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Interface Load Cells 201 General Procedures Guide

The Interface Load Cells 201 Guide is an extract from our comprehensive go-to for the force measurement industry, the Interface Load Cell Field Guide.

This shortened reference zeros in on general procedures for using load cells. With in-depth explanations, illustrations, practical procedures, and insightful tips, this Interface technical support resource is a helpful guide to have on hand. It is designed to support general procedures using load cells, optimize your processes, and achieve exceptional results in any force measurement application.

Interface Load Cells 201: General Procedures Guide topics include:

  • Excitation Voltage: Understand the crucial role of voltage in powering your load cell and learn techniques for remote sensing, ensuring accurate readings every time.
  • Physical Mounting: Master proper mounting with detailed instructions for both “dead” and “live” ends, ensuring maximum precision and optimal cell life.
  • Mounting Procedures for Different Load Cell Models: Whether you’re working with beam cells, mini cells, low profile cells with or without bases, or any other type, the guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for a perfect setup.
  • Mounting Torques and Fixtures: Get the torque values right for your specific transducer, ensuring secure mounting without compromising performance.

This quick guide eliminates errors and ensures reliable data with expert mounting techniques. It helps to extend the life of a load cell, protecting your investment with proper installation practices that maximize cell longevity. A complete copy can be found below.  To save a copy, go here.

Looking for even more in-depth support? Interface offers additional resources, including installation manuals, video tutorials, technical support, and a complete library of Interface 101 articles.

VIDEOS TUTORIALS AND RESOURCES

 SUPPORT REFERENCES

 TECHNICAL INFO AND GUIDES

If you have questions about any of these topics, need help selecting the right sensor, or want to explore a specific application, contact Interface Application Engineers.

Interface Load Cell 201 Guide- 2024 Edition

Interface 2023 Top Products and Trends

As engineers, we demand complex data and proven performance, especially regarding the tools we trust with our test and measurement projects. That’s why Interface crunched the numbers on our extensive 35,000+ product catalog, analyzing real-world usage and online preferences to reveal the 2023 top force measurement products.

Whether you’re tackling demanding aerospace wind tunnel tests, optimizing robotic grips for industrial automation use in the factory, or innovating in medical device design that will save lives, there are options for precision measurement. This list provides a data-driven roadmap to the Interface products fellow measurement device seekers created through their product reviews and acquisition. We highlighted some of these trends and use cases in our recent post: Top 10 Trends in Test and Measurement.

Let’s delve into the real-world data and discover the Interface measurement tools that testing professionals, technicians, buyers, and engineers like you relied on in 2023.

2023 MOST VIEWED PRODUCT CATEGORIES

2023 MOST VIEWED INTERFACE PRODUCTS

2023 MOST VIEWED PRODUCT FEATURES

The most viewed products provide Interface product design and planning teams with insights about future projects. Whether you are designing a new consumer product that provides IoT sensing capabilities with an embedded Mini Load Cell or updating your test lab with multi-axis sensors, Interface learns from your interactions.

So, how did all of this translate to products we built this year? Interface customers selected these most popular load cells, torque transducers, and instrumentation for various applications and use cases, including OEM solutions.

2023 MOST POPULAR INTERFACE PRODUCTS

Interface force measurement solutions proved a cornerstone of success, aiding in developing and testing countless innovative products. But with thousands of options in our catalog, pinpointing the most impactful measurement tools can be daunting. We can relate, so we designed a series of Interface Guides to help you navigate options based on your technical requirements and product specifications. Use these guides to start your research, then engage with our experienced application engineers to refine your options and get the right product for your specific needs.

NEW INTERFACE GUIDES HELP IN SELECTING THE RIGHT PRODUCT

Load Cell Selection Guide

Torque Transducer Selection Guide

Instrumentation Selection Guide

Data AQ Pack Guide

Multi-Axis Sensor Selection Guide

Lifting Solutions Guide

Weighing Solutions Guide

We are ready to help dissect the specific features, capacities, and application requirements with you to conquer your force measurement complexities confidently. We look forward to supplying you with sensor technologies in 2024.

Interface New Product Releases Fall 2023

Interface has added new load cells and instrumentation to our expansive measurement solutions catalog. The Fall 2023 new product releases include several standard products, along with options for engineered to order and custom solutions.

The Interface product line is one of the most extensive in the world of test and measurement. We want to make it easier to navigate models based on your requirements. Interface has a series of guides that can help you choosing the right load cells, miniature load cells, torque transducers, couplings, DAQ systems and instrumentation. Visit our online product selection tools.

ICPA STAINLESS STEEL COMPRESSION LOAD CELL

Interface’s new ICPA compression load cells are built to exacting standards with submersible versions available. The standard product is durable, versatile and easy to integrate into existing machines and equipment. There are several options available in standard capacities and dimensions including domed top (supplied with or without a loading cap), integral carry handles, mounting base, integral connectors and internal analog/digital signal amplifiers. The standard product is constructed from stainless steel and IP-rated. It can be customized to specific requirements. Download the ICPA datasheet.

Primary ICPA features and benefits:

  • Ranges: 2 to 1000 MT (4.4K to 2204K lbf)
  • Stainless steel construction
  • Environmentally sealed to IP67
  • Submersible version available upon request
  • Options: Special electrical connections, integral signal conditioning
  • Model options: Domed top and loading cap, mounting base and handles
  • TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) option
  • Custom ranges and sizes available

BSC4D-BT PORTABLE 4-CHANNEL BLUETOOTH DATA LOGGER

Interface’s new BSC4D-BT Portable 4-Channel Bluetooth Data Logger is designed for wireless measurement data acquisition with wire strain gage sensors. It is also suitable for connecting strain gage full bridges and half bridges. For quarter bridges (120 Ohm, 350 Ohm, and 1000 Ohm), there is a connection option in three-wire technology. Data is transmitted by radio via the Bluetooth Standard 2.0+EDR with serial port profile (SPP). The range is 20-meters in buildings or up to 100 m when in direct line of sight. Current consumption is less than 150 mA. When not in use, current consumption is under 10 mA. A battery can be charged at 5V supply voltage via an integrated charge regulator. Download the BSC4D-BT datasheet.

Primary BSC4D-BT Portable 4-Channel Bluetooth Data Logger:

  • IP65 housing with integrated battery
  • Long distance Bluetooth interface
  • 4 channels
  • Inputs for mV/V / 0 – 5 V / PT1000
  • Measuring ranges 2 mV / V / 10 mV / V, mV/V quarter and half-full bridge options
  • 4 digital inputs and outputs
  • Data rate up to 450 Hz

BSC1-HD SINGLE CHANNEL PC INTERFACE MODULE WITH ANALOG OUTPUT

The new Interface BSC1-HD Single Channel PC Interface Module with Analog Output is a single channel signal conditioner with both digital and analog input and output. The BSC1-HD also has optional RS232, RS422, and CANopen protocols.  Download the BSC1-HD datasheet.

Primary BSC1-HD Single Channel Module with Analog Output features and benefits:

  • 24-bit
  • mV/V input (+/-10mV/V) and Analog Input (0-10VDC)
  • Analog Output (standard +/-5V)
  • LCD Display (to 200,000 digits display resolution)
  • Compatible with Interface BlueDAQ Software
  • RS232, RS422 or Optional – CANopen
  • Trigger input
  • Options include: 4-20mA Output, 0-10V Output, CANopen and +/-5V Output

Amplifier channel has a fixed gain settings and is not adjustable for specific load cell output signals. Thus, the amplifier output will typically 0.5V per mV/V of load cell output.

SGA AC/DC POWERED SIGNAL CONDITIONER

Interface versatile SGA Signal Conditioner is now offered as a series. There are eight configurations available for this popular instrumentation product. The SGA features user selectable outputs of ±10V, ±5V, 0-10V, 0-5V, 0-20mA and 4-20ma. This product is DC or AC powered with switch selectable filters from 1 to 5kHz and is packaged in a sealed ABS enclosure. This product supports shunt calibration and a wide range of gain settings. To review all the SGA options, go here.

NEW! 8 SGA Configuration Models Now Available

  1. SGA: Amplifier with no power cord
  2. SGA-WPC: Amplifier with power cord
  3. SGA-RSC: Amplifier with Remote Shunt Calibration option and no power cord
  4. SGA-RSC-WPC: Amplifier with Remote Shunt Calibration option and includes a power cord
  5. SGA-DCI: SGA-D with Isolated Power Supply option and no power cord (DC Power Only). Also allows for 9-36 VDC Supply
  6. SGA-BCM: Amplifier with Bridge Completion option and no power cord
  7. SGA-BCM-WPC: Amplifier with Bridge Completion option and includes power cord
  8. SGA-DRMK: DIN Rail Mounting Kit option for model SGA.

Primary and Optional SGA features and benefits:

  • User selectable analog output ±10V, ±5V, 0-10V, 0-5V, 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA
  • 110 VAC, 220 VAC OR 18-24 VDC power
  • Switch selectable filtering 1 Hz to 5 kHz
  • Single channel powers up to 4 transducers
  • Selectable full scale input range 0.06 to 30 mV/V
  • Switch selectable offset ±70% FS
  • Sealed ABS enclosure
  • Model SGA-RSC can remotely activate a shunt calibration by closing a relay on the related RSC module
  • Model SGA-DCI offers with isolated 12/24V power supply
  • Model SGA-BCM has a bridge completion module for both quarter and half bridges
  • Option: AC Power Cord (PWRCRD-SGA-110)
  • Option: DIN Rail for mounting available by request

4850 BATTERY POWERED BLUETOOTH WEIGHT INDICATOR

The new Interface 4850 Bluetooth Digital Indicator is a wireless capable digital indicator housed in a stainless steel NEMA 4X enclosure. It comes with a large 0.8” LCD display for easy readout of up to 50,000 display divisions and can drive up to 8-350Ω load cells. All setup parameters may be entered via the front panel keys. A full duplex RS-232 port or optional Bluetooth module can transmit data on demand or continuously to match the input requirements of a wide variety of peripheral devices including printers, remote displays and computers. This is a high quality instrumentation solution with Bluetooth capabilities. Review the 4850 weight indicator specifications here.

Primary 4850 Digital Indicator features and benefits:

  • Full front panel configuration
  • Drives up to eight 350 ω load cells
  • Full front panel calibration, multipoint cal – linearization
  • Units- lb, kg, g, and oz
  • Stainless steel swivel stands and enclosure
  • Easy to read LCD display with up to 50,000 graduations
  • Power requirements – 4-14 vdc
  • Battery is 6-volt 3 ah internal rechargeable lead acid
  • Options for analog output: 16-Bit, 0-5 VDC, 4-20 mA and built-in relays (6V or 12V)

Beyond our standard load cells, transducers, and instrumentation, we also offer options for engineered to order, OEM sensors, and complete custom systems. If you need any assistance in selecting the right products for your test and measurement applications, please contact us.  If you have questions about these new products, capacities, capabilities, or specifications, we are here to help.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT RESOURCES

Introducing Interface Load Cell Selection Guides

When it comes to breadth and depth of sensor solutions, Interface has more than 35,000 products and countless options for customization. This can make choosing a specific load cell, torque transducer or instrumentation device for your next test project seem like a daunting task.

Our goal is to make your selection process easier. In addition to our global network of partners and team of Interface applications engineers, our online Interface Guides are resources designed to help you find the right measurement solution based on your exact requirements.

Recently, we have released two new selection guides to assist you in choosing the best load cell products, the Interface Load Cell Selection Guide and Interface Mini™ Load Cell Selection Guide. The two new Interface load cell selection guides offer a simple drop down menu for filtering the characteristics and model options of our extensive line of load cells. In addition, we provide a checklist for specific features that are best suited for your application and the environment in which you are utilizing the devices for testing and monitoring.

If you are not sure of what you need, we also include a helpful guide below each selection guide to walk you through the distinct types of load cells and their capabilities. Each selection will provide references to existing standard products that meet your criteria with easy links to additional specifications.

INTERFACE LOAD CELL SELECTION GUIDE

The Load Cell Selection Guide begins with criteria that will help you to narrow your options, including load cell types, options, features, and capabilities. Once you have selected one or more of the types to explore, each option will provide you a quick view of the product, capacities, and a link to detailed specifications, drawings, and datasheets. Start by selecting the model that provides the best fit based on the following types:

  • 2-Axis
  • Amplified
  • Axial Torsion
  • Calibration Grade
  • Canister
  • Column Rod End
  • Compression Only
  • Eccentric Load Compensate
  • Fatigue-Rate
  • Flange Mount
  • Intrinsically Safe
  • Moment Compensated
  • Overload Protected
  • Sealed
  • Stainless Steel
  • Submersible
  • Tension and Compression
  • Wireless

With every guide, Interface provides several technical references that are helpful in learning the ins-and-outs our load cells. As part of the Load Cell Selection Guide, you can review the technical make-up of our load cells, details about our proprietary strain gages, calibration insights, plus critical high-accuracy and quality performance parameters that set our products apart from the competition. You can also learn about the effects of temperature, moment compensation, and options available to support a variety of applications.

INTERFACE MINI LOAD CELL SELECTION GUIDE

For the Mini™ Load Cell Selection Guide, we provide a list of our popular miniature load cells with a detailed explanation of each model group. These descriptions provide an overview of the various features and capabilities of our mini products to help you choose the best solution for your use case. The products included in the Mini Load Cell Selection Guide include:

  • Load Cell Load Buttons
  • Load Washers
  • Bending Beam Load Cells
  • Double Bending Beam Load Cells
  • Sheer Beam Load Cells
  • S-Beam Load Cells
  • Overload Protected S-Cells
  • Single Point Impact Load Cells

These guides provide you with a solid baseline of information for making the right selection for your next project or for designing a sensor into your machine, product, or component. If you need further help or require an engineered-to-order or custom product, reach out to our experts. We are here to help!

For an all-time great load cell 101 reference, listen in as our top engineers detail load cell basics in this Interface Classic Series recorded webinar.

Additional Resources

How Do Load Cells Work?

Interface Load Cell Field Guide

Torque Transducer Selection Guide

Contributing Factors To Load Cell Accuracy

LowProfile Load Cells 101

Webinar Recap of Taking Measure of Miniature Load Cells

Interface Presents Load Cell Basics

Most Popular Interface Support Resources in 2022

In our continued effort to ensure we fulfill the growing demands for products and solutions that meet the needs of challenging and innovative applications, we produced a record number of new support resources and material in 2022. We know that the more we share, the more we empower our customers to find the right products that meet their exact requirements.

In our final recap of 2022, we want to share with you the most frequented and utilized resources found on our website this past year. We also think this will be helpful to bookmark for future reference to easily navigate these commonly used tools and requested pages on the vast Interface website. The following is the top 10 resources used by our test and measurement customers.

Top 10 Interface Resources in 2022

2022 Top ForceLeaders Webinars On-Demand

You can find all of Interface’s recorded webinars, product videos, training support and application videos posted here.

New Resources Added in 2022

Supporting you is a top priority. Interface experts and application engineers are ready to help you, if you are unable to find exactly what you need. Interface has global technical experts available to assist you with your product requirements, systems, support, and questions. Here are a few other commonly used resources you can find online.

“2022 was a record year in many ways for Interface, now in our 55th year of serving the needs for precision sensor customers. We are incredibly grateful for the trust our customers placed in us to support them in creating the world’s most demanding applications, and we are appreciative to our team for their continued hard work and dedication. We look forward to another momentous year in 2023.” Greg Adams, CEO at Interface

Force Measurement Installation Guides

Interface is a long-time provider of the world’s most accurate and reliable force measurement products. Our sensor and instrumentation solutions are used across industries to test and monitor everything from critical infrastructure and to advanced robotics. Innovators and engineers know that our quality is unmatched. However, any measurement device manufacturer nor superior quality of a product can save users from poor performance when making this one critical mistake, poor installation.

Proper installation is one of the absolute keys to reliable and accurate test data and successful measurement programs. This is true for any type of test and measurement protocol, in particular utilizing force measurement.

Preparing for any installation for any load cell force or weighing measurement system is dependent of the integrity of the physical installation, interconnection of the components, following proper performance of the system components, and calibration.

Installation success is such an important topic, we asked Interface engineers and application experts for their thoughts on the top reasons why proper installation is critical to a successful test or vice versa. They also shared helpful guidance on why improper installation can be so damaging.

  • Poor installation can lead to damaging the load cell, so to protect your investment follow the installation instructions that a accompany your product.
  • When we provide performance metrics on our product, it is based on our in-house calibration. When improperly installed, you will not be hitting the performance numbers you need during use.
  • Improper installation can cause overload which can not only damage the load cell, but also create unsafe working conditions.
  • Installation guides not only give you the proper installation techniques, but they also provide the correct order for installation.
  • And our favorite tip, and the most relatable, “Improper installation with ultimately lead to headaches!

Installation can also vary widely between load cells and other force measurement solutions. Each product has different processes depending on the mounting components, the application being tested or monitored, the environment in which the application is being tested or monitored, and more. It is important to carefully review any materials provided with the instrumentation and sensor.

Interface provides a wide variety of installation guides, instructions and technical support online. You can find these instruction guides by visiting our support installation and manuals option.

In addition, we have resources providing clear explanation on installation and its importance. Recently, our video and blog series titled, I’ve Got A Load cell – Now What? Part 6 – Usage & Best Practices, includes in-depth information on installation and mounting.

Mechanical Installation Tips

Once you have your load cell hooked up and your instrumentation scale, it is time to put it to work. You want to review the attachment, including thread engagement and mounting. If you are threading into the live end, the center hub on the low profile load cell, make sure you have enough threads engaging into the load cell itself. We recommend that you thread it into where the studs bottom out, then back up a half a turn. Next step is to preload tension load by about 130% of capacity and jam the jam nut. We want to ensure that we do not have any repeatability issues due to thread engagement of the flexure. If you cannot provide a preload, reference the torque values in the installation guide.

Mounting to Base, Structure or Plate Tips

  • Use Grade 8 or Better Hardware
  • Mount to Total Flatness of .002″
  • R30-33 Hardness Scale
  • Follow the star patter to proper torque values
  • Preinstalled Bases

Interface bases help in making integration to any assembly much easier. Interface manufactures bases with the same high-performance materials and specifications for hardness and flatness as our load cells. The bases offer threaded holes, which make it easier for mechanics like hydraulic actuators.

We also offer several references for troubleshooting. Two important considerations to review during set-up are the mechanical and electrical installation requirements.

Mechanical Installation Troubleshooting: Load cells not mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations may not perform to specifications. It is important to review the mounting surfaces, hardware, and orientation during the installation.

Electrical Installation Troubleshooting: Proper load cell performance is depending upon the electrical system. The areas to inspect during any install are the connections, cables, settings of excitation voltage and loading of the bridge circuit.

We urge that to get the most out of your new load cell to reference the materials provided in the installation guides. If you have any questions, Interface is also here to help. Feel free to reach out to your local representatives and distributors or call us directly at 480-948-5555 to speak with an engineer to help solve your installation challenges.