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Most Popular Interface Content in 2022

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Interface is committed to providing valuable content and resources related to force measurement and supplemental topics based on how our customers use our products. Every year, we publish content in a variety of formats, including our blogs, newsletters, catalogs and brochures, case studies, industry solutions and white papers. In 2022, we added 125 new pieces of content, along with 109 new Interface IQ Blog posts.

Research tells us that blogs and publications are an important source to keep up with the latest developments in the field of practice. This certainly applies to test and measurement, engineering, product development and metrology. This type of material can be a fantastic way to stay informed and inspired, as well as up to date on trends and peer-related subject matter.

The question we like to answer every year, what are you reading?

Interface’s Most Read 2022 IQ Blogs

  1. 2022 Test and Measurement Industry Trends
  2. Shunt Calibration 101
  3. Force Measurement Installation Guides
  4. Types of Force Measurement Tests 101
  5. Interface Submersible Load Cells
  6. EV Battery Testing Solutions Utilize Interface Mini Load Cells
  7. Choosing the Right Torque Transducer
  8. Solutions to Advance Agriculture Smart Farming and Equipment
  9. Interface Sensors Used for Internet of Things
  10. Flange Style Load Cells and Torque Transducers 101

The subjects we right about, sometimes technical, and other times focused on use cases, are driven by our customer’s interests. Often, these subjects are relevant over an extended period. We are now entering our fifth year of the Interface IQ Blog. In fact, the most read posts on our website this year dated back as far as 2018. Are you a subscriber?

Interface’s Most Popular IQ Blogs

  1. Understanding Load Cell Temperature Compensation
  2. Strain Gages 101
  3. Load Washers 101
  4. S-Type Load Cells 101
  5. Load Pins 101
  6. Load Cell Basics Sensor Specifications
  7. Interface Engineered to Order Solutions
  8. The Anatomy of a Load Cell
  9. Understanding Uncertainty in Load Cell Calibration
  10. Load Cell 101 and What You Need to Know

Many test and measurement professionals find it valuable to read and stay current on the latest research and technical papers related in their industry. Interface produces new technical papers and case studies every year. The top technical white papers and case studies that captured the most interest in 2022 include:

Interface introduced a helpful guide in 2022 to navigate some of the content that has gained the most interest over the years. You can find this in our new 101 Force Measurement Series. It is a sequence of blogs that we add that are we categorize as 101-level references. This new guide also adds associated content on the same subject matter.

We look forward to learning from your interests and adding updated content in the coming year.

Shunt Calibration 101

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Calibration is a critical stage to ensure proper accuracy and reliability of any force measurement device. There are many ways to calibrate and different types of calibration. In the standards of maintaining our quality and precision requirements, Interface calibrates every test measurement device we manufacture including our load cells and torque transducers. Every device is shipped with the most detailed calibration certifications in the industry.

With our experience and expertise, we understand that sharing what we know is beneficial to our customers and partners in the test and measurement industry. One of the means by which we do this is through a series of technical white papers.  A popular white paper that was written years ago still stands the test of time, as it provides a deep dive on the topic of shunt calibration. Click on the title “Shunt Calibration for Dummies,” to access the full white paper.

What is Shunt Calibration?

Shunt calibration is a technique for simulating strain in a piezo-resistive strain gage Wheatstone bridge circuit by shunting one leg of the bridge. The bridge may be internal to a discreet transducer or composed of separately applied strain gages. The resulting bridge output is useful for calibrating or scaling instrumentation. Such instrumentation includes digital indicators, amplifiers, signal conditioners, A/D converters, PLC’s, and data acquisition equipment. Care must be taken to understand the circuits and connections, including extension cables, in order to avoid measurement errors.

Benefits of Shunt Calibration

The biggest reason to use shunt calibration is the flexibility and low-cost it offers the user. In this method of calibration, the bridge circuit is already there, and you don’t need to make and break cable connections to run it. This means that a shunt calibration can be applied conveniently and at any time during the test program. It is often used in situations where the user is calibrating control system equipment that will be communicating with a transducer or to confirm that the transducer is functioning properly.

Expected Shunt Calibration Repeatability in Modern Transducers

An important question that comes up regarding calibration is what type of repeatability can I expect from shunt calibration? Included below are the specifications outlining expected repeatability:

Procedure for a repeatability test performed:

  • 100 Klbf Load Cell specimen loaded in compression.
  • 12 test cycles of 4 mV/V hydraulically applied physical load and 1 mV/V Shunt Cal on two bridge legs.
  • Rb = 350 ohm, Rs = 88750 ohm, 20 ppm/°C, internal to load cell.
  • Measurements over 3 days.
  • Interface Gold Standard HRBSC instrumentation.

Results of test

  • Std Dev of physical load measurement: 0.004%.
  • Std Dev of Shunt Cal: 0.001% pos, 0.001% neg.

The topics that are illustrated in examples and discussion points for this white paper include:

  • Basic Bridge Circuit and Formulas
  • Resistor Examples
  • Tolerance
  • Cables
  • Errors
  • Permanent Zero Balance Shifts
  • Transducer Toggles
  • Instrumentation
  • Procedures for Repeatability in Tests

If this is a topic that of interest, download this technical reference guide for further exploration and calculation examples in shunt calibration.

As a leader in calibration services, Interface has an A2LA ISO 17025 accredited calibration lab located at the company’s headquarters in Arizona. Many depend on Interface for expert recalibration, which we recommend to do annually for optima maintenance. Our own calibration lab has the broadest capability and highest quality of calibration and repair services available. We understand the criticality of proper calibration and traceability and have the experience and expertise necessary to meet your exacting needs.

Additional Calibration Resources

Extending Transducer Calibration Range by Extrapolation

Additional Interface Calibration Grade Solutions

Gold Standard® Calibration System

This refreshed white paper is a tribute to the contributions of LaVar Clegg.