractor Linkage Draft Control

Chicken Weighing

Silo Monitoring and Weighing

MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE

Tablet Machine Hardness Tester Calibration

Dental Handpiece Torque Check

Interventional Guidewire Quality Inspection

Tablet Hardness Testing

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE

Space Dock Capture Ring Force Testing

Aircraft Yoke Torque Measurement

Aircraft Screwdriver Fastening Control

Landing Gear Joint Testing

Aircraft Engine Hoist

Rescue Helicopter Hoist Test

MARTIME

Mooring Quick Release Hooks (QRH)

Commercial Fishing Wire Rope Testing

Mooring Line Tension Testing

Crane Block Safety Check

Crane Capacity Verification

Crane Force Regulation

We would like to send a special thank you to our illustration and design team of Lauren O’Hagan and Scott Whitworth for all their work in creating this array of illustrations, along with a special shout out to Ken Bishop and Keith Skidmore that help us create all these application stories.

What’s new in 2022? Stay close to our Interface IQ Blog and watch our updates on the homepage and solutions for new inspirations and unique examples how engineers and product designers are thinking about using our sensors,

Testing for Commercial Drones and Parcel Delivery

Drone parcel delivery, and the use of drones in general, has expanded rapidly throughout the world. A technology that was once relegated to science fiction and imagination is becoming a real-world asset and making a huge impact on many commercial use applications in military and defense, consumer goods, logistics and inventory management, industrial automation, construction, security, agriculture, healthcare, imaging and surveying, as well as shipping and fulfillment.

To give you an idea of the impact of drones, take a look at recent numbers published by the FAA on registered drones in the U.S.:

  • 1,710,159 Drones Registered
  • 495,909 Commercial Drones Registered
  • 1,210,751 Recreational Drones Registered
  • 195,346 Remote Pilots Certified

There is a significant role for test and measurement as well as embedded sensors in this growing industry, which is expected to reach of $6B in size in the next few years. Load cells play a huge part in the design and development of this specialized aircraft technology and ongoing monitoring while in flight. Drones are classified as unmanned aerial vehicles. Basically, an aircraft without a human pilot. Successful operation of a UAV is dependent on a system, including the vehicle, a ground-based controller, and communications components, all of which must pass rigorous performance testing standards and constant data feedback.

The knowledge and tools we apply to test and measure airplanes and spacecraft performance can be transferred at a smaller scale to drones. Drone OEMs need to collect data points on thrust and velocity in test, and they also need to collect real-time sensor data on drones in-use. In fact, a large variety of sensor types are used for drone applications, including: force sensors, gyroscopes, barometers, and accelerometers.

Most recreational drones have passed significant testing during the engineering and design phase to ensure safety for anyone on the ground. Early applications and adoption sparked immediate regulation and safety requirements. We are now seeing the fastest expansion of this technology into commercial use. The future of drone technology for wide-scale business use has several of the world’s largest companies engaged in expansive development and deployment in use of UAVs for package delivery, including Alphabet (Google), Amazon, UPS, CVS and Walmart.

Commercial applications require substantially more rigorous testing in all use cases, in particular for transportation of objects. Most developed countries have defined commercial use requirements and regulations, such as the FAA in the U.S. Not only is the safety of those on the ground important critical, so is protecting the value of the goods in transport.

In demonstrating how force measurement solutions are used with drone technology, Interface created animated application note showcasing how a force solution is necessary for real-time monitoring of drones used in the shipping and fulfillment markets. Testing beyond flight, there is a level of complexity present when you introduce the weight of a package to a drone.

DRONE TESTING USE CASE

Customer Challenge:

A customer approached Interface to deliver a force solution capable of weighing a “payload” and using that data in real-time to tell the propeller motors to compensate for weight shifting or uneven weight distribution. The purpose of the force solution was to help the drone lift the payload and fly normally to reach its destination.

Interface Force Measurement Solution:

To solve this challenge, Interface supplied four WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cells, which were used to measure the weight of the payload and detect weight shifting and distribution in flight. As shifting and uneven distribution occurred, the load cells send a signal to the necessary propeller motors to compensate.

How it Works:

The four miniature load cells are connected independently to each of the four landing gear legs. The load cells are then connected to the drone’s processor, which allows the load cell to communicate the weight of the payload and store the information. As the drone flies and weight shifts, the load cell can then relay the information to the processor in real-time so that the individual motors increase in RPM to balance the shifting weight.

Subscribe to Interface’s YouTube Channel to see our latest animated application notes. This new series of animated application notes give viewers a better sense of how force measurement products are applied to real-world challenges to collect and analyze data. So far, we have produced three animated application notes, which we have linked below:

 

Auto Industry Applications

The automotive and vehicle industry has long relied on Interface products and services for accurate test and measurement programs and OEM products. Whether they are using our standard or custom load cells, calibration systems, load frames, multi-axis sensors or specialized torque transducers like AxialTQ, the applications uses for our quality sensor technologies are diverse in this sector.

Our team of solutions application experts recently put together three application notes that detail how automotive manufacturers, test labs and vehicle product engineers are utilizing our quality force measurement solutions.  Here is a brief summary of each app note.

Lug Nut Assembly Torque Application

T31 T32 T33 and T34 Spindle Style Rotary Torque TransducersThis application addresses the need to increase productivity for automobile wheel installation, while ensuring that the lug nuts are installed to the proper torque values for safety purposes. The solution from Interface was centered on the model T33 Spindle Style Rotary Torque Transducer for use in customer’s wheel installation assembly machine. These reliable and durable transducers come standard with +/-5VDC analog output for torque measurements and a 360 pulse, 2-track encoder for speed and angle measurement with simplified installation. In this application, the customer was able to perform five simultaneous torque measurements during wheel installation in seconds. The T33 Spindle Torque Transducer provided a signal torque and TTL for angle measurement back to customer’s control system so proper values could be applied and recorded.

SEE THE LUG NUT APPLICATION APPLICATION DESIGN HERE.

Fastening Work Bench Application

This application was used to increase productivity by creating a fastening work bench for screw installation with related data collection. The increased productivity would come through the use of automated tooling and torque transducer measurements resulting from an organized and efficient process. Interface supplied a model T15 Hex Drive Style Rotary Torque Transducer with integrated USB output for this project. USB output is used to measure and record torque, rotational speed and angle. The customer was able to utilize the industrial automation robotic functionality efficiently with many different screwdriver bit types with ease of installation due to the quick release feature of model T15.

SEE THE FASTENING WORK BENCH APPLICATION DESIGN HERE.

Bluetooth Brake Pedal Application

Testing engineers are able to utilize advanced connectivity and communication technologies to advance testing. For this specific application, the customer needed to measure brake pedal force when the pedal is pressed during vehicle testing. As the pedal is pressed, force is measured by the BPL-300-C Brake Pedal Load Cell. Results are transmitted by the BTS-AM-1 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Strain Bridge Transmitter Module to the BTS Toolkit Mobile App and displayed on a mobile device. The customer objective has been achieved when a brake test was executed the force measurement was simultaneously displayed and graphed for examination in real time in the tested vehicle.

SEE THE BLUETOOTH BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION DESIGN HERE

You can see more solutions for the automotive and vehicle industry here.  Need to talk to our application engineers, distributors or representatives, click here to contact us. You can find more Interface application notes here.

Applications for Consumer Products and Packaging

When we think about force measurement and its relation to product development, we often consider the aerospace, automotive or industrial industry. However, many of Interface’s customers use load cells and torque transducers to test and develop machinery used for consumer products and in the packaging industry.

In order to meet this demand, customers need force measurement tools that are both accurate and provide the necessary data points to automate and regulate consumer packaging machinery. This consumer packaging case study takes a look at the wide variety of applications of force measurement tools used to create consistency and quality among the products consumer buy and use daily.

BACKGROUND

If you have ever wondered how a pill or piece of candy gets a little logo stamped on it without crushing it or how every bag of chips is nearly filled to the same capacity, chances are a load cell or torque transducer was involved. Interface works with hundreds of customers who manufacture a wide variety of machines used in the consumer packaging industry. These machines serve numerous functions including logo stamping, bag weighing, bottle capping, sealing, and precision cutting.

According to Grandview Research, the use of automation, as well as robotics throughout the packaging lines, has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The aim is to improve productivity, reduce the operating costs and prevent waste, thus improving the overall efficiency of the packaging systems. “Big Data” has also gained popularity with operation managers that collect machine data to regulate the performance of the machinery, undertake preventive maintenance and maximize the up-time.

CHALLENGE

The challenge our customers run into when building these machines is they require a high level of precision to get consistent and repeatable results. If the machines are incorrectly calibrated, it can lead to excessive waste. For instance, if a bottle of soda isn’t capped correctly, it can leak, or if the machine which embosses toilet paper and napkins is too forceful, the paper will be ripped to shreds. Currently, most packaging machines are relying on physical hard stops, clutches, monitoring motor current and laborious tasks to monitor and apply the necessary force and torque. To ensure proper performance and to reduce waste, the most accurate and reliable force measurement tools are required.

SOLUTION

Interface works with hundreds of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who develop machines for the consumer packaging industry. Depending on the function of the machine, we manufacture a wide variety of force measurement products to help reduce waste, ensure repeatable results and provide accurate data to help consumer packaging customers automate their processes.

All of our products come with various data communication systems, including analog or digital and Bluetooth®, wireless or Ethernet. This provides customers with flexibility in their data collection methods and the ability to connect systems through the Internet of Things (IoT) functionality. For machines using a precision twisting motion, such as capping machines, we offer nearly 50 types of reaction torque transducers and rotary torque transducers for customers. All of our torque transducers are precision-machined and use our proprietary torque sensors for the most accurate data possible.

For precision weighing or stamping, such as the candy stamping application, we manufacture more than 60 different types of load cells and Interface Mini Load Cells. These load cells have capacities as low as 1 lbf (500 gf) for extreme precision. In our customer’s application highlighting candy stamping, a test apparatus was outfitted with the Interface Model WMC Mini Load Cell and a 9330 Data Logging Indicator to measure the compression force required to imprint the candy without crushing it and collect data to finely tune the process.

For applications using robotics, Interface offers multi-axis sensors to test force and torque measurements simultaneously in three mutually perpendicular axes.

RESULTS

Accuracy in packaging is a game-changer for cost-savings, production efficiency, time-to-market, and product safety. Whether you are measuring, weighing or securing, Interface load cells, mini load cells, torque transducers, and instrumentation can assure you the quality and accuracy you need to protect your brand and customer satisfaction.

Interface is one of the leading force measurement manufacturers for the consumer packaging industries. We work directly with OEM’s and engineering consultants to implement systems and products which help to reduce waste, automate the packaging process and provide accurate, repeatable results. For more information on how Interface can help solve your test and measurement challenges, please contact us to connect with our specialized Application Engineers, click here to locate a local Representative or International Distributor.

READ COMPLETE CASE STUDY HERE

Interface Case Study For Consumer Packaging

Torque Frequently Asked Questions

Torque is an incredibly important factor to understand and measure when designing products in the automotive, aerospace and defense, industrial, and even the medical sector in some cases. In order to arm our customers with critical information on torque and torque measurement, we created a Q&A of frequently asked questions from our resident experts and contributor to this post, Keith Skidmore.

How can you tell the direction of rotation from the output voltage?

The output of a torque sensor is most often bi-polar, which means the output reverses polarity as you cross through zero in your measurement. This has nothing to do with the direction of rotation, it only affects the direction of the torque. You cannot tell the direction using the voltage; however, in many cases, torque sensors can have an encoder installed in them in order to assess the direction of rotation.

What contributes to uncertainty for a torque calibration?

Often it is the actual application of the torque. When you are testing and doing comparison calibration, there are a lot of factors that can affect the results. You might think you are controlling for variances, but subtle differences can affect results.

How do you address unknown issues such as “start-up torque” and unknown torque transient spikes?

In general, start-up torque can be minimized by using a “soft start” on a motor and controlling the startup process. If there is a lot of inertia involved, you must be careful as starting up or powering down quickly can damage the torque sensor. Transient spikes would be factors that arise during testing such as compressor cycling or pulses from an engine.

It is most important to remember that torque sensor capacity should be selected so everything falls within a capacity range, and which sometimes means making an educated guess. Torque sensors always have a safe overload range. The overload range should be reserved only for accidental use. In addition, torque sensors have limits on how high they can go in terms of measurement, and that might be a lot less than their safe overload range.

You must size the sensor to measure appropriately. You can make estimates using horsepower, rpm, and some other factors to calculate torque to come up with an average and then you can factor in spikes. Just remember that starting conditions and spikes can be up to 10x running torque, so it’s very important to consider these.

When designing a rotary torque transducer into an application, do you think the pedestal-mount or the general-purpose floating rotary torque transducer is the best approach?

Generally, we would recommend floating-mount installations. The sensor should always be protected by appropriate couplings. On a floating installation, there should be single-flex couplings on each end of the sensor, and on pedestal or foot-mount, there should be double flex couplings at each end. The sensor is never intended to be used as a bearing block. In some applications, such as high rpm or when test setups need to be changed often, a pedestal-mount will make more sense. Additional design elements and considerations must be factored in.

How do you minimize slippage at the mating surfaces for torque cells that measure in both directions?

This is an issue that is not always considered but can be a big deal. It can affect the measurement and damage the hardware. There are really two considerations. First is the effect on measurement and second is damage to the mating surfaces, and they both need to be considered.

Ultimately, it depends on the types of couplings used and the types of sensors. For example, in flange connections, it’s not the bolts themselves that prevent slippage, but the friction between the mating surfaces. Surfaces must be clean and dry, and hardware torqued to spec.

Are there sensors available that can measure both applied load and torque simultaneously?

Yes. Interface calls these types of sensors axial torsion. In most cases they are static or reaction type torque sensors. Typically, they do not rotate or only rotate within a limited range.

Is there any reason to use a load cell over a torque transducer to measure torque?

Yes, there are several reasons. The main one is that a load cell is often less expensive. In some cases, you can get better accuracy (or the same) with a load cell. The downside is mounting considerations. Measuring torque using a load cell can be easy in some cases or in some cases prove difficult or impossible. Some applications will require a torque sensor for accurate measurement.

Is there any protection in case the test torque goes over the expected capacity?

Certain torque sensors have protections built-in, and that would be a mechanical stop that protects them. Those are typically lower capacity reaction style sensors.

Have additional questions regarding torque?

The Interface team is always here to help with all your torque needs! And to end 2019, Interface is offering a special discount to all our valued customers. We are offering a 10% discount on Interface Rotary Torque Transducers and Reaction Torque Transducers. We have multiple models and capacities in stock and ready to ship now. Contact our Application Engineers today and mention the promo code TORQUE2019.

*Please note that Interface’s AxialTQ Rotary Torque is not part of this promotion. Orders must be placed by December 31, 2019. 

CONTRIBUTOR:  Keith Skidmore, Regional Sales Director

Torque Brochure

 

Compression Force Testing 101

Compression is a type of force that we apply every day often without thinking and compression is intensely tested in many of the products we use on a daily basis.

Compression force is defined as the energy generated from compressing an object or substance. Compressive force is simply the direction of the force applied to the load cell. The compressive strength of materials and structures is an incredibly important engineering consideration in both designs and build.

Whether you are clicking the keys on your laptop at work or slamming on your brakes to avoid an accident on your morning commute, you are using the compression force. Testing of the compression force is essential in developing a reliable and sturdy product that can withstand the pressure applied to it many times over. Often, safety is at the core of compression testing.

Load cells incorporated into the testing process work by measuring the pushing force of an application on a single axis. The strain gage compresses to measure the load applied. The deformation of the strain gage provides the measurement data. Application tests measure the total compression force the products or structures can handle, as well as the effects of compression over time through stress tests. In both cases, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) need accurate measurements to guarantee their products can withstand compression in the short and long-term.

Interface supplies a variety of compression-focused load cells and accessories for all types of applications, both for test and measurement, as well as for inclusion in originally manufactured products and solutions. These compression load cells are often used in vehicles, industrial automation, aerospace, and defense industries. Applications are wide-ranging, from testing the impact of drones dropping packages to the material strength of bridges during an earthquake. Interface load cells are highly-rated to provide the most accurate data and reliability over time, which is why engineers rely on Interface compression-only load cells.

Here are a few of the compression load cells available from Interface:

1601 Gold Standard® Calibration Compression-Only LowProfile® Load Cells – Interface’s Gold Standard® Load Cells are designed for calibrating other load cells. The 1601 load cell is compression-only and has options available for a second and third bridge and overload protection.

1201 Compression-Only Standard Precision LowProfile® Load Cells – The Interface 1201 LowProfile® load cell provides a “compression-only” force measurement. Its spherical-shaped top surface helps provide minimal off-axis loading. 1201 is our most popular load cell designed for static applications and has a higher output than most competitive load cells.

2101 Dual Range Standard Compression-Only Load Cells – The Interface Model 2101 consists of lower and higher capacity model 1200 type load cells which are stacked with overload protection built into the lower capacity load cell permitting the high resolution to be obtained at both low and high levels of capacity. The Model 1201 is LowProfile® moment compensated.

LBM Compression Load Button Load Cells – The Interface LBM Compression Load Button is constructed from stainless steel and has a small size for all types of sensor apps and testing. This product is available in capacities that range from 25 lbf up to 50K lbf.

There is a variety of other standard compression-only load cells, including modified and custom Interface compression testing options in multiple capacities. For more information on our compression-only products or any of Interface’s industry-leading force measurement solutions, contact our Application Engineers.

Force Measurement Accessories 101

When purchasing a new piece of force measurement technology, it is equally important to consider how you will accessorize it to optimize its utility.  Just like whether you’re wrapping your brand-new smartphone in a protective case to protect your asset or outfitting your new vehicle with top of the line wheels or smart devices to personalize it for your exact needs, accessories are essential to getting the most value out of your investment. This is no different in test and measurement applications.

Accessories ensure you get fully functional and accurate use of your force measuring equipment.

Interface provides the most accurate and reliable force measurement load cells and torque transducers on the market. We also supply vital accessories to pair with our products, including cables, adapters, load buttons, mating connectors, rod end bearings, and TEDS. Our accessories are high-quality components and utilize our stringent processes to ensure your Interface products perform to meet their published specifications utilizing Interface accessories.

Here is a quick overview of why you should consider certain accessories based on your application, along with some of the products we offer to properly accessorize and optimize the performance of your force measurement components.

Why Would You Need Force Measurement Accessories?

Accessories assist with the reliability and performance of load cells and torque transducers. They can also help certain products adapt to various applications. There are a few questions we ask our customers to consider when purchasing a load cell, transducer or other Interface test and measurement products.

  1. How and where is the Interface product connecting to your application?
  2. Are adapters necessary to make the product fit your application?
  3. Are you mounting the device to a hardened flat surface?
  4. How will you be monitoring the performance of your application?

These type of questions are an important step to determine the right accessories for each application, or if a custom accessory is necessary for your testing program. Our experienced Application Engineers can work with you to determine which accessories you need.

Interface Accessories

Cable Assemblies – We provide high-grade cables and connectors to ensure the maximum performance of force and torque systems. This includes standard and custom length shielded cables for connecting transducers to instrumentation.

Calibration Adapters – Our off-the-shelf and custom calibration adapters greatly improve and maintain transducer accuracy. Interface uses high-grade alloy and stainless steel, heat treatments and quality machining practices to ensure our adapters meet your performance needs.

Clevises – We provide high-grade clevises that will perform in your application as needed while maintaining the level of performance you expect from our products. Our clevises are precision machined to ensure performance, reliability, and durability.

Jam Nuts – In order to ensure strength and performance, jam nuts are utilized to maintain a tight bond between the application. We manufacture our own high-performance jam nuts for flat, parallel surfaces in multiple thread sizes.

Load Buttons – Load buttons are used for Interface LowProfile™, S-Type and Mini Beam Load Cells to convert a universal cell to compression only.

Mating Connectors – To match interconnects between load cells and instruments we provide high-grade, off-the-shelf and custom mating connectors to guarantee the performance of your readings are not compromised by a defunct connection.

Mounting Plates – Mounting is a critical factor in the accuracy and durability of force measurement tools. Our mounting plates are made from the best grade alloy and stainless steel and are machined to the tightest specifications. This ensures the load is properly distributed over the foundation of the supporting structure and provides a prepared surface for the load cell. Mounting plates eliminate the requirement for expansion assemblies in most installations.

RCAL Resistors – Interface RCAL Resistors are high precision components that provide an effective method for checking the calibration of a load cell system in the field or when a means of applying actual forces are unavailable.

Rod End Bearings To reduce alignment errors in tension applications, Interface provides high-grade Rod End Bearings that help couple your load cell to your application solution while maintaining performance.

Thread Adapters – Thread adapters provide flexibility to users when workings with male and female threads of differing sizes. Our thread adapters are manufactured with the best practices to ensure the performance of your transducer is maintained when attached to your force transducer application.

Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) – Interface’s TEDS option provides a force or torque transducer with electronic identification, allows a sensor or an instrument to be “Plug and Play Ready”, meets IEEE 1451.4 Standard for Smart Transducer Interface and is available on new or existing sensors.

From top to bottom, Interface’s goal is enabling our customers to get the most out of their force measurement device. By combining our industry-leading products with our top-of-the-line accessories, you are certain to get the greatest value in your precision-based application test. For more information on our wide variety of standard and custom accessories, click here.

For additional information about the range of accessories available along with valuable tips about cables, TEDs, and mounting plates read or download the brochure below.
Accessories Brochure

AxialTQ for Anything That Turns and Needs Testing

The Interface AxialTQ™ wireless rotary torque transducer is a specialty product designed specifically for internal combustion testing, engine development testing, and manufacturing.

Although Interface initially developed AxialTQ for these applications, this innovative product is available for a range of use cases, including helicopters, forklifts, watercraft, industrial pumps, wind energy and more.

While AxialTQ is incredibly versatile, it continues to be used heavily in the automotive industry. Outside of traditional internal combustion lab engine testing, it’s also useful for drive train lab testing, automotive accessory lab testing and serving the unique needs of internal combustion for the agricultural industry. If it turns, it can be tested with AxialTQ.

Once we established AxialTQ as a leader in the internal combustion testing space, we knew the natural next step was to enter the electric vehicle market. The application of AxialTQ is similar; however, electrical vehicles use different technology. Our move to enter this new market is critical because as much as some people wish to ignore it, electric vehicles will soon dominate. Deloitte estimates the electric vehicle market will reach a tipping point in 2022 when the cost of an electric vehicle is on-par with its combustion engine counterparts.

AxialTQ’s industry-leading testing capabilities are helping to propel the change from combustion to electric engines. Interface is more than prepared for the shift to support test and measurement applications. As of 2019, there are roughly 20 major cities worldwide that have plans to ban gas cars by 2030 or sooner. Although the U.S. isn’t looking to ban combustion vehicles until 2040, other countries like Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are being extremely aggressive due to renewable energy concerns. Even though internal combustion engines are part of our core testing capabilities, we have the necessary tools needed for the new wave of automotive technology.

“Energy concerns is why we will start seeing an increase in AxialTQ used in the electric vehicle market. If trends continue at the current pace, we will start to see more electric vehicle applications and less internal combustion soon.” – Ted Larson, VP of Product Management and Marketing

No matter what a customer’s application is, AxialTQ has the reliability and flexibility to test it. From internal combustion to electric vehicles and a whole lot more, Interface is prepared every step of the way.


For more information about how AxialTQ can make a difference in your organization, contact our Application Engineers to learn more. Download the latest AxialTQ brochure here:

Interface AxialTQ Brochure

Making the Case with Accuracy and Reliability for Ultra HD Testing

Interface is a leader in ultra-accurate and high-reliability force measurement solutions and services for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)

We recently published a case study on a unique and complex project for a customer specializing in designing and building automated systems to observe and test for color and light performance in Ultra HD displays. It was a great opportunity for Interface to showcase our innovative design expertise. Working with OEMs in partnership allow our team members to collaborate closely to on the project’s specific and delicate nature.

This blog provides an abbreviated version of the case study. You can download the full version here.

Qualifying Ultra HD Resolution

With the rising popularity of Ultra HD and 4K format video monitors, testing for video output quality is critical. These screens have a resolution of 3840×2160.  This is four times the number of pixels in full-high-definition (HD) and eight times as many as standard definition. To put it in perspective, Ultra HD (UHD) is only a slightly lower resolution than the picture displayed on theater movie screens.

Evaluating the Application Requirements

Interface’s customer needed a solution to monitor and control forces during testing. With this technology, inspecting the color and light performance of the screen is much more critical than ever before due to the intensity of perception. Because the hype of this technology is centered around its stellar resolution, testing for output quality is one of the most important steps in the manufacturing process.  The solution had to easily allow for the mounting of sensors into the large glass array handling tool.

The Clear Results

Interface’s solution provided direct force and weight feedback around the periphery on the monitor array panel to allow for precise handling control without fracturing the glass. Because of Interface, the customer was able to test the video output quality long before the completion of the end product.

For more than 51 years, Interface has worked with manufacturers to provide industrial automation solutions for test and measurement that improve products, reduce risks and ultimately foster continuous innovation to do more, better and faster.  For more information on how Interface can help solve your unique challenges, contact our application engineer team today.

READ THE FULL CASE STUDY HERE

Interface Case Study For HD Manufacturer