Interface Mini Load Cells Growing in Product Use and Testing
One of the biggest manufacturing trends over the past decade is the miniaturization of hardware components. Reducing the size and weight of products and the components, while increasing the power of complex technology systems, is growing in use across all industry segments using force measurement in design and production.
The growing trend to utilize sensor technology in miniaturized products has been especially significant in the medical, consumer products, technology and robotics industries. These industries are looking to fit more force and measurement capabilities into a package that is the same size, or in many cases, considerably smaller than previous generations of like products.
To address this expanding trend, Interface Mini™ Load Cells were designed specifically for light touch, light weight, high accuracy, and robust performance to utilize for OEM products and smaller testing applications in confined spaces. Our miniature load cells provide exceedingly accurate measurements, similar to our full-size load cells and utilize our proprietary alloy strain gages. Capacities are available as low as 0.11 lbf / 0.5 N and as high as 100 kN.
These small-scale load cells are engineered and manufactured to provide extremely accurate output data with the same degree of precision performance as our standard load cells. OEM’s must have this sort of precision force technology because many of the devices being made today are minuscule and more complex in comparison to earlier products and testing application use cases.
In the medical device industry, innovative and often small new products are used in various life-saving applications. Any inaccuracy or miscalculation of force can have devastating effects. Take a look at how our Interface LBS Miniature Compression Load Button Load Cell and 9330 High Speed Data Logging Indicator were used to record the force measurements when designing and testing vascular clamp surgical devices. You can also read about the Vascular Clamp application note here.
In our earlier Mini Load Cells 101 blog, we discussed the features and benefits of Mini Load Cells in detail. Today, we are highlighting some of our best-selling and new Mini Load Cell solutions available from Interface.
Special Note: A large variety of our standard miniature load cells are available today through our QS48 e-commerce site for easy online ordering. Click here to order now through our QuickShip program and get your mini’s in as little as 48 hours! If you need something specifically customized, reach out to our expert application engineers who can work with you to design custom miniature load cells that will fit your exact requirements.
INTERFACE MINI™ LOAD CELLS
Model MB is a miniature beam load cell used in medical test machines and a variety of low capacity applications. Performance on this product is +/- 0.03% FS and available capacities are 5 to 250 lbf (22.2 N to 1.11 kN).
Product Features:
- Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
- Performance to 0.03%
- Low height – 1-inch max
- Eccentric load compensated
- ±0.0008% /˚F – max temperature effect on output
- Low deflection
MBP Overload Protected Miniature Beam Load Cell
Model MBP series load cells provide similar performance to Model MB series with the added safeguard of internal overload protection. This patented overload protection is accomplished via hard stops that are EDM machined into the load cell flexure. This provides greater overload protection (2.5-10lbf ±1000% of full-scale capacity, 100 N ±500% of full-scale capacity), giving the user added protection in more severe applications.
Product Features:
- Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
- 10x overload protection
- Low height – 1in max
- 0.0008%F temp. effect on output
- 5′ Integral Cable (custom lengths available upon request)
- NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate
WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell
Interface Model WMC Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell is excellent for industrial applications because of its stainless steel, sealed, environmentally protected construction. This product is available in capacities ranging from 5 to 500 lbf (22 to 2200 N). Submersible versions of this product are available as well.
Product features:
- Environmentally sealed tension and compression load cell
- Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
- Tension and compression
- Small Size
- Stainless Steel Construction
- Submersible
SSM and SSM2 Sealed S-Type Load Cells
Model SSM is a moderately priced highly-accurate sealed load cell for test machines and other general purpose applications. This product is available in capacities ranging from 50 to 10K lbf (200 N to 50 kN).
Product Features:
- Proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages
- Environmentally sealed
- 0.02% non-repeatability
- 0.0008%/°F (0.0015%/°C) temp. effect on output
- 0.025% creep
- Tension and compression
LBM Compression Load Button Load Cell
Model LBM Compression Load Button is very popular. It is constructed from stainless steel and has a small size. This product is available capacities range from 25 lbf up to 50K lbf.
Product Features:
- Temperature compensated
- Integral load button
- Small diameter
- Environmentally sealed
- Stainless steel
LBS Miniature Load Button Load Cell
Model LBS Miniature Compression Load Button is constructed from stainless steel and has a small size. This product is available capacities range from 5 lbf up to 1K lbf (22.2 N to 4.45 kN).
Product Features:
- Temperature compensated
- Integral load button
- Small diameter
- From 0.12″ height
LWPF1 Press Force Load Washer Load Cell
Model LWPF1 Press Force Load Cell is one of several load washer load cells available from Interface. It features a large thru-hole and short overall height. This product is available in capacities ranging from 2 kN to 100 kN (450 to 22.5K lbf).
Product Features:
- Short height
- Large thru hole
- For press-force monitoring
The Model BPL is a very LowProfile® load cell is used for measuring force on brake pedals. Interface Model BPL has the lowest sensitivity to off-center loading available and will outperform any competitive model.
Product Features:
- Lowest nonlinearity and hysteresis of any brake pedal load cell – < 0.05%
- Ultra-low height
- Low sensitivity to off-axis loads
- Mounts directly to pedal with included strap(s)
- Interchangeable mounting plates
- For use with gas, brake or clutch pedal
- Storage case included
There are more than 30 different Interface Mini Load Cells and sensors available, in addition to our ability to provide modified and custom Mini Load Cells solutions. To find the Interface Mini that works for your needs, or to learn more about our expanding lineup of load cells and torque transducers, please visit /products/.
