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Understanding One-Cell Force Measurement Systems

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When it comes to load cells and force measurement systems used to test and validate product designs, the options for different configurations is nearly endless. In fact, Interface has tens of thousands of force measurement products in standard, modified and custom-made configurations.

In our recent post, Considerations for Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminum Load Cells, we detailed materials used in load cell construction. These considerations are important based on the project specifications for accuracy, quality and reliability in test and measurement.

Similarly, understanding the system configuration is another critically important factor to setting up the correct test for receiving accurate data.  A simple system configuration used for less-complex testing is known as one-cell or single load cell system.  They are popular for performance and durability testing.

How do one-cell systems work and what are the benefits and trade-offs?

One-cell systems are developed by using a tension cell and mounting it through a rod end bearing and clevises. If the cell is properly oriented with the dead end going to the support, the only other major consideration for this system is the elimination or reduction of possible parallel load paths. This type of simple system is attractive to some testing engineers and product designers because it is cost effective and can provide very accurate measurements when using Interface precision load cells.  It is important that the load meets the criteria for the test system.

In this figure, it shows a high-impact one-cell system platform. This one-cell system can withstand the high impact of rough treatment from certain applications such as large drums, LPG tanks and more.

The downside to using a one-cell system is that the center of gravity of the load must be placed directly on the mark for the system to work properly. However, this can be accounted for by positioning the fences as shown in the high-impact one-cell platform diagram, so that the center of gravity is located properly when the application you are measuring is shoved up against fences.

The actual load at the center of gravity for your application will be factored by the lever arm (as shown below):

The one-cell system works simply because the location of the center of gravity is under control. If the force on the primary axis of the load cell bears the same relation to the location of the center of gravity and the load under all conditions, the scaling will be correct. Whether using a one-cell or two-cell system, the system must be designed to retain its integrity.

This has been a brief overview of a one-cell system, which is detailed in Interface’s Load Cell Field Guide.

To learn more about these systems and to determine if your application test can utilize the simplicity and cost savings of a one-cell or two-cell system, contact our systems experts and application engineers.

Interface Customer Satisfaction Survey and NPS Results for Spring 2019

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Interface is well-known for our force measurement expertise. We work hard to earn our customer’s trust by delivering exceptional products and services.

We are also obsessed about customer experience, with a focus on delivering force measurement solutions that exceed expectations in quality, accuracy, and reliability. Precision in all areas of our business is core to who we are today and helped us navigate our business since our founding in 1968.

What helps us maintain our customer-centricity and innovative concentration is our commitment to listen. We constantly look for opportunities to learn from our valued customers, distributors, and representatives about their unique applications.  In our pursuit to gather this direct feedback, we recently conducted our semi-annual Interface Customer Satisfaction Survey. It consisted of four questions to help us gather market intelligence and customer insights, and one question to measure our performance by a Net Promoter® Score (NPS).

An NPS score can vary considerably from industry to industry. NPS is derived from responses to the question, how likely is it that you would recommend Interface to a friend or colleague? The NPS methodology is based on asking customers this single question to predict repurchase and referral, essentially measuring customer loyalty. According to Reichheld, the creator of NPS, the average American company scores a +10. He also suggests that the highest performing organizations typically score between +50 and +80 NPS.

Interface is a high performing organization by NPS standards. Interface’s NPS score for its Spring 2019 Customer Satisfaction Survey is +63.

The NPS scoring is based on a scale of 0-10 for how likely they would recommend us, zero being least likely and 10 being extremely likely. Our average score from this recent survey is 8.9, with the highest majority of respondents indicating they are extremely likely (10) to recommend Interface products and services to a friend or colleague.

In addition to the NPS question, we asked survey participants their top considerations when buying force measurement solutions. Quality ranked number one, followed closely by accuracy, and reliability.  Customer service and technical support rounded out the top five considerations.

We also learned that more than 81% of our buyers will purchase force measurement products, services, or custom solutions in 2019.

We finished our survey with questions that provided valuable feedback about their experiences and expectations.

All feedback is important to us.  If you are a customer and would like to share information with us about your buying experience, you can always contact us directly or complete our feedback survey here. If you would like to learn more about our customer satisfaction and NPS survey, please feel free to reach out to us directly at marketing@interfaceforce.com.