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 […]
Transducer News & Views | The Applied Measurements Blog
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.
Rotary Wireless Torque Transducers Use Battery-Powered 2.4GHz Telemetry
Applied Measurements are proud to introduce the DTDR-F rotary wireless torque transducer, a novel design that expunges stator coils and inductive transmission systems from the design brief in favour of a cutting edge, battery-powered 2.4GHz wireless telemetry data acquisition and transmission system. The DTDR-F design is based on the DTD-F torque transducer, a flanged device designed for use in static and quasi-static torque measurement applications, with modifications to allow the incorporation of a pair of balanced Delrin housings, one containing the telemetry acquisition and transmission module and the other containing a 3.6V high capacity lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery that is recharged in-situ. The DTDR-F is intended primarily for use in rotating applications at speeds of up 6500rpm where a direct, in-line […]
New Stress Analysis Services for Structural Testing
Having built their first transducer in 1991, Applied Measurements of Reading now offer an ISO 9001 compliant stress analysis service to compliment existing in-house manufacturing of strain gauge based sensors for the measurement of load, force, pressure, torque and linear displacement. Increasingly measurements are required on parts that either cannot be moved or the application is for research and long term monitoring is required. This might include bonding of strain gauges directly to components, structures or machines. The service can be tuned to suit specific customer requirements that may include installation and calibration only, design of bespoke transducers to run a test or full installation, testing and reporting on completion. Applied Measurements can accommodate all measurement parameters including short as […]
New Wireless Telemetry Systems For Strain Gauge Sensors
For years the demands placed on higher performance measurement systems have meant they are often less versatile than their predecessor. More sensors means more data is acquired over an increasing number of measurement channels and with these advances has come corresponding concerns regarding cable integrity and management. This places emphasis on the test technician who is well used to swapping between sensors and matching them with the cable of the right length and appropriate connector. Running cables across floors or through sensitive areas is at best inconvenient; with high performance cable products subject to mechanical damage throughout routine use. Considered the weak link of many a measurement system, they are often the first focus of attention whenever measurement errors do […]
Accuracy vs. Resolution | Differences Explained
When it comes to sensors and transducers, accuracy and resolution are two terms that are often a source of confusion so here is a helpful article to clear everything up. So here it is: accuracy vs. resolution…game on! We will use a set of digital kitchen scales as the reference for our explanations: They have a rated capacity of 10kg (10,000 grams) They have a digital display that reads from 0.000kg to 10.000kg in steps of 0.001kg Their accuracy is better than ±0.1% of their rated capacity Resolution Resolution is the number of pieces or parts that the output or displayed reading from a sensor or measuring instrument can be broken down into without any instability in the signal or […]
High Accuracy Displacement Sensors Use Strain Gauge Technology
As a result of increased demand from customers preferring to use a strain gauge based measuring system, we have introduced a 0–100mm version to our range of AML/SGD high accuracy displacement transducers. Based on a four-arm Wheatstone-Bridge design with a nominal impedance of 350 Ohms, the design ensures excellent non-linearity, low power consumption and excellent temperature stability. Additionally, the characteristics of strain gauge based sensors provide higher accuracy linear sensing than that of less accurate and lower resolution LVDT sensors. These advantages of our AML/SGD high accuracy displacement sensors have been realised by Oxfordshire based company Fugro GeoConsulting Limited, who use the existing 0-50mm version of the sensors within their accredited geotechnical soil-testing laboratory. This high-tech establishment tests soil samples […]
