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Advancing Battery Possibilities with Measurement Solutions

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Advancements in batteries have opened new possibilities for the types of cars we drive, products we use in our homes, and even the way we store energy. Force measurement solutions play a crucial role in supporting advancements and innovation in battery technologies, as noted in Advancing Lithium-Ion Battery Test and Measurement.

The primary areas for battery developement utilizing Interface load cells and instrumentation are design, testing, and manufacturing. From structural integrity and safety tests to material testing and optimization, Interface measurement solutions are used for evolving batteries and their applications across many industries.

Interface is a preferred provider of force measurment solutions to the automotive industry, where they have long utilized our load cells and instrumentation for different battery testing. Learn more about our battery solutions for the auto and vehicle industry here.

As batteries become more powerful, ensuring their structural integrity for safety purposes becomes paramount. Our load cells are used to accurately measure the forces during various mechanical stresses, such as compression and impact testing. These measurement solutions can help to assess their robustness and identify potential weak points of the battery structure. Read: Electric Vehicle Structural Battery Testing

Understanding how battery materials respond to forces is critical in optimizing their performance and durability. Testing new materials is critical in developing new battery capabilities and capacities. With the introduction of new battery types, there is a requirement to thoroughly assess the chemicals and materials used in the battery, it’s encasing and the surrounding environment.

Load cells can be integrated into battery testing setups to monitor the mechanical stress on batteries during charge and discharge cycles. Load cells are utilized in thermal testing chambers to measure the mechanical stress experienced by batteries during thermal cycling. Load cells that are designed for high cycle counts for fatigue and stress testing are ideal for this type of measurement.

Interface products are important in the quality control processes of battery manufacturing. By validating the mechanical properties of batteries at different production stages, manufacturers can maintain consistent quality and comply with industry standards and safety regulations. All types of batteries are regulated in many countries to ensure safety, environmental protection, and consumer rights. The specific regulations may vary; however, most batteries are designed to meet the maximum industry standards.

Advancements in battery testing are essential for a wide range of industries that rely on batteries as a crucial component of their products or operations. Some of the industries that heavily rely on battery testing include automotive, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, consumer electronics, manufacturers, aerospace and aviation, medical devices, military, industrial equipment,, transportation and shipping, and maritime.

How are load cells used in battery testing?

The most common types of battery testing include capacity testing, safety testing, environmental testing, and manufacturing quality control. Load cells are commonly used for battery compression tests, impact testing, and thermal expansion and contraction.

Battery Compression Testing

This is crucial to ensure the battery’s structural integrity and safety under different conditions. During compression testing, the battery is subjected to controlled forces using hydraulic or mechanical presses, and load cells placed between the battery and the press measure the applied force accurately. Engineers can analyze the data to determine how the battery deforms and behaves under pressure, helping them design safer and more robust battery packs.

Interface low profile load cells, like our popular 1200 series or through-hole load cells like our precision load washers are often used for compression tests on batteries. Low profile load cells have a flat, disk-like shape and are suitable for applications where the force needs to be applied in a perpendicular direction to the cell’s surface. Through-hole load cells, on the other hand, have a central hole through which the force is applied, making them suitable for applications where the load needs to pass through the load cell.  Interface offers a wide range of models including high-capacity, compression-only, precision, and mounting options for our load cells.

Battery Impact Testing

Load cells can be integrated into a machine, drop tower or other testing setups, where the battery is dropped from a specific height to create impact. The load cells measure the impact force experienced by the battery during the fall. This data is vital for evaluating the battery’s ability to withstand sudden shocks and impacts, ensuring it meets safety standards for real-world situations.

For impact testing, high-capacity load cells with a rugged and robust design are preferred. Impact events can generate high forces in a short period, so the load cells must be capable of handling such sudden loads without damage. Interface’s S-type load cells or rod-end load cells are commonly used for impact testing applications due to their ability to measure tension and compression forces accurately.

Battery Thermal Expansion and Contraction Testing

Load cells are used in thermal testing chambers to measure the changes in mechanical stress that occur within the battery as the temperature fluctuates. By analyzing how the load on the cells changes with temperature, engineers can assess the battery’s performance and structural stability under different thermal conditions, which is critical for battery design and optimization.

In thermal testing applications, miniature load cells often used. Miniature WMC load cells are compact and can be easily integrated into small spaces within thermal chambers. Strain gages offer excellent sensitivity and are suitable for measuring small changes in mechanical stress that occur during thermal expansion and contraction testing.

Read EV Battery Testing Solutions Utilize Interface Mini Load Cells

Interface Force Load Cell Considerations Used for Battery Testing

  • Capacity: Choose a load cell with a capacity that covers the expected force range during testing. Ensure that the load cell can handle the maximum force that might be applied during compression, impact, or thermal testing.
  • Accuracy: Look for load cells with high accuracy and low hysteresis to ensure precise and repeatable measurements, especially when evaluating the mechanical properties and behavior of EV batteries under various test conditions. Interface is known for accuracy in measurement. All specifications related to the accuracy are available on each product’s datasheet.
  • Model Design: The load cell’s form factor should be robust and durable to withstand the demands of testing. A rugged design, preferrably stainless steel, is essential for impact testing and to ensure the load cell remains stable and reliable throughout the testing process.
  • Compatibility: Ensure that the measurement device is compatible with the testing equipment and data acquisition system being used in the battery testing setup. Interface will work with you in selecting the right sensor, instrumentation, cable and any accessories based on your test plan.
  • Calibration and Temperature Compensation: All Interface load cells have calibration certificates. The temperature compensation features are outlined in the model specifications. Accurate calibration and temperature compensation are vital for obtaining reliable and accurate force measurements, especially during thermal testing.
  • Application-specific features: Depending on the type of battery testing, certain load cell features, such as high-frequency response for impact testing or low profile designs for compression testing in confined spaces, might be beneficial. Discuss with our application engineers if you have questions on selecting the right products.

Overall, advancements in battery testing have far-reaching implications across various industries, enabling the development and deployment of safer, more efficient, and higher-performing battery technologies, which are essential for the ongoing transition to a sustainable and electrified future. To learn more about solutions that Interface has supplied for battery testing, and affiliated components used in the advancements of batteries, contact us. Our solutions team is ready to help.

Additional Resources

Electric Vehicle Battery Load Testing Feature and Application

Feature Article Highlights Interface Solutions for EV Battery Testing

EV Battery Testing Solutions Utilize Interface Mini Load Cells

Advancing Lithium-Ion Battery Test and Measurement

Electric Vehicle Structural Battery Testing App Note

Electric Vehicle Battery Monitoring

Interface Powers Smart Transportation Solutions

 

Interface New Product Releases Summer 2023

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When the company started in 1968, the focus was on perfecting the precision load cell. This month we are celebrating our 55-year anniversary, and over these years we have expanded our line from the famous blue and miniature load cells to more than 35,000 products that include instrumentation, calibration systems, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, load pins, shackles and accessories.

Interface has released several new products in our force measurement solutions line. This update is a highlight of these additions. If you have any questions about these new products, please contact our application engineers.

INTERFACE SUMMER 2023 NEW PRODUCT RELEASES

NEW PRODUCT! JB1100 4-CHANNEL ADVANCED SIGNAL CONDITIONING TRANSMITTER INDICATOR AND JUNCTION BOX

The JB1100 is the ideal solution for systems that require weight data from a load cell. Interface’s JB1100 4-Channel Advanced Signal Conditioning Transmitter Indicator and Junction Box offers maximum control. The multi-function weight transmitter junction box can be utilized as an independent or dependent four-channel instrument. The JB1100 allows for the direct reading and diagnosis of each individual connected load cell or summed as a whole.

Primary JB1100 features and benefits:

  • Four independent scales or four load cell inputs
  • LED display (13mm) and six LEDs show active functions
  • Configurable calibration and setup
  • Calibration using linearization points
  • Diagnostic information via serial port
  • Analog Output Standard Opto isolated, 16 bit 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA, 0-5 VDC, and 0-10 VDC
  • 12-24 VDC Power and comes with a 120VAC Power Supply as well

For more weighing instrumentation and information, visit our new Interface Weighing Solutions.

NEW PRODUCT! 4850 BATTERY POWERED BLUETOOTH WEIGHT INDICATOR

Interface’s 4850 Digital Indicator Instrumentation is environmentally protected and wireless using Bluetooth technology and battery power. The 4850 digital indicator is housed in a stainless steel NEMA 4X enclosure. It has 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. 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.

Primary 4850 features and benefits:

  • Stainless steel swivel stands and enclosure
  • Easy to read LCD display with up to 50,000 graduations
  • Full front panel configuration and calibration
  • Multipoint calibration linearization
  • Units lb, kg, g, and oz
  • Drives up to eight 350 ω load cells
  • Power requirements are 4-14 VDC with 6-volt 3 Ah internal rechargeable lead acid battery
  • High quality and low cost
  • Remote display, peak hold, check weighing, accumulation, self-diagnostics
  • Option: analog output: 16-bit, 0-5 VDC, 4-20 mA
  • Option: built-in relays (6V or 12V)

NEW PRODUCT! 1200 AND 1201 SERIES IO-LINK LOAD CELL UNIVERSAL OR COMPRESSION-ONLY

Interface now offers advanced communication protocol features for our most popular load cells, the 1200 LowProfile and 1201 LowProfile Series. Interface 1200 and 1201 Series IO-Link Load Cell Universal or Compression-Only models are low profile load cells that are IO-Link compatible, which is an open standard serial communication protocol that allows for the bi-directional exchange of data from sensors and devices. IO-Link features with Interface standard products are available by custom solutions request.

Primary 1200 and 1201 Series IO-Link Load Cell for Universal or Compression Only:

  • Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
  • Eccentric load compensated
  • Low deflection
  • Shunt calibration
  • Tension and compression
  • Compact size
  • 3-wire internal amp choice of 4-20 mA, ±5V, ±10V, 0-5V, 0-10V

Available options include bases, custom calibration, multiple bridges, special threads and dual diaphragm. Accessories available are mating connectors, mating cables, instrumentation and loading hardware.

NEW PRODUCT! A4200 AND A4600 SIGNAL CONDITIONING OPTIONS FOR 3-WIRE AMPLIFIED LOAD CELLS AND IO-LINK DIGITAL LOAD CELLS

The Interface A4600 WeighCheck™ Load Cells and A4200 WeighCheck Load Cells now have custom signal conditioning features, including IO-Link Digital and 3-Wire Amplified by custom request. The customized A4200 and A4600 3-Wire Amplified Load Cells provide an internally amplified low profile load cell with a voltage or mA signal. This option eliminates the need for an external signal conditioner and comes scaled to the load cell and ready to use. A4200 and A4600 IO-Link Digital Load Cells with an industry standard M12 connector. IO-Link, a communication protocol used in industrial automation applications to connect sensors and actuators to control systems, offers increased flexibility, enhanced diagnostics, simplified wiring, improved efficiency, and lower costs. Read more here.

Primary A4200 and A4600 WeighCheck™ 3-Wire Amplified and IO-Link Digital Load Cells features and benefits:

  • Standard A4200 and A4600 capacity ranges from 2.5K to 50K lbf (11.1 to 222 kN)
  • High output – 4 mV/V
  • Self-centering in all directions
  • High safe side load – to 400%
  • Standardized output – ±0.1%
  • Zinc plated (A4200) or stainless steel (A4600)
  • Signal conditioner options
  • IO-Link digital option with M12 connector
  • 3-Wire amplified with a voltage or mA signal

NEW PRODUCT! TORQUE COUPLINGS FOR INTERFACE T8, T11 AND T25 TRANSDUCER MODELS

When you are selecting any of the Interface T8, T11 or T25 Torque Transducers, it is highly recommended to get the couplings that are designed for those specific models. Generic couplings can create issues in accuracy and performance, such as denting the disks or overcoming the frictional locking.  There are multiple options for each transducer model in a range of capacities.  View all coupling options here.

Primary Torque Coupling Options:

  • Floating Mount Single Flex Couplings
  • Floating Mount Clamping Ring Single Flex Couplings
  • Floating Mount Shrink Disk Single Flex Couplings
  • Floating Mount Keyed Single Flex Couplings
  • Pedestal Mount Keyed Double Flex Couplings
  • Pedestal Mount Double Flex Pedestal Mount Couplings
  • Pedestal Mount Clamping Ring Double Flex Couplings
  • Pedestal Mount Shrink Disk Double Flex Couplings

NEW PRODUCT! BX6-BT-OEM PORTABLE 6-CHANNEL HIGH SPEED BLUETOOTH DATA LOGGER

Interface’s BX6-BT-OEM is a 6-channel measuring amplifier with Bluetooth connection and data logger functionality in the smallest dimensions. The BX6-BT-OEM has six measurement channels. The first channel is for full-bridge strain gages, channels 2-6 are individually configurable as voltage input (single-ended) or strain gage bridge input including half and quarter bridge configuration. Channel 7 for acquiring digital pulses is available for connecting incremental encoders or as an input for square-wave signals. The measurement data can be recorded on a micro-SD memory card for continuous recording up to 3000 readings per second, long recording intervals with power management and digital input triggered recording. The recorded files can also be downloaded via Bluetooth SPP. A real-time clock creates timestamps the measurement data files. Ideallythe BX6-BT-OEM is paired with Interface’s 6-Axis Multi-Axis Series.

Primary BX6-BT OEM features and benefits:

  • 6-channels plus one encoder channel
  • 6-Axis Multi-Axis Sensor compatible with internal matrix calculation
  • Data logger up to 3,000/s
  • Embedded Bluetooth with 400-meter range
  • Six strain gage inputs: full bridge, half bridge, and quarter bridge plus bridge completion (1K, 350, 120 ohm)
  • Five single ended voltage inputs 0-10 VDC
  • 16-bit resolution
  • mV/V, VDC, counter, frequency, RPM, and angle inputs
  • Internal charging circuit (500 mA)
  • BlueDAQ logging and graphing software included
  • Digital inputs and outputs (trigger/tare/setpoints)
  • data logging features long recording intervals and power management
  • Micro-controller with scripting language for creating embedded applications
  • Log to SD card and BlueDAQ software

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT RESOURCES

Do you need help in selecting the right products for your upcoming testing programs and projects? We are available to help you choose the best products based on your unique requirements. If you have questions about these new products, capacities, capabilities, or specifications, please contact our application engineers.

What is Moment Compensation?

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Moment compensation refers to a process of adjusting or counterbalancing the effects of an external force or torque, known as a moment, on a system or object. This is often done in engineering or physics contexts where precise control and stability are required, such as the design of force measurement applications.

Moment compensation is often used to prevent unwanted movements or deformations in systems, to ensure precision and accuracy in measurements, or to maintain stability and control during operation. Moment compensated load cells improve accuracy by compensating for the impact of external forces and moments on the measurement, allowing for more precise and reliable measurements.

Most load cells are sensitive to orientation and loading concentricity. When external forces or moments are introduced, measurement errors are more common and reduce the accuracy of the readings. These external forces or moments can come from various sources. Examples of external forces or moments that can affect the accuracy of load cells and require moment compensation:

  • Off-axis loading: When the load is applied off-center to the load cell, it creates a moment that can introduce errors in the measurement.
  • Temperature changes: Changes in temperature can cause thermal expansion or contraction of the load cell, which can introduce measurement errors.
  • Vibration: Vibrations from nearby equipment or processes can cause the load cell to vibrate, creating measurement errors.
  • Changes in orientation or position: Changes in the orientation or position of the load cell can cause gravitational forces or other external forces to act on the load cell, affecting the measurement.
  • Torque: When a load cell is subject to torque, such as twisting or bending forces, it can introduce measurement errors.
  • Wind or air currents: Air currents or wind can create external forces on the load cell that can affect the measurement

A load cell that is moment compensated can minimize or eliminate these errors, resulting in higher accuracy. Load cells with moment compensation can be more sensitive to slight changes in the load, as it can compensate for any external forces or moments that might affect the measurement.

Moment Compensation is an Interface Differentiator

Interface’s moment compensation process reduces force measurement errors due to eccentric loads by deliberately loading cell eccentrically, rotating load, monitoring and recording output signal, and then making internal adjustments to minimize errors. Every product we ship must pass moment compensation specifications and performance requirements. Every Interface LowProfile™ load cell is moment compensated to minimize sensitivity to extraneous loads, a differentiator from other load cell manufacturers.

When load cells are moment compensated, they can be used in a wider range of applications, including those with complex or dynamic loads, which might be difficult or impossible to measure accurately using a load cell without moment compensation. Interface’s LowProfile Load Cell models have the intrinsic capability of canceling moment loads because of its radial design. The radial flexure beams are precision machined to balance the on-axis loading.

Moment compensated load cells are designed to counteract the external forces or moments by using a configuration of strain gages and electronics that can detect and compensate for these forces. The strain gages are arranged in a way that allows the load cell to measure the force applied to it in multiple directions, and the electronics can then use this information to calculate the impact of external forces and moments on the measurement.

Interface uses eight gages, as opposed to the four used by many manufacturers, which helps to further minimize error from the loads not being perfectly aligned. Slight discrepancies between gage outputs are carefully measured and each load cell is adjusted to further reduce extraneous load sensitivity to meet exact specifications.

Moment compensation improves the stability of a load cell, particularly in situations where the load is off-center or subject to torque. This can prevent the load cell from shifting or becoming damaged, leading to more consistent and reliable measurements. It also improves the durability of a load cell, as it can help protect it from the impact of external forces or moments that might cause damage or wear over time.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Addressing Off-Axis Loads and Temperature Sensitive Applications

Contributing Factors To Load Cell Accuracy

Off-Axis Loading 101

How Do Load Cells Work?

Load Cell 101 and What You Need to Know

Get an Inside Look at Interface’s Famously Blue Load Cells

Strain Gages 101

 

Basics on Load Cell Base Kits

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As resilient and accurate as load cells are engineered, there is risk of damaging a load cell if they are not properly supported through mounting or mating to the test subject or test bench.

Load cell bases are designed to support and stabilize load cells. Load cell bases come in assorted sizes and configurations, depending on the intended application and the weight capacity.

Load cell bases are used with load cells that are frequently utilized in industrial equipment, test machines, and commercial testing labs. They may also be integrated into several types of equipment, such as weighbridges, conveyor systems, structural test stands, and packaging machines.

Interface publishes numerous guides on properly supporting a load cell during a test. However, for our LowProfile™ load cells, we provide complete Load Cell Base Kits to provide the engineered accuracy and necessary support for precision performance as intended in regular use. Bases minimize risks in damaging load cells from improper use.

Load cells with positive overload protection must be ordered with an Interface installed base. The positive overload option is useful when high overloads occur in applications such as: impact loads on weighing platforms; engine malfunctions during rocket or jet engine testing; transient overloads on engine dynamometers.

Interface’s Load Cell Base Kits are a type of mounting plate guaranteed to provide optimum support for the flexure. Using the base, or a support surface with its equivalent flatness and stability, is required to ensure the exceptional performance. They are heat treated and high strength bases, available in all standard sizes of our low profile models.

Standard thread size is the same as the mating load cell. Bases or flat mounting surfaces are required for all low profile load cell installations. A mounting surface that is flat to 0.0002″ T.I.R. (total indicator reading) is required, unless a base is installed.

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.

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. Center hub deflects under the load until it contacts the base which provides positive overload protection. The center tapped hole is sealed to keep overload surfaces clean.

When the base and load cell are ordered together, the base and plug are factory installed using the proper hardware tightened to the required torque specs. A plug is supplied in between the cell and the base to prevent damage or errors caused by over engagement of mating parts.

There are 14 model options in standard Load Cell Base Kits in both U.S. and Metric Threads. They are available for our standard 1000, 1100 and 1200 Load Cell Series of various capacities. We offer 15 stainless steel model options to be paired with our 2400 and 3200 Load Cell Series.

Load Cell Base Kits are an excellent accessory to ensuring the most out of your LowProfile Load Cells provide the performance as designed. For complete instructions on installations, please reference our Support section on the website.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Accessories

Load Cell Basics Sensor Specifications

Interface Presents Load Cell Basics

Technical Library

Force Measurement Installation Guides

Mechanical Installation Load Cell Troubleshooting 101

LowProfile Load Cells 101

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In the field of force measurement, load cells are defined by a set of specifications attributed to a configured shape and size of the flexure model. These models are engineered to meet requirements in weight, size, cost, accuracy, use life, rated capacity, extraneous forces, test profile, error specs, temperature, altitude, pressure, and materials.

Of all the flexure models available, the low profile load cell is the most common force measurement sensor model used for general test and measurement applications.

Did you know that Interface is known for creating the first low profile load cells more than 50 years ago? Our founder first introduced the low profile in 1969 and later trademarked as the first of its kind precision LowProfile® Load Cell by Interface. With this invention, Interface became with market leader of precision load cells. In fact, our 1200 Standard Precision LowProfile® Load Cell, designed for eccentric load compensated tension and compression, remains our most popular product today.

This pancake-style shear beam cell design is world-renowned for durability, accuracy, and performance. The LowProfile design resembles two shear beam cells end-to-end, exhibiting the stability of a doubled-ended shear beam and augmented by the fact that the circular design is equivalent to four double-ended cells. Thus, it provides stability in eight directions at the center point.

The LowProfile designs include a base, bolted to the flexure around its outside rim. The base is a flat surface, guaranteed to provide optimum support for the flexure. The use of a base ensures the exceptional performance in the Interface LowProfile series, as each load cell is built, evaluated, and calibrated with the base.

Advantages of all Interface LowProfile design include:

  • Higher output
  • Better fatigue life
  • Better resistance to extraneous loads
  • Shorter load path
  • Extremely low compliance with higher stiffness
  • Option for compression overload protection integral to the cell
  • Proprietary strain gages
  • Customization

One process step that is standard in the LowProfile series is the adjustment to extraneous load sensitivity. Although the design itself cancels out the built of this sensitivity, Interface goes one step further and adjusts each cell to minimize it even more.

The Interface LowProfile Series is available in compression-only, tension and compression and calibration grade. There are high and low-capacity options, flange-style, amplified, as well as fatigue rated models. Various features are available through hundreds of configurations to accommodate the wide range of testing profiles, such as connectors, wireless, additional bridges, and overload protection.

The LowProfile Series has three major classifications: precision, ultra precision and fatigue rated. The basic construction of all the cells in the series is quite similar. The major differences are in the number of shear beams and the number of gages in the legs of the bridge.

LowProfile Precision Series: Standard capacities of the precision low profile designs can measure up to 2M lbf. The gaged sensors in every load cell are individually inspected and tested and certified to meet our rigid standards. With greater stiffness, respectable static error band specifications and resistance to extraneous loads, this is Interfaces number one line of products.  The standard 1200 is by far the most sought after low profile today.

1200 Precision LowProfile Load Cell Standard Series features:

  • Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
    Performance to .04%
    High output – to 4 mV/V
    0.0008%/°F (.0015%/°C) temperature effect on output
    Low deflection
    Shunt calibration
    Barometric compensation

This 1200 Standard Precision LowProfile® Load Cell standard model is available through our QuickShip48 expedited delivery service. Click here to order now. For additional low profile capacities of the Model 1200 series, base options, connectors, bridge options and overload protection availability, go here for the specifications datasheet, model options, drawings and technical specifications.

LowProfile Ultra Precision Series: Engineers at Interface designed this series to meet the demands of sophisticated testing labs with precision performance in the critical parameters such as static error band, non-linearity, hysteresis, non-repeatability, and extraneous load sensitivity. The models in the 1100 Ultra Precision LowProfile® Load Cell are the most popular of this design.

LowProfile Fatigue Rated Series: This series guarantees fatigue life of 100 million fully reversed load cycles.  This series has tighter specifications on resistance to extraneous loads and offers stiffer compliance. Interface’s fatigue rated load cells typically have static overload rating of 300% in both tension and compression modes. Originally designed for aerospace testing, the Interface 1000 Fatigue-Rated LowProfile® Load Cell are the most used fatigue-rated low profiles.

Interface also provides very high-grade low profiles for calibration. The LowProfile Gold Standard Calibration Series: Interface sets the standard in precision load cells. The model 1600 Gold Standard® Calibration LowProfile® Load Cell are uniquely designed for calibrating other load cells to the highest levels of quality and accuracy used in test and measurement. The Interface Model 1600 provides both tension and compression in one unit. It also has the options for a second and third bridge, as well as overload protection.

1600 Gold Standard® LowProfile® Tension and Compression Load Cell Standard Series features:
• 0.01% creep
• High Output to 4 mV/V
• High-Precision Installed Base
• ±0.0008%/˚F Max Temperature Effect on Output
• Low Deflection
• Shunt Calibration
• Barometric Compensation
• Calibration Adapter
• 3-Run NIST Traceable ASTM E74 Calibrations
• 4% Lower Load Limit per ASTM E74

Low profile load cells are used for all types of testing. There are many options and designs available as standard models. We also provide engineered to order, custom and OEM solutions for all our load cells. As with all our standard load cells, we do offer various capacities, modifications, and custom options.

One thing that is for certain, the Interface LowProfile is a standard across the force measurement industry. They are common in testing rigs, designed in as components, often found in the best metrology labs throughout the world.  Industry leaders in manufacturing, aerospace, automation, food processing, medical and biosciences, energy and transportation choose LowProfiles for the meticulousness required in high-performance force measurement testing.

Low-Profile-Load-Cell-Brochure

Interface Solutions are Designed and Built to Last

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Interface was founded by a visionary and entrepreneur, Richard F. Caris, who believed that if you designed and built dependable, quality, and accurate products, you would also build a sustainable company that will last generations.

His passion is what drives Interface today, sustaining his legacy and commitment to design products that revolutionize industries around the world. Interface, now owned by his two daughters, is a women-owned manufacturing and technology company that started in a garage and now is one of Arizona’s most enduring businesses. The company that started in 1968 continues to maintain its headquarters and productions facilities in the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Today, we are the trusted partner and supplier of global test and measurement solutions for testing labs and by makers of robots, rockets, medical devices, airplanes, industrial automation and farming equipment, new energy products, vehicles of all types, along with maritime and entertainment inventions.

Interface’s purpose is simple, we enable innovation that improves people’s lives and keeps them safe.

When it comes to building products that last, we are adamant about control and quality throughout the entire process. Every stage, from design engineering, machining, strain gage manufacturing and assembly, our team works to ensure the highest degree of performance possible for everything we manufacture.

It is not uncommon for Interface to get service requests for products that we built decades ago, in fact several decades ago. It is the depiction of what Mr. Caris planned for, and what we continue to strive for every day. Interface is a company that offers products built to last.

Fundamental to Interface, made in the USA has long been a celebrated distinction of Interface’s core offerings, including our LowProfile Load Cells, known as the first precision pancake-styled low profile load cells in the market. In fact, Interface has been engineering force measurement solutions for more than 54 years and has more than 35,000 products to show for it.

Our dedication to our customers around the world to be a total solutions provider in force measurement has driven expansion of our core load cell and torque transducers to include an extensive line of multi-axis sensors, miniature load cells, instrumentation, accessories, custom solutions, OEM products and engineered to order designs.

What makes Interface different? Our core differentiator is precision. We are known for providing high accuracy, innovative solutions, engineering excellence, and quality products that our customers trust.

Additional key differentiators that make Interface a leader:

  • Interface is the world’s largest producer of low profile load cells.
  • Interface makes our own self-temperature compensated strain gages from our exclusive proprietary alloy.
  • Interface load cells are creep tested to the tightest specification in the industry.
  • Interface performs more than 100,000 calibrations every year in the world’s largest calibration lab.
  • Interface LowProfile™ load cell is moment compensated to minimize sensitivity to extraneous loads.
  • Interface’s Gold Standard Calibration System is the industry gold standard for test and measurement.
  • Interface is the only major load cell company offering a comprehensive system for customers to calibrate their own load cells.
  • Interface LowProfile™ load cells are individually calibrated and tested through a series of performance tests before they leave our facility.
  • Interface calibrations are NIST traceable. And our lab has A2LA accreditation for both load cell and torque sensor calibration.
  • Interface can modify and customize force measurement solutions, delivering the broadest variety of available options in the industry.

Read more about our full capabilities here.

Learn more about our dedicated team and the Interface story about a company that has long-stood the test of time. Interface is built to last.

Interface Company Brochure

The Anatomy of a Load Cell

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Have you ever stopped to think about what makes the things we use everyday work? At Interface, our engineers think about what makes up an Interface load cell on the production floor and in our design lab every day.

Whether we are manufacturing a new load cell or speaking to a customer about how it can help solve their test and measurement challenges, we are always thinking about what a load cell can do and how to perfect the process of building one that exceeds all customer expectations in performance, reliability and accuracy.

One thing that people ask us about all the time is, what does it look like inside the pioneering Interface blue load cell? In the photo below, you have a cross-section of a basic load cell identifying each of the components and how it all comes together to provide industries around the globe world-class force measurement solutions.

The first component to understand is the strain gage. This mechanism is embedded in the gage cavity and is a sensor that varies its resistance as it is stretched or compressed. When tension or compression is applied, the strain gage converts force, pressure, and weight into a change that can then be measured in the electrical resistance. You can read more in our recent strain gage 101 blog. Here at Interface, we manufacture our own strain gages in-house to ensure premium quality and accuracy.

The main features of a strain gage are illustrated in the following image:

  1. Grid Lines – strain sensitive pattern
  2. End Loops – provide creep compensation
  3. Solder Pads – used to solder interconnecting wire to the gage
  4. Fiducials – assist with the gage alignment
  5. Backing – insulates and supports foil and bonds the strain gage to the flexure

There are also multiple gage configurations depending on the type of load cell. These include:

  • Linear – measures the strain under bending (used in mini beam load cells)
  • Shear – measures strain under shear force (used in low-profile load cells)
  • Poisson – measures strain under normal stress (used in the Interface 2100 Series Column Load Cells)
  • Chevron – measures strain under torsion (used in the Interface 5400 Series Flange Load Cells)

The next component to understand is the load bearing component of the load cell. It is made up of the hub, diaphragm, outer ring, inner ring and base. This component deflects under load to allow the strain gages to send a signal through the connector to the data acquisition device. Customization can include changing the metal materials used to meet environmental or strength concerns and designing the beam height and thickness to meet certain size and stress considerations.

The mounting ring and connector are also incredibly important to the proper use of a load cell and accurate data collection. The mounting ring is the area in which the load cell is mounted to the test rig to measure force and collect data. It is important to pay attention to mounting instructions because an improperly mounted load cell can cause inaccurate results, as well as damage to the load cell. There are also mounting adapters available to fit a wide variety of test rigs.

The connector is the component that allows the load cell to connect to a data acquisition device. The connector is attached via a wire to the data acquisition device and force data is sent through this device to the user through ethernet or Bluetooth® depending on the load cell and data acquisition device configuration. Interface also sells a wide variety of data acquisition devices.

Load cells have many configurations and capacities. In fact, we have made tens of thousands of them over the years to meet standard, modified and engineered to order specifications. The load cell diagram above represents a popular low profile “pancake” load cell.  There are many other styles including miniature load cells, bending and dual bending beams, column-style, S-beam and load button load cells. However, even as the shapes and uses change, the anatomy remains relatively similar, with these main components acting as the workhorse of the load cell and providing accurate force data to the user.

For more information on Interface and our wide range of load cells, torque transducers and data acquisition devices check out our product categories on our site or download our product literature here.

Finding the Center of Gravity

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Even after more than a half-century in the force measurement industry, Interface continues to find new  and innovative use cases for our precision products.

Recently, we were approached by a customer who needed help finding the center of gravity in order to optimize weight distribution and balance for a product in development. Our outstanding team here at Interface put our heads together to develop a unique testing method to help discover this critical data point.

“One of the most rewarding experiences in managing our custom solutions is learning about a new customer challenge and developing a novel solution to address it.” Ken Bishop, Director of Sales and Customer Solutions, Interface, Inc.

For this specific use case, the customer had a cylindrical tank filled with material for which they needed to find the center of gravity. Because we were able to calculate the distance of the tank, we were able to understand the weight distribution and create a test to find the center.

The center of gravity of an object is calculated when the weight of the given object is concentrated into the center of the object. This is determined by measuring the weight seen by each of the four legs.  If the weight is distributed evenly, the material is in the center location.  This center location can also be referred to as the origin.

Utilizing a Model 1280 Programmable Weight Indicator and Controller, which is highly customizable instrumentation for any application, we were able to write a program to achieve our goal. We then placed two Model 1211 Standard Precision LowProfile® Load Cells on each end of the rack where the tank resided, using four load cells in total. Because we knew the distance of the object and had load cells to measure the weight at both ends, we were easily able to calculate and identify the origin point on the tank. In this case, the center of gravity.

Ken noted that during his tenured career at Interface, this was the first time he and the team had been tasked with finding the center of gravity in relationship to the distance for an object. As Interface’s team thought about how to develop the custom solution, they also considered additional applications in which this information could be beneficial.

The result of this successful test and measurement application, Interface considers the center of gravity analysis as a beneficial test to optimize flight performance of an airplane. This is important when there is that instant that a plane is not flying at max capacity. There may be open seats all around you, but in order to keep weight distribution in balance, the attendants may need to limit which seats are occupied during a flight. If planes were equipped with this type of sensor technology to calculate center of gravity, they could more evenly distribute weight and ensure optimal performance.  This same type of application can apply to any vehicle that moves on land, air or water with people or cargo.

SEE THE APPLICATION NOTE FOR CENTER OF GRAVITY TESTING

In the growing demands for urban mobility, unmanned vehicles and drone technologies, this type of testing application can help with vehicles, aircraft, space vehicles, boats and more with performance and safety.

Force measurement has a limitless number of applications to improve performance, maximize efficiency and even work in real-time to provide smart decisions. At Interface, we are discovering new ways to redevelop our load cell, torque and multi-axis sensor products for customized solutions to meet the growing demands for innovation.

Interface works with a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, metrology and industrial automation by teaming up to create unique use cases and applications that require our custom force measurement solutions. If you have a unique project that requires a custom solution, please visit the custom solutions page on our site at /custom-solutions/ or contact us at 480-948-5555.

Contributor:  Ken Bishop, Sales and Custom Solutions Director at Interface

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Interface Holiday Wish List

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As we turn the corner on another great year at Interface, it comes with grace and gratitude to everyone that played part in our 2019 story. And with that, we wish everyone a very joyous holiday season.

To our customers, we appreciate your loyalty and trust. We know you rely on us to accomplish big things and ensure what you do is safe, reliable, durable and accurate. To our team members, our partners, our representatives, and distributors around the world, our success is your success. You are the faces of Interface and everything you do makes a difference.

Reflecting on the past year, we thought we would share what we know best. That’s what you like best!  We compiled a quick list of the top 10 products we sold this year to give you an idea of what’s hot and trending in force measurement.

Here are the items that were on the wish lists of engineers, testers, and lab technicians around the world by quantity of most frequently purchased.  By the way, this list excludes our calibration services and the unique solutions we design for our OEM customers.

BEST SELLING FORCE MEASUREMENT PRODUCTS OF 2019

  1. Mini Compression Load Button Load Cell – This top-selling Interface LBM load cell is available in capacities from 25 to 50K lbf, is environmentally-sealed and made of stainless steel.
  2. LW General Purpose Load Washer Load Cell – A big seller, the Interface Load Washer is available with a wide selection of OD, ID, heights and in various combinations. It is also made of stainless steel.
  3. SGA AC/DC Powered Signal Conditioner – Our SGA Signal Conditioner is a very popular instrumentation device that provides user-selectable analog output ±10V, ±5V, 0-10V, 0-5V, 0-20mA and 4-20mA as a single channel that powers up to four transducers.
  4. SM S-Type Load Cell – This high-demand S-Type Load Cell is for high-performance tension and compression testing. It utilizes proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages.
  5. 1200 Standard Precision LowProfile® Load Cell – The 1200 LowProfile Load Cell model series outsells all others. It is eccentric load compensated and has low deflection and shunt calibration. It can be used in tension and compression testing.
  6. T4 Standard Precision Shaft Style Rotary Torque Transducer – With more than 50 torque models available, this particular Interface T4 Torque Shaft Style Rotary Transducer has capacities from 0.1 Nm to 1K Nm (0.88 lbf-in to 8.85K lbf-in). It has contactless data transmission with digital electronics with on-shaft design.
  7. MB Mini Beam Load Cell – Our low capacity mini load cell has Interface temperature compensated strain gages with performance to 0.03%, low deflection and low height with 1-inch max.
  8. 1100 Ultra Precision LowProfile® Load Cell – The Interface model 1100, with a range of capacities, is selected among our best low profile load cells. It has very low nonlinearity, hysteresis, eccentric load sensitivity, and temperature sensitivity.
  9. 9320 Battery Powered Portable Load Cell Indicator – A very popular instrument, Interface’s 9320 Indicator is handheld and features two independently scalable ranges, peak and valley monitoring, display hold, mV/V calibration, and a power save feature. Typical battery life exceeds 40 hours of continuous use (450 hours in power-save mode), and is TEDS plug and play compliant.
  10. WTS 1200 Standard Precision LowProfile® Wireless Load Cell – Our most popular wireless load cell, often purchased as part of the entire Wireless Telemetry System (WTS), is compact in size and has capacities from 300 to 100K lbf (1.5 to 450 kN), with performance to 0.0425% and a 2.4 GHZ transceiver.

With thousands of products, we certainly have a diverse and broad selection of products and force measurement solutions. We didn’t include all our custom and OEM solutions or calibration services in our best selling list.

As we head into 2020, we look forward to working together to supporting your latest projects and unique applications, as well as helping to achieve your goals in the new decade!  We appreciate you and thank you for your business!

Happy Holidays from your Interface Team!