In engineering projects, load cells are commonly used to generate electric signals directly linked to the force in which they’re measured. Thus, load cells and pressure sensors are quite resourceful instruments designed to work between -452°F to 450°F.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on load cells.
What Are Load Cells?
Load cells are critical components in several industrial and manufacturing facilities’ weighing systems. They’re transducers, which transform force into defined electrical output. They also measure directional force and weight associated with strain gauges and spring elements.
3 Types of Load Cells
Here are some common types of load cells.
1. Compression Load Cells
A compression load cell is designed to measure lateral or downward pushing forces similar to a standard weighting platform or scale. They’re also known as donut load cells, column load cells, and pancake load cells.
Often they carry a unique button design, which enhances its simplicity and stability as a load cell. They’re helpful in space-weighting practical applications. Additionally, you can see them in environments, such as vessel weighing stations and silos.
2. Tension Load Cells
A tension load cell is made to measure forces pulling from below. For instance, you can encounter such forces in hanging digital machines/scales at a grocery store or fresh products market. They’re also known as load links or tension links.
Their industry-wide applications include laboratories for measuring general force applications, the aerospace industry for process monitoring, and tensile testing.
3. Hydraulic Load Cells
By default, hydraulic load cells are aligned around a cylinder and a piston. It’s used to monitor displacement through a diaphragm linked to the piston. There’s an internal compressor fluid, which registers changes in the pressure via fluid movement.
Due to their robust and resilient natures, hydraulic load cells are preferable in hazardous, difficult to access, and environmentally challenged areas.
Why Do We Need Load Cells?
Load cells are increasingly popular as the modern standard in today’s manufacturing plants, heavy industries, and large-scale production areas.
The accurate measurement of load and weight plays a vital role in sales, and when you’ve got load cells in your e-commerce business, you can rest assured about efficient business management. In vast industrial uses, load cells are critical to ensure the quality of the control systems for secured processes and manufacturing consistency.
Buy Load Cells from Contact Instruments Today!
Do you need load cells for your industrial facility? If you said yes, then you’re at the right place!
At Contact Instruments, we offer durable and accurate load cells and pressure sensors. We also provide over-molded cable, electronic gauges, standpipe pressure gauges, and trash pump stands.
To learn more about our products, get in touch with us today!