Constructed from high-grade alloy steel, the ADALC1 shear beam load cell is a versatile solution for pallet, hopper, and bagging scales. Its compact, low-profile design and lightweight build ensure effortless mounting across a wide range of industrial weighing applications.
What Are Load Cells?
Load cells are types of electro-mechanical sensors that are used to measure force or weight. A load cell features a straightforward yet efficient design that harnesses the well-established relationship between applied force, material deformation, and electrical conductivity. These devices are highly adaptable, providing precise and durable performance across a wide array of applications. It’s little wonder then that they have become indispensable across countless industrial and commercial processes, from streamlining automotive manufacturing to weighing groceries at the checkout. As technology advances, exciting new applications are emerging that can also benefit from the use of load cells. Innovations in robotics, haptics, and medical prosthetics, among others, all require reliable methods to measure forces and weights. To meet the demands of this constantly evolving market, new and improved load cells are being developed every day.
The Different Types of A&D Load Cells
Load cells come in many different shapes and sizes, and at A&D, we stock a wide variety that cater to many different people and applications. Some of the different load cells you can find on offer include:
- Single Point Load Cells: Single-point load cells, also referred to as platform load cells, are known for their exceptional accuracy. They are ideal for situations where precise centering of the load for weighing is impractical. Their design enables single-point load cells to effectively neutralise torsional forces caused by off-centre loads, ensuring accurate weight measurements within their designated work area. When positioned correctly, single-point load cells can accurately measure the applied weight force at any point within their specified maximum area. Their internal parallelogram structure allows the internal strain gauge to respond exclusively to downward force, disregarding any lateral forces when properly levelled. This makes them highly suitable for applications where controlling side forces is challenging.
- Compression Load Cells: Compression load cells feature a deformable circular diaphragm, with a thickness that varies depending on the capacity of the load cell. This diaphragm’s consistency ensures uniform rated output across all load cells of the same model, facilitating perfect interchangeability and replacement over time. They are ideal for group operations, capable of being connected in parallel within the same weighing system.
- Shear Beam Load Cells: Shear beam load cells are commonly used in bulk handling equipment, such as filling machinery, industrial floor scales, and tank and silo weighing systems. They are ideal for multi-load cell floor scales due to their high precision and accuracy. These load cells are always operated under compression and can be mounted on either the structure frame with the load zone supported on the ground, or vice versa, depending on the application requirements. However, they should not be exposed to corrosive fluids to maintain their functionality and accuracy over time.
- Tension Load Cells: A tension load cell is a type of force transducer designed to measure tensile forces or loads. These load cells are typically used in applications where the load needs to be suspended or where the force is applied in tension. They are often equipped with mounting options such as threaded studs, eye bolts, or shackles to securely attach to the load and measure the tension force accurately. Their versatility allows them to be integrated into various tension force measurement systems using threaded fasteners or traditional lifting shackles.
- Weighbridge Load Cells: A weighbridge load cell is a specialised type of load cell designed specifically for use in weighbridges or truck scales. Weighbridges are large scales used to weigh vehicles and their loads, typically at facilities such as trucking depots or freight terminals. The load cell in a weighbridge is responsible for converting the force exerted by the vehicle’s weight into an electrical signal that can be interpreted and displayed as weight measurements. The reliability of a weighbridge hinges on the load cell, as the sensing or spring element within the load cell generates strain in direct proportion to the applied load.
Applications of Load Cells
Load cells have found numerous applications across countless industries. Some of the more common applications include:
- Weighing Systems: Load cells ensure the accurate measurement of weight, and as such, are vital components in weighing scales, truck scales, and industrial platforms.
- Material Testing: Load cells play a crucial role in material testing machines, providing precise measurement of forces during tensile, compressive, or fatigue tests.
- Manufacturing: Load cells have been integrated into manufacturing equipment, load cells monitor and control forces during assembly, pressing, and forming operations.
- Construction: Load cells are utilised in construction projects to monitor loads in bridges, dams, and other structures, ensuring safety and structural integrity.
- Aerospace & Automotive: In the aerospace and automotive sectors, load cells are employed for weight distribution, safety testing, and analysing component strength.
The Benefits of Load cells
Load cells are highly valued across various industries, and lauded for their many benefits, such as fluid-free operation, which eliminates contamination risks in case of diaphragm interruption. Load cells are also known for their durable construction, which ensures reliability and long-term stability. Compression load cells have found many applications across aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors, where they measure forces from all directions using force-detecting devices.
Force gauges act as sturdy force sensors, enhancing applications such as rolling mills, truck weighing systems, industrial scales, bolt strength testers, and large platform scales for precise force and weight measurements. Owing to their robust performance in challenging environments, type load cells are favoured in industries that revolve truck scales, rail weighbridges, hopper weighing.
Why Choose A&D Weighing For Your Load Cell Requirements?
A&D Weighing has been supplying Australians with high quality weighing devices since 1946. Our durable and high-performance load cells are tailored to a diverse range of needs and applications. A&D’s wide selection of load cells includes beam type load cells, compression load cells, shear beam load cells, single point load cells, tension load cells, weighbridge load cells, and more. You can check out our full range of load cells here, or browse our many other products here.
At A&D, we pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service, so if you’ve got an inquiry or need help with anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out for some team assistance by contacting us directly here.
Load Cell FAQs
How accurate are load cells?
Load cells are extremely accurate. While they’re certainly not infallible (their accuracy can sometimes be affected by factors such as humidity or the mounting angle), they are nonetheless highly accurate machines.
How do load cells work?
In essence, load cells work by converting force into an electrical signal, typically using strain gauges. The deformation from the applied load changes the electrical resistance, which is then measured by a Wheatstone bridge circuit.
What is load cell sensitivity?
Load cell sensitivity is the measure of how much the output signal changes per unit of applied load. It is usually quantified in millivolts per volt (mV/V).
How do you calibrate a load cell?
To calibrate a load cell, simply apply known weights and record the output signals. Adjust the output to match the known weights, ensuring accurate force measurement across the load cell’s operating range.