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Interface New Product Releases Spring 2023

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Interface continues to expand our product offerings of force measurement solutions. We have added new high-accuracy load cells, Bluetooth data loggers, indicators and load cell base kits. The following product summaries highlight the latest additions, along with product features for each model.  We also have a new torque couplings technical guide.

In our Interface New Product Releases Winter 2023 updated, we featured our Pillow Block Load Bearing Load Cells (PBLC).  We are excited announce that our PBLC series are now available in multi-axis options. Reach out to our application engineers to learn more about Pillow Block Load Bearing Load Cells 2-Axis custom options.

If you have questions about our new products, capacities, capabilities, or application uses, please contact our application engineers.

SSLP STAINLESS STEEL LOW PROFILE UNIVERSAL LOAD CELL

The Interface Stainless Steel Low Profile Universal Load Cell SSLP model is a low profile, pancake-styled load cells. The internal construction is a diaphragm design, offering a lower cost solution with high natural frequency, low deflection and excellent resistance to side and torsion forces. There is an optional mounting base available, required if used in tension testing. It provides high stability and low height. The SSLP can be supplied calibrated as a complete system with associated instrumentation. View: SSLP Stainless Steel Low Profile Universal Load Cell

Primary SSLP features and benefits:

  • Capacities from 2.5 to 5000 kN (562 to 1,124K lbf)
  • Low profile with stainless steel construction
  • Environmentally sealed to IP67
  • Hose and conduit fitting at cable exit
  • High thermal stability
  • Base options, including custom bases and custom top plate
  • Load cap assembly optional
  • TED options
  • ATEX and submersible versions available
  • Options for internally amplified and multiple bridges

BX6-BT PORTABLE 6-CHANNEL HIGH-SPEED BLUETOOTH DATA LOGGER

Interface’s digital instrumentation data acquisition system BX6-BT Portable 6-Channel High Speed Bluetooth® Data Logger is a multi-channel measuring amplifier that offers a multitude of features in a convenient compact package. The BX6-BT first channel is for full-bridge strain gages, channels two through six are individually configurable as voltage input (single-ended) or strain gage bridge input, including half and quarter bridge configuration. View: BX6-BT Portable 6-Channel High Speed Bluetooth Data Logger

Primary BX6-BT features and benefits:

  • Simultaneous zeroing of all channels can be triggered via a digital input (tare)
  • Measurable temperature in the device and the battery voltage
  • Protected against vibration by full encapsulation housing
  • Configuration and acquisition of measurement data with BlueDAQ in the mode “BT Classic” with Serial Port Profiles (SPP)
  • Integrated Bluetooth module has its own microcontroller.
  • Connected 3.7V lithium-ion battery can be charged by an integrated charging circuit.
  • Power supply via a Li-Ion battery from 3.6V – 4.2V

9840C TEDS READ WRITE INTELLIGENT INDICATOR

Interface’s new digital instrumentation 9840C indicator is a CE compliant and versatile precision instrument intended for the digital readout of strain gage sensors, which includes load cells. It is TEDS Plug and Play Ready and IEE 1451.4 Compliant. View: 9840C TEDS Read/Write Intelligent Indicator

Primary 9840C Intelligent Indicator features and benefits:

  • Reads and writes calibration data and coefficients to the load cell
  • Stores load cell information and calibration data and coefficients for use with up to 20 load cells
  • 10-point linearization
  • Adjustable calibration curve
  • Bipolar and accepts 2, 3, and 4 mV/V load cell inputs
  • Remote sense excitation (6-wire load cells)
  • Fast direct analog output with +/-10 VDC scalable analog output — 16 bit
  • Full duplex RS232C communication
  • Eight selectable digital filters
  • Front panel shunt calibration with two selectable resistors

LOWPROFILE™ LOAD CELL BASE KITS

Interface’s standard LowProfile Load Cells are offered with bases. The base is a flat surface, guaranteed to provide optimum support for the flexure. Use of the base, or a support surface with its equivalent flatness and stability, is required to ensure the exceptional performance of the LowProfile® Series. Note that the threaded hole in the base is on center, and a plug is permanently installed to seal dirt and moisture out of the space between the bottom hub of the flexure and the flat surface of the base. Read more about the basics of base kits. View: LowProfile™ Load Cell Base Kits

Primary LowProfile Load Cell Base Kits features and benefits:

  • 14 model options in both U.S. and Metric thread
  • 15 stainless steel model options
  • Bases are all heat treated
  • High strength materials, including stainless steel options
  • Available in LowProfile standard sizes for Interface load cell models 1000, 1200, 2400, 3200
  • Standard thread size is the same as the mating load cell
  • Custom base options available
  • When the base and load cell are ordered together, a plug is supplied in both the cell and the base to prevent damage or errors caused by over engagement of mating parts

TORQUE COUPLINGS PLUS NEW TECHNICAL GUIDE

Interface is excited to introduce a complete summary catalog and technical guide of our extensive line of Torque ROBA® DS Couplings. These Interface torsional rigid shaft coupling transmits drive torques up to the nominal torque completely backlash-free and with permanently high torsional spring rigidity. Problems to be found on other commercially available couplings, such as denting the disks or overcoming the frictional locking, are not an issue when using our couplings. The specified shaft misalignments can be 100% utilized without affecting the transmittable torque. This guarantees unlimited use. View: Torque Couplings Technical Guide and Summary Catalog for all sizes, technical details, and installation instructions.

Primary Torque Couplings options and features:

  • Non-sensitive to alternating loads of up to 100% of the nominal torque
  • Low mass inertia due to high performance density
  • Completely backlash-free up to nominal torque
  • High misalignment compensation capability at low restoring forces
  • High torsional rigidity up to nominal torque
  • Completely wear and maintenance-free
  • Optimum construction shape due to large variant range

There are two main categories of couplings used in force measurement and the biggest difference in the two is the degree of freedom needed for the application. The categories are single-jointed and double-jointed. Read more in our Couplings 101 Series.

INF4-POWERLINK TWO, THREE, AND FOUR SENSOR WEIGHT TRANSMITTER AND INDICATOR

Expanding our INF4 series, we introduced the Interface INF4-POWERLINK Two, Three, and Four Sensor Weight Transmitter and Indicator. It has a six-digit red LED display (8 mm height), space saving compact design, four buttons for the system calibration. You can store up to 50 events, use multiple load cells in parallel and set alerts for value deviations. View: INF4-POWERLINK Two, Three, and Four Sensor Weight Transmitter and Indicator

Primary INF4-POWERLINK 2, 3 and 4 features and benefits:

  • Four independent channels for monitoring and direct management of individual load cells
  • Digital equalization
  • Four channel load distribution signaling with archive
  • Automatic diagnostics comparing recorded values plus alerts
  • Event log archives for calibrations, zero settings, errors, and equalizations
  • Excitation remote sense
  • 16 load cells in parallel
  • Tare weight zero setting, semi-automatic tare (net/gross weight) and predetermined tare
  • Connections to PLC via analog output or fieldbus and PC/PLC via RS485 up to 99 instruments with line repeaters, up to 32 without line repeaters
  • Direct connection between RS485 and RS232 without converter

INF1-POWERLINK SINGLE SENSOR WEIGHT TRANSMITTER AND INDICATOR

The INF1 series added the INF1-POWERLINK Single Sensor Weight Transmitter and Indicator. Like the version above, the options for this include a compact design, use with multiple load cells (up to 8) in parallel. View: INF1-POWERLINK Single Sensor Weight Transmitter and Indicator

Primary INF1-POWERLINK Single features and benefits:

  • Connection to PLC via analog output or fieldbus
  • PC/PLC via RS485 up to 99 instruments with line repeaters, up to 32 without line repeaters
  • Remote display via RS485
  • Excitation remote sense
  • Eight load cells in parallel
  • Digital filter to reduce the effects of weight oscillation
  • Theoretical calibration and real calibration with the possibility of weight linearization up to five points
  • Tare weight zero setting and automatic zero setting at power on

SPECIAL EVENT ALERT!

We are hosting Testing Lab Essentials: Today + Tomorrow on Thursday, April 6. We are diving into products and solutions used in all types of testing labs, along with tips and best practices for modernizing your test lab. Join the conversation.  All Interface webinars are recorded if you are not able to attend the live event.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT RESOURCES

Interface is ready to help you get the exact product based on your unique requirements.  For engineered to order or custom solution options, please contact our experienced applications experts.

Interface Instrumentation Definitions

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The new Interface Instrumentation Selection Guide is a great way to get started in choosing the right instrumentation for your next project or lab. To serve as additional resources, here are key instrumentation definitions that can also help you make the best decision regarding the type and model of instrumentation that will work best with your sensor.

Instrumentation Selection Guide Definitions

Excitation
A Wheatstone bridge-based sensor, such as a load cell, requires excitation voltage to operate. The excitation voltage is typically 10V; however, many instruments supply lower voltage, an 2.5V, 5V, and others. Since these sensors are ratiometric, Interface instrumentation devices are designed to pair with these types of sensor products.

Signals
The output signal from a load cell is expressed in terms of mV output per V of excitation, at capacity. For example, a 100 lb capacity load cell rated for 2 mV/V output will have 20mV output at 100 lb, when excited with 10V. Because the output signal is directly affected by input voltage, it’s important to maintain a stable excitation voltage, which our instrumentation does.

Signal Conditioners
A signal condition provides stable excitation voltage to the sensor and amplifies the low-level sensor signal to a high-level output such as +/-5V, +/-10V, 0-20mA, 4-20mA, 0-5V, or 0-10V.
Many of our products include filtering, which can help reduce noise in the output signal.

Data Acquisition Systems
A complete data acquisition system consists of DAQ hardware, sensors and actuators, signal conditioning hardware, and a computer running DAQ software. Interface provides DAQ instrumentation that are ideal for completing a sensor-based system. Many data acquisition systems require high-level inputs such as +/-10V and don’t work very well with low level mV signals. Interface instrumentation solutions do work well with DAQ systems. The DAQ doesn’t necessarily supply a stable excitation voltage like the Interface sensors do.

Interface Modules
An interface module converts the low-level mV/V sensor signal to a digital format that can be transmitted to a computer, (PC or laptop). Popular interface modules provide USB, wireless USB, or Bluetooth data transmission. Software is normally provided and allows data display, logging and graphing. The interface modules are commonly used when data needs to be logged to computer and you are not using an existing data acquisition system. The interface module advantages over standard data acquisition is ease of use and they are normally plug-n-play. Considerations when selecting this type of instrumentation include bit resolution, number of channels, sample rate, software features and type of output.

Indicators
Interface indicators provide stable excitation voltage and converts the sensor signal to a digital display. Commonly available features include analog or digital output, selectable digital filtering, peak and valley monitoring and set point outputs. Things to consider when selecting an indicator are internal sample rate and update rate of analog output.

Wireless Telemetry System (WTS)
Wireless is very popular today. Interface’s Wireless Telemetry System is easy-to-use providing wireless data communication between a load sensor and a receiving indicator. The WTS is capable of receiving multiple inputs and is fully compatible will all Interface force sensors. The WTS comes calibrated, tested and ready-to-run. The charge lasts up to three months using AA batteries.  You can see the complete WTS and Bluetooth Telemetry System comparison here.

When selecting the type of instrumentation you need to pair with your measurement device, some additional things to consider are power supply requirements, amount of filtering, fixed or adjustable filtering, input range, scalability and zero adjustment range. Our instrumentation can accommodate these requirements. To get started on picking the instrumentation solution that fits your requirements, go to the Interface Instrumentation Selection Guide.

We’ve provided a quick visual reference of Interface’s instrumentation types and correlating models.

All Interface Instrumentation product details are listed by product model name. You can find product specifications, as well supporting datasheet for each product by going here.

 

Additional Resources

Instrumentation Analog Versus Digital Outputs

Introducing New Interface Instrumentation Selection Guide

Advancements in Instrumentation Webinar Recap

Recap of Inventive Multi-Axis and Instrumentation Webinar

Recap of Instructional on Instrumentation Webinar

Digital Instrumentation Brochure

Instrumentation Brochure

 

Additional Interface Calibration Grade Solutions

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As a leading supplier to testing labs around the world, Interface has designed specialized strain gage products that are classified as calibration grade. Our most popular calibration grade load cells are the 1600 Gold Standard LowProfile Load Cells and 1800 Platinum Standard model series. Both series provide tension and compression in one unit. These products are commonly used to calibrate and monitor test equipment, as well as to perform in-house calibrations.

What is not as widely known is that we offer more than our precision calibration grade load cells. We also offer an array of additional calibration grade products including instrumentation, torque sensors, accessories, adapters, and complete calibration systems.

Here are just a few examples of additional calibration grade products Interface offers.

9840 CALIBRATION GRADE MULTI-CHANNEL LOAD CELL INDICATOR

The 9840 indicator is suitable for use in calibration labs, field service, or anywhere high accuracy is important. This product’s features include a bipolar 6-digit 2-line display, remote sense, low noise, 24-bit internal resolution, USB port with RS232 communication, mV/V calibration, store calibrations for up to 25 sensors. It offers 6-point linearization, unit conversion and front-panel tare. This unit also has self-calibration via TEDS Plug and Play ready IEEE 1451.4 compliance.

5500 CALIBRATION GRADE REACTION TORQUE TRANSDUCER

The 5500 series is a flange-type calibration grade reaction torque transducer. Its rugged design offers low deflection, high torsional stiffness, and the ability to withstand large overhung moments. ASTM E2428 Calibrations are available on most capacities. There are multiple models available in this series.

DIGITAL CALIBRATION GRADE 4 CHANNEL 9840-400-1-T INTELLIGENT INDICATOR

The model 9840 intelligent digital indicator is frequently selected for calibration labs and as part of complete calibration systems. It features two interactive graphical touch screen displays, remote sense, low noise, 24-bit internal resolution, USB port with RS232 communication, mV/V calibration, store calibrations for up to 25 sensors.

IFVF CAPACITY FORCE VERIFICATION FRAME

The IFVF is a portable high force capacity frame and accessories that can be used be used to verify operation of a device under test or calibrate relative to a second reference load cell. It is designed to apply tension and compression forces with high resolution and accuracy. IFVF features a reaction frame, manual actuator, thread and adapter accessories, and optional force sensors and instrumentation.

CALIBRATION GRADE INTERFACE 2200 COLUMN LOAD CELL

This special lightweight column load cell model series is a tension and compression calibration ready design. It is portable for use in the field or in a lab.

Our Interface Load Cell Calibration Systems provide all the components for rigid and portable systems. Our strain gage load cell calibration systems are versatile and can be customized based on the application requirements.

Additional Resources

Interface Calibration 101

Calibration Grade Load Cells and Systems

Calibration Load Frame

Gold Standard® Calibration System

 

 

Load Shackles 101

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A load shackle is a u-shaped, load-bearing connecting device designed to be used with a removable pin. Load shackles can be used in a number of different rigging and load securement applications to provide sensor technologies in the connection of different types of lifting slings, chains or ropes to an object or to each other.  A load shackle is essentially the installation of a load monitoring pin into the shackle body allowing you to replace existing rigging hardware with a load cell for force measurement and weighing data.

Load shackles are rugged in design and are used to provide accurate and reliable measurement of tensile loads, as well as support applications for harsh and challenging environments. The industries that most regularly take advantage of our load shackles include industrial, aerospace and defense, agriculture, and construction. Applications for lifting, moving and weighing objects can be monitored as well as optimized for performance using load shackles. They are often designed into engineered structures or for use with cranes, winches or other robust lifting mechanisms.

Interface offers a wide variety of load shackle designs for different environments and force measurement needs, ranging from 2.2K to 2205K lbf. Our load shackles come in both cabled and wireless, as well as environmental resistance options including flameproof and IP67. Visit our overview here.

Load shackles come in many standard shapes and sizes, including customization options to meet a specific design or use requirement. Some of our shackles are exclusively designed to meet the needs of applications in hazardous environments like the oil and gas industry, or marine industry where they’ll be submerged in water during testing and for continuous use, or in areas with high heat and flames. Some of our most popular load shackles are listed below:

WTSSHK-B Wireless Crosby™ Bow Load Shackle  – Suitable for use in a wide range of industrial and marine weighing applications, these load shackles are robust, reliable and easy to install. The unique telemetry housing is manufactured from tough high-performance polyamide resin making it strong yet light, resulting in a better-balanced load shackle when compared to others available on the market.

ISHK-B Bow Type Crosby™ Cabled Load Shackle – The Interface range of ISHK-B load shackles are designed for lifting and weighing in rugged or harsh environments, including submersible applications. The shackle pins are forged from high tensile stainless steel to 6.5 MT (14.3K lbf) and high tensile carbon steel from 9.5 MT (20.9K lbf), and are machined to an exacting specification. The basic shackle uses the Crosby G2130 (1 to 25 MT / 2.2K to 55.1K lbf), G2140 (40 to 120 MT / 88.2K to 265K lbf) and GN Rope H10 (150 to 1K MT / 331K to 2205K lbf).

Flame Proof Bow Type Crosby™ Cabled Load Shackle – The Interface range of flameproof load shackles is designed for lifting and weighing in rugged or harsh environments, and also meet the requirements for operation in Zone 1 and 2 hazardous areas. The shackle pins are forged from high tensile stainless steel and are machined to an exacting specification. The basic shackle uses the Crosby G2130 (1 to 25MT or 2.2K to 55.1K lbf) and G2140 (40 to 400MT or 88.2K to 882K lbf) series.

Load Shackle Application:

Load shackles are commonly used in the construction industry to measure heavy machinery. For cranes outfitted with a lifting attachment such as a claw, a tension sensing load shackle is used on the pulley mechanism to measure the weight lifted by the crane. The tension sensor can provide real-time data to the construction crew to help monitor the lifting process and provide the operator with the information necessary to refrain from lifting weights that are too heavy for the crane to handle. If the claw arm lifts more than the crane is able to withstand, the attachment could break off, or worse, the crane could topple over.

In a recent example, Interface’s customer used a WTSSHK-B Wireless Load Shackle connected to load-bearing strings and a WTS-BS-1-HA Wireless Handheld Indicator to gather data. The customer was able to successfully lift and read the weight (wirelessly) on a handheld display while the material was being relocated.

Learn more in this product video

To learn more about our wide variety of load shackles and their many applications, please contact our application specialists today.  You can see all of Interface’s Load Pins, Load Shackles and Tension Links here.

This post is part of our Interface 101 series where we provide a basic overview of the wide variety of product lines we offer here at Interface. In this series, we explain our force measurement product line and its benefits and then provide a few examples of our product’s in real-world situations. Here are some of our other popular 101 posts.

 

Interface Load Cell Indicators 101

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At Interface, our claim to fame is that we offer the most accurate and reliable force measurement devices on the market, from load cells to torque transducers and everything in-between. However, no test is complete without the system used to gather the data to evaluate performance results. That’s why we provide a wide variety of instrumentation solutions that include signal conditioners, output modules, high speed data loggers, portable load cell indicators, and weight indicators to complete any testing system.

Among the Interface instrumentation products, the most frequently purchased with a force measurement devices are our load cell indicators in various models including handheld, digital, wireless, multichannel, programmable, output modules, analog and bidirectional.

What is a load cell Indicator?

A load cell indicator is a high-accuracy device connected to the output of a load cell to amplify and display the value of the measured load force and weight. Load cell indicators are often needed where the force, load, or weight measurement needs to be visually displayed for the user and displaying the results on a PC is not feasible or desired in the testing environment. For example, testing in the field or confined spaces can make it impossible to connect directly to a PC. In these situations, indicators are used to quickly review and capture force data in real-time.

A few key benefits of load cell indicators include that they provide stable excitation voltage and converts force measurement sensor signals to a digital display. Commonly available features include analog or digital output, selectable digital filtering, peak and valley monitoring and set-point outputs. Additionally, each load cell indicator can be used to connect to four (or more) digital load cells and can display individual readings or the sum of all connected load cells.

Need a load cell indicator?

Interface offers a wide variety of load cell indicators in multiple configurations. Interface indicators come in single to multi-channel weight transmitters and can be found in handheld and portable designs. Things to consider when selecting an indicator are internal sample rate and update rate of the output. A few of our most popular indicators include:

9890 Strain Gage, Load Cell, & mV/V Indicator

Model 9890 is a powerful multipurpose digital load cell meter ideal for weight and force measurement applications. With a max current of 350 mA at 10 V, it can support up to 12 load cells making it perfect for multipoint weight measurement purposes. The dual-scale capability allows for displays in two different units of measure. See a demonstration video here.

9320 Battery Powered Portable Load Cell Indicator

Model 9320 is a bipolar 7-digit handheld meter featuring two independently scalable ranges, peak and valley monitoring, display hold, mV/V calibration, and a power save feature. Typical battery life exceeds 45 hours of continuous use and 450 in low power mode. IEEE1451.4 TEDS Plug and Play compliant.

482 Battery Powered Bidirectional Weight Indicator

Model 482 is battery powered, bidirectional, and comes in a NEMA 4X stainless enclosure. Standard options include 523,000 internal counts, 0.8-inch LCD 6-digit display and a measurement rate that goes up to 40 Hz. Available options include analog and relay outputs.

1280 Programmable Weight Indicator and Controller

The Interface 1280 Series programmable digital weight indicator with color touchscreen, web server view and multiple protocol types delivers uncompromising speed for today’s operations and expansive options for tomorrow’s requirements.

INF4-Ethernet IP Weight Transmitter and Indicator

The Interface INF4-Ethernet IP weight transmitter and indicator has a six-digit red LED display (8 mm height), space-saving compact design, four buttons for the system calibration, and a six-indicator LED.

See all the indicator options here.

Load Cell Indicator Application Note

The application note below provides an example of the benefit of a load cell indicator in real-world use within the medical industry.

A pharmaceutical tablet producer wanted to monitor the forces applied by the tablet forming machine to understand the relationship between raw material, die set, forming force, and motor-cycle speed. The goal was to improve productivity and efficiency of the tablet forming process while reducing losses, such as cracked tablets or voids, by adding a dimension of feedback that could be used to assign specific press adjustment criteria for given inputs.

An Interface Model WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Mini Load Cell (10K lbf Capacity) was mounted in the section of the downward press bar. The machine was modified to accomplish this. The load cell was then connected to a Model 9320 Portable Load Cell Indicator to collect the needed data.

The indicator was selected as the data collection device because a laptop could have interfered with the test cycle due to space restrictions. The output of the load cell was connected to the 9320 Portable Load Cell Indicator and set aside so that the cable did not interfere with the cycle and no snagging would occur. A cable tie was used to stow aside the cable and to ensure there was enough clearance for the entire cycle.

After analyzing the data, the tablet producer was able to quantify adjustment levels by monitoring which forces produced the most optimal results for a given cycle speed, die set, and raw material. Productivity and efficiency were greatly improved by the enhancement of the data feedback.

To learn more about Interface load cell indicators and for a complete list of products, you can download our instrumentation brochure here. You can also read more about instrumentation options in test and measurement in this post.

Instrumentation Options in Test and Measurement

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Force and torque measurement technologies such as load cells and torque transducers are a single part of an overall system often used for test and measurement projects and programs. Instrumentation is also a key component of force and torque measurement systems. Instrumentation tools are functional for visualizing and logging the sensor data.

When considering all the options for your project, product designers and engineers need to evaluate the type of instrumentation required to read and gather the sensor output and display the results.

Common questions to ask in preparing your test and measurement project, building a system or setting up a lab:

  • Where are you going to connect your sensor technology and how?
  • Do you need to store your data?
  • Do you prefer an analog or digital output device?
  • Are you going to plug-in your instrumentation or use hand-held, wireless or Bluetooth connectivity?
  • How will your data output be displayed?
  • How many channels do you need for your project or program?

These are all questions related to instrumentation devices and how they interact with and connect to your test and measurement products. Because of the wide variety of instrumentation options, from transmitters and indicators to data logging, it is critical to carefully review the features, specifications, capacities for each. Engineers and testers should review capabilities for data collection of a device, connectors and adapter requirements, and how the device works with specific types of load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, and other testing equipment.

A valuable tip is to spend time reviewing the specifications of any instrumentation device you are considering, as well as speak with an experienced application engineer. The critical model and design details are provided in the product datasheet to help in your selection.

Key areas to consider in your review and design of a force and torque measurement systems include:

  • Excitation
  • Outputs
  • Performance standards
  • Environmental performance
  • Power
  • Mechanical definitions
  • Connections
  • Protocols

There are dozens of instrumentation options available through Interface including signal conditioners, output modules, high-speed data loggers, portable load cell indicators, weight indicators, and junction boxes. Here are some of our latest additions and most popular instrumentation products:

Download our Instrumentation Brochure
Download our NEW Digital Instrumentation Brochure

Terms and Definitions

To help get you started on the process of selecting the right instrumentation for your project, we have compiled a list of common terms used for instrumentation and in force measurement and sensor technology product descriptions.

  • Accuracy: The closeness of an indication or reading of a measurement device to the actual value of the quantity being measured. Usually expressed as ± percent of full-scale output or reading.
  • Adapter: A mechanism or device for attaching non-mating parts.
  • Amplifier: A device that draws power from a source other than the input signal and which produces as an output an enlarged reproduction of the essential features of its input.
  • Analog Output: A voltage or current signal that is a continuous function of the measured parameter.
  • Analog-to-Digital Converter (A/D or ADC): A device or circuit that outputs a binary number corresponding to an analog signal level at the input.
  • Bluetooth: A standard for the short-range wireless interconnection of mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices.
  • Bus Formats: A bus is a common pathway through which information flows from one computer component to another. The common expansion bus types include, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA), Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI Express (PCI-X), Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association, (PCMIA), Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI).
  • Calibration: Process of adjusting an instrument or compiling a deviation chart so that its reading can be correlated to the actual value being measured.
  • Communication: Transmission and reception of data among data processing equipment and related peripherals.
  • Controller: Controllers deliver measurement and control functions that may be used in a wide variety of applications. They feature compact form and versatility in systems that require precise measurement of weight or force combined with processing and storage.
  • Digital Output: An output signal which represents the size of an input in the form of a series of discrete quantities.
  • Environmental Conditions: All conditions in which a transducer may be exposed during shipping, storage, handling, and operation.
  • Frequency: The number of cycles over a specified time period over which an event occurs. The reciprocal is called the period.
  • Indicator: Load cell indicators are often needed where the force, load or weight measurement needs to be displayed to a user visually and displaying the results on a PC is not feasible.
  • Intelligent Indicator: Intelligent Indicators ensure sensor equipment is used for the correct amount of time, thereby helping to safeguard against mistakes or purposeful misuse.
  • Output: The electrical signal which is produced by an applied input to the transducer.
  • Protocol: A formal definition that describes how data is to be exchanged.
  • Range: Those values over which a transducer is intended to measure, specified by its upper and lower limits.
  • Signal Conditioner: A circuit module which offsets, attenuates, amplifies, linearizes and/or filters the signal for input to the A/D converter. The typical output signal conditioner is +2 V dc.
  • Strain Gage: A measuring element for converting force, pressure, or tension into an electrical signal.
  • Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS): Provides a force or torque transducer with electronic identification, allows sensor instrument to be “Plug & Play Ready” meets IEEE 1451.4
  • Wireless: Broadcasting, computer networking, or other communication using radio signals, microwaves, and other signals.

If you still have questions about load cells, torque transducers, and the instrumentation options please give us a call at 480-948-5555 or visit www.interfaceforce.com.

For some of the key terms, we used an online reference you can find here: Source

Digital Instrumentation for Force Measurement

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The age of IoT (Internet of Things), where almost every vehicle, machine, and piece of equipment is connected and shares information rapidly, is also greatly impacting the world of engineering and manufacturing for the better.  Data is more accessible, which allows for improved decision-making and more efficient product development cycles and design testing.

The demands from customers to go digital is something that Interface has paid close attention too. Digital instruments are becoming more popular because of their advantages over analog devices, such as greater speed, increased accuracy, better resolution, reduction in operator errors and the ability to provide automatic measurements in the system application.

Interface provides a wide range of digital instruments that take load cell and strain bridge input and provides data output in a variety of protocol and bus formats, including many industry standards requirements. This combination allows our customers to transform their test and measurement programs and force measurement applications into the digital age. The results are faster data input and outputs, along with more robust analytics.

In addition to improved efficiency, accuracy and speed, digital instrumentation and more specifically, digital signals, provides a plethora of benefits for test and measurement engineers.

These benefits include:

  • Digital signals are less susceptible to noise
  • Digital signals are more secure
  • Digital signals can travel a long distance
  • Digital signals allow multi-directional transmission simultaneously
  • Digital instrumentation can connect to other devices and networks more easily
  • Digital instrumentation can connect with protocols that they are already using in their facility

Another key reason our customers are demanding digital instrumentation is because of the push for Industry 4.0 facilities. Industry 4.0 involves the process of connecting various machines, smart and conventional, to the cloud with sensors to create a powerful sensor network.

The Industry 4.0 network will be fast and stable enough to relay data to people or other machines in real-time. This data is rapidly turned into insight and the information ultimately allows engineers and manufacturers to automate more processes to create a more efficient factory. The digital instrumentation devices that Interface provides play a significant role in helping our customers create Industry 4.0 manufacturing for OEM products and compete in the fourth industrial revolution using digital technologies.

Some of the most popular digital instrumentation devices that Interface provides include:

  • INF1 Modbus TCP Weight Transmitter Indicator  – The Interface Modbus/TCP indicator has a 6-digit red LED display (8 mm height), space-saving compact design, 4 buttons for the system calibration for a single channel weight transmitter.
  • 480 Bidirectional Weight Indicator480 Bidirectional Weight Indicator – The 480 Bidirectional Weight Indicator comes in a NEMA 4X stainless enclosure. The standard options include 523,000 internal counts, 0.8 in. LED 6-digit display and a measurement rate that goes up to 40 Hz.
  • INF4-Ethernet TCP/IP Weight Transmitter Indicator – This 4-channel weight transmitter instrument works in an Ethernet TCP/IP network and it is accessible via a web browser. It has a 6-digit red LED semi-alphanumeric display (8 mm height) and 7 segments with a compact design, 4 buttons for the system calibration, and a 6 indicator LED.

For more information on Interface’s growing lineup up of digital instrumentation, please visit /product-category/digital-instrumentation/.

 

Force Measurement Instrumentation 101

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There are many types of instrumentation devices used in force measurement applications. Interface provides high-quality instrumentation tools to use with our wide range of load cells and torque transducers.

The variety of instrumentation solutions includes signal conditioners, output modules, high-speed data loggers, portable load cell indicators, weight indicators, and junction boxes.

Depending on the application requirements, Interface has solutions for full-data acquisition as well as wireless technology telemetry systems. Our multi-channel bridge amplifier has 4-channel capability, while the INF-USB2 universal serial has a sensor to USB output converter.  With more than 50 instrumentation products, the solutions range for all types of uses.

To provide you with more insight, here’s an overview of a few of Interface’s instrumentation offerings along with educational video demonstrations to help you.

4 Channel 9840-400-1-T Intelligent Indicator 

The Model 9840 is TEDS plug-and-play ready! It is suitable for use in calibration labs, field service, or anywhere high accuracy is important.  This intelligent digital indicator has auto-setup for multiple load cells with fast, direct analog output.  Features include two interactive 7″ graphical touch screen displays, remote sense, low noise, 24-bit internal resolution. It has a USB port with RS232 communication, mV/V calibration and can store calibrations for up to 25 sensors.  This unit also has self-calibration and is TEDS plug and play ready and IEEE 1451.4 compliant. It is fully compatible with the Gold Standard® Calibration Systems.

DIG-USB Output Module

Interface’s DIG-USB Module is a compact, high-precision strain gage converter used for converting a strain gage sensor input to a digital output. It connects to a computer via a USB port. This product allows high precision measurements to be communicated directly to a computer and is aimed at applications which require high-accuracy measurement repeatability. With the appropriate drivers installed, the DIG-USB appears as a virtual serial port to the computer.

Simply by plugging the device into a computer, data can be extracted from most strain gage bridge input sensors and acquired by software which allows data manipulation removing the need for amplifiers, filters, and multi-meters.

Watch this video for a getting started demonstration with the DIG-USB Output Module.

9890 Strain Gage Indicator

Our 9890 Strain Gage Indicator is a full-featured multipurpose and easy-to-use digital strain gage and load cell meter ideal for weight and force measurement applications. With a max current of 350 mA at 10 V, it can support up to twelve 350 Ω load cells (minimum load resistance of 28 Ω), making it ideal for multipoint weight measurement applications. It accepts mV input signals up to 300 mV (unipolar) and ± 250 mV (bipolar). The 9890’s powerful dual-scale capability allows the measurement to be displayed in two different units of measure.

This video provides an overview of the 9890 Strain Gage Indicator and how it works.

920i Programmable Weight Indicator/Controller

The Interface 920i instrumentation device is a programmable, multi-channel digital weight indicator and controller. The configuration can be performed using the front panel, with an attached USB-type keyboard (or PS/2 keyboard if using a serial interface), or by using the iRev 4 utility. Model 920i is bidirectional and comes in a NEMA 4X stainless enclosure. Standard options include 8,000,000 internal counts, 4.6 x 3.4-inch LCD 7-digit display and a measurement rate that goes up to 960 Hz. Options are available that allow you to include analog and relay outputs.

This video provides an easy-to-follow getting start guide for the 920i Programmable Weight Indicator/Controller.

These are just a few of the dozens of instrumentation solutions Interface offers, all designed for unique application needs.  For more information on Interface’s instruments, visit our web product page or review our product brochure for detailed specifications on every product.

Instrumentation Brochure

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Visit Interface’s YouTube channel for all our indicator and product video demonstrations at https://www.youtube.com/interfaceforce and be sure to subscribe to stay current with our new releases.