Cheaper Alternative to FlexiForce Sensor

  • Thread starter Thread starter geolej
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sensor
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a cheaper alternative to the FlexiForce 1lb sensor for a project requiring multiple sensors. Participants explore various options and the mechanisms behind weight measurement in digital scales.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about alternatives to the FlexiForce sensor due to cost concerns.
  • Another participant suggests CUI as a potential alternative but expresses uncertainty about the pricing.
  • A later reply indicates that contacting CUI revealed that their sensors may require a large order and could be more expensive than FlexiForce.
  • One participant explains that electronic scales typically use resistive strain gauge sensors to measure displacement and calculate force, drawing a parallel to how FlexiForce sensors operate, while cautioning against confusing these with load cells.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific alternative to the FlexiForce sensor, and multiple views on potential solutions remain. There is also a lack of agreement on the cost-effectiveness of suggested alternatives.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the pricing and availability of alternative sensors, as well as the specific mechanisms used in different types of weight measurement devices.

geolej
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Is there a alternative to the FlexiForce 1lb sensor. $20.00 a piece is rather high for my project, seeing how I will need multiple ones. Any ideas?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
You could try CUI, but i don't know how much their pressure sensors might run you:
http://www.cui.com/
 
I gave them a call, the impression I got is I would need a huge order and is far more expensive than the FlexiForce. How is weight mesuared in those cheap digital scales? I am sure those are accurate enough for my purposes.
 
Electronic scales usually use some type of resistive strain gauge sensor to measure the displacement in a structure and back calculate the force from that which is similar to how the flexiforce things work. This should not be confused with a load cell.
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
987