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Interface Solutions in the World of Sports

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

Interface Force Measurement Solutions Featured in Quality Magazine

Choosing a force measurement device and getting the most out of it is a tricky process, even for the most seasoned engineers. So, when Quality Magazine asked our Chief Engineer and VP of Quality, Ken Vining, to share his knowledge of force measurement, he decided to put together a guide on what to look for in force measurement equipment and how to use and maintain your equipment properly.

In his Quality Magazine article titled, “Selecting and Using a Force Measurement Device: Everything you need to know,” Vining explains the contributing factors to force measurement device quality and accuracy, as well as a few tips and tricks to make sure you’re getting the best possible accuracy and longevity out of your device.

Included below is a brief introduction from article:

Force measurement devices like load cells, torque transducers and data acquisition devices are used across industries to design and test hardware. They’re a key factor in the product development process because the force, torque and weight data they collect helps to ensure products are accurately constructed, work as intended, are safe for use, and can withstand the test of time. In highly regulated and complex industries like medical and defense, this data becomes even more important because any miscalculation in the design of a product can put lives at risk.

The first thing to understand is every project requiring a load cell or torque transducer has different variables affecting accuracy and quality. And for every situation in product development and testing, there is a load cell to fit your precise need. Therefore, the most important step in ensuring accurate and high-quality data is speaking to a force measurement expert about the details of a project.

There are five key factors you need to know related to data accuracy, and three factors related to force measurement device quality. I’ll explain why each factor can contribute to inaccuracies and what to look for when selecting a device based on material selection, build quality, and environmental factors… READ MORE

Additional Ken Vining feature

For additional information on selecting and using your force measurement device, please contact our solutions experts.

Advanced Testing with Telemetry Systems from Interface

In product development, flexibility is a crucial facet of creating efficient workflows. Having a diverse set of flexible tools and testing instruments allows engineers and manufacturers to approach their work from a wide variety of angles and environments.

Interface is keenly aware of the growing demand for manufacturers and integrators to have advanced systems that easily replace hard-wired systems, reducing installation and maintenance costs. Based on these needs, Interface offers a variety of off-the-shelf and custom force measurement wireless solutions, in multiple capacities, capabilities, ranges, and dimensions for all types of applications.

Case in point is Interface’s two advanced telemetry systems, the Interface Wireless Telemetry System (WTS) and the new Interface Bluetooth® Telemetry System (BTS). These telemetry systems transmit high-quality data from load cells to single and multiple devices. Both the WTS and the BTS offer a wide variety of benefits, including high accuracy, high resolution, IP-rated enclosures, and multiple configuration options. The quality of Interface load cell performance is fully realized utilizing the convenience of these systems, which are acting as a data bridge between the load cell and a display device.

The WTS and BTS products are designed to provide OEMs, labs, and engineers with flexibility in where and how they conduct product testing using load cells. The WTS was designed for a controlled lab environment or engineering facility with access to Wi-Fi® or ethernet data. The BTS solution was created to allow for field testing in areas with little to no access to the internet. Included below is a more in-depth breakdown of the features of Interface’s industry-leading telemetry systems.

WTS-BS-4 Wireless Base Station with USBWireless Telemetry System (WTS)

The WTS is a high-speed, modular system that allows for data collection from long ranges. It is powerful and easily expandable for measuring multiple sensor types and can connect with up to 100 sensors within a half-mile range. The device is supported by powerful configuration software with data logging and visualization for local or remote access. It comes in a wide variety of different model types, including integrated transmitter models, repeater models, output models, display models and antenna models. It can connect with up to 100 sensors up-to a half a mile range.

To see the range of wireless WTS products, go to /product-category/wireless-telemetry-system.

Bluetooth® Telemetry System (BTS)

The BTS features high measurement resolution, which produces a noise-free resolution of 1 in 92,000 counts (16.5 bit) when used with a 3mV/V sensor and 1 in 184,000 counts (17.5 bit) when used with a 6mV/V sensor. The system also allows for advert format and encoding as well as details on connected services to facilitate simple integration of the device within custom apps for OEM applications. BTS can connect up to 12 sensors to a single mobile device or to multiple mobile devices.

The premium advantage of the BTS, above the long battery life, low cost and mobile apps visualization resources, is its ability to connect directly to mobile devices to collect data on-the-go without an internet connection. This allows engineers to complete field testing in remote locations or hard to access areas. Free iOS and Android apps are available for download and enable users to create dashboards with varying degrees of detail based on application requirements. The BTS output can be visualized on phones and tablets by using digital displays, gages, tanks, and charts.

To learn more about the new Bluetooth Telemetry System (BTS) offered by Interface, go to /products/instrumentation/bts-bluetooth-telemetry-system.

For more information on Interface’s WTS and BTS products read below.  You can access a detailed spec sheet comparing the products along with individual datasheets online by registering online at Interface.com.

WTS BTS Brochure