Applied Measurements have just designed and manufactured a special version of their compact CCG annular load cell (also known as a ‘ring load cell’ or ‘donut load cell’) for use in a particularly tough application where it is submerged 1 metre deep in potable water, subjected to a force of 160kN (~16 tonnes) and subjected to a repeated cycle of freezing and thawing. The load cell design utilises 17-4PH stainless steel for the sensing element and cover in conjunction with a stainless steel IP68 cable gland, submersible polyurethane cable and a double ‘O’ ring sealing system to ensure that the transducer’s integrity is maintained at all times. The submersible load cells achieved an accuracy of better than 0.5% of rated […]
Category: Load & Force
UK Calibration Service for Microtronics BlueForce and SpeedForce EN 12445 Impact Force Testers
Applied Measurements are now offering a UK-based, UKAS traceable calibration service for all Microtronics BlueForce and SpeedForce EN 12445 / EN 12453 gate impact force tester models. It is vital to have your impact force tester calibrated every 12 months to ensure that it is performing to specification and giving accurate force readings, as well as maintaining your CE documentation portfolio with an up-to-date calibration certificate. We offer two levels of service to choose from depending on the urgency of your requirement; 7 working days, priced at £149.00 GBP, or an accelerated 3 working days priced at £189.00 GBP (note: prices current as of September 2014). Return shipment of the meter via UPS is included free of charge and a […]
Force Measurement Determines The Effect of Girth Tension on Horse Gait
Using electrical systems for the measurement of mechanical forces is by no means limited to machines and laboratory based applications. In her recently completed research thesis ‘Girth Tensions and their Effects on Equine Stride Characteristics’, Sue Wright of Moulton College Northampton used load cells, motion sensors and GPS amongst other technologies to measure and record the tension within the girth strap used to hold the saddle in place.
Bolt-On Weighing Systems
Fitting a weighing system to an existing silo, hopper or tank using a conventional load cell system can be expensive, disruptive and sometimes even impossible. UK sensor experts Applied Measurements Ltd offer a solution to these problems by using a simple bolt-on load transducer. This weighing approach is cost-effective and quick to install, causes a minimum of production downtime and is ideal as a retrofitted system. The BOSS bolt-on sensor is a well-proven robust product consisting of a strain-gauged element encased in a protective housing. It is simply bolted to a structural member of the silo and deflects under the changing weight conditions, to give a varying electrical output relative to the load. Bob Davies, general manager at Applied Measurements […]
Underwater Load Cell offers Tension and Compression Measurement
When approached by one of our customers to design a load cell for underwater tension measurement, We looked at our core range of products and decided the DDE style load cell, which features M12x1.75 male threads at each end, would best meet the customer’s requirement, but this model as standard is only rated to IP65. With a small, quick and cost effective re-design we changed the construction to Stainless Steel with two halves locking together with a seal. Internally it was further protected by back-filling with an inert waterproof gel. The electrical termination is a tough IP68 multicore cable that is connected through an IP68 cable gland, to complete fully submersible sealing. The new underwater load cell has been designated […]
Bolt-On Retrofit Sensors for High Capacity Weighing Systems
The BOSS series of bolt-on strain sensors from Applied Measurements provide a very cost effective solution for many high capacity weighing requirements such as on large tanks and silos, as well as finding application in overload protection systems on cranes, winches, lifts and presses. The sensors are designed to be attached directly to steel structures and are capable of detecting tensile, compressive and bending stresses. Utilizing the latest strain gauge technology, each sensor is manufactured from specifically selected high grade alloy steel with thermal coefficients of expansion matched to structural steel. Unlike some competitive units each sensor is temperature cycled and compensated to minimize the effects of temperature variation. For installation, each unit is supplied with a template to which the […]
Batch Weighing System Controlled Through Touchscreen Technology
Applied Measurements Ltd was asked to design a batch weighing system where the ingredients of each batch would constantly vary. To weigh the batches into the barrels AML built a stainless steel weighing platform incorporating load cells to the specific size required by the customer. As the barrels could be dropped on to the weighing platform, positive overload stops were included to protect the load cells. The output signal from the weighing platform is fed into a digital display, which has two set point relays. Connected to the digital there is also a touch screen display, this enables the operator to see the live reading, the batch reading, the total batches and a numeric keypad to input the individual batch […]
Special Annular Load Cell Measures Tensioning System Spring Force
The overall tension in the system is controlled by a spring mechanism against an idler wheel. Some form of load measurement was required, but it had to fit into the existing system, which did not allow space for a standard off-the-shelf load cell. Applied Measurements Ltd designed and manufactured a custom load cell based on the CCG load cell concept, but to exactly fit the existing mechanical dimensions. It had to be annular to allow the tensioning system to fit through the centre and to be extremely low in height to replace an existing washer. To complete the system each load cell was supplied calibrated with a digital indicator containing 4 changeover relays. Each system operated from a 240Vac supply, […]
