Force transducer
Force transducers, also known as force sensors or load cells, are devices used to measure forces acting on an object. These sensors can detect both tensile and compressive forces by measuring the elastic deformation of a spring body. This deformation is converted into an electrical signal that is proportional to the force exerted.
Strain gauges (SG)
A strain gauge consists of a thin wire or foil that is bonded to an elastic material (e.g., metal). When the material is subjected to stress, it expands or compresses. When this happens, its length and cross-sectional area change. These changes lead to a change in the electrical resistance of the strain gauge. In order to measure the small changes in resistance precisely, several strain gauges are often configured in a Wheatstone bridge. This circuit makes it possible to detect very small changes in resistance and convert them into an electrical signal.
Applications
Force transducers with strain gauges are used in many areas, e.g., in the mechanical engineering industry to measure tensile and compressive forces, in the automotive industry to monitor loads, or to monitor cranes carrying heavy loads.
