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Why Product Design Houses Choose Interface

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When people think of force measurement, they often think that it is a tool for testing products. However, load cells, torque transducers and multi-axis sensors also play a fundamental role throughout the entire product design process. In fact, many products today actually design force sensors directly into products.

Product design houses are companies that fulfill outsourced design work for a variety of industries. These specialized design houses are contracted to develop and bring products to life.

A product design house primarily focuses on designing physical products or tangible goods. The services they offer to product makers, engineers, manufacturers, and innovators typically involve the entire product development lifecycle, from conceptualization and design to prototyping and manufacturing.

Due to our experience and expertise across multiple industries, Interface collaborates with product design houses in identifying the right sensors and systems to use during different stages of the design process. Whether it is for accurately measuring forces for impact and fatigue testing, identifying precise weights for packaging, modeling consumer usability, or testing material strength, Interface products are chosen by design houses based on their range of capabilities, accuracy, versatility and quality.

How Product Design Houses Use Interface Products

  • Concept Development and Prototyping: Product design houses often use Interface product design files when refining their initial product ideas or creating new concepts. When the products move into physical modeling, Interface products are used for testing and validation at this early stage.
  • Industrial Design: Industrial designers use Interface load cells and other sensor products for measuring functionality of the product.
  • Design Validation and Testing: Conducting tests and simulations to validate the product’s performance, durability, and safety are the number one reason why design houses utilize Interface measurement solutions. Design houses put sensor technologies into products to provide force data for user feedback, to optimize performance, safeguard consumers and activate components.
  • Mechanical Engineering: The mechanical engineering team of a design house will connect with Interface when they are working on the technical phases of product design. Our products are used to help ensure the final product can be fabricated efficiently, performs consistently, and meets applicable safety standards.
  • Materials and Manufacturing: Experts at design houses that are versed in materials science and manufacturing processes will consult with Interface in finding measurement solutions that can access and validate material testing and production systems. Within the manufacturing realm, these devices are employed in quality control processes to ensure consistent product standards.
  • Packaging: If a product has packaging that must meet durability, temperature, pressure or fatigue requirements, Interface will provide sensors and instrumentation for design testing.
  • Regulatory Compliance and Certification Support: For products subject to regulatory standards, design houses utilize high accuracy measurement solutions in creating specifications, reporting, and compliance requirements before moving to market.

These services can vary from one product design house to another, and some design houses may specialize in specific industries or types of products.

Product design houses leverage Interface load cells across various industries to measure and monitor forces and weights with precision. For example, in medical device development, Interface miniature load cells are used for patient lifts, ensuring secure and accurate weight measurements.

Whether used in material testing, robotics, or agricultural machinery, load cells enable product design houses to create innovative solutions tailored to specific industry requirements, enhancing overall product performance and reliability. Here are a few examples of house product designers use force measurement solutions during the design phase.

Furniture Fatigue Cycle Testing

To meet safety protocols in relation to the manufacturing of various furniture products, fatigue testing, shock testing, and proof testing must be rigorously performed before diffusion into the marketplace, and into the homes of consumers. Force testing of furniture products is critical in determining the posted max loads to protect manufacturers from liability due to damage that might result from the misuse of those products and overloading. Using Interface’s SSMF Fatigue Rated S-Type Load Cell along with Interface’s 9890 Strain Gage, Load Cell, & mV/V Indicator provided a solution that measures the force being applied in fatigue cycle testing of a furniture product, in this case, testing the rocking mechanism in an office chair. Throughout the testing phase, changes were made to the design to improve the safety and life of the furniture, ensuring product quality and protecting the manufacturer from future liability.

Self-Checkout Kiosk Functional Testing

To assess the design of self-checkout kiosks, part of the development cycle is to ensure the weighing feature is functioning properly with the right amount of sensitivity when customers want to weigh products like fruits or vegetables. The designers also needed a system that measures the force it takes for the self-checkout kiosk to activate a response for consumers. Interface suggested installing SSB Load Beam Load Cells under the plate where items are weighed. When connected to the WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter Module, force results are wirelessly transmitted to the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station on the customer’s PC. Data can be logged and graphed with included Log100 software. Interface’s wireless force system successfully measured the amount of force it took for the self-checkout kiosk to react and ensure it is functioning properly.

 

Design of a Prosthetic Foot

In the design of this medical device, the product designers need to know how the foot responds as it is loaded during different stances. To measure this, Interface’s 3A120 3-Axis Load Cell was installed between the leg socket and the prosthetic foot. The 3A120 was then connected to the BSC4D Multi-Channel Bridge Amplifier and Computer Interface Module. Using this solution, data was logged for X, Y, and Z axis. The design house was able to review the results and identify premature flat foot and dead spots during foot’s production for consumer use. They utilized this vital information to make improvements to the design.

Interface works with design houses and product design engineers across the continuum of a product’s development through go-to-market. We supply standard measurement sensors like our load cells, along with custom solutions that are uniquely engineered for a particular use case.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Why Product Design Engineers Choose Interface

Interface Solutions for Consumer Products

Introducing the Interface Consumer Product Testing Case Study

Interface Mini Load Cells Growing in Product Use and Testing

Testing Labs Choose Interface High Accuracy Products

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Specialists focused on testing applications work in a variety of testing lab environments. In each lab, technicians rely on the tools to collect and report on data that is used to make products safer, guarantee performance, ensure quality, and to meet the strict industry standards and requirements. Accuracy in testing data is dependent on the precision measurement devices and instrumentation used to capture the results.

We supply lab engineers with high-accuracy sensor technologies used to complete rigid test requirements. Interface is the top provider of test and measurement products used for structural and material testing, static and fatigue testing, torsion effects, tension tests, calibration testing, and environmental testing. Read more in Types of Force Measurement Tests 101.

Our standard high precision load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, and instrumentation are used on every continent for T&M. Based on our quality and performance, we are the chosen supplier to calibration and testing labs. We see our products used today for continuous improvement programs, advancements in smart manufacturing and new product designs.

If it must be measured, Interface has a solution. Our products are designed for small and large testing facilities, including calibration-grade load cells, load frames and test stands, along with data acquisition systems. The wide variety of our force measurement solutions designed for testing labs means we play a role in every industry that is making a physical product and the test labs that validates the products performance.

Testing Labs and Types of Testing Using Interface Solutions

General Automotive Test Labs:

  • Component and Sub-Component Level Testing
  • Suspension Testing
  • EV Battery Testing

Automotive Driveline Testing:

  • Engine Performance and Durability Tests
  • Motor Efficiency Testing
  • Power Analyzation (Electric)

Aerospace Testing:

  • Full Scale Structural Static Testing
  • Component Fatigue Test
  • High Precision Thrust Testing
  • Simulators
  • Wind Tunnel Testing

Geotechnical and Civil Testing

  • Concrete or Asphalt Core Testing
  • Soils Testing

General Structural and Component Testing

  • General Push and Pull
  • Design Proofing
  • Life Cycle Fatigue Validation

Medical Device Testing:

  • Prototyping
  • PPAP Validation and FDA Certification
  • Device Lifecycle Testing

Consumer Product Testing Labs:

  • Design Validation
  • Material Testing
  • Fatigue and Failure Tests

Interface recently highlighted testing lab applications in our Test Lab Essentials Webinar. Here you can see the lab use cases and products as they are reviewed by our applications experts.

Each of these testing types requires different force testing equipment, and our experts work directly with testing lab professionals to determine the products or systems they need for single and ongoing test requirements.

As testing technologies becomes increasingly complex, off-the-shelf products may not meet the needs of every Interface customer. We lend engineers expertise in test and measurement to support unique and custom requirements to get the right sensor, instrument, and system in place.

Since our first load cells were designed five decades ago, we have built millions upon millions of load cells and torque transducers used in testing labs around the world. Our products are built to withstand the rigor and requirements needed for high quality and reliable data collection in test and measurement. Our test customers depend on us for proving accuracy, consistency, and reliability in performance.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Interface and Testing Lab Applications

Testing Lab Essentials Webinar

Engine Dynamometer App Note

Consumer Product Testing Case Study

Interface Solutions for Safety and Regulation Testing and Monitoring

Metrologists and Calibration Technicians 101

Motor Test Stand

GS-SYS04 Gold Standard® Portable E4 Machine Calibration System

Electric Vehicle Structural Battery Testing

Furniture Fatigue Cycle Testing App Note

Regular Calibration Service Maintains Load Cell Accuracy

 

Interface Solutions for Consumer Products

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Interface’s force measurement solutions affect every industry and all types of products. Chances are that the everyday consumer has purchased and used something evaluated with or utilizing an embedded force sensor.

In fact, Interface has a long history in providing load cells and sensor technologies to test and measure consumer packaged goods (CPG) and products. They are commonplace in early-stage prototype testing, all through final distribution. Most often, our force measurement solutions help predict failure and identify design challenges before goods are available to consumers. It is hard to imagine any product that would not go through rigorous test and measurement protocols before it goes to market. The liabilities are too great and consumer safety is paramount.

It is also critical to use accurate, quality sensors to gather reliable user data related to any consumer product. Product makers use sensor data to assess product usability, capabilities, and durability. The more data, the greater the opportunity to adjust and ensure the product is a direct fit. Precision in this process through data will improve the product’s performance and influence adoption.

From testing home health care devices to ensuring household appliances are safe and durable, Interface’s sensor measurement technologies have a vital role in R&D, design, production and packaging. Load cells and other sensor products are used for all kinds of testing, from material to fatigue, in the creation and manufacturing of everyday goods. They are growing in popularity to make products smarter and designed for IoT use.

Consumer Product Applications for Interface Force Measurement Solutions

  • Smart home devices
  • IoT solutions
  • Production line testing
  • Usability research
  • Safety and compliance
  • Regulatory and performance monitoring
  • Manufacturing robotics
  • Warehouse equipment
  • Food packaging
  • Toys
  • Gaming and simulation equipment
  • Electronics hardware
  • Sports equipment
  • Furniture
  • Capping and bottling machines
  • Real-time user feedback

We even provide products to accurately measure and monitor hardware used in intermediate goods, assembly equipment, and distribution. Our force measurement solutions are ideal for consumer product stand-alone testing rigs, production equipment, as well as embedded in consumer products to increase operability and reliability for end users.

Interface load cells and instrumentation help product designers and fabricators drive usability, adoption, production efficiencies, and ensure safety to satisfy the needs of all types of consumers. Here are a few applications notes to demonstrate Interface solutions utilized in the consumer products industry. Additional applications for consumer packaged goods and consumer products are found here.

Commercial Food Processing

A consumer food product processing plant wants to measure in-motion the food weigh as it is processed down the line. They want to ensure production line efficiency and food quality for future consumers. The customer also wants real-time results of their food being weighed to keep standards high and ensure quality product. Multiple of Interface’s SPI High Capacity Platform Scale Load Cells can be installed in the customer’s in-motion check weigher at the specific points where the food is weighed on the belt to deliver precise weighing results. When connected to the 920i Programmable Weight Indicator and Controller, real time results of the weight of the food being processed is available at all times. The 920i Programmable Weight Indicator and Controller can read up to four scale channels. Read more here.

Computer Touchpad Force Testing

A laptop manufacturer wanted to test their mouse touchpads to ensure it is functioning properly for future consumers, thus measuring the right amount of sensitivity during the consumer’s use. They also needed a system that measures the force it takes for the mouse pad to activate a response on the laptop. Interface suggested using the SMTM Micro S-Type Load Cell, from the Interface Mini™ line. The SMTM was installed in the customer’s actuator test rig. The SMTM recorded the amount of force it takes to press on the trackpad and create a response on different areas of the trackpad. An actuator aided with tactile feedback by providing movements such as dragging or creating friction. The measurements were captured using the 9330 Battery Powered High Speed Data Logging Indicator through an SD card, or another laptop directly. The SMTM Micro S-Type Load Cell was able to measure the forces applied to the mouse touchpad at various locations. Interface’s products successfully measured the forces needed to make the mouse touchpad create a response. Get more information here.

Furniture Fatigue Cycle Testing

To meet safety protocols in relation to the manufacturing of various furniture products, rigorous fatigue testing, shock testing, and proof testing before dispersion into the marketplace, and into the homes of consumers. Force testing on furniture products is critical in determining the posted max loads to protect manufacturers from liability due to damages that might result from the misuse of those products and overloading. Using Interface’s SSMF Fatigue Rated S-Type Load Cell along with Interface’s 9890 Strain Gage, Load Cell, & mV/V Indicator provides a solution that measures the force being applied in fatigue cycle testing of a furniture product, in this case testing the rocking mechanism in an office chair. Unlike other similar load cells, the SSMF is fatigue rated making it highly suitable for fatigue testing. Using this solution, the furniture manufacturer was able to obtain accurate data about the rocking mechanism the office chair as it was fatigue cycled into failure. Post testing, adjustments to the design to improve the safety and life of the furniture, ensuring product quality, and protecting the manufacturer from future liability. Learn more here.

Printer Cartridge Seal

An ink manufacturer wanted to ensure there is a proper seal between their ink cartridge caps and the cartridge body, for it to work effectively in their printers and for consumers buying it for themselves. A bad seal can cause leaks, clogging, and overall deficient performance for their printers. Interface’s solution was to measure the pressure exerted on the cartridge cap by installing the 3A120 3-Axis Load Cell under the plate during the automatic production line process. Results were logged, graphed, and stored when the customer’s PC or laptop is connected to the BSC4D Multi-Channel PC Interface Module with supplied BlueDAQ software. Using this solution, the ink manufacturer was able to determine the exact amount of force it took to seal their ink cartridge caps onto the cartridge bodies to prevent any leaks or clogging. Learn more here.

Interface solutions for consumer products are abundant. For every machine, test system and even many products themselves, these products benefit from a force sensor to improve product performance, prove reliability and more.

Additional Resources

Force Measurement is Reducing Waste and Automating the Consumer Packaging Industry

Applications for Consumer Products and Packaging

Load Cells for Consumer Product Applications

CPG Bike Handlebar Fatigue Testing

Interface Solutions in the World of Sports

CPG Water Bottle Dispensing and Weighing

CPG Treadmill Force Measurement

CPG Golf Club Swing Accuracy

CPG Gaming Simulation Brake Pedal

Why Product Design Engineers Choose Interface

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Load cells and torque transducers of all types play a critical role in the test and measurement landscape and are used widely by engineers to qualify product design, ensure safety, prove reliability and durability. Force measurement solutions are being utilized more frequently in original product designs and components today due to the dependencies on force feedback during design, testing, prototyping and for monitoring force in the finished goods.

Interface has been a long-time partner of product design engineers. They utilize our force sensors throughout the design process.  Interface sensor technologies are preferred by product design engineers because of the precision, accuracy, range of options, and quality. Across industries, our load cells and torque transducers are being used as a feature in all types of equipment, industrial solutions and consumer products, large and small.

In search of a solution to a problem, design engineers use our products in every stage of the process.

Ask + Qualify: Often in consultation with our application engineers, they gather key sensor specifications, design features, capacity and capability requirements. This initial step is critical in ensuring the right type of sensor is selected and that it will fit into the test plan.

Planning + Design Files:  As the plan is created by the engineer, they will turn to Interface to gather the datasheet details, along with our design files. Interface has thousands of products and each has their own unique drawing. These are all available on our site by product. If you need help finding a design file, submit CAD requests here.

Prototyping:  Once the plan is committed to and prototyping is the next step, if any of the specifications require a custom or modified design, our engineers will team with the design and test engineer to ensure exact specs meet the final design requirements.

Test + Measurement:  This is where accuracy and quality matter most. The designs are tested and data is gathered to determine if the problem is actually solved.  Often our sensors are paired with instrumentation and other products that are utilized in the lab to validate all the use cases and design specs.  It also provides valuable insights into improvements and modifications, if needed.

Manufacture + Launch:  The final step that Interface can play a significant role is building sensors at scale that are used as embedded components. We work with many OEMs in building unique parts for their product designs.

Product Solution Types for Design Engineers

Interface force measurement products are the preferred solutions for design engineers because of our extensive catalog of products. We offer four product solution types for design engineers:  standard products available on our site, engineered to order products to match a specific use case test, custom solutions that are built to specifications and requirements of the engineer and OEM products that are designed in as a part of a product.  We’ve worked across thousands of applications as noted in our extensive applications catalog and have developed a product list of over 30,000 SKUs to get started in the design process.

Designing Brake Pedals for Gaming

In the gaming world, load cells are extremely popular for racing game pedals to simulate the actual real-world experience. These load cells capture the force of a human foot pressing down on the pedal more accurately in game, especially when you are using products like our Bluetooth Brake Pedal Load Cell.  This specialized load cell is also available in wireless.  Brake pedal design engineers will create a series of tests to ensure that the pedal is performing as intended, and also to ensure that all the use cases are validated with accurate measurement data.  This helps in the final design tests and initial prototyping, as well as full release. Further details on this consumer product application can be found in the Gaming Simulation Brake Pedal App Note. Read more about gaming solutions here.

Designing Tractor Linkage Draft Controls

Farmers need to measure the forces applied on their tractor’s draft control, between the tractor and any linked-on attachments. Measuring the force helps the farmer sense any strains on the hitch of the tractor and will be needed in order to apply any specific settings to the draft control when the tractor encounters rough terrain. As this problem was being solved, the maker shared their requirements with Interface application experts. During the qualification process with the design engineer, Interface suggested the WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pin, which is a wireless load pin that can be installed directly in the hitch and replace the normal shear pin of the tractor. Force results are then transmitted wirelessly to the WTS-BS-4 USB Industrial Base Station, where they can view the results of the testing via a connected computer. We also provided the WTS toolkit to provide the testing software. The engineer was able to view test results on the WTSBS-1-HS Handheld Display for Single Transmitters in real-time. Using this solution, the design engineer was able to determine the specific draft control settings to assemble with the tractors. They also were able to design in features to make real-time adjustments during the tractor’s use.

Designing Fitness Equipment and Machines

A fitness machine manufacturer wanted multiple load measurement systems for their different fitness machines such as the elliptical, leg press, rowing machine, and the cable machines. The goal of designing sensors into the equipment is to ensure the machines are functioning properly to prevent injuries. The sensors can also be used for trainers who want to conduct strength and endurance tests. Interface provided a combination of products including the WMCFP Overload Protected Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell, SSB Sealed Beam Load Cells, and AT103 Axial Torsion Force and Torque Transducers. Paired with Interface’s proper instrumentation, the forces can be measured, graphed, and displayed during the testing stage. Interface’s products all effectively measured forces needed for those working out or undergoing athletic training. Not only did it ensure the designed machines were working properly, but it also helped those using them to track their endurance performance and consider future design enhancements based on consumer use.

These are just a few examples on the industrial and consumer side of how sensors can add critical capabilities to products across the board. Our sensors help to validate, measure, test, prototype and launch new products that are safe, reliable and durable. We’d also like design engineers to understand the wide range of monitoring and real-time sensing capabilities available through Interface. To get started, ask. We are here to help in the product design process.

Additional Resources

OEM Solutions- Turning an Active Component into a Sensor

OEM Brochure

Making the Case for Custom Solutions

 

Advanced Testing with Telemetry Systems from Interface

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In product development, flexibility is a crucial facet of creating efficient workflows. Having a diverse set of flexible tools and testing instruments allows engineers and manufacturers to approach their work from a wide variety of angles and environments.

Interface is keenly aware of the growing demand for manufacturers and integrators to have advanced systems that easily replace hard-wired systems, reducing installation and maintenance costs. Based on these needs, Interface offers a variety of off-the-shelf and custom force measurement wireless solutions, in multiple capacities, capabilities, ranges, and dimensions for all types of applications.

Case in point is Interface’s two advanced telemetry systems, the Interface Wireless Telemetry System (WTS) and the new Interface Bluetooth® Telemetry System (BTS). These telemetry systems transmit high-quality data from load cells to single and multiple devices. Both the WTS and the BTS offer a wide variety of benefits, including high accuracy, high resolution, IP-rated enclosures, and multiple configuration options. The quality of Interface load cell performance is fully realized utilizing the convenience of these systems, which are acting as a data bridge between the load cell and a display device.

The WTS and BTS products are designed to provide OEMs, labs, and engineers with flexibility in where and how they conduct product testing using load cells. The WTS was designed for a controlled lab environment or engineering facility with access to Wi-Fi® or ethernet data. The BTS solution was created to allow for field testing in areas with little to no access to the internet. Included below is a more in-depth breakdown of the features of Interface’s industry-leading telemetry systems.

WTS-BS-4 Wireless Base Station with USBWireless Telemetry System (WTS)

The WTS is a high-speed, modular system that allows for data collection from long ranges. It is powerful and easily expandable for measuring multiple sensor types and can connect with up to 100 sensors within a half-mile range. The device is supported by powerful configuration software with data logging and visualization for local or remote access. It comes in a wide variety of different model types, including integrated transmitter models, repeater models, output models, display models and antenna models. It can connect with up to 100 sensors up-to a half a mile range.

To see the range of wireless WTS products, go to /product-category/wireless-telemetry-system.

Bluetooth® Telemetry System (BTS)

The BTS features high measurement resolution, which produces a noise-free resolution of 1 in 92,000 counts (16.5 bit) when used with a 3mV/V sensor and 1 in 184,000 counts (17.5 bit) when used with a 6mV/V sensor. The system also allows for advert format and encoding as well as details on connected services to facilitate simple integration of the device within custom apps for OEM applications. BTS can connect up to 12 sensors to a single mobile device or to multiple mobile devices.

The premium advantage of the BTS, above the long battery life, low cost and mobile apps visualization resources, is its ability to connect directly to mobile devices to collect data on-the-go without an internet connection. This allows engineers to complete field testing in remote locations or hard to access areas. Free iOS and Android apps are available for download and enable users to create dashboards with varying degrees of detail based on application requirements. The BTS output can be visualized on phones and tablets by using digital displays, gages, tanks, and charts.

To learn more about the new Bluetooth Telemetry System (BTS) offered by Interface, go to /products/instrumentation/bts-bluetooth-telemetry-system.

For more information on Interface’s WTS and BTS products read below.  You can access a detailed spec sheet comparing the products along with individual datasheets online by registering online at Interface.com.

WTS BTS Brochure