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Why Choose a Single Point Impact Cell?

A single point impact load cell (SPI) is a sensor that measures the impact force or load accurately applied to the force or weight exerted on a single point. SPI load cells offer precise and reliable measurements of impact forces or loads, making them valuable tools in various industries and applications.

SPI load cells are used in various industries where precise measurement of impact forces or loads at a single point is required. Here are four common use cases:

  • Material Testing: SPI load cells measure the impact resistance and mechanical properties of materials such as metals, plastics, composites, and rubber. These load cells are employed in impact testing machines to accurately measure the force exerted during impact tests, fracture toughness tests, and other mechanical tests on materials. Most product designers heavily rely on material testing for early-stage concepts to final-stage production.
  • Packaging and Filling Machinery: SPI load cells are utilized in packaging and filling machinery to ensure accurate container filling. These load cells measure the force exerted by the product as it is dispensed into containers, allowing precise control of filling volumes and ensuring consistency in product packaging. It is a way to eliminate waste.
  • Industrial Automation and Robotics: SPI load cells play a vital role in industrial automation and robotics applications, where precise force measurement is necessary for tasks such as material handling, assembly, and quality control. These load cells are integrated into robotic grippers, end-effectors, and assembly fixtures to monitor and control the forces exerted during robotic operations, ensuring accurate and reliable performance.

These are just a few examples of the diverse applications of SPI load cells across industries. Their ability to provide precise measurements of impact forces or loads at a single point makes them invaluable tools in various industrial processes and testing procedures.

Although the SPI resembles what is sometimes referred to as weigh pan cells, the single point impact cell was specifically designed to have greater than normal deflection at full scale to provide for the addition of stops to protect the cell against compression overloads. This was necessary because the usual deflection of 0.001 inch to 0.006 inch of most load cells is too small to adjust an external stop to protect the load cell accurately.

NOTE: A weigh pan cell, also known as a weigh module or load cell assembly, is a type of sensor system used for accurately measuring the weight or mass of objects placed on a platform or pan. It typically consists of one or more load cells mounted within a housing or frame structure. See more about SPIs in our Load Cell Field Guide.

SPI Low Capacity Platform Scale Load CellThe SPI Low Capacity Platform Scale Load Cell is designed to be a high-precision platform load cell. This product is compensated for off-center loading and is available in capacities ranging from 3 to 15 lbf (13.34 to 66.72 N).

Interface SPI cells with capacities of 3 lbf, 7.5 lbf, and 15 lbf contain their internal compression overload stop, which is adjusted at the factory to protect the cell up to four times the rated capacity. These cells have an additional bar under the lower surface to provide a mount for the internal compression stop screw.

The center bar, containing the gages, is a bending beam. It is supported by the outer frame containing four thin flexure points, two on the top and two on the bottom, to provide mechanical strength for side and moment loads. This construction provides the superior moment canceling capability of the SPI, which ensures a consistent weight indication anywhere within the weigh pan size limits.

The SPI High Capacity Platform Scale Load Cell is a high-precision sensor. This product is compensated for off-center loading and is available in capacities ranging from 25 to 150 lbf (111.2 to 667.2 N). These SPI load cells can be protected by placing hard stops under the corners of a weigh pan to catch the pan before excessive deflection damages the SPI cell.

Interface’s popular miniature MBI Overload Protected Miniature Beam Load Cell is a compact-sized SPI. The MBI has better resistance to off-axis loads than similar load cells and is fatigue-rated. This product has capacities from 2 to 10 lbf (10 to 50 N).

Reasons Why You Might Choose Single Point Impact Load Cells

  1. Precise Measurements – SPI load cells are designed to measure impact forces or loads exerted on a single point accurately and precisely. This precision is crucial in applications requiring precise force measurement for quality control, safety, or compliance reasons.
  2. Versatility – SPI load cells can be used in various industries, including material testing, impact testing, product durability testing, and process control. Their versatility makes them suitable for diverse applications requiring precise force measurement.
  3. Compact Design – SPI load cells are typically compact and lightweight, making them easily integrated into different systems and applications. Their small form factor allows for flexible installation and minimizes space requirements.
  4. Durability – SPI load cells are often constructed from robust materials such as stainless steel or aluminum, ensuring durability and reliability even in harsh operating environments. They are designed to withstand impact forces, vibrations, and other challenging conditions encountered in industrial settings.
  5. Cost-Effectiveness – Despite their high precision and performance capabilities, SPI load cells are often cost-effective compared to other load cells, making them a cost-efficient solution for many applications.

SPI load cells are often used in industrial settings for applications such as materials testing, impact testing, product durability testing, and quality control processes where the force exerted at a single point needs to be accurately measured. They are also utilized in various machinery and equipment to monitor loads and ensure safe operation. The SPI is popular with universities and test labs due to its precision and ruggedness.

If you are exploring single point impact cells, contact Interface application engineers to see how we can help you with your project or program.

Small in Dimension and Precise in Measurement

The world of force measurement is vast. Interface products are used across industries and in a wide range of applications. From the measurement of minute forces in catheter stint testing to jumbo load cells for massive structural testing of rockets, Interface load cells provide highly accurate measurement no matter the size of the load cell.

One of the many benefits of Interface products is the extensive range of measurement capacities and dimensions we offer, including our Mini Load Cells used for small and precise measurements. Interface Mini™ load cells are ideal for light touch, weight, or limited space test and measurement applications. The Mini Load Cells provide remarkably accurate measurements like our LowProfile load cells. With capacities available as low as 0.11 lbf / 0.5 N and as high as 100 kN, there are various miniature load cells for testing and options for custom OEM solutions.

TIP: Explore your options with our Mini Load Cell Selection Guide

Typical applications for measuring tiny, accurate forces are within the medical, manufacturing, robotics, and consumer product industries.

Medical device manufacturers are working to provide handheld point-of-care devices for patients. Additionally, medical devices used within the human body must provide extremely delicate forces to achieve their intended purpose without harming the patient.

Take something that seems relatively simple, like a vascular clamp. These types of delicate instruments are used on heart valves. If they provide too little force, they cannot do their job. However, providing too much force could severely harm the patient. Medical device manufacturers of these surgical tools use miniature load cells to measure the clamping force to ensure precise accuracy to toe the line between too much and too little force, which is a very precise number.

In the pharmaceutical industry, very small load cells are crucial for accurately measuring the force applied to the pills (tablets) during the press marking phase and other manufacturing processes to ensure consistent dosage and tablet integrity.

With consumer products, precision force measurement is critical to various manufacturing processes and real-time monitoring. A load button load cell is the right size for testing the durability of a smart device by applying a force to the screen and measuring the amount of force the screen can withstand before cracking or breaking. Read: Touchscreen Force Testing App Note

A miniature load cell can measure the force required to open a food package. This information can be used to ensure that the packaging is easy for consumers to open and secure enough to protect the food from damage. In food processing, load cells measure the force applied to food during mixing, blending, and other processes to ensure consistent product quality and prevent damage to the food itself. For instance, load cells can monitor the force applied to a dough mixer to ensure the dough is correctly mixed without becoming overworked or tough.

MINIATURE LOAD CELLS FOR SMALLER, MORE PRECISE FORCE MEASUREMENT APPLICATIONS

CONVEXBT LOAD BUTTON LOAD CELL

ConvexBT Load Button Load CellThe ConvexBT Load Button Load Cell is superior to any other load button. Constructed from heat-treated stainless steel and environmentally sealed with integral temperature compensation. Learn more about ConvexBT on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/l4xEKNjKREw

  • 5 lbf to 1,000 lbf, 22.24 N to 4.44 N
  • Integral temperature compensation
  • Enhanced eccentric load rejection
  • Multi-point calibration
  • Integral load button
  • Minimal diameter

SMTM MICRO S-TYPE LOAD CELL

Model SMTM is the miniature overload-protected S-type load cell and is excellent to use where size is a constraint.

  • Capacity 5, 25, 50 lbf (20, 100, 200N)
  • It can be used in tension and compression
  • Micro-sized 3/4” x 3/4” x 1/4”
  • Excellent temperature compensation (0.005%/°F Temp Effect on Output)
  • Overload protected

SUPERSC S-TYPE MINIATURE LOAD CELL

The SuperSC is an economical general-purpose load cell with a high force in a compact design. The SuperSC is environmentally sealed and insensitive to off-axis loading. The proprietary form factor is 80% smaller and 50% lighter than other models of s-type load cells. READ: New Technical White Paper Analyzes SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cells

  • 25 to 1000 lbf (100 N to 5 kN)
  • High force in a compact design
  • Environmentally sealed
  • High stiffness
  • Low deflection

ULC ULTRA LOW CAPACITY LOAD CELL

ULC ULTRA LOW CAPACITY LOAD CELL

The Interface model ULC is the world’s most accurate ultra-low capacity load cell measuring loads from 0.1 to 2 N (10.2 grams to 500 gmf).

  • Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
  • Highest performance low capacity load cell in the world
  • Overload protected
  • Safe side load overload to 5X capacity
  • Low extraneous load sensitivity
  • Low-temperature effect on zero (0.002%/°F)
  • Tension and Compression
  • 5 ft integral cable included

MBP OVERLOAD PROTECTED MINIATURE BEAM LOAD CELL

Model MBP series load cells perform similarly to the famous Model MB series with the added safeguard of internal overload protection.

  • 5 lbf to 10 lbf
  • Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
  • 10x overload protection
  • Low height – 0.99 in (25.1 mm)
  • 0008%F temp. effect on output
  • 5′ Integral Cable (custom lengths available upon request)
  • NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate

SMALL AND PRECISE MEASUREMENT APPLICATIONS

SPECIMEN RESEARCH

In the medical industry, medical experts need the best equipment to research multiple specimens. In this case, a medical researcher needs to monitor the load force of their linear actuator that uses a needle to collect material from the desired specimen. Interface’s SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cell can easily be installed into the linear test stand. A needle with a gripper on the end is installed on the lower end of the SuperSC. As the needle is pushed to collect specimen material, the load feedback is captured using the 9330 Battery Powered High-Speed Data Logging Indicator through an SD card or another laptop. Read: Specimen Research App Note

AIRBAG CONNECTOR TESTING

Testing airbag connectors functionality is needed to ensure perfect deployment in case of a car crash. Eight to twelve connectors are installed in each vehicle, and tests must be made to clarify whether the connectors are working effectively. These connectors usually work when latched, but that does not ensure the electrical properties are performing. The amount of force needs to be tested to see when an electrical current is connected. Interface’s solution is to attach the WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell to the actuator of the test rig. The airbag connector is placed at the test rig’s bottom. Forces are applied and measured using the 9330 High-Speed Data Logger as the connector is pushed down to latch together. When connected to a computer, results can be logged, downloaded, and reviewed.

COBOT MONITORING SYSTEM

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are offering more manufacturing operations in the industrial packaging industry. Protective cages or fences are no longer needed for safety purposes, but safety testing is still required to ensure humans and robots can work together. Four 3-axis Force Load Cells (creating one 6-axis Force Plate) are installed between two metal plates at the base of the cobot. Interface suggests installing a 6-axis force plate under the cobot and two ConvexBT Load Button Load Cells in the pinchers of the cobot. If a human were to knock into the cobot or have any object stuck in the pincher, the cobot would sense the force measured from the load cells and be programmed to stop immediately.

Interface can serve a wide range of test and measurement applications from millions of pounds force to the most minute. If you want sensors with small, more precise measurement capabilities, please check out our miniature load cell selection guide.

Bending Beam Load Cell Basics

Bending beam load cells are a versatile and cost-effective solution for many weighing and force measurement applications. These types of miniature load cells are small in dimension, which makes them ideal solutions for compact testing environments and for embedding into machines or products for continuous performance measurement.

The use of bending beam load cells expands across industries and applications, for weighing scales, medical devices, industrial process controls, robotic designs, packaging machinery and civil engineering projects.

How Bending Beam Load Cells Work

A bending beam load cell converts a force applied to it into an electrical signal by measuring the flexure of the beam. This is done by attaching strain gages to the beam. When the beam bends, the strain gages change their resistance, which is then converted into an electrical signal by a Wheatstone bridge circuit. The output signal is proportional to the applied load.

The bending beam load cell is bolted to a support through the two mounting holes. Under the covers, you can see the large hole bored through the beam. This forms thin sections at the top and bottom surface, which concentrate the forces into the area where Interface’s proprietary strain gages are mounted on the top and bottom faces of the beam. The gages may be mounted on the outside surface, as shown, or inside the large hole.

The compression load is applied at the end opposite from the two mounting holes, usually onto a load button that the user inserts in the loading hole.

MB Miniature Beam Load Cell

MB MINI BEAM LOAD CELL

The Interface Model MB is a miniature beam load cell used in test machines and a variety of low capacity applications.

  • Standard Capacities are 5 to 250 lbf (22.2 N to 1.11 kN)
  • Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
  • Performance to 0.03%
  • Low height – 0.99 in (25.1 mm)
  • Eccentric load compensated
  • ±0.0008% /˚F – max temperature effect on output
  • Low deflection

MBI Overload Protected Miniature Beam Load Cell

Interface’s Model MBI Overload Protected Miniature Beam Load Cell has better resistance to off-axis loads then other similar load cells and is fatigue rated.

  • Standard capacities from 2 to 10 lbf (10 to 50 N)
  • Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
  • Performance to 0.03%
  • Low height – 1in max
  • ±0.0008% /˚F – max temperature effect on output
  • 10x overload protection

MBP Overload Protected Miniature Beam Load Cell

Our Model MBP series Mini load cells provide a similar performance to Model MB series with the added safeguard of internal overload protection. This patented overload protection is accomplished via hard stops that are EDM machined into the load cell flexure. This provides a greater overload protection (2.5-10lbf ±1000% of full scale capacity, 100 N ±500% of full scale capacity), giving the user added protection in more severe applications.

  • Standard capacities from 2 to 10 lbf (10 to 50 N)
  • Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
  • 10x overload protection
  • Low height – 0.99 in (25.1 mm)
  • ±0.0008% /˚F temp. effect on output
  • 5′ Integral Cable (custom lengths available upon request)
  • NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate

MBS Parallelogram Load Cell

The Interface MBS Parallelogram load cell is made of lightweight aluminum construction and highly suitable for medical and robotics applications.

  • Capacities from 2.2 to 10 lbf (9.8 to 44.5 N)
  • Lightweight
  • Nonlinearity error 0.02% FS
  • Ideal for OEM applications

Double Bending Beam Cells

A very useful variation on the bending beam design is achieved by forming two bending beams into one cell. This allows the loading fixtures to be attached at the threaded holes on the center line, between the beams, which makes the sensitive axis pass through the cell on a single line of action.

Bending Beam Load Cell Applications

Material testing is a common application for bending beam load cells. This type of miniature load cell measures the forces applied to materials with a high degree of accuracy to determine stiffness, strength and durability of the specimen.

It is quite common to find bending beam load cells in industrial automation machines and robots to precisely measure the forces required for control, safety and efficiency. In robotics specifically, bending beam load cells will measure the force applied to the robot’s arms and grippers. The data is used to control the robot’s movements and to ensure that it is not damaging the objects it is handling.

Aerospace engineering have long used bending beam load cells in design, testing and manufacturing of aircraft and spacecraft. Automotive engineering use bending beam load cells to design and test vehicles for safety and reliability.

Due to Interface’s ability to custom design bending beam solutions that meet strict size, capacity and accuracy requirements, our products are commonly used in medical and healthcare applications.

Bending Beam Application for Medical Device Testing

In this application, the medical device product lab needs to apply known forces to stent and catheters to ensure they pass all necessary strength and flexibility testing. MBP Overload Protected Beam Miniature Load Cell is placed behind the guide wire for the stent or catheter. The motor will spin the linear drive, push the load cell, and guide the wire through the testing maze. The bending beam load cell connects to the DIG-USB PC Interface Module to record and store testing data for analysis. Read more.

Bending Beam Application for Vertical Farming

Vertical farming is the production of produce in a vertical manner using smart technology systems, while indoors using an irrigation system. A wireless force measurement solution is needed to monitor the amount of water being used, to ensure the produce is being watered just the right amount. Interface suggests installing four MBI Overload Protected Miniature Beam Load Cells under each corner of the trays of the produce to accurate measure the weight during watering. A JB104SS 4-Channel Stainless Steel Junction Box connects to each bending beam cell and to a WTS-AM-1E acquisition module. The device wirelessly transmits the sum weight to the WTS-BS-1-HA Wireless Handheld Display for multiple transmitters, and the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station. Interface’s Wireless Telemetry System monitored and weighed the amount of water being used on the produce in this vertical farming system to increase yield and conversation. Read more here.

Additional Resources

How Do Load Cells Work?

The Basics Of Shear And Bending Beams

Interface Mini™ Load Cell Selection Guide

Introducing Interface Load Cell Selection Guides

The Anatomy Of A Load Cell

Mini Load Cells 101

Load Cell 101 And What You Need To Know

Introducing Interface Load Cell Selection Guides

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

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

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

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

INTERFACE LOAD CELL SELECTION GUIDE

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

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

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

INTERFACE MINI LOAD CELL SELECTION GUIDE

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

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

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

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

Additional Resources

How Do Load Cells Work?

Interface Load Cell Field Guide

Torque Transducer Selection Guide

Contributing Factors To Load Cell Accuracy

LowProfile Load Cells 101

Webinar Recap of Taking Measure of Miniature Load Cells

Interface Presents Load Cell Basics

Taking Measure of Miniature Load Cells Webinar

Interface force measurement engineers and solution experts host an online discussion focused on products used to withstand one or more conditions related to temperature, cycling, moisture, environmental stresses. Learn about Interface’s stainless steel load cells, environmentally sealed options, submersible test and measurement products, enclosures, wireless capabilities, load pins, intrinsically safe products. We detail solutions used for all types of applications used in industries that include medical device, aerospace and defense, industrial automation, infrastructure, maritime and general test & measurement. We discuss sensors models, capabilities, features and FAQs. We dive into use cases, tips, measurement know-how and OEM products.

Interface Introduces SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cell

Interface has released its latest load cell invention, the SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cell. Interface’s new product is an s-type miniature load cell that offers capacities in a form factor 80% smaller and 50% lighter than other models of s-type load cells. It’s ideal for industry 4.0 applications.

The Interface SuperSC is an economical general purpose load cell with a compact design. It is perfect for all types of test and measurement applications in confined spaces and for OEM use cases with smaller product dimensions. The miniature sensor is also environmentally sealed and insensitive to off axis loading.

Designed by Interface’s engineer Raymunn Machado-Prisbrey, SuperSC comes in 12 capacities ranging from 25 to 1K lbf and 100 N to 5 kN. Six designs for international standards of measurement (metric) and six are imperial standards. They are environmentally sealed with an IP66 rating and offer high stiffness with low detection.

“S-type load cells have grown in popularity every year since their introduction in 1974 by Interface’s founder, primarily due to their design features and performance for use in diverse force measurement applications.” Mark Weathers, VP of Advanced Manufacturing and OEM Products

Due to its high capacity and compact housing, it is an ideal sensor for weighing and test machines, as well as in OEM product designs for ongoing performance measurement and monitoring. S-type load cells are some of Interface’s most popular products. The new product release of the SuperSC represents the next generation of the versatile Interface Mini product offerings.

“The SuperSC is the next generation of s-type load cells with the Interface’s distinguishable high quality, accuracy, reliability, and range of capacities, while also offering a more compact design and options for customization and embedding into products and machines,” said Mark Weathers, VP of Advanced Manufacturing and OEM Products

The Interface SuperSC is manufactured at Interface’s headquarters in Arizona. It has accessories and different build options, including a high-temperature rated version, fatigue rated, special calibrations, and it also can be pre-installed with rod end bearings. Interface also plans to introduce a submersible, IP68 rated version and a model specialized for load compensation.

The new Interface SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cell and review specification sheets and pricing are here.

Interface highlighted the product in the recent Superior S-Type Load Cells webinar recording.

PRESS RELEASE

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Superior S-Types Webinar Recap and New SuperSC

SuperSC S-Type Miniature Load Cell

Superior S-Type Load Cells Webinar

S-Type Load Cells 101

Faces of Interface Featuring Bobby Calleja

Throughout his career in the manufacturing industry, Interface Planner Bobby Calleja has seen it all, from the aerospace industry to beauty products and circuit boards. His knowledge and experience in manufacturing has made him a critical member of the Interface family and we’re glad to share his story.

Bobby’s professional journey began in Long Island, New York, where he worked for his father at his machine shop. Being around his father and seeing his work ethic for the job, along with a passion for the industry, made Bobby realize that it’s what he wanted to do with his professional career.

Bobby worked for his father for six years before deciding it was time to do his own thing and get far from the cold New York winters. When he moved to Arizona, he began working at a small mom and pop aerospace facility that was eventually bought out by Goodrich Corporation. He began as a machinist and working his way up to night supervisor where he would oversee the repair and build of F16 fuel injectors. When his position was being moved to Iowa, Bobby was offered a job to move with it, but he opted to stay in Arizona.

His next move was with a manufacturer called Philosophy that made beauty care products. At Philosophy, Bobby served as a second shift supervisor where he managed that production from start to finish on the floor. After five years of working at Philosophy, the company was bought out and Bobby moved around to a few different manufacturing roles, including a circuit board facility for a few years.

In 2018, Bobby joined Interface. He began as a shipping clerk and then became a shipping manager a year later. In 2020, he was promoted to planner. Today, his role includes scheduling and planning parts to the floor for the Mini Load Cell product line, one of Interfaces most popular products.

“I enjoys the new role because of the challenge it provides. No two days are the same and the role is like working on a big, complicated puzzle. You have to fit the pieces in the right place to meet customer demand.” – Bobby Calleja, Product Planner at Interface, Inc.

When he’s not solving the day-to-day challenges of planning mini production, Bobby enjoys time spent his wife of 25 years and their two kids. His son recently graduated from Arizona State University and his daughter is going into her Junior year at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. The family are huge Disney fans and Bobby is not ashamed to admit he’s first in line to take pictures with Mickey Mouse. Bobby is also an avid softball and baseball player and fan. He is also big music guy. Back in New York, Bobby spent his free time DJ’ing around the city.

We’re proud to have Bobby’s experience and talent on our production floor here at Interface and hope you enjoyed reading his story as much as we did sharing it. To learn more about our outstanding team, check in to the IQ blog each month at www.interfaceforce.com/blog/.

Interface Launches Global G Series for International Markets

Interface has launched a new international Mini Load Cell product line, the Global G Series, under it’s new product brand the Global Standard® Force Measurement.

The new miniature load cells were developed to meet the increasing demand for Interface high-precision, accurate and reliable force measurement solutions designed and manufactured in the International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system.

The G Series debuts with Interface’s most popular Mini™ load cells, enabling international customers to purchase these Global Standard Force Measurement products through the company’s large network of distributors exclusively outside of the United States.

“The Interface brand is well-known worldwide for representing the premium standard for precision force and torque solutions. As demand for our products grew globally, we received many requests for SI-based designs of our load cells. We listened to our customers and are proud to launch our first G Series products that are the most popular miniature load cells used in aerospace and defense, automotive, medical and industrial automation industries worldwide.” ,” Greg Adams, CEO, Interface

Interface is manufacturing the Interface G Series lineup in the Asia-Pacific region, to provide customers with a near market advantage and access to the best force measurement solutions available today. Manufacturing these products near demand shortens the time and cost for customers to receive quality Interface products. Every product in the G Series has passed a rigorous Interface quality and engineering testing and calibration protocol to meet the highest in accuracy and quality standards.

The first release of G Series products available today through our global distributor network include:

  • GLBM Series Load Button Load Cells – The GLBM Series Load Button Load Cells are strain gage-based transducers with temperature compensation and excellent overall performance. This type provides a range of capacities up to 200kN with better than ±0.5% (full scale) non-linearity.
  • GSMTM Series Mini™ S-Beam Load Cell – The GSMTM Series Miniature S-Type Load Cells are a bi-directional aluminum strain gage-based transducer with high performance and built-in temperature compensation. This design provides better than ±0.1% (full scale) non-linearity and includes overload protection in both tension and compression directions.
  • GWMC Series Mini™ Threaded In-Line Load Cells (10kN – 50kN) -The GWMC Series Miniature Threaded In-Line Load Cells are strain gage-based transducers with temperature compensation and excellent overall performance. This type measures tensile and compressive loads up to 50kN with better than ±0.5% non-linearity.
  • GWMC Series Mini™ Threaded In-Line Load Cells (200N – 5000N) – The GWMC Series Miniature Threaded In-Line Load Cells are strain gage-based transducers with temperature compensation and excellent overall performance. This type measures tensile and compressive loads up to 5000N with better than ±0.25% non-linearity.

For more information about Interface Global Standard G Series solutions and to watch for new products for international markets, please visit www.interfaceforceglobal.com. Interface G Series products are not available for purchase in the United States.

 

Addressing Off-Axis Loads and Temperature Sensitive Applications

As technology progresses, one of the main differences we see over years and years of iteration on a wide range of consumer and commercial technology is miniaturization. There are hundreds of thousands of examples of advancing technology that went from the room-size of a mainframe decades ago, to a handheld device today. As technology grows more compact and convenient, the equipment used to design, test and manufacture these devices has to follow suit.

This is one of the driving factors for Interface to increase the product types and capabilities in our Load Button Load Cells and Interface Mini Load Cell products. Interface’s Load Button Load Cells are designed for customers who require the measurement of forces in a very confined space. They provide the most accuracy in as little space as possible. Diameters range from 1 inch to 3 inches, with heights from 0.39 inch to 1.5 inches.

For many years, load button load cells have been sensitive to off-axis, eccentric or misaligned loads. This means that if the load is not exactly perpendicular to the surface it’s resting on, the data could become skewed or inaccurate. All on-axis load generates some level, no matter how small, of off-axis extraneous components. This can cause a variety of challenges including slight inaccuracies and reduction of the load cells overload capacity.

With Interface’s family of load button load cells, we bring premium accuracy and repeatability, even under eccentric angular loading. The shaped load button has a spherical radius to help confine misaligned loads to the primary axis of the cell. Our design engineers and force measurement experts have purposefully tested applications under a wide variety of load conditions to ensure that the our load button series can continue to deliver premium performance. We have been extremely pleased with the results and continue to advance our offerings, including the soon to be released precision focused ConvexBT load button load cells.

The load button load cells’ size has in the past precluded the use of internal temperature compensation. We have redesigned our ultra precision product line of load buttons to ensure that this is no longer something the user has to account for when testing a product in certain environmental conditions.

Interface engineers have eliminated this issue by taking the technology out of the load button load cells cable and designing it back into the product. This ensures that temperature-sensitive applications do not suffer from errors caused by the load cell being exposed to different environmental conditions than the cable.

These new features open new possibilities to test compression force on a broader range of products and environments. To learn more about our ultra precision Load Cell Load Buttons and how it can make a difference in your design and testing process when dealing with tight and confined spaces, contact our Application Engineer experts here.

To see the complete line of Load Button Load Cells, visit here.  Watch for the release announcement of our new ultra precision ConvexBT product coming out this month.

Contributors:  James Richardson, Interface Mechanical Engineering Manager and Ted Larson, VP Product Management and Marketing

Source:  Interface Load Cell Field Guide