Calibration Systems 101
Even with the most accurate load cells available, the toll of constant use over long periods, and in some cases accidental misuse, can impact the reliability of the output. Calibration of force measurement products is vital in performance management and necessary for safety and compliance with ISO and industry-specific standards.
In a recent Interface customer survey, 21% of respondents calibrate load cells in-house. This is one reason Interface provides world-class load cell calibration solutions in several design configurations and custom products for a wide range of rigid and portable systems. Interface calibration offerings include complete desktop and portable configuration systems, load frames, signal conditioning boards, intelligent digital indicators, calibration-grade load cells, and calibration adapters.
The Interface Gold Standard® Calibration Systems, using the Interface Gold or Platinum Standard® Load Cells, ensure a metrology system of the highest accuracy and lowest uncertainty.
The GS-SYS Gold Standard® Calibration System Load Frame consists of a four-post rigid load frame, proprietary load feedback loop, signal conditioning hardware, and fully automated calibration software for the highest accuracy and lowest uncertainty. Portable versions of the GS-SYS system are also available for calibrating load cells and test equipment.
Features of the system include:
- 2 channels with an option available for 3 and 4 channels
- 9840 Intelligent Indicator
- Less than 0.04% RDG uncertainty
- Testing and reporting per ASTM E74
- Automated reports, graphs, and performance parameter calculations with custom reporting options
- Innovative fixturing allows for tension and compression calibration without changing the setup
- Proprietary load feedback design for accurate and reliable load control
- Data archiving
A fully automated Interface Calibration System can reduce calibration time by 50% to 90% and can be set for automated calibration runs to be completed in less than five minutes.
The top calibration grade load cells from Interface are the 1800 Platinum Standard® Calibration Load Cell in ranges of 1.1K lbf to 55K lbf, 4.89 kN to 245 kN, followed by the 1600 Gold Standard® Calibration Load Cell with options from 500 lbf to 200K lbf and 2.22 kN to 900 kN.
Interface also has a compression-only calibration load cell, the 1601 Gold Standard®, in capacities of 1K lbf to 100K lbf and 4.45 kN to 445 kN. The 1606 Gold Standard® Low Capacity Calibration load cell is also used in metrology labs, with products available in 50 lbf to 300 lbf and 222 N to 1.33 kN sizes.
Interface also offers calibration software included with our calibration products. The Gold Standard® Load Cell Calibration Software will provide exact load output at specific load points. Calibration results from other runs can be compared, measured, and displayed with current results.
Interface provides the force measurement industry’s most accurate and reliable load cells. We can do this because we control the entire load cell development process from design to production, including manufacturing our strain gages. Controlling the complete process ensures outstanding product quality, confirmed through our stringent calibration requirements before any Interface product is shipped to our customer.
Interface load cells are capable of lasting a very long time. We recently received a calibration service request on some of the very first load cells we have ever manufactured, decades old. To ensure load cells last as long as possible, Interface recommends that customers calibrate their load cells annually. The frequency of calibrations should also be determined by the following factors:
- Measurement quality and allowable tolerance range
- Subjected level of stress on the equipment
- Stability of past calibrations
- Required measuring accuracy
- Quality assurance requirements
Whether you rely on Interface for calibration maintenance services or perform the services in-house, we have calibration solutions, including load frames, signal conditioning boards, and intelligent digital indicators, to meet your exact needs. Contact our specialized Application Engineers to discuss the best options for your requirements.
Download or view the Calibration Systems Brochure.
Contributor: Jay Bradley, Sr. Electrical Engineer, Interface
