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Force Measurement Testing Improves Products and Consumer Safety

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Across every industry, force measurement solutions are utilized to improve product performance, safety and quality. Sensor technologies are used every day to test various consumer products’ weight, torsion, tension, compression, fatigue, impact, and materials.

Force measurement testing is used throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept and R&D, through engineering and testing, to manufacturing and distribution, leading to eventual utilization. Interface load cells are commonly integrated into actual consumer products for activation and to measure performance during use.

Interface force measurement solutions are also used in the testing of equipment, machines, and tools used in the production of all types of products and goods. Our products are used in industrial automation robotic arms as well as within lifting equipment deployed to move materials around a facility.

The key to all force measurement testing is accuracy and reliability of data, as well as selecting the right type of force sensor for the specific product being testing.

Types of Product Testing Applications Using Interface Measurement Solutions

  • Weighing Applications: Interface miniature load cells are often for product testing to measure the exact weight of consumer products, such as food, beverages, and electronics. This information is critical R&D, as well on the production line and to meet the exact product specifications. Our load cells help to ensure that the products are not underweight or overweight, and comply with regulations. Read more about Load Cells for Smarter and More Efficient Weighing
  • Material Applications: Interface LowProfile load cells are often found in product testing labs to assess the strength of materials used in consumer products such as plastics, metals, and mixtures of composites. The measurements gathered during the product testing safeguards consumers and confirms the product’s durability. Read Interface Solutions for Material Testing Engineers
  • Force Applications: Interface load cells, torque transducers, and instrumentation are used in complete test systems that examine the usability of products such as exercise equipment, appliances and electronics. The data acquired in shear, tensile and force testing is important to understand if the product meets design specifications, is easy to use and does not require excessive force to work.
  • Safety Applications: One of the most important product use cases for Interface measurement solutions is to test the safety of products such as furniture, toys and automobile features. It is a requirement for every maker of products that are not hazardous and will not cause injury to consumers. Read Interface Solutions for Safety and Regulation Testing and Monitoring

To give you a better idea of how our load cells and instrumentation are utilized in distinct types of product tests, we have included a few application notes below outlining real-world examples of force testing projects.

Bicycle Helmet Safety and Impact Product Testing

A high production bicycle manufacturing facility set up a product testing lab to measure the impact of the safety of their helmets when dropped from different heights onto a flat surface such as an anvil. This test is necessary to ensure consumer safety and that the products are made with the highest quality materials to protect the rider. Interface suggests installing the 1101 Compression-Only Ultra Precision LowProfile® Load Cellat the bottom of an anvil. The bike helmet is then dropped from multiple heights and at multiple angles onto the anvil. The measurements from impact are then recorded and logged throughout the product testing using Interface’s INF-USB3 Universal Serial Bus Single Channel PC Interface Module with supplied software. Every design or material change runs through the same rigorous testing protocols using these high accuracy measurement solutions.  Read CPG Bike Helmet Impact Test

Product Weighing of Consumer Water Bottles

A manufacturer of glass bottled water needs to dispense the exact amount of fluid into each bottle and then weigh the water bottle to ensure it is at the labeled weight on the product packaging. The product testing of the manufacturing equipment is used to minimize waste and to meet the weight requirements to ensure consumer satisfaction. Interface suggests using the MBP Miniature Beam Load Cell and attaching it under a plate or platform where the water bottle is placed on while it is being filled with fluids. The force weight is measured by the MBP Miniature Beam Load Cell and connected to the 9870 High Speed High Performance TEDS Ready Indicator where results are captured, displayed, and logged for quality control. Read CPG Water Bottle Dispensing and Weighing

Product Test Lab Conducts High Volume Tensile Force Testing

A product test lab is constantly requested to conduct a series of tensile force tests on different samples and materials until failure. These materials include plastic, steel, or woven fabric, and are utilized in the design and manufacturing of several consumer products. The lab professionals want to measure tensile strength, yield strength, and yield stress for every submitted product material sample. For the tensile test stand, we recommend using Interface’s 1200 Standard Precision LowProfile™ Load Cell be installed into the test frame. As the tensile test is conducted, force results captured by the load cell and extensometer are synchronized through the SI-USB4 4 Channel USB Interface Module. The results are displayed on the customer’s computer with supplied software. Learn more by reading Material Tensile Testing.

Interface’s high precision force sensor technologies used in robotics have revolutionized the manufacturing of consumer products. With automated assembly lines and robotic arms taking charge, these machines work efficiently to mass-produce consumer goods. Quality control of all the products we provide you for testing is one of the main focuses of Interface, as we want to keep your customers happy and safe.

Interface’s experienced team are renowned specialists in force, torque and weight measurement manufacturing and technology. Our depth of knowledge and wide range of capabilities create custom solutions of all types, whether special transducers made to your exact specifications or complete customized sensor, instrumentation, and software systems. We collaborate with you to ensure the product specifications you need are designed to match your precise requirements.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Introducing the Interface Consumer Product Testing Case Study

Interface Solutions for Consumer Products

Force Measurement is Reducing Waste and Automating the Consumer Packaging Industry

Applications for Consumer Products and Packaging

Load Cells for Consumer Product Applications

Why Product Design Houses Choose Interface

Testing Labs Choose Interface High Accuracy Products

Interface Solutions for Material Testing Engineers

Interface Plays a Role in Testing Bicycles

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Interface sensors are used in a never-ending list of products, from heavy machinery to miniature medical devices. In the spirit of the Olympics, we thought we would share how our force and torque technologies are used in the test and measurement of bicycles, whether used for extreme off-road racing or speeding around the track. Interface has a role in helping to get bikes on the road and performing at optimum speeds.

Road, mountain and e-bikes present a fantastic use case for our products because everything from the force a rider puts on a bike’s suspension, shocks and frame when sitting on it, to the torque of the pedals and tires need to be carefully tested before a bike is ready for action. In the application notes below, we outline different parts and kinds of bikes that utilize measurement testing in design and actual use, along with the specific Interface force sensors used in each case.

Mountain Bike Shock Testing

In this application example, when a manufacturer wanted to test the durability of the forks on the front of their bikes, the rear shocks, front suspension, and ensure that the bikes shocks absorption is working properly for bike riders, we had a solution. Interface suggested installing the 1000 High Capacity Fatigue-Rated LowProfile™ Load Cell in a fatigue frame using the company’s bike forks. The forks undergo a fatigue test for several hours. Test results from the 1000 High Capacity Fatigue-Rated LowProfile™ Load Cell will be sent to the INF-USB3 Universal Serial Bus Single Channel PC Interface Module where the customer can view, log, and graph the results on their PC computer or laptop with provided software. Using this solution, the customer was able to test the bike’s front and rear shocks using Interface’s products. They determined if there were any weak spots in the forks or if it was working properly.

E-Bike Torque Measurement

e) manufacturer needed to test the torque on their electronic bicycles. They also needed a torque sensing system that measures how much force the bike rider is pedaling onto the pedals, because this determines how much electric power the bike’s motor generates. To address this challenge, Interface suggested installing the Model T12 Square Drive Torque Transducer where the pedal assist sensor would normally be. The T12 Square Drive Torque Transducer’s results could then be recorded, graphed, and logged using the SI-USB4 4 Channel USB Interface Module when connected to the customer’s PC. This allows the e-bike manufacturing company to successfully test the torque on their electronic bicycles with Interface’s products and instrumentation.

Bike Power Pedals

For a bike manufacturer testing the functionality of its power pedals, Interface supplied a full wireless system solution to measure how much force the cyclist pushes down onto the bike pedals. The solution included four Model SML Low Height S-Type Load Cells installed within the bike’s pedals. The four SMLs were paired with our Wireless Telemetry System components, two WTS-AM-4 Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter Modules, which transmit the force data from the cyclist to the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station Dongle connected to the customer’s PC or laptop. Interface also provided the software needed with their wireless products. Using this system, the bike manufacturer was able to measure the pedal power applied by the cyclist. The customer was also able to measure and log the data wirelessly transmitted to their PC computer.

Bike Load Testing

In this example, another mountain bike manufacturing company wanted a system that measures their bike frames load capacities and vibrations on the frame, and to ensure the bike’s high quality and frame load durability during the final step of the product testing process. Interface suggested installing Model SSMF Fatigue Rated S-Type Load Cell, connected to a WTS products, the WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge, between the mountain bike’s seat and the bike frame. This measured the vibrations and load forces applied onto the bike frame. The results are then captured by the WTS-AM-1E and transmitted to the customer’s PC using the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station. Using this solution, the mountain bike manufacturing company was able to gather highly accurate data to determine that their bikes met performance standards through this final testing.

Bike Frame Fatigue Testing

Fatigue testing is critical for bike design engineers. Our customer wanted to perform a fatigue test on their bike frames and analyze the strength of their bike frames in order to ensure durability and high-quality standards, turned to Interface for a solution. We suggested installing Model 1000 Fatigue-Rated LowProfile™ Load Cell to the customer’s bike frame fatigue tester. This load cell provides the customer with highly accurate results through the fatigue cycling. These results are collected using the INF-USB3 Universal Serial Bus Single Channel PC Interface Module and displayed on the customer’s PC or Laptop with Interface’s provided software. With this solution, the bike manufacturing company successfully had their bikes undergo fatigue frame testing, receiving highly accurate results with Interface’s load cell and instrumentation.

This deep dive into bicycle testing is just the beginning in demonstrating how many applications of Interface products can be used to improve the quality and reliability of the final design. When you consider bicycles, testing is critical whether it’s being used in the Olympics, for recreation or even transportation. Bicycle safety is fundamental to any design. Testing the performance and durability are essential before any bicycle is approved to be used on the road.

For a preview of all the application we have and can possibly work on, continue following the Interface IQ Blog at http www.interfaceforce.com/blog/. Each month we provide analysis and insight on new and interesting use cases and application examples.

Applications for Consumer Products and Packaging

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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

Load Cells for Consumer Product Applications

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Typically, when engineers talk about load cells and their multitude of uses, it is assumed the applications are large-scale industrial projects like airplanes, rockets, and automobiles. However, did you know Interface load cells are regularly used for research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and end-of-line testing for countless consumer products?

Force is one of the most critical pieces of measurement in product development. This is especially true for consumer products that we interact with every day. Load cells are the tools that ensure products feel, handle and react the way they should in a consumer’s hand.

Here are a few examples showcasing how load cells touch almost everything the consumer touches.

A perfect example of a consumer product where force measurement plays a critical role in human interaction is in the abundance of numerous touch screens. Load cells are used in the R&D process to measure the accuracy, pressure, and sensitivity of the touch screen consumer interacts with on a minute-by-minute basis. The little things we don’t think about when using a tablet or smartphone, such as the smooth feeling of scrolling through social media pages, is possible because of testing using a load cell.

Another common consumer application type of load cells being used to improve product feedback and interaction is with simulation programs. High-end flight simulators often use load cells to measure the force of haptic feedback on the joysticks or chair when interacting with a flight simulator. The feeling of drag or rough winds a pilot experiences in a simulation is measured and refined for accuracy using a load cell.

Load cells are also an integral part of the manufacturing process for consumer goods. If you’ve ever seen a piece of candy with a logo stamped on it, chances are high a load cell was involved in determining the level of force to apply an exact brand stamp. Load cells are used on the stamping machine to ensure the right amount of force is used to apply the logo without crushing the candy.

In the food and drug industries, load cells are used in manufacturing facilities and on a wide variety of packaging machines. They are used for ultrasonic welding, which is the sealing process for plastic, paper or fabric shopping bags, garbage bags, and diapers. Potato chip assembly lines use load cells to weigh the bags as they fill them with chips to know when to stop and move on to the next bag. And the same stamping process used for candy in applying labels is used on pills.

Companies also incorporate load cells in end-of-line product testing. Furniture often goes through rigorous testing to ensure reliability. The furniture has various loads applied to it to confirm it can hold heavier weights over time, the furniture can also be bent and flexed to check the quality of the materials.  To reduce waste and ensure product quality, many consumer bottles use a torque transducer for end-of-line testing to test the proper cap implementation.

Batteries are another consumer product that goes through R&D and end of line testing to measure the force needed to damage the casing.  This is used to eliminate poorly designed and assembled batteries, as the acid inside can do immense harm if a child or adult is able to accidentally crush one.

Force measurement is also something that plays a role directly in the products we use. For instance, scales we use to weigh ourselves, food, and more, have load cells in them. Racecar gaming brake pedals are another example. High-end racing simulators need their brake pedal to be very accurate at measuring the amount of force applied to it to react as a real car would. Load cells are implemented in the base to provide accurate force readouts to the simulator in real-time.

Most products we all interact with every day have had some force testing or are currently using a sensor to manage its use and reliability.  Other consumer products that use Interface load cells, in all capacities and models, include treadmills, skis, bicycles, coffee makers, gaming brake pedals, boats, golf balls, desk drawers, guitars and robotic vacuums. And that is just to name a few.

Load cells and other force measurement tools like torque transducers are an integral part of developing, testing, and manufacturing reliable and accurate consumer goods. Think about this the next time you are handling your smartphone or carrying in groceries from the store. None of it would be possible without the use of force measurement equipment.

Contributor:  Kim Williams, Business Development Manager at Interface