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Interface Solutions in the World of Sports

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With our headquarters in the golf capitol of the U.S., it is easy to see why Interface test and measurement solutions rank top for engineers and golf manufacturers to test the force of golf balls, range equipment, clubs, and even the carts that roam the course. But our sensor technologies have a much broader reach, in both sport and geography.

Why is force measurement so heavily involved in the making and designing of sports equipment? It is obvious even by definition; sports are considered an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

The physical exertion often utilizes some type of apparatus, device, tool, material, equipment, or gear that requires measurement of tension, compression, or rotation. Every sport differs and type of testing also will vary, whether from initial fatigue testing or actual designing sensors into the fitness equipment like a treadmill.

Our force measurement sensors are used across a wide variety of sports equipment to evaluate performance, lifecycle, durability, and quality.

Our specialty is building high accuracy solutions for the testing and monitoring of parts and total systems that move and create force, which is vital to makers and product designers of sports equipment and machines. Our force measurement solutions are ideal for stand-alone testing rigs, production equipment, as well as to embed in sports products in order to increase operability and reliability for end users.

Interface force measurement solutions are commonplace in sports gear and equipment R&D labs, design houses, manufacturer test and production facilities. The range of products we provide is as broad as the variety of sport categories, both individual and team. This applies to products used by consumers, as well as by professional athletes, trainers, and pro sport teams. We also collaborate with several engineers and manufacturers that build exercise and training equipment.

Interface has a history of providing our low profiles, s-types and miniature load cells for testing products used in individual sports such as running, weightlifting, mountain climbing, skiing, skating, bowling, fishing and cycling. We have created solutions that measure force and torque for gear used by competitive team sports including football, soccer, hockey, rugby, tennis, baseball, water sports and more. We have even seen an extended use in tools and equipment used in auto racing and even esports, who are using our sensors to test the actual gaming devices like brake pedals, driving gear and touch screens.

Interface is a global supplier of load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, and instrumentation for sport and fitness equipment. Here a few examples of where Interface solutions were used to influence the design, test, quality, and user experience.


Fitness Equipment Testing

A premiere maker of machines used in training and gyms around the world needs multiple load measurement systems for their different fitness machines. These machines included elliptical, leg press, rowing machine, and the cable machine to start. They want to ensure the machines functioning properly to prevent injuries. It can also be used for trainers who want to conduct strength and endurance tests.  A combination of products such as the WMCFP Overload Protected Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell, SSB Sealed Beam Load Cells, and AT103 Axial Torsion Force and Torque Transducers. Paired with Interface’s proper instrumentation, the forces can be measured, graphed, and displayed during the testing stage. Read more about these solutions here.

Golf Club Swing Accuracy

Golfers undergoing training or practice wanted a system that will monitor and record their striking accuracy and swing movement. Interface created a custom made SSB Sealed Beam Load Cell that can be attached in line with the golf handle. When a golf ball is struck, force measurements are recorded, logged, and graphed using the WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter. The results transmit directly to the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station when connected to the customer’s PC or laptop. Using this solution, the customer was able to successfully record, graph, and log a golf player’s striking accuracy and swing movement with Interface’s wireless force system. Read more here.

Mountain Bike Load Testing

A mountain bike manufacturing company wanted a system that measures their bike frames load capacities and vibrations on the frame. They want to ensure the bike’s high quality and frame load durability during this final step of the product testing process for their future consumers. Interface suggested installing Model SSMF Fatigue Rated S-Type Load Cell, connected to the WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge, between the mountain bike’s seat and the bike frame. This will measure the vibrations and load forces applied onto the bike frame. The results will be captured by the WTS-AM-1E and transmitted to the customer’s PC using the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station. With this system, the mountain bike manufacturing company was able to gather highly accurate data to determine that their bikes met performance standards through this final testing. Learn more here.

 

Golf Ball Tee Testing Machine

A customer wanted to ensure their golf ball automatic tee mechanism is working for their consumers- both buying their tee’s for home use or for golfing ranges. They needed a system that will sense the presence of a golf ball, which will trigger and automatically dispense new golf ball to the tee. Interface’s WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell was installed within the golf tee, which would measure the golf balls pressure on the tee when loaded or unloaded. This load cell is electrically connected to the motor which initiates the cycle to release another ball onto the tee. Force measurements can be measured using the 9330 High Speed Data Logger when connected to the customer’s PC or laptop. With Interface’s products, the customer was provided a force solution that was able to measure the presence of a golf ball on their auto-tee machine. Get more information here.

These are just a few examples of Interface’s work in the sporting goods and fitness industry. If it moves, rotates, pushes, or pulls, chances are that Interface has a solution that can help perfect the performance. To learn more about our work in sports and consumer goods.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Interface Measures Fitness Equipment with Extreme Accuracy – Case Study

Why Product Design Engineers Choose Interface

Race Car Suspension Testing

CPG Treadmill Force Measurement

CPG Gaming Simulation Brake Pedal

CPG Bike Power Pedals

CPG Bike Helmet Impact Test

Mountain Bike Shocks Testing

Fine-Tuning Testing Solutions for Championship Racing Vehicles

Why Product Design Engineers Choose Interface

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Load cells and torque transducers of all types play a critical role in the test and measurement landscape and are used widely by engineers to qualify product design, ensure safety, prove reliability and durability. Force measurement solutions are being utilized more frequently in original product designs and components today due to the dependencies on force feedback during design, testing, prototyping and for monitoring force in the finished goods.

Interface has been a long-time partner of product design engineers. They utilize our force sensors throughout the design process.  Interface sensor technologies are preferred by product design engineers because of the precision, accuracy, range of options, and quality. Across industries, our load cells and torque transducers are being used as a feature in all types of equipment, industrial solutions and consumer products, large and small.

In search of a solution to a problem, design engineers use our products in every stage of the process.

Ask + Qualify: Often in consultation with our application engineers, they gather key sensor specifications, design features, capacity and capability requirements. This initial step is critical in ensuring the right type of sensor is selected and that it will fit into the test plan.

Planning + Design Files:  As the plan is created by the engineer, they will turn to Interface to gather the datasheet details, along with our design files. Interface has thousands of products and each has their own unique drawing. These are all available on our site by product. If you need help finding a design file, submit CAD requests here.

Prototyping:  Once the plan is committed to and prototyping is the next step, if any of the specifications require a custom or modified design, our engineers will team with the design and test engineer to ensure exact specs meet the final design requirements.

Test + Measurement:  This is where accuracy and quality matter most. The designs are tested and data is gathered to determine if the problem is actually solved.  Often our sensors are paired with instrumentation and other products that are utilized in the lab to validate all the use cases and design specs.  It also provides valuable insights into improvements and modifications, if needed.

Manufacture + Launch:  The final step that Interface can play a significant role is building sensors at scale that are used as embedded components. We work with many OEMs in building unique parts for their product designs.

Product Solution Types for Design Engineers

Interface force measurement products are the preferred solutions for design engineers because of our extensive catalog of products. We offer four product solution types for design engineers:  standard products available on our site, engineered to order products to match a specific use case test, custom solutions that are built to specifications and requirements of the engineer and OEM products that are designed in as a part of a product.  We’ve worked across thousands of applications as noted in our extensive applications catalog and have developed a product list of over 30,000 SKUs to get started in the design process.

Designing Brake Pedals for Gaming

In the gaming world, load cells are extremely popular for racing game pedals to simulate the actual real-world experience. These load cells capture the force of a human foot pressing down on the pedal more accurately in game, especially when you are using products like our Bluetooth Brake Pedal Load Cell.  This specialized load cell is also available in wireless.  Brake pedal design engineers will create a series of tests to ensure that the pedal is performing as intended, and also to ensure that all the use cases are validated with accurate measurement data.  This helps in the final design tests and initial prototyping, as well as full release. Further details on this consumer product application can be found in the Gaming Simulation Brake Pedal App Note. Read more about gaming solutions here.

Designing Tractor Linkage Draft Controls

Farmers need to measure the forces applied on their tractor’s draft control, between the tractor and any linked-on attachments. Measuring the force helps the farmer sense any strains on the hitch of the tractor and will be needed in order to apply any specific settings to the draft control when the tractor encounters rough terrain. As this problem was being solved, the maker shared their requirements with Interface application experts. During the qualification process with the design engineer, Interface suggested the WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pin, which is a wireless load pin that can be installed directly in the hitch and replace the normal shear pin of the tractor. Force results are then transmitted wirelessly to the WTS-BS-4 USB Industrial Base Station, where they can view the results of the testing via a connected computer. We also provided the WTS toolkit to provide the testing software. The engineer was able to view test results on the WTSBS-1-HS Handheld Display for Single Transmitters in real-time. Using this solution, the design engineer was able to determine the specific draft control settings to assemble with the tractors. They also were able to design in features to make real-time adjustments during the tractor’s use.

Designing Fitness Equipment and Machines

A fitness machine manufacturer wanted multiple load measurement systems for their different fitness machines such as the elliptical, leg press, rowing machine, and the cable machines. The goal of designing sensors into the equipment is to ensure the machines are functioning properly to prevent injuries. The sensors can also be used for trainers who want to conduct strength and endurance tests. Interface provided a combination of products including the WMCFP Overload Protected Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell, SSB Sealed Beam Load Cells, and AT103 Axial Torsion Force and Torque Transducers. Paired with Interface’s proper instrumentation, the forces can be measured, graphed, and displayed during the testing stage. Interface’s products all effectively measured forces needed for those working out or undergoing athletic training. Not only did it ensure the designed machines were working properly, but it also helped those using them to track their endurance performance and consider future design enhancements based on consumer use.

These are just a few examples on the industrial and consumer side of how sensors can add critical capabilities to products across the board. Our sensors help to validate, measure, test, prototype and launch new products that are safe, reliable and durable. We’d also like design engineers to understand the wide range of monitoring and real-time sensing capabilities available through Interface. To get started, ask. We are here to help in the product design process.

Additional Resources

OEM Solutions- Turning an Active Component into a Sensor

OEM Brochure

Making the Case for Custom Solutions