Strain and Press Force Sensors with Integrated Electronics

The high degree of integration in modern, flexible, quality-monitored volume production demands sensors that are versatile and capable of communication yet robust. To meet this need Kistler has developed a new generation of force and strain transmitters that have an integrated, fully digital charge amplifier and output a normalized voltage signal.

The integrated charge amplifier avoids any need for special high-insulation cables. Signal output, measurement control, range selection serial interface and excitation voltage are all connected by one single cable. The industrial design to IP67 and careful fabrication of the transmitters allow use in dirty and wet environments.

All transmitter parameters can be set easily and conveniently using the integrated serial interface and the new included PC program "ManuWare". For test purposes it is also possible to transmit digital measurement data at a reduced data rate. Successive new charge amplifiers and ControlMonitors from Kistler will be integrated into "ManuWare" to provide the user with a powerful and flexible software tool for a wide variety of manufacturing measurement requirements.

The new strain transmitter is mounted with just one M6 screw on the machine structure, where it measures force indirectly through the proportional strain. The specific advantages over the familiar strain gage technology are the high sensitivity, high level of overload protection and virtually unlimited service life – even with extreme variations in load. The strain transmitter Type 9238A... is also available as the conventional piezoelectric sensor Type 9237A... with charge output but otherwise identical design and measuring characteristics.

The press force transmitter Type 9337A..., which was also recently developed, comes pre-calibrated. It has flanges at both ends that allow easy mounting directly in the part of force. No re-calibration is required.

All new force and strain transmitters benefit from the well-known advantages of piezoelectric measurement technology: very high measurement sensitivity, extremely wide measuring range, excellent dynamic response and very good linearity over all measuring ranges. These characteristics open up a wide spectrum of applications in process/machine monitoring and quality assurance in manufacture.

Kistler Group

Kistler’s core competence is the development, production and use of sensors for measuring pressure, force, torque and acceleration. Kistler’s know-how and electronic systems can be used to prepare measuring signals for use in analyzing physical processes, controlling and optimizing industrial processes, improving product quality in manufacturing and improving per-formance in sports and rehabilitation.

Kistler offers a comprehensive range of sensors and systems for engine development, automotive engineering, plastics and metal processing, installation technology and biomechanics.

A worldwide sales presence in the form of 20 group companies and 30 distributors ensures customer proximity, application support on an individual level and short lead times.

With a staff of more than 800, the Kistler Group is one of the world’s leading providers of dynamic measuring instrumentation. The Kistler Group achieved turnover of 174 million Swiss Francs in the 2006 financial year.