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Interface Load Cells 201 General Procedures Guide

The Interface Load Cells 201 Guide is an extract from our comprehensive go-to for the force measurement industry, the Interface Load Cell Field Guide.

This shortened reference zeros in on general procedures for using load cells. With in-depth explanations, illustrations, practical procedures, and insightful tips, this Interface technical support resource is a helpful guide to have on hand. It is designed to support general procedures using load cells, optimize your processes, and achieve exceptional results in any force measurement application.

Interface Load Cells 201: General Procedures Guide topics include:

  • Excitation Voltage: Understand the crucial role of voltage in powering your load cell and learn techniques for remote sensing, ensuring accurate readings every time.
  • Physical Mounting: Master proper mounting with detailed instructions for both “dead” and “live” ends, ensuring maximum precision and optimal cell life.
  • Mounting Procedures for Different Load Cell Models: Whether you’re working with beam cells, mini cells, low profile cells with or without bases, or any other type, the guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for a perfect setup.
  • Mounting Torques and Fixtures: Get the torque values right for your specific transducer, ensuring secure mounting without compromising performance.

This quick guide eliminates errors and ensures reliable data with expert mounting techniques. It helps to extend the life of a load cell, protecting your investment with proper installation practices that maximize cell longevity. A complete copy can be found below.  To save a copy, go here.

Looking for even more in-depth support? Interface offers additional resources, including installation manuals, video tutorials, technical support, and a complete library of Interface 101 articles.

VIDEOS TUTORIALS AND RESOURCES

 SUPPORT REFERENCES

 TECHNICAL INFO AND GUIDES

If you have questions about any of these topics, need help selecting the right sensor, or want to explore a specific application, contact Interface Application Engineers.

Interface Load Cell 201 Guide- 2024 Edition

Unveiling Interface’s Most Sought-After Resources in 2023

Whether you’re a seasoned force measurement guru or a curious newcomer navigating the intricate world of load cells and torque transducers, Interface offers one-stop resources, knowledge centers, and easy-to-request support.

With a treasure trove of Interface resources accessible online, where do you even begin? Worry not. Using the experience of Interface followers and product seekers, we delved into the data to uncover the most popular resources and support requests on Interfaceforce.com, offering a roadmap to the information that gained the most interest this past year.

This InterfaceIQ post is worth saving in your bookmarks and favorites for easy links and quick references.

NEW RESOURCES IN 2023

TOP PRODUCT RESOURCES

MOST REQUESTED SUPPORT RESOURCES

TOP TECHNICAL REFERENCES

TOP APPLICATIONS SUPPORT

KNOWLEDGE CENTERS AND TOP REFERENCES

In addition to the resources and references, we want to highlight our great team members. You can find some posts we added to our ForceLeaders reference here. If you want to join the Interface team, please visit our Careers.

Finally and most importantly, please know that you’re the reason we have built this complex and detailed site. We have a lot of information, but what matters most is how we help you.  For all feedback, please go here. We are listening and eager to learn from you.

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

Most Popular Interface Support Resources in 2022

In our continued effort to ensure we fulfill the growing demands for products and solutions that meet the needs of challenging and innovative applications, we produced a record number of new support resources and material in 2022. We know that the more we share, the more we empower our customers to find the right products that meet their exact requirements.

In our final recap of 2022, we want to share with you the most frequented and utilized resources found on our website this past year. We also think this will be helpful to bookmark for future reference to easily navigate these commonly used tools and requested pages on the vast Interface website. The following is the top 10 resources used by our test and measurement customers.

Top 10 Interface Resources in 2022

2022 Top ForceLeaders Webinars On-Demand

You can find all of Interface’s recorded webinars, product videos, training support and application videos posted here.

New Resources Added in 2022

Supporting you is a top priority. Interface experts and application engineers are ready to help you, if you are unable to find exactly what you need. Interface has global technical experts available to assist you with your product requirements, systems, support, and questions. Here are a few other commonly used resources you can find online.

“2022 was a record year in many ways for Interface, now in our 55th year of serving the needs for precision sensor customers. We are incredibly grateful for the trust our customers placed in us to support them in creating the world’s most demanding applications, and we are appreciative to our team for their continued hard work and dedication. We look forward to another momentous year in 2023.” Greg Adams, CEO at Interface

Interface Force Measurement 101 Series Introduction

In our ongoing commitment to provide valuable resources through self-help guides and online reference materials, we are introducing our 101 Series.

This new online resource is an easy-to-use guide for load cell basics and force measurement topics. The series is a collection of content in various formats that detail subjects related to test and measurement.

Interface prioritizes helping our customers understand the inner workings of our expanding line of sensors, accessories, and instrumentation by creating guides, technical manuals, and solution applications for force measurement.

The Interface 101 Series will introduce you to relevant subjects about our products and how we can help you get the most accurate and reliable force data in the industry by using our solutions.

Our new 101 Series guide is an effortless way to navigate through high-level test and measurement topics. Each section of the new 101 Series includes a featured 101 IQ blog on a single subject, as well as quick links to videos, case studies, white papers, application notes, product information, technical specifications and more related to that subject.

The goal in creating the 101 Series is to provide a basic understanding on how our products are used for various test and measurement applications across all industries. The references are an effective way to learn about the broad depth of Interface products like our precision load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, calibration systems and instrumentation. We also provide relevant test and measurement content related to types of force measurement testing, components, systems, and materials used in engineering highly accurate measurement technologies.

There are thousands of references found throughout our site, like our design files for product engineers and digital instrumentation set-up videos for lab techs. It is our pledge to develop material that support our 35,000 products, as well as provide educational content like the 101 Series and our ForceLeaders Webinars you can watch on-demand.

Included below are the current 101 IQ Blogs you will find featured on the 101 Series online guide. We will add additional references to this 101 Series, as we post new subjects. Go to Force Measurement 101 Series to bookmark this reference.

101 Series IQ Blogs

You can find additional reference materials related to our products and services including manuals, product catalogs, technical references, and events.  Go to our online support to find helpful educational and advanced resources like our technical glossary, engineering tips and installation guides.

If you are mostly interested in why you should choose Interface, here is a good reference to start.

If you are not able to find the information you need or you have a specific question about our products or services, be sure to contact us to help.

Interface Expands Sales Partnership with Elotek Systems

Interface is pleased to announce our expanded sales partnership with Elotek Systems to carry product lines and support in four additional regions. Elotek will now provide full sales representation of Interface’s force measurement products in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and all of Nevada.

Today, we announced the expansion of territory coverage by Elotek Systems, a professional, highly technical marketing organization structured to sell solutions in sensor, data acquisition, instrumentation, OEM, and telemetry markets. Elotek will now offer Interface’s extensive catalog of the industry’s most accurate and reliable sensors and instrumentation to customers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Nevada.

Interface is excited to expand our partnership with the experienced team at Elotek. We also are excited that Marcus Presar and Randy Fritz of Sentech Inc., will continue their sales and support of Interface in California as additions to the growing Elotek team.

For several years, Elotek Systems has represented Interface products and services in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, and most of Nevada. The expanded partnership increases the territorial coverage throughout the western regions of the U.S.

“Elotek is excited to add Interface force measurement solutions to the line of products we represent in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Nevada. With Interface, we are enhancing our offering in these states by bringing a complete line of precision load cells, load pins, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, instrumentation and more. We have a staff of 19 team members ready to help resolve measurement issues and provide precision quality products.” Mike Elovitz, President and CEO, Elotek Systems

Elotek Systems, Inc. was founded in 1981. They have decades of experience selling a variety of engineering, manufacturing, and test solutions. Servicing both the engineers and purchasing managers, the organization provides technical assistance and demonstrations of the most complex products.

“Elotek Systems is an outstanding sales partner and has our complete confidence in its ability to serve Interface customers in these additional regions. We look forward to working in close collaboration to support our existing customers and growing our market share in these areas with those that benefit from utilizing the industry’s best in quality and accurate sensor solutions.” Brian Peters, Vice President of Sales, Interface

Elotek brings decades of expertise in sensor technologies for aerospace and military, industrial, medical, communications, manufacturing, R&D, universities, systems integrators, and energy markets.

Elotek Represents Interface’s Precision Performance Products, including:

  • Load Cells
  • Mini Load Cells and Load Buttons
  • Rotary and Reaction Torque Transducers
  • Multi-Axis Sensors
  • Instrumentation and Indicators
  • Wireless and Bluetooth Telemetry Solutions
  • Load Pins, Tension Links and Shackles
  • Verification Load Frames and Calibration Systems
  • Accessories and Calibration Services

Interface has a strong network of force measurement experts around the globe.  To find a sales representative in your area, visit our online location finder here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Locate Reps and Distributors

Support

PRESS RELEASE

Load Cell Basics Technical Q&A Part Two

Interface hosted a series of ForceLeaders webinars this past year covering topics that included multi-axis sensors, instrumentation, torque transducers, custom solutions and more.  We plan to continue this popular series into the new year, based on the feedback we have received about topics of interest and support requirements.

One of the features that we like to include in our events is answering a list of top questions, as well as questions we get from the participants.  In our event, Load Cell Basics, we covered a lot of interesting inquiries as well as the top questions we get about our precision load cell products.

We highlighted the first group of questions in our recent post, Load Cell Basics Technical Q&A Part One. And there is more, below highlights additional questions we addressed during the live event.   A recap of the webinar is also online, reviewing key topics we discussed during the one-hour learning event with force measurement experts Keith Skidmore and Brian Peters.

Is There a Better Way to Tare a Load Cell?

Tare is defined as a deduction from the gross weight of a substance and its container made in allowance for the weight of the container, which is sometimes also called the vessel.  For purposes of this reference, we are noting the container is the actual body of the load cell.

Whether you tare a load cell by electronics or mechanical, preload taring of the system is typically done through instrumentation.  You want to ensure that whatever mechanical tare load you have on the sensor isn’t going to impede on your usable capacity range. As far as the load cell is concerned, there really is no need to accommodate any sort of mechanical tare. These are linear devices if you stay within the range.  On the mechanical preload side, it is important how you preload some of attachments especially for the LowProfile load cells. We recommend to preload if you can. It is what we do for best results so that the load path doesn’t change through the threads, which can affect very small amounts of linearity hysteresis

Does Frequency Measurement Limit Impact How Fast the Load Cell Responds?

This is a function of the mechanical flexure design for that sensor. It is important to note that each sensor is a mechanical spring. Depending on the stiffness or the deflection characteristics of a load cell, you will have different natural frequency characteristics. This information is typically documented on our product data sheets by model and configuration.  Generally, the stiffer the sensor the better it’s going to perform in cyclic applications.

Adding to this, Keith notes that load cells are great at hundreds of hertz. If you are asking about tens of thousands of hertz, they are not. There is a spot where very high frequencies of these standard load cells aren’t as effective. Most of our typical testing customers who are applying cyclical loads to a test specimen will confirm that low profile or strain gage-based load cells are great for their frequency requirements.  Work with our application engineers if you have a frequency requirement that is extremely high.

Tare and Working Up an Error Budget

This question comes in from an engineer that is working up a calculated error budget that has a mechanical tare load on that system already. Before you start your test, if you tare it how does that factor into your initial preload in the system? Will it impact your error budget? The answer is that yes, it can have some impact. You can zero out your temperature effect on zero; however, if you have a lot of preloads, you can’t. You must go back to zero to zero it out. This can impact your error budget. Basically, if you zero out, it eliminates the temperature effect. You cannot make the same assumption in your budget if you have considerable preloads.

Does Interface Recommend Particular Amplifier Instrumentation Products?

We do have a wide variety of amplifier solutions. They range from small embeddable amplifiers up to inline options that are DIN rail mounted.  We also have various digital output instrumentation productions available for ethernet, ether cat, Modbus, and USB.

It is important in your consideration to understand that there are errors that can impact instrumentation performance. Selecting the right instrumentation should be a function of the application and what are the changes in testing environment. Resolution is critical in your decision if you are doing a digital type conversion. There’s a lot of parameters to consider. Our recommendation would be to look at what is available from Interface and contact our application engineers to review your specific requirements.

What is the Most Frequent Problem When Installing a Load Cell?

One of the issues are asked about is usually related to the mechanical installation. It’s not as simple as just a nut, bolt, and threaded connection. There is a lot more to it and it’s often and discounted how important it is to ensure things are aligned properly so that you don’t have any parallel load paths. All the load must go through the load cell to make a proper measurement. For example, if you have a mounting plate and the plates are riding on the heads of the screws of the load cell, it is going to shunt the load. Mechanical installation is often missed in the test set-up design. It is often not given enough weight in importance of your test.

We also often see that users have either inadequate torque in an assembly or perhaps too much torque for the lower capacity load cells.  It’s advised to be careful of the installation torque. We recommend that if you aren’t familiar with mechanical installation, ask us for our detailed installation instructions. We provide guidance in terms of recommended torque values and proper methods of where to attach the sensor. It’s easy to over torque a load cell, as they are designed to see axial loads. We have seen users people crank on things and transmitting too much torsional load through creating performance issues that might not show up right away.

Do Cables and Amplifiers Affect Results of Load Cell Calibration?

The answer is absolutely it can impact your results. It doesn’t mean it will, but it can affect performance and measurement accuracy. For example, if you change the cable length or have an instrument that is a different temperature with cable running out of an oven into cooler temperature room, these things can influence the measurement. Even if the load cell is at a constant temperature but the cable is changing temperature, it will cause a signal to change. That’s not something you want in your measurement.

You may mitigate temperature by shielding the cable or you could have a fatter cable which could have less of an effect. Some of these things can be calibrated out. If you add a long cable and then apply loads to your load cell, it considers that there is a longer cable, and you can completely calibrate out the effect of the cable length on the signal dropping due to the resistance. Some instruments use sense to measure the voltage at the load cell. In that case, it is insensitive to any cable effect. You can change cable lengths and it doesn’t make any difference.

Is a 10kn (2,250) lb. Force Application Too Much for a 2,000 lb. Load Cell?

Yes, it’s above the calibrated range and thus you can’t guarantee performance. Load cells will typically stay linear over capacity but there’s no guarantee on the accuracy. This is especially true if you overload with frequency. You’re starting to exercise the load cell in areas where we’d recommend you stay away from to keep the results accurate. Oftentimes, you’re better off going with a larger sensor. Pay attention to the actual output. That’s one advantage of most of our products, especially in the LowProfile range.

Is There Maximum Sampling Frequency for Strain Gage Load Cells?

It is going to depend somewhat on the model of the load cell. Hundreds of hundreds of hertz are certainly adequate. If you start getting close to the natural frequency posted on our product data sheet, we recommend you review the application with our application engineers.

We know engineers who use load cells for safety impact testing. For example, you might need to sample 10 kilohertz. The load cell doesn’t make a difference for how fast you sample the signal, but those cells can only respond in typically a millisecond response time. There are no moving parts or active circuitry; however, typically testing is going to test something until it fails. It is suggested to sample it at a couple thousand hertz to make sure you capture that exact point where the system fails or spikes. If you do have some concern over creep error that’s introduced, record what that non-zero value is as soon as you release that load. That is an accurate measurement of how much creep error was introduced being symmetric.

We exercise our load cells before calibration. It’s relatively quick and typically done in hydraulic frames which are automated to test where they cycle the load in short cycle intervals, like 30 seconds. It’s really the magnitude of the exercising, not how long it lasts. If load is being tested at 120% for an hour, that’s no better than 10 seconds, other than it introduced a lot of creep for an hour. Exercising means you must wait longer for the creep to return, so if the load is a fast cycle, you can check the zero quickly.

If you have additional questions for our experts, we recommend that you visit our technical support resources. We have commonly asked questions, installation guides and manuals and more.  We are also here to support you. Contact our technical support team if you need assistance.

Additional Resources

 

Load Cell Field Guide

Load Cell Basics Sensor Specifications

Load Cell Basics Technical Q&A Part One

Interface 1200 Precision LowProfile Load Cell Series Product Highlight