Force Sensors

Measurement Specialties enables OEMs to measure force using Microfused™ load cells. The same proprietary piezoresistive silicon strain gage technology used to measure pressure can also be configured into a reliable, low-cost package to measure force. The flexible technology allows us to design tension, compression, or both into one simple, inexpensive construction.

Features of our Microfused™ force sensors (load cells) include low cost, small size, low noise, robust design, high reliability and fast response time. Microfused™ load cells are used in consumer, medical and industrial applications such as medical pumps and monitors, robotics, compression sensing, variable tension control, seat occupancy detection and appliances.

We offer customization for high volume applications.

FC22

Applications: Medical infusion pumps, Robotics end-effectors, Variable force control, Load and compression sensing, Exercise machines, Pumps, Contact sensing, Weighing, Household appliances

Datasheet: FC22

Description: The FC22 Series low cost compression load cells create new markets previously unrealizable due to cost and performance constraints. This series provides a new level of performance at very low cost. Measurement Specialties’ proprietary Microfused™ technology, derived from demanding aerospace applications, employs micromachined silicon piezoresistive strain gages fused with high temperature glass to a high performance stainless steel substrate. Microfused™ technology eliminates age-sensitive organic epoxies used in traditional load cell designs providing excellent long term span and zero stability. Operating at very low strains, Microfused™ technology provides gage factors greater than 100, an essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy, superior resolution, exceedingly high over-range margins without the need for stops and a ratiometric span of up to 4V. Microfused™ sensors are used in a variety of applications including bathroom scales, paint sprayers and safety-critical automotive stability control. Measurement Specialties’ model FC22 is appropriate for use in all types of OEM weighing and force measurement applications where high reliability and accuracy are critical. From appliance controls to biomechanical force feedback, FC22 is the OEM designer’s dream-come-true: cost-optimized to bring your OEM products to life whether you need thousands or millions of load cells annually. Although the standard model is ideal for a wide range of applications, the design team at our Load Cell Engineering Center can provide custom designs for your OEM applications. The FC22 is fully thermally compensated for changes in zero and span with respect to temperature and offer normalized zero and span for interchangeability. Consult Measurement Specialties for uncompensated super low cost variants of the FC22 load cell.

Features:
• Low cost
• Compression Ranges: 10, 25, 50 and 100 lbf
• High level or millivolt outputs
• Interchangeable
• Compact easy to fixture design
• Small size
• Low noise
• Robust: high overrange capability
• High reliability
• Low deflection
• Essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy
• Low off center errors
• Fast response time
• Reverse polarity protected

FC23

Applications: Batch weighing, Robotics end-effectors, Variable force control, Load and compression sensing, Assembly line force measurement, Pumps, Hoist and winch loads, Weighing

Datasheet: FC23

Description: The FC23 Series low cost compression force sensors create new markets previously unrealizable due to cost and performance constraints. This series raises the bar in price and performance. Measurement Specialties’ proprietary Microfused™ technology, derived from demanding aerospace applications, employs micromachined silicon piezoresistive strain gages fused with high temperature glass to a high performance stainless steel substrate. Microfused™ technology eliminates age-sensitive organic epoxies used in classical load cell designs providing excellent long term span and zero stability. Operating at very low strains, Microfused™ technology provides gage factors greater than 100, an essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy, superior resolution, exceedingly high over-range margins without the need for stops and a ratiometric span of up to 4 V. Microfused™ sensors are used in a variety of applications including bathroom scales, paint sprayers and safety-critical automotive brake sensors. Model FC23 is appropriate for use in all types of OEM weighing and force measurement applications where high reliability and accuracy are critical. From assembly line applications to high capacity printing presses, the FC23 is the OEM designer’s dream-come-true: cost-optimized to bring your OEM products to life whether you need thousands or millions of load cells annually. Although the standard model is ideal for a wide range of applications, our dedicated design team at our Load Cell Engineering Center is ready to provide you with custom designs for your OEM applications. The FC23 is fully thermally compensated for changes in zero and span with respect to temperature and offer normalized zero and span for interchangeability. Consult Measurement Specialties for uncompensated super low cost variants of the FC23 load cell.

Features:
• Compression ranges: from 50 to 2000 Lbf
• High Level or Millivolt outputs
• Interchangeable
• Compact load button design
• Industry standard packaging
• Low cost
• Small size
• Low noise
• Robust: high overrange capability
• High reliability
• Low deflection
• Low off center errors
• Fast response time
• Essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy

FS20

Applications: Robotics end-effectors, Variable force control, Load and compression sensing, Pumps, Contact sensing, Weighing, Household appliances

Datasheet: FS20

Description: The FS20 Series low cost compression force sensor creates new markets previously unrealizable due to cost and performance constraints. This series raises the bar in price and performance. Measurement Specialties’ proprietary Microfused™ technology, derived from demanding aerospace applications, employs micromachined silicon piezoresistive strain gages fused with high temperature glass to a high performance stainless steel substrate. Microfused™ technology eliminates age-sensitive organic epoxies used in traditional load cell designs providing excellent long term span and zero stability. Operating at exceedingly low strains, Microfused™ technology provides gage factors greater than 100, an essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy, superior resolution, exceedingly high over-range margins without the need for stops, and a ratiometric span of 3V. Microfused™ sensors are used in a variety of applications including bathroom scales, paint sprayers and safety-critical automotive brake sensors. Unlike competitive designs, which use a pressure capsule embedded within a silicone gel-filled cavity, the FS20 measures direct force. The FS20 is therefore not subject to lead-die fatigue failure common with competitive designs. The FS20 is the OEM designer’s dream-come-true; cost-optimized to bring your OEM products to life whether you need thousands or millions of load cells annually. Although the standard model is ideal for a wide range of applications, our dedicated design team at our Load Cell Engineering Center is ready to provide you with custom designs for your OEM applications. The FS20 is fully thermally compensated for changes in zero and span with respect to temperature and offers normalized zero and span for interchangeability. Consult Measurement Specialties for uncompensated super low cost variants of the FS20.

Features:
• Low cost
• Compression forces from 750 to 1500 grams force
• High level output
• Interchangeable
• Industry standard packaging
• Small size
• Low noise
• Robust: high overrange capability
• High reliability
• Low deflection
• Essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy
• Low off center errors
• Fast response time
• Reverse polarity protected

FX1901

Applications: Assembly forces, Physical therapy devices, Patient weight, Hand tool forces, Chiropractic and exercise equipment, Consumables monitoring: Copy equipment and vending systems, Appliance payload monitoring: Washers, Dryers, Water weight, Extraction efficiency, Appliance unbalance monitoring

Datasheet: FX1901

Description: The FX1901 series establishes a breakthrough price/performance value for compression load cells. With full scale ranges of 10, 25, 50 or 100 lbf compression, the FX1901 is a 1% load cell device at a cost of approximately $10 for volumes of 10,000 pieces. This new, low-cost technology will enable force sensing in a whole new class of "smart" consumer and medical products that can sense simple user inputs derived from force. Measurement Specialties’ proprietary Microfused™ technology, derived from demanding aerospace applications, employs micro-machined piezoresistive strain gages fused with high temperature glass to a high performance stainless steel force measuring flexure. Microfused™ technology eliminates age-sensitive organic epoxies used in traditional load cell designs, providing excellent long term span and zero stability. Operating at very low strains, Microfused™ technology utilizes strain gages providing gage factors greater than 100, providing an essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy, superior resolution, exceedingly high overrange capabilities (without the need for stops) and a ratiometric span of 20 mV/V. The FX1901-0001-XXX-L has been specifically designed to function reliably in your super cost sensitive applications. The combination of low cost stamped flexures and micro miniaturized MEMs strain gages permits ultra low costs to be achieved in high volume OEM applications ranging from disposable medical devices to durable appliances and exercise equipment. The FX1901-0001 units are intended for use in normal lab, hospital or consumer product applications.

Features:
• Ultra low cost High Reliability Design for OEM, Appliance and Medical Applications
• Compression Ranges: 10, 25, 50, 100 lbf
• Compact coin cell package
• Anti-rotation mounting features
• Low cost connectors available
• Small size
• Low noise
• Robust: High overrange
• High reliability
• Millivolt output: 20 mV/V nominal
• Low deflection
• Fast
• Essentially unlimited cycle life expectancy