Designing a Strain Gauge Load Cell: Q&A on Force Measurement

[selvaram]

Hello,
I'm trying to design a strain gauge load cell for force measurments. I have few questions regarding that.
Q1: how to calculate the minimum froce that my load cell can detect?
Q2: how to calculate the FSO(full scale output) of my load cell?
Q3: Is there any way to measure the lateral forces in the load cell?

Thanks

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?

 

[Baluncore]

Your question is too general to give a sensible answer. We need more information to give appropriate answers.
How will you construct your strain gauge?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strain_gauge

 

[dlgoff]

If your strain gauge is piezoelectric, then this is a good source of info.

http://www.piezo.com/tech2intropiezotrans.html

 

[alphy]

for your questions. Designing a strain gauge load cell for force measurements can be a complex process, but here are some general answers to your questions:

Q1: The minimum force that a load cell can detect is determined by its sensitivity, which is typically expressed in units of millivolts per volt (mV/V). This sensitivity value is provided by the manufacturer and can vary depending on the type and design of the load cell. To calculate the minimum force, you would need to know the sensitivity and the maximum voltage output of the load cell. The minimum force can then be calculated using the following formula: Minimum force (in units of force) = (Sensitivity in mV/V) x (Maximum voltage output of load cell).

Q2: The full scale output (FSO) of a load cell is the maximum force that it can accurately measure. This value is also provided by the manufacturer and can vary depending on the load cell design. To calculate the FSO, you would need to know the sensitivity and the maximum voltage output, similar to calculating the minimum force. The FSO can be calculated using the following formula: FSO (in units of force) = (Sensitivity in mV/V) x (Maximum voltage output of load cell).

Q3: Yes, there are ways to measure lateral forces in a load cell. One method is to use multiple strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, which can measure forces in multiple directions. Another method is to use a single strain gauge and measure the changes in resistance as the load cell is subjected to lateral forces. However, it is important to note that lateral forces can introduce errors in the measurement of the primary force being measured, so it is important to carefully consider the design and placement of the load cell to minimize these effects.

I hope this helps with your design process. It is always best to consult with a load cell manufacturer or an expert in force measurement for specific calculations and recommendations for your particular application. Best of luck with your project!