This blog introduces readers to dynamometers and load cells. It describes how a load cell functions and explains the various types available and provides the uses in which they are used.
Did you have any idea?
Load cells are all over the place. They are found in home scales and bathroom ones beneath your car seat and on grain silos labs, and, since they are most relevant to the industry of lifting they can be found under the hooks of cranes or hoist. Load cells function as a transducer of force that converts compression, tension pressure, torque, or tension into an electrical sign which is recorded and standardized. When an pressure is applied on the sensor the electrical signal changes in proportion.
What is the way load cells work?
The core of an load-cell is the spring element usually made of stainless steel 17-4PH or high-spec aluminum, like 2014T6. This element is crucial as it supplies the product with the strength it needs and return it back to where it was in the beginning. Imagine one-inch springs that are stretched to 1/4 inch by the force of a load, once the load is released it will return to a single inch. The basic principle is exactly the same.
Strain gauges (used to determine the strain of the object) are connected to the spring element and wired to the shape of the Wheatstone bridge that is an electrical circuit that measures the changes in electrical resistance between the strain gauges in the bridge circuit.
If the load cell is connected to an instrument or amplifier, it will give an output that is variable based on the force or load which is applied. The output variable is converted into engineering units like pounds or tons using loads that are known or masses.
(Most contemporary load cells have wireless capabilities, and users can choose between using a hand-held monitor and software that can be explained later.)
What are the reasons why load cells are helpful?
Security is improved when people are aware of the load they are working with. Load cells are also utilized to determine the centers of gravity. This is an important, particularly when huge or unusually-shaped loads are involved. By using modern technology for measuring force that can be obtained at a secure distance from the load, and in real-time.
Consider the Crosby Straightpoint's most popular load cell that is that's the Radiolink Plus for instance. The extended-range 2.4GHz version offers the industry's best wireless distance of 3,280 feet to the manufacturer's SWHHP hand-held or the software option. The Bluetooth version that outputs, on the other hand can be linked to any mobile device running the free HHP application for iOS or Android at distances of as high as 328 yards.
The power of knowledge is the ability to make it
Imagine what we can do when we are aware of things such as the weight and center of gravity for a weight. We can determine how much force is required to get the item to its final place. This can affect the selection of the lifting equipment required like the mobile or overhead crane capacity that is required for the material handling task. We know the amount of force is needed to carry the load, which will help in to make the right choice of gear for rigging.
In renewable energy-related industries There is a regular necessity to lift heavy objects like jackets and monopiles (foundations) and pieces of transition sectional towers and nacelles and blades. A project could require lifting heavy objects that weigh hundreds of tons, but it may also require alignment of components within a couple of inches of one another. Better systems that provide actual time, precise data can aid in this.
We can get information on loads from paperwork such as bills of ladings, drawings catalogues of manufacturers or literature label, nameplates, and tags. However, the information might not always come from a reliable , reliable source. Also, objects may be altered or added to the weight that originally was calculated. Dynamometers are becoming a popular technique to dispel any doubt.
What is the various kinds of load cells?
Like the names suggest, the selection is determined by the use and the force that is generated. Examples of tension load cells are the load shackles and dynamometers. compression load cells determine the center of gravity and weight. Crosby Straightpoint's collection of stainless steel "S" beam load cells tests both in compression and tension; they're ideal for smaller silos, vessels and tank weighing applications as well as for incorporating into the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) projects as well as testing equipment.
In these categories are a variety of kinds of load cells:
There are a variety of models of all. The previously mentioned radiolink can be described as, like its name suggests, a link Dynamometer; shackle load cell are load pins. the Crosby Straightpoint's Wireless compression products, LoadSafe, is a column type design.
Choosing your load cell
There is many options to choose from when it comes to purchasing load cells, but most of the time, the application will steer you in towards a particular product.
Simple questions regarding projects, lifting or move could quickly remove specific load-cells. First, do you wish to determine force or load in compression or tension? If you are looking to measure tension, what is the best way to connect your load with the cell?
An assortment of shackles-they are manufactured by Crosby. Crosby manufactures them, and can be used to construct either a load link or dynamometer load cell. In other cases, headroom may be restricted, so the use of a load shackle will be preferred over an actual load link.
If the application needs measurement of compression, it is important to determine how many load cells will be needed to distribute the burden. Additionally, what information needs required to be recorded? Weight of the entire body, weight of an individual or the center of gravity?
Where is it going to be utilized?
A key consideration is the setting in which the product will be utilized. The temperature, humidity and rain are only a few of the things to take into consideration. In some instances the load cell may be submerged, and then used in the water. There are also questions regarding the depth of use and the duration to inquire about.
Mobile applications that load
There are many uses for load cells, including within the industrial and lifting area where the majority of customers of FAD Equipment Store customers put them to work. Here are some examples:
- Tests of the crane (using blocks, water bags, and weights)
- Bollard pull tests
- Tests of tugs
- Tests of center of gravity
- Fly point or Pad eye tests
- Crash barrier tests
- Testing equipment for lifting (slings chains, slings, wire rope and hooks)
- Testing of construction equipment (shoring columns, the lintels)
- Spreader beam and lifter beam tests
- Hydraulic load tests on cylinders
In certain situations more than others things such as environmental protection are essential. Crosby Straightpoint Radiolink Plus Dynamometers and load cells are protected against environmental hazards according to IP67 and NEMA6. NEMA6 is the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) number is commonly used throughout North America but it equates to IP67. It is also known as the IP Code, typically a European or international code is sometimes referred to as"the International Protection or Ingress Protection rating.
It is usually followed by two numbers (67). The first is the degree of protection the enclosure offers against entry into dangerous areas while the second one indicates the degree of protection the enclosure is able to provide against water contamination.
NEMA6 signifies that the product is dust-tight, and is able to be submerged for up to 3 feet 3 inches deep. Ingress of water in hazardous amount is not allowed when the enclosure is submerged in water in a specified amount of pressure and duration.
Explosion evidence
In the oil and gas industry as well as petrochemical applications, ATEX as well as IECEx secure load cell are essential. A large number of products from Crosby Straightpoint products are certified to meet Zone 1, 2 and Zone hazardous zone classification. The company also has the DNV GL Type Approval Certification, which confirms that the equipment it sells is in compliance with the strict standards of the world's leading Quality Assurance and Risk Management organization for use in offshore locations. In all, the equipment is powered with standard AA batteries. And security to NEMA6 is provided even without the cover of the battery.
Buy your load cell
FAD Equipment Store stocks the complete collection of Crosby Straighpoint's loads cells, ranging from the most sought-after dynamometer known as the Radiolink plus and it's BlueLink Bluetooth tension load cell CableSafe Dynamometer for running lines and even its clamp-on line tensionometer (or COLT).
Additionally, there are load cells available in the store's assortment of Intelligent Weighing pallet truck scales as well as the steel platforms scales. When using an instrument scale that is platform the load is put on the scale using a lifting device like a forklift and measurements will be taken. Pallet truck scales are pumps that integrate with the scale. They allow users to move, lift and weigh simultaneously.
Equipment that is complementary
Load cells, especially those from the Crosby Straightpoint range are typically used in conjunction with other products, and often bought with, for instance, Crosby shackles or chain slings. In actuality Radiolink plus Radiolink and is specifically designed to be connected to the standard Crosby shackles. Consider the point of connection between the hook on the crane and load. This is the place where a load monitor is required to be placed between. The kind that Shackle, sling or other equipment for rigging that you purchase will be dependent on the specific application.
