Looking for unique load cell, or equal

AI Thread Summary
A user is seeking a cost-effective alternative to a standard load cell for measuring weight on a bolt head, specifically a stainless steel washer-type load cell that can measure from 0 to 1000 lbs. The device should allow for a reset calibration feature and ideally transmit measurements wirelessly to a digital display within 30 feet. The load cell must be anchored through a central bolt hole and be able to measure additional weight after the initial bolt compression. The user emphasizes the importance of affordability for mass production, with a target volume of 1000 units. Recommendations for manufacturers of custom strain gauges and load cells are also discussed, highlighting the need for a practical and marketable design.
RWS000
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
LOOKING FOR WEIGHT/MEASUREMENT DEVICE: DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Please bear with me. I think the best way to present this is to post my RFQ and that will, I hope, explain what I am looking for. AN ALTERNATIVE TO A NORMAL LOAD CELL, WHICH WOULD HOPEFULLY BE MUCH CHEAPER, WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

A stainless steel washer type load cell, with bolt hole in center, that may measure the bolt compression force, then be “reset” or recalibrated to zero and be able to measure additional weight, for the range of 0 to 1000 lbs and/or metric system, put or loaded on top of the bolt head platform. The ultimate goal is to measure the net weight (0 to 1000 lbs) added to the top of the bolt head after the bolt has been tightened in place. The actual bolt compression force initially put on the load cell would be to anchor the cell down with enough force for it to be mechanically very tight. The measurement of that force is not really required, unless it required on your end as part of a washer type design. A consideration would be if a “reset” calibration would be more expensive to introduce to the design or a design that could allow the load cell not to start measuring until after the bolt anchoring compression had been completed. However what is critical is for the load cell to be bolted in place through the load cell center bolt hole anchoring the load cell in place and then be able to measure the subsequent weight put on top of the bolt (range of 0 to 1000 lbs), starting at zero measurement.
The next requirement is for a wireless signal to be sent to a digital screen showing what the measurement of weight is that was introduced on top of the bolt, preferably to the nearest 1 lb. or up to 5 lbs. (about 2%).
The load cell would be exposed to the environment and the digital receiver would not. The receiver would normally be located within 30 feet of the load cell.
Certification is not required.

Another option would be that the load cell would not be wireless, and the digital screen would be located adjacent, or close proximity, to the load cell and connected by wires.

The size of the load cell washer could be approximately 1.5 to 2 inches O.D. with a 3/4 inch diameter hole in it’s center, and 1/16 to 3/8 inch thick. And the digital receiver could be approximately 1 to 1.5 inches wide by 1 to 3 inches long and about ¼ to 3/8 inches thick, and a male/female Velcro type anchoring system on the back of it’s plastic housing, to keep it in place.

If this device proves to be marketable it would be ordered and mass produced in lots of 1000.

I am quite sure the device can be manufactured, it’s marketability will depend on how cheaply it can be done. The cost of the load cell will be critical. It should be priced as a volume product.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
There are a variety of companies that make custom strain gauges. many utilize either foil
gauges, I'm not sure if your load would be compatible with a piezoresistor.

I've used this company in the past to make me a strain gauge which I used to measure the amount of torque for an oil filed application. They were pretty professional. Their are other companies though. I would think that a local indicator transmitting to wireless would be the easier of the two scenarios you mentioned.
 
Thanks Mordred...
 
How did you find PF?: Via Google search Hi, I have a vessel I 3D printed to investigate single bubble rise. The vessel has a 4 mm gap separated by acrylic panels. This is essentially my viewing chamber where I can record the bubble motion. The vessel is open to atmosphere. The bubble generation mechanism is composed of a syringe pump and glass capillary tube (Internal Diameter of 0.45 mm). I connect a 1/4” air line hose from the syringe to the capillary The bubble is formed at the tip...
Thread 'What type of toilet do I have?'
I was enrolled in an online plumbing course at Stratford University. My plumbing textbook lists four types of residential toilets: 1# upflush toilets 2# pressure assisted toilets 3# gravity-fed, rim jet toilets and 4# gravity-fed, siphon-jet toilets. I know my toilet is not an upflush toilet because my toilet is not below the sewage line, and my toilet does not have a grinder and a pump next to it to propel waste upwards. I am about 99% sure that my toilet is not a pressure assisted...
After over 25 years of engineering, designing and analyzing bolted joints, I just learned this little fact. According to ASME B1.2, Gages and Gaging for Unified Inch Screw Threads: "The no-go gage should not pass over more than three complete turns when inserted into the internal thread of the product. " 3 turns seems like way to much. I have some really critical nuts that are of standard geometry (5/8"-11 UNC 3B) and have about 4.5 threads when you account for the chamfers on either...
Back
Top