How do you best calculate force in the lab or field?
There are a few different methods. You can use tensile or materials testers, or you can use a load cell. But there is a simpler, more elegant answer: digital force gauges. Digital force gauges take advantage of digital technology to increase accuracy, responsiveness, and flexibility.
Most operations have digital force gauges, but many do not know how to make the most of the equipment they have. Here, we’ll talk about maximizing the measuring power of your digital force gauges and getting the most out of what they can do.
Choosing the Correct Capacity
Digital force gauges are separated by capacity, among other things. Different capacities are offered to suit a wide variety of applications.
For example, one manufacturer may need to measure 100 N of force, while another manufacturer of a product that handles more force and stress may need to test something that goes upwards of 5,000 N of force.
The capacity selected for your gauge should cover, at a minimum, the maximum force expected with your product. However, you don’t want to use a gauge to 100 percent of its capacity. Stick to a range of 20 percent to 80 percent to maintain accuracy and safety margin. For example, if you have to test 300 N, the Chatillon DFE II-100 digital force gauge would be appropriate, since it has a max capacity of 500 N.
Selecting for What Is Being Tested
Many times, a digital force gauge is used to test peak force. In other words, how much force can an item withstand before it breaks, loosens, or engages?
Other times, gauges measure specified force, to see how much force a sample can withstand and still remain intact.
Different applications often require different gauge models. However, versatile models can handle many types of applications. A lot depends on your particular application and the specific test you want to run on your materials and/or samples.
The particular type of force gauge plays a role. Some applications aren’t suitable for handheld gauge models. Often, it’s necessary to choose a gauge that can be mounted on an actuator, test stand, or other stable fixture. This eliminates skewed readings from side loading, as well as potential damage to the load cell.
Taking Advantage of Technology for Superior Analytics
Older force gauges simply gave you the force output on the gauge display. Now, the digital nature of gauges, combined with superior software, can give you a whole more useful information.
For example, you can use continuous data collection capabilities to analyze force output versus time, or force output versus distance. You can stream this data to a computer for easier calculations and graphing. Not all gauges come with software packages so make sure to ask your sales representative about the different models the features they offer.
Choosing the Right Digital Force Gauges
The best way to select a force gauge for your needs is to talk with a specialist who helps customers select appropriate equipment for their purposes.
Contact Acme Scales to speak with a representative who can help you find the right equipment to match what you need.