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Introducing the Interface Consumer Product Testing Case Study

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The global consumer products market is a multi-billion dollar industry that thrives on innovation and new product development. There are numerous opportunities to utilize sensor-based technologies to test for safe use and monitor product performance.

Interface is a source of quality precision force sensor technologies used throughout the product lifecycle from concept and R&D, through engineering and testing, to manufacturing and eventually consumption. We supply force measurement solutions for use in equipment, machines, tools, and integration into actual products like our miniature load cells to measure performance and use. We even provide products to accurately measure and monitor hardware used in consumer product distribution. Interface load cells and instrumentation help consumer product designers and fabricators drive usability, adoption, production efficiencies, and ensure safety to satisfy the needs of all types of consumers.

In our latest case study, Interface Delivers for Consumer Products, we highlight specific use cases and products that are used by the consumer products industry. Interface offers multitudes of products, from sensors used to measure weight on the production line of a consumer good to regulating how the consumer can use the product by using embedded load cells into the actual product.

Here are a few examples of how our force sensors are used in the consumer products industry:

  • Keyboards and buttons: Force sensors can be used to measure the force applied to keys on a keyboard or buttons on electronic devices, such as smartphones or game controllers, to ensure that they have a consistent and satisfying feel for the user.
  • Package testing: Force sensors can be used to measure the force applied to packaged consumer goods, such as food and beverage containers, during transportation and handling to ensure that they are not damaged and that their contents are protected.
  • Automotive testing: Force sensors can be used to measure the forces applied to various components of a vehicle during crash testing, such as doors and seat belts, to ensure that they meet safety standards and provide adequate protection for the occupants.
  • Sports equipment: Force sensors can be used to measure the force applied to sports equipment, such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, and baseball bats, to ensure that they meet performance and safety standards.
  • Wearable devices: Force sensors can be used to measure the force applied to wearable devices, such as fitness trackers, to ensure that they are durable and can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.

Our specialty is building force measurement solutions for the testing and monitoring of parts and total systems, which is vital to manufacturers and designers of consumer packaged goods. Accurate measurement is necessary in design, prototyping and producing final consumer products across all industries for performance and safety. These solutions are ideal for consumer product stand-alone testing rigs, production equipment, as well as embedding into products to increase operability and reliability for end users.

Additional consumer products applications utilizing Interface quality measurement solutions include:

These are just a few examples of how force sensors are used in the consumer products industry to measure the force applied to a variety of products. The use of force sensors is essential for ensuring that consumer products meet safety and performance standards, and for providing consumers with a high-quality user experience.

To better illustrate and address our solutions designed for consumer products across sectors, we have developed a case study outlining the consumer product testing challenges and technology we offer for these customers.
Interface Delivers for Consumer Products Case Study

Interface Entertainment and Amusement Industry Solutions

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The special effects of a movie or the thrills you experience on a roller coaster take a lot of engineering work behind the scenes. Force measurement plays a major role in the design, development, testing, manufacturing, and maintenance of equipment used in creating entertainment and amusement features.

Interface load cells, torque transducers and instrumentation are used when quality, safety, and durability matters. You see our products used in a variety of entertainment and amusement industry solutions. This includes testing gaming simulation devices, monitoring outdoor stage equipment, designing interactive displays, operating lifting equipment, testing film drones and cameras, as well as for designing amusement rides and theme park robotics.

The part engineering plays and use of sensor technologies has grown significantly over the years in the entertainment and amusement industry. The expertise and products propel the machinery that delights audiences, while keeping purveyors, operators, and consumers safe.

Interface offers force measurement products for testing, monitoring, and embedding sensors into products by makers for various equipment used in theatre, film, video gaming, television, theme parks and entertainment venues, as well as creating spectacular multimedia attractions.

With the entertainment industry’s growth into many different submarkets, Interface’s deep range of load cells and other sensor products are used for quality testing and accurate data collection. Beyond our standard products, Interface’s experts often collaborate with specialty engineers to design customizable measurement solutions for unique applications in the entertainment industry. Interface offers highly accurate sensor systems to ensure safety and eliminate risks when building and maintaining equipment used by industry professionals.

In our industry solutions, we’ve outlined how Interface is taking part in the entertainment markets. Learn about the products and application examples that demonstrate how engineers in the entertainment industry take advantage of our robust force measurement catalog.

Entertainment Applications Using Interface Measurement Solutions

  • Display Equipment
  • Cranes and Lifts for Rigging
  • Animatronics
  • Amusement Park Rides
  • Stage Equipment and Design
  • Touch Screens and Monitors
  • Theme Park Robotics
  • Drones for Videography
  • Camera and Multimedia Equipment
  • Outdoor Festival Wind Monitoring
  • Stunt Devices
  • Operating Equipment and Machines
  • Set and Venue Designs
  • Equipment Safety Monitoring

Drone Videography

A videographer team wanted to ensure the propeller motors compensate for weight shifting or uneven weight distribution of the video camera being attached when they film landscapes and other aerial shots. Four Interface WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cells were installed to the necessary propeller motors to compensate for an uneven weight load. The WMC’s measure the weight of the film camera attached and detect weight shifting or uneven weight distribution of the video camera. The four WMC load cells accurately measured the payload weight and maintained stability of the propeller motors to when the drone was in air with the attached film camera. This information was communicated to the drone’s on-board processor for monitoring and recording this information during flight. More information is available here.

Entertainment LED Screens

A customer constructing a huge venue wanted to weigh their extremely large LED display screens. They also wanted to measure the force of the structure that is supporting the screens, to ensure stability and structural integrity. Interface suggested their LW General Purpose Load Washer Load Cells being assembled within rods that are part of the support structure. The LED screen hangs off the structure, which connects to the rods. The compression forces applied to the rod will be measured by the LW’s installed in between. The load washers are paired with WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter Modules, where the force results are wirelessly transmitted to both the WTS-BS-1 Wireless Handheld Display for Unlimited Transmitters and the WTS-BS-4 Wireless Base Stations with included Log100 software. Interface’s wireless load washer system successfully weighed the forces of the large LED screen for the customer’s new venue. Learn more.

Gaming Simulation Brake Pedal

A gaming company wanted to switch from the standard racing pedals to a load cell based pedal system for their racing simulation game. Compared to the standard racing simulation pedals, load cell pedals are more advanced and offer more accurate results. They also wanted a wireless system that will measure the strength of the pressure received by the pedals that will detect the perfect amount of braking power. Interface’s BPL Pedal Load Cell was installed onto the gaming brake pedal to measure the force applied when someone puts their foot on it. Forces were measured and recorded using the WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter Modules, where data is transmitted to the WTS-BS-6 Dongle Base Station when connected to the customer’s PC or laptop. Interface’s BPL Pedal Load Cell measured and recorded the pedal forces applied to their racing gaming brake pedals. In comparison to traditional simulation pedals that measure the distance of the pedals when pressed, Interface’s load cell pedal system provided a more realistic experience for gamers. Read more.

Interface enables incredible innovation across industries and the entertainment world is no different. We’re proud to help customers create incredible experiences and find new ways to captivate audiences. To learn more about our work in the entertainment industry here.

Entertainment-Brochure

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Gaming Hardware Benefits from Force Measurement Solutions

Why Product Design Engineers Choose Interface

Protecting Ultra HD Monitors

Robotic Arm Animated Application Note

 

Maritime Measurement Solutions for Onshore and Submersible Applications

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Maritime test and measurement applications are some of the most unique because they require specially designed equipment that can handle the often-harsh environments in testing and during ongoing operational use.

The solutions for the maritime industry require technologies that measure force, torque, and weight under extreme and uncommon conditions. Interface provides products that have been used for withstanding the rigorous requirements of monitoring underwater tension lines, seaborne components and material testing, boat and ship engine testing, equipment durability and safety regulation monitoring, lift capacity measurements, energy extraction equipment, and storm and tsunami monitoring.

We have been a long-time supplier of sensor technologies and instrumentation that are applied in building and maintaining boats, yachts, and other water vessels of all sizes. Our force measurement solutions are used for waterborne vessels, maintenance, safety equipment, and offshore products. You can learn more in our maritime case study here.

Interface offers a wide variety of submersible and wireless load cells, DAQ and instrumentation products, and rugged load shackles, load pins and tension links. Maritime manufacturers and field users rely on these quality products as they are designed for test and measurement requirements onshore, near-shore, and completely undersea.

Interface Maritime Capabilities and Solutions:

  • Stainless steel and rugged load cell designs for different temperatures and climates
  • Environmentally sealed products used in harsh environments
  • Wireless telemetry system components
  • Custom solutions based on safety and regulatory specifications
  • OEM engineered products for submersible use cases
  • Bluetooth and Wireless data acquisition and instrumentation for safety monitoring
  • Load pins and load shackles for continuous hoist and lifting applications

Included below are a few examples of applications our products are used for testing, force measurement, performance monitoring, regulatory and equipment maintenance:

  • Weight and tension monitor
  • Motor and engine testing
  • Submersible equipment tests
  • Commercial fishing wire rope testing
  • Hydrofoil testing in wave tank
  • Crane block safety check
  • Mooring tension testing and quick release hooks (QRH)
  • Crane capacity verification and force regulation
  • WTS yacht rigging inspection
  • Defense submergible tests

Interface understands that the maritime industry has high standards and requirements force and torque testing, measurement, and weighing.  Accuracy in testing is absolutely critical. Interface’s quality measurement solutions provide accurate data needed for all types of maritime equipment used to ensure safety and success. Our Interface expert engineers can help you design customizable solutions for all types of applications using our products designed for offshore, underwater, and splash zone locations.

This is just a preview of our capabilities in the maritime industry. To learn more, check out our maritime solutions. We also recently developed a new maritime solutions brochure, which provides in-depth information on our submersible product offerings, as well as other ruggedized products for maritime applications.

Maritime-Brochure