Load cells come in various shapes, sizes and capacities and are now the industry standard for all types of weighing. It can be a bit of a mine field searching for the correct load cell for the application. I have listed probably the most common found today and their uses.
Single Point – Single point are probably the cheapest and most popular type on the market today. Because of their price and reliability, they are available in most varieties of retail scales, counting scales, medical scales, parcel scales and postal scales. This kind of load cell may also be used in platform scales and industrial weighing systems to provide accurate readings no matter the positioning of the load on the platform, reducing manufacturing costs.
Canister Type – Canister type have been around for a long period and are generally the industry standard for many high capacity, compression applications. Canister type load cells can be used as Torque Measurement. This type of cell features a button on the top and bottom side and can be utilized in compression only. Canister type load cells are used in tank scales, vessel weighing applications, axle weighing scales, truck weighing, vehicle scales and weighbridges. Canister type load cells offer accurate weighing in harsh environments.
Double Ended Shear Beam – For medium to high capacity applications, the double ended shear beam offers a number of advantages over other designs. This kind has the ability to rock on its mountings to support any misalignment in mounting surfaces whilst still being retained, this also permits limited movement to allow for thermal expansion and contraction along with lift off protection. This kind of cell can also be available as a weighing module kit.
Single Ended Shear Beam – Single ended shear beam are normally seen in all kinds of floor, platform and shipping scales today and supplies an ideal solution for the majority of medium capacity weighing applications. Single ended shear cells have the capacity to withstand full capacity side load without the problems making them particularly suitable for weighing systems with mixers, blenders and agitators. This sort are really durable but could become costly and cumbersome to mount above 10,000kg. This type of cell is additionally obtainable in weighing module form.
Tension Link – The tension link are suitable for applications such as winching, hanging scales, crane weighing scales and lifting systems. This sort of load cell offers superior accuracy at Miniature Load Cell. This sort of cell has openings at either end to allow for convenient link with shackles, wire rope, D links or any other rigging. Tension link load cells give a rugged design for effectiveness against side loading.
Torsion Ring – Torsion ring really are a relatively recent concept in design and provide an excellent low profile solution for an array of weighing applications. Unlike standard compression load cells, which can readily have problems with off-axis loading problems, torsion rings are loaded through a centrally located annular ring. Using a central floating pin to transmit load to this particular ring, optimum load introduction is assured and off-axis loads as much as 3 or 4 degrees can be tolerated without loss in performance. Proprietary mounting modules, that provide excellent versatility, are actually designed for both process weighing applications and platform scales.
Weighing Modules – Weighing module generally is made up of load cell with mounting kit. Various types of now come supplied as modules but generally single or double ended shear beam and canister type are definitely the industry standard. Load cell weighing modules are employed in tank scales, silo weighing, vessel weighing applications, axle weighing scales, truck weighing, vehicle scales and weighbridges.
Wireless – The suggestions above have one major flaw; these are linked to devices via cable. One of many difficulties with any weighbridge or floor scale is the possibility of damaged cables. Utilizing the latest technology, wireless, load cells are now being made available and can 1 day become the industry standard. The suggestions above load cells are now obtainable in wireless format, although omqzxd technology comes at greatly increased price.
S Type – S type have their name from their shape, being the letter ‘S’. S type load cells can offer Multi Axis Load Cell when utilized in either tension or compression and offer superior side load rejection. This type of cell has two female threaded fixing points, top and bottom were eye bolts or thread rod ends could be attached. This kind are employed in crane scales, hanging scales, hoist scales and a lot tension applications.