Mini Load Cells 101
With the miniaturization and compact size of many products and technologies used in today’s market, it is critical that sensors are designed to fit all types of applications both big and small. This is especially true in the medical, aerospace, industrial automation, and automotive industries.
Interface customer’s requirements for miniature load cells has rapidly expanded the diversification of load cell products that are “mini” in capacities as low as 0.11 lbf / 0.5 N and as high as 100 kN. Interface Mini Load Cell solutions include miniature beam load cells, miniature sensors, load buttons, load washers, tension force mini load cells, S-type load cells, and sealed stainless steel load cells.
Interface’s mini load cells are used for customers who are looking for smaller cells, or for those designing for light touch or lightweight products. Our miniature load cells provide exceedingly accurate measurements similar to our full-size load cells, all with proprietary alloy strain gages. Mini’s are available standard and can be modified, as well as completely customized depending on the exact requirements of the client’s project or embedding into original equipment. Decreased size should never equal less accurate measurements. Our customers can expect Interface miniature load cells perform with the exact quality and accuracy as all our larger load cells.
To provide you with more insight, here is a quick overview of some of Interface’s most popular mini load cells and their unique capabilities. You can download the full Interface Mini Load Cell brochure here.
Load Buttons
Interface’s load button cells are designed for customers who require the measurement of forces in a very confined space. They are designed to provide the most accuracy in as little space as possible. The smaller LBM or LBS can fulfill the need for force measurements at a very respectable precision level that is enough for most applications. Diameters range from 1 inch to 3 inches, with heights from 0.39 inch to 1.5 inches. The shaped load button has a spherical radius to help confine misaligned loads to the primary axis of the cell.
S-Beam Cells
This line is designed for customers looking for extremely compact load cells that still offer great accuracy. The SM (Super-Mini) series load cells are a low-cost, yet accurate, cell with a straight-through loading design. The SSM (Sealed Super-Mini) series offers the same benefits as the SM series with a rugged S-Cell with a splash-proof cover. Both series give exceptional results in applications that can be designed to operate the cell in tension. Some caution should be exercised when using these cells if they will be compressed to ensure that the loading does not introduce side loads into the cell.
Bending Beam Cell
With Interface’s bending beam cell, the cell is bolted to support through the two mount holes. The cell is designed to concentrate the forces into the area where the gages are mounted on the top and bottom faces of the beam. Our line of bending beam cells also have a splash-proof sealing cover.
Double Bending Beam Cell
The double bending beam cell from Interface is a useful variation on the traditional bending beam. In general, this configuration is much more user-friendly because of its short vertical dimension and compact design. It is especially useful for applications where the cells could easily be damaged by tension/compression overload. The variation is achieved by forming two bending beams into one cell. This allows the loading fixtures to be attached at the threaded holes on the centerline, between the beams, which makes the sensitive axis pass through the cell on a single line of action.
Interface mini load cells can be ordered in different sizes, with a wide range of capacities. Many of the minis can be used in off-the-shelf applications. We are also happy to work with customers to custom design load cells to fit their exact needs for size, weight, and accuracy.
For more information on Interface’s Mini Load Cells, visit our web product page or review our product brochure below for detailed specifications on every product.
Mini Load Cell Brochure_6-Page
