Force measuring devices and dynamometers for force measurement

Force measuring device for measuring forces

Force measuring devices, also known as dynamometers, are required to measure tensile or compressive forces. Digital force gauges and dynamometers from BOSCHE work according to the "Wheatstone principle" of an electrical measuring bridge with ohmic resistances. Analog / mechanical force measuring devices and dynamometers work according to the "spring tension principle". Read more...

Measuring forces with a force measuring device

It is often necessary or desired to be able to measure forces between two bodies, both in private and industrial settings. The best-known example is probably the bathroom scale, which shows the weight of the person who is currently standing on the scale.

What is a force gauge?

A force measuring device is a small, portable technical measuring device that is able to measure forces between two bodies and, depending on the technical design, display the measurement result either analogue or digitally.

What kind of forces can I measure with a force measuring device?

The version can be designed either as a pressure force measuring device or as a tensile force. The unit of measurement for the respective tensile or compressive force is usually Newton.

Components of force measuring devices

Force measuring devices essentially consist of the following components:

  • Sensor unit
    The sensor unit of a force measuring device is the actual force transducer of the respective device, which comes into direct contact with the force signal introduced. The sensor unit then forwards the existing force signal to the display unit.
  • Display unit
    The display unit of a force measuring device is housed in a housing and shows the operator of the device the amount of force introduced. Depending on the version, this can be done analog or digital.

What kind of force measuring devices are there?

There are essentially the following types of force measuring devices:

  • Force measuring devices with mechanical implementation and display
    With these force measuring devices, the forces introduced are recorded and passed on purely by mechanical parts. A typical example is a mechanical spring balance with a drag pointer, which is deflected to a greater or lesser extent depending on the height of the suspended load.
  • Force measuring devices with digital implementation and display
    Digital force measuring devices convert the introduced mechanical forces into electrical signals and pass them on to the respective display unit in digital form. Digital force gauges require an internal power supply to operate, which is usually provided by small battery cells.

Mechanical force measuring device

The mechanical force measuring devices can be used for tensile and compressive force measurements. Mechanical force measuring devices have the advantage that they do not require any power supply and therefore no battery cells.
Mechanical force measuring devices are characterized by the following features:

  • They have a high weighing accuracy, which moves in stages from 0.05 N to 2.5 N.
  • They are very robust and maintenance-free.
  • Mechanical force gauges have a dual scale that can be read in Newton and kg.
  • A rotating reading unit makes it easy to adjust the device.
  • A peak hold function using a drag pointer enables continuous measurement with peak value detection.
  • Mechanical force measuring devices can be mounted on all common test stands.
  • The display can be set to zero at any time by pressing a button.
  • Mechanical force measuring devices have a high precision of max. 1%.
  • Mechanical measuring devices are very compact.

Digital force measuring device

Digital measuring devices for force measurement can be equipped with external and internal force transducers and can be used for tensile and compressive force measurements. In the version with an external force transducer, this is connected to the display device via a cable. Measured values of up to 100 KN can be recorded.
Digital measuring devices for force measurement have the following features:

  • They have a high measurement accuracy.
  • A reversible display enables automatic direction detection.
  • The dynamometer has an easy-to-read LCD display.
  • Peak values can be captured using a peak hold function. A track function enables a continuous measurement display.
  • Tensile and compressive forces can be recorded using a push and pull function.
  • The limit values of measurements can be recorded using acoustic and optical signals.
  • A high data sampling frequency of 2,000 Hz enables continuous measurements.
  • The measurement displays can be selected and adjusted in N, lb and kg.
  • There is an RS-232 data interface.

Force measuring device with DMS force sensors

Strain gauges (DMS) work on the principle of a specific change in resistance, which occurs due to stretching or compression of the strain gauge. Strain gauges are glued to the components to be tested and react to elastic deformations, which are passed on to an output device as electrical signals. Tensile and compressive forces can be recorded with DMS. In practice, strain gauges are also often used for measuring torque.
Strain strain gauges can exist in the following versions:

  • Bend beams
  • S-shaped force sensors
  • Membrane force transducer
  • Shear beam (for torque measurements)
  • Ring force transducer
  • Flat form transducer

Competent providers of force measuring devices

Bosche is a competent provider of force measuring devices of all kinds and has extensive experience in this complex specialist area.

The company sells high-quality products with high measuring accuracy and at the same time robust properties of the measuring devices.

Due to the wide range of products, all practical applications can be covered with the measuring devices offered and available.

Contact Bosche if you have any measurement problems. Our experienced employees will provide you with comprehensive and competent advice.

Conclusion

Force gauges are among the most commonly used measurement sensors of all. It can be used as a force measuring device for compressive force or as a tensile force. Particularly in automotive engineering, it often happens that the effect of mass forces, which are considered dynamic forces, have to be determined.

These dynamic mass forces; These only occur when driving, when moving masses are accelerated or decelerated or when the direction of travel changes. This is also referred to as centrifugal forces.

Such dynamic mass forces are usually determined using strain gauges (DMS) as measurement sensors and forwarded to the respective output device. Particularly in the field of vibration technology, it is often important to know the effects of dynamic mass forces in order to be able to effectively counteract the risk of resonance formation by taking appropriate measures.