Nonlinearity refers to the deviation from a straight line during a single, continuous loading cycle, which is a percentage of full scale from zero to full load. Interface 101 Nonlinearity details this crucial specification because it directly impacts the accuracy of your measurements. A load cell with a high nonlinearity percentage will give you inaccurate readings, especially at the intermediate points of its measurement range.

Interface strain gage load cells are the most reliable and accurate sensor for measuring force, as it's specifically designed to capture the total mechanical load. In contrast, a pressure sensor is designed to measure force distributed over a known area. While it is possible to design a load cell to measure pressure like Interface's IPCD, load cells are commonly used because they are specifically engineered and calibrated to measure total force accurately. Attempting to measure force with a standard pressure sensor is problematic because its output depends on both the force and the area over which it's applied. If the force distribution changes, the sensor's reading will change even if the total force remains constant. This makes a pressure sensor an unreliable tool for measuring the total force applied by a solid object.

InterfaceIQ Podcast and Sensor Cheat Sheets are new additions to ForceEDU, the ultimate force measurement resource hub. These tools are designed to provide accessible and valuable insights into the world of force measurement, whether you're just starting to explore using load cells or are a seasoned pro in test and measurement. Interface is sharing the nearly six decades of technical experience and engineering know-how from building millions of load cells and other sensors for users around the world.