Force Sensors, Load Cells

1. What are Force Sensors, Load Cells?

Force sensors and load cells are both mechanical measurement devices, but they differ in some ways:

 

Force sensors offer a wide measurement range (0.1mN to 1000kN), covering compression, tension, and shear, and employ strain gauge, piezoelectric, or capacitive principles.

 

Load cells are designed specifically for weight measurement (typically 0.1g to 1000 tons), primarily using strain gauges and complying with international metrology standards such as OIML R76.

 

2. What are the Core Working Principles of Force Sensors, Load Cells?

Strain gauges (80% of the market): Convert the deformation of a metal/semiconductor strain gauge into an electrical signal using a Wheatstone bridge circuit.

 

Piezoelectric sensors utilize the piezoelectric effect of quartz/ceramic materials and are suitable for dynamic impact measurement.

 

Electromagnetic force balance sensors: The core principle for high-precision weighing, with a resolution of up to 1ppm.

 

3. What are the Typical Application Scenarios of Force Sensors, Load Cells?

Applications	Force Sensors	Load Cells
Industrial Automation	Robot End-of-Line Force Control Assembly	Production Line Material Weighing and Sorting
Medical Equipment	Surgical Instrument Pressure Monitoring	Hospital Bed Weighing Systems Automotive Electronics
Automotive Electronics	Brake Pedal Force Sensing	Vehicle Axle Load Detection

 

4. Key Selection Parameters of Force Sensors, Load Cells

Measuring Range (20% safety margin required)

Linearity (0.05% FS is the industrial standard)

Environmental Protection Rating (IP67/IP69K are common)

Output Interface (mV/V/RS485/CAN, etc.)

 

5. Technology Trends of Force Sensors, Load Cells

MEMS: Miniaturized force sensors (<5mm³) for wearable devices.

Intelligent: Self-calibrating sensors with integrated AI algorithms.

Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0/Wi-Fi 6 wireless transmission solutions.

New Materials: Development of carbon nanotube/graphene composite strain gauges.