Manufacturing

Interface works with manufacturers and equipment makers by supplying high-performance measurement solutions, including top of the line load cells, torque transducers and instrumentation.

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Manufacturing Overview

Manufacturers use Interface products to improve their products and processes, meet safety requirements, automate machines, and test new designs. Force measurement products are versatile and valuable tools for manufacturers in both product design and the actual manufacturing of the products. Our sensor solutions improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of products and the equipment and tools used to make them.

Interface Products Used in the Manufacturing

Interface products are commonplace in manufacturing and production. Force measurement is integral to advanced manufacturing systems, production lines, packaging, and product testing. Interface sensors are utilized in testing and monitoring various machines, from presses to lifting equipment, to ensure accuracy and repeatability throughout the production line.

We understand manufacturing test and measurement applications, from using miniature load cells to apply the force needed to press a brand identity onto fragile consumables to using multi-axis sensors to verify performance data when making intricately machined parts. Interface custom OEM solutions are ideal for manufacturers who require direct installation to monitor weight, force, and torque.

Manufacturing equipment and processes that utilize Interface load cells and torque transducers:

How measurement solutions are used in the manufacturing of products:

R&D: The measurement data from transducers is available for improving the design of products and processes and developing new products. 
Testing: Every product undergoes rigorous testing before hitting the line. Interface products are essential for this phase of manufacturing to validate the use, lifecycle, and materials.
Quality: Interface products are used to measure the weight of manufactured products to ensure that they meet specifications. This is important for consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other products where precise weight measurement is critical for safety and effectiveness.
Automation: Force measurement products are valuable in automation. As robotics, cobots, tools, and machinery are designed to automate tasks and processes in manufacturing, load cells like our multi-axis sensors provide valuable analysis data through all phases of automation.
Safety and Regulation: Sensors prevent accidents by detecting dangerous conditions in the manufacturing industry. Using measurement systems for alarms, alerts, and monitoring of equipment and tools is critical in manufacturing plants.
Process control: Manufacturing operations monitor the force or weight of materials in a facility to control the process and ensure that products are made to the correct specifications.
Productivity and Equipment Maintenance: Using Interface products to monitor the condition of equipment and detect potential problems before they cause downtime helps to prevent costly breakdowns and production delays.

Our depth of force measurement expertise and experience enable us to innovate, engineer, and produce the world’s most accurate, reliable, and quality sensor technology for manufacturers worldwide.

Manufacturing Videos:

Manufacturing_InfographicPoster

Textiles

Textiles are cloth or woven fabrics created through weaving, knitting, crocheting, or felting natural or synthetic fiber. In the manufacturing industry, different machines spin fibers into yarns and other woven textiles, including clothing, household linens, upholstery, and other materials used in various industries.

By providing quantitative data on the mechanical properties of yarns and fabrics, force measurement solutions contribute to improved product quality, optimized production processes, and innovative applications in smart textiles and wearable technology.

Interface load cells and instrumentation are used in several machines at various stages of textile production. From maintaining consistent tension in yarn to weighing fabric rolls and yarn packages, force measurement solutions are essential for quality control and efficient production. Interface products used by textile machine makers, engineers, lab technicians and product designers include:

LowProfile Load Cells can also be used in textile testing machines that measure tear strength testing to evaluate the strength. Load cells measure the tensile strength, tear resistance, and elongation of yarns and fabrics, providing vital data for quality control and material selection.

Force measurement is frequently used to monitor textile equipment performance. Interface load pin load cells can be installed directly into textile machines and retrofitting machines to monitor specific forces in real-time. In textile manufacturing, force sensors are valuable for identifying machine misalignments. Our load cells, combined with instrumentation, can help monitor textile machines, avoiding unnecessary repairs and disruption in production.

Textile Applications Using Interface Products:

Universal Test Machines for Textiles
Fabric Tear and Tensile Testing
Ring Spinning Frames
Textile Machine Maintenance And Calibration
Yarn Tension Monitoring
Stenter Equipment
Tumbler Dryers
Presses
Fabric Winding and Unwinding Processes
Assessing Machine Performance During Operations
Weaving Machines and Looms Design and Use
Industrial Sewing Machine Automation And Feedback
Knitting Machine Tension Testing
Cloth Cutting Machine Measurement
Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics
Monitoring Tension during Weaving, Knitting, And Finishing

Load cells monitor the tension of fibers during the drawing process, ensuring consistent fiber diameter and yarn quality. Load cells on the drafting system and traveler path track yarn tension, preventing breakage and ensuring uniformity. Load cell data provides valuable insights into machine performance and fabric properties, facilitating process optimization and product development.

Using Interface products for textile equipment, research, testing, and production provides precise control, optimizes production processes, and enhances product quality. Force measurement is a valuable tool for textile manufacturers striving for efficiency, consistency, and continuous improvement.

The textile industry involves complex manufacturing processes, from spinning and weaving to finishing and dyeing, resulting in many products that meet functional and aesthetic needs. Textiles are integral to our everyday lives, whether it’s the comfort of clothing, technical textile functionality, or fashion’s artistic expression through modern textile inventions.

Textiles_Infographic

Production Lines

Production lines are the backbone of modern manufacturing, facilitating the efficient assembly of products. Consistency and maintaining precision while conducting thorough inspections stand out as paramount elements for creating top-tier products. Sensor data is vital in optimizing the production line.

Interface’s measurement solutions provide accurate data on production parameters such as temperature, speed, pressure, force, and other relevant variables. These can then be used to optimize the production process, detect and resolve problems in real-time, and prevent downtime. Additionally, Interface sensors can be integrated into industrial IoT systems and automation machinery to provide valuable insights and analytics to help manufacturers make data-driven decisions.

One of the main sensor types that play a role in these automated production lines is force sensors. Production line engineers use Interface force sensors to design and develop systems to ensure accuracy in measurements of force, weight, compression, and torque as products and components move throughout the line, including distribution.

How Interface Sensor Technologies are Utilized on Production Lines

Interface’s Force sensors are tools in manufacturing production lines, helping manufacturers ensure product quality, safety, and efficiency. They enable precise control, real-time feedback, and automation, all of which contribute to streamlined manufacturing processes and the delivery of high-quality products to consumers.

Industrial Machinery

Industrial machinery is used across many industries, and is classified as technology, tools and equipment commonly utilized in manufacturing, handling, and construction. These machines include straightforward tools to complex robotics and systems.

The machines require extensive testing in design and for performance monitoring. Interface products are found in heavy machinery used in commercial and industrial sites. These machines are engineered to tolerate heavy use. Force sensors from Interface are designed into robots to allow for more precise and delicate tasks. Load cells in machine tools help to prevent damage to tools and workpieces by monitoring cutting forces. Interface’s force sensors empower industrial machinery in all industries the ability to monitor, regulate, and assure safety in production processes.

Industrial Machinery Types Utilizing Sensor Technologies

Interface load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, load shackles and instrumentation provide industrial engineers and manufacturers high quality data that monitors and confirms the design and in-action processes of their equipment. The accuracy of these devices is critical to high-quality outcomes, low-costs and most importantly, worker safety.

From manufacturing to assembly, Interface’s force sensors are frequently integrated into the machines to measure and monitor the forces exerted during different operations. They are used in testing equipment and labs, as well as R&D facilities that are retrofitting machinery to manage automated tasks.

Retrofitting Factories

With AI and automation technologies influencing manufacturing factories, the estimated 21 million manufacturing companies worldwide are beginning to adjust and advance their manufacturing processes. There are various types of manufacturing, from repetitive, continuous, batch, job shop, and discrete. All employ tools, machines, and equipment used through multiple processes that rely on accurate sensor data and technologies.

Retrofitting factories is a strategic approach to modernize and enhance existing production facilities. This involves installing new equipment, upgrading technology, redesigning layouts, and implementing new processes to make the factory more modern and competitive.

Factory equipment, systems, and processes upgrades are needed to improve efficiency, productivity, safety, and sustainability. Force measurement solutions are a cost-effective and efficient way to modernize older machinery and gain a competitive edge in the industry, increase production, improve quality, and decrease costly downtime and maintenance.

Interface’s sensor technologies, including our load cells and multi-axis sensors, provide critical data for various machinery designs and functions. Interface analog and digital instrumentation products are available to amplify, condition, and display the signals from force measurement sensors.

Manufacturers require modern tools and equipment to meet growing demands. Interface products are used to retrofit machines and update tools with sensor-based technologies. Integrating load cell data with control systems enables the implementation of tasks based on specific force thresholds. This can automate actions like triggering material feed, stopping processes upon reaching desired force levels or sorting parts based on weight or pressure applied.

Load Pin Load Cells are versatile tools for measuring tension or compression forces in various applications. Retrofitting existing equipment with load pins can unlock valuable insights into machine performance, optimize processes, and prevent costly breakdowns.

How load cells are used in retrofitting factories:

Retrofitting manufacturing equipment with load cells offers a cost-effective way to modernize existing infrastructure, improve process control, enhance quality, and gain valuable data for informed decision-making.

Workplace Safety and Automation

Interface measurement solutions, known for quality and accuracy, are at the forefront of all safety and regulation testing decisions.

In manufacturing, our load cells and torque transducers are integrated into machines and operating systems to ensure that equipment operates within safe operational limits. The sensor data enables automation functionality to help reduce risk and prevent accidents or injuries.

Production equipment makers and machine builders must adhere to workplace safety and comply with regulations. Safety systems are pervasive in manufacturing, whether building cobots to work on the production line or designing and testing equipment to move packages in a warehouse. Using accurate measurement is quintessential to workplace safety and automation.

Safety and Automation Applications Using Interface Sensors and Instrumentation

Interface application engineers work closely with our customers to ensure they have suitable sensors, instrumentation, DAQ systems, and accessories for each use case. We can build complete systems, such as lock-out boxes with sensor technologies and alarms. We also offer engineering services to customize a load cell for OEM and integrated solutions.

Benefits of Using Sensor Technologies for Workplace Safety and Automation

Precision and Accuracy: Load cells and torque transducers provide highly accurate measurements of force and rotation, respectively. This allows for precise control of automated machinery, ensuring consistent product quality and reducing errors. Less rework and higher-quality products contribute to a safer work environment, as there’s less chance of operators needing to fix mistakes or handle malfunctioning equipment.

Process Optimization: Manufacturers can gain valuable insights into their machines’ operations by precisely measuring forces and torques. This data can be used to optimize processes, identify inefficiencies, and reduce waste. Optimized processes with smoother operation result in fewer chances of equipment malfunction and potential safety hazards.

Safety Measures: Interface sensor devices can be designed into automated machines, tools, and equipment to measure safety during use. For example, our transducers can detect overloads or excessive torque, which could lead to equipment failure and injure workers. These sensors help prevent accidents and create a safer work environment by triggering alarms or automatic shutdowns.

Quality Control: Accurate measurement of forces and torques allows for real-time product quality monitoring. This enables manufacturers to identify and address any deviations from specifications early in production, reducing the risk of defective products reaching the customer. Fewer defective products mean less chance of needing rework or repairs later, keeping workers out of harm’s way.

Load cells and torque transducers come in various designs and capacities, making them suitable for multiple automation applications. This versatility allows manufacturers to integrate them into different machines and processes, enhancing overall safety and efficiency across their production lines.

Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing, known as 3D printing, has developed and grown since its first prototypes for 3-dimensional printing in the 1980s. By the early 2000s, additive manufacturing was beginning to create functional products.

Today, additive manufacturing has improved and continues to expand in creating objects like small-scale models, prototypes, and even full-scale manufactured parts and products. Its popularity is driven by less process time and a much cheaper cost for production.

Additive manufacturing is a layer-by-layer process used to create objects, molds, or prototypes. Various materials, including polymers, metals, ceramics, foams, gels, and biomaterials, can be used. In contrast to traditional manufacturing, additive manufacturing can create complex shapes and small sizes. Interface load cells play a crucial role in this process, measuring the force or weight during dimensional printing to ensure precision and quality control.

Force Measurement Additive Manufacturing Applications

Monitoring Nozzle Forces
In-Situ Force Controls
Tension and Compression Durability Tests
Characterizing Mechanical Properties
Calibrating Robotic Arms
Material Yield, Strength, Stress and Strain Testing
Equipment Maintenance Systems for Nozzle Blockage
Machine Quality Checks
Machining and Part Finishing
Prosthetic Prototyping
4D Equipment Design

Sensor Technology Benefits in Additive Manufacturing Use Cases

Process Monitoring: Interface Mini load cells are used in additive manufacturing for process monitoring. These load cells can be integrated into 3D printers to monitor the forces exerted during printing. By measuring the force applied by the print head or the build platform, manufacturers can ensure that the printing process is proceeding as expected and detect any anomalies that may affect the quality of the final product.

Specification Quality Control: Load cells are ideal for verifying the mechanical properties of the printed parts. By subjecting the printed objects to controlled mechanical tests, such as tensile or compression tests, manufacturers can determine whether the parts meet the required specifications and standards.

Material Testing: Interface sensor technologies are commonly used to test the materials prior to the actual printing process. By measuring the forces required to extrude or deposit the material during the creation process. Manufacturers can evaluate the strength, flexibility, and viscosity of the material, thus achieving a consistent print quality.

Structural and Prototype Testing: Product designers and engineers use load cells and multi-axis sensors to gather critical measurement data in testing the final prototype or structure of objects being printed, ensuring structural integrity. Manufacturers can determine and assess different factors, such as stiffness, strength, and durability, of the prototype to ensure it meets the required performance criteria.

Interface offers a variety of sensors for use in additive manufacturing processes, including:

LBM Compression Load Button Load Cells
Load Pins
LW General Purpose Load Washer Load Cells
LWCF Clamping Force Load Cells
S-Type Miniature Load Cells
MB Miniature Beam Load Cell
BMI Overload Protected Miniature Beam Load Cell
MTFS Miniature Tension Force Load Cell
REC Road End Load Cell
ULC Ultra Low Capacity Load Cell
WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell

The range of sensors is especially important for industries that need precision data and easy integration into equipment and testing. These include industries that are turning to additive manufacturing, such as aerospace, medical, and automotive. Selecting the right load cell is critical to product development, and manufacturers rely on Interface due to the accuracy and reliability of our solutions.

AdditiveManufacturing_InfographicPoster

Packaging

Interface load cells and torque transducers are frequently used to test and develop packaging machinery, materials, production equipment, and distribution systems.

Accurate force measurement tools provide essential data to automate and regulate every packaging stage, from material testing to automation in handling fragile consumer goods. Interface sensor technologies and instrumentation ensure the quality and durability of product packaging across diverse applications.

Interface provides solutions for monitoring the health of packaging machinery and systems. From harvesting and sorting to processing and packing, force measurements enhance quality control, efficiency, and safety in packaging. For instance, production line engineers utilize sensors to detect and reject defective products, monitor equipment performance, and identify potential hazards.

Interface Load Cells in Packaging Applications

Weighing Systems and Checkweighers for Quality Control
Container and Waste Control Systems
Material Handling Systems and Belt Weighers
Packing Material Strength Tests
Pallet Weighing
Batching Systems
Form-Fill-Seal Machines
Tension Control Tests for Wrapping
Labeling Machine Force Monitoring
Durability Compression and Force Testing
End-of-Line Packaging
Robotic Packaging Machines
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) Design and Monitoring

Packaging is crucial for cost savings, production efficiency, time-to-market, and product safety. Whether measuring, weighing, or securing, Interface load cells, mini load cells, torque transducers, and instrumentation play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and accuracy needed to protect your brand and ensure customer satisfaction, particularly in terms of product safety.

Load cells and torque transducers play a critical role in ensuring various packaging processes’ accuracy, consistency, and quality. From precisely measuring product fills and controlling the tension of wrapping materials to verifying package weight and monitoring capping torque, these sensors ensure efficient use of materials, prevent product damage, and maintain consistent quality throughout the packaging line.

Interface is a leading force measurement manufacturer of solutions in the packaging industry. We collaborate with OEMs and engineering consultants to implement systems and products that reduce waste, automate packaging processes, and significantly improve efficiency, providing accurate, repeatable results and a brighter outlook for your operations. Contact our application experts to assist in getting the right measurement solutions in place for your packaging requirements.

Additional Resources

Products Request a Quote Interface Product Guides

Manufacturing Solutions from the IQ Blog

Force Measurement Solutions for the Forestry Industry

December 7, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface products are ideal for the forestry industry, whether designing heavy-duty machinery using load cells to prevent overloading or protecting operators with sensor-based alarm systems and monitoring tools. Interface sensors are used in forestry heavy equipment, forest and timber management, logging, wood product manufacturing, pulp and paper manufacturing, and recycling forest products.

Load Cell Simulator 101

December 5, 2023/in 101 Series, Blog /by Jamie Glass

A load cell simulator is a device that mimics the electrical signal of a load cell. This allows technicians to test and calibrate measurement systems without applying physical force or weight to the load. Interface load cell simulators are an essential accessory and valuable investment for any testing lab or research facility frequently using load cells. These simulators can help to improve safety, reduce downtime, improve accuracy, lower costs, and increase convenience.

Small in Dimension and Precise in Measurement

November 28, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface Mini Load Cells are used for small and precise measurements. Interface miniature load cells are ideal for light touch, weight, or limited space test and measurement applications. with capacities available as low as 0.11 lbf / 0.5 N and as high as 100 kN, there are many miniature load cells available in different capacities and models, including our beams, rod-end, load buttons, s-type load cells, and custom miniature OEM solutions.

Interface Load Cells for Press Machines

November 21, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface load cells are used in various press machines, from hydraulic presses to stamping machines. Machine builders and engineers use interface load cells to improve product quality, reduce scrap, prevent overloading, and increase safety during operation. Whether selecting a miniature load button load cell for a small press test or our WMC Load Cell to integrate into the machine, Interface has a range of products for press machine applications to ensure quality and accuracy of measurement.

Fatigue Testing with Interface Load Cells

November 2, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Fatigue testing requires accurate and reliable force measurement. Interface fatigue-rated load cells are designed to withstand the rigors of repeated loading, which makes them ideal for even the most demanding high cycle count fatigue testing applications. Interface uses ‘fatigue-rated’ as an exact specification that defines a special class of load cell design and construction.

Force Measurement Sensors are Essential to Modern Industrial Machinery

September 28, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface load cells and multi-axis sensors provide critical measurement data for various machinery designs and functions. Interface instrumentation products are available to amplify, condition, and display the signals from force measurement sensors. The accuracy of force, torque, and weight measurements guide industrial machinery’s design and performance mechanisms.

Bending Beam Load Cell Basics

September 14, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface bending beam load cells are part of our Mini Load Cell product line. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, with different capacities and ranges. Some of our most popular bending beam load cells include the MB, MBI, MBP and MBS. The use of bending beam load cells expands across industries and applications, for weighing scales, medical devices, industrial process controls, robotic designs, packaging machinery and civil engineering projects.

Wireless Telemetry Systems 101

September 8, 2023/in 101 Series, Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface offers a wide range of wireless telemetry products including load cells, transmitters, bases, communication modules and data acquisition systems. A wireless telemetry system enables the remote measurement and transmission of data from one location to another without the need for physical wired connections. Components in wireless telemetry systems typically include sensors, transducers, instrumentation, communication modules, transmitters, displays and printers. Learn more about Interface WTS products in our Wireless Telemetry Systems 101 overview.

Engineered Solutions for Lifting Webinar

September 6, 2023/in Virtual Event /by Jamie Glass

Interface’s technical webinar Engineered Solutions for Lifting details measurement devices used in lifting equipment, machines, and vehicles to improve operations and safety. Interface load cells and instrumentation are used to operate cranes, hoist heavy objects, and measure forces in infrastructure projects. Interface experts answer how load cells are used in safety monitoring for lifting equipment. Learn about Interface sensor products suited for integration into existing equipment and test and measurement projects.

Center of Gravity Testing in Robotics Demands Precision Load Cells

August 1, 2023/in Blog, Industrial Automation /by Jamie Glass

Interface specializes in precision force measurement solutions. There are different methods for determining the CoG of a robotic system. One common method is to use strain gage load cells. Not all load cells are designed for precision measurement. Center of gravity testing demands strict measurement. For example, Interface compression load cells are often used in center of gravity testing for robotics because they are very accurate and can measure remarkably small forces.

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Interface Guides

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Manufacturing

Manufacturing Overview

Manufacturing Videos:

Textiles

Production Lines

Industrial Machinery

Retrofitting Factories

Workplace Safety and Automation

Additive Manufacturing

Packaging

Manufacturing Applications

Additional Resources

Manufacturing Solutions from the IQ Blog

Force Measurement Solutions for the Forestry Industry

Load Cell Simulator 101

Small in Dimension and Precise in Measurement

Interface Load Cells for Press Machines

Fatigue Testing with Interface Load Cells

Force Measurement Sensors are Essential to Modern Industrial Machinery

Bending Beam Load Cell Basics

Wireless Telemetry Systems 101

Engineered Solutions for Lifting Webinar

Center of Gravity Testing in Robotics Demands Precision Load Cells

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PBLC1 Pillow Block Load Bearing Load Cell

PBLC2 Pillow Block Load Bearing Load Cell

6ADF Series 6-Axis DIN Flange-Type Load Cells

2400 Standard Stainless Steel High Capacity Universal Load Cell

WMC Sealed Stainless Steel Miniature Load Cell

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