SCIENCEGATE

Application:

Waste Management Load Measurement

Description:

Large waste management containers are intended to collect trash until they reach a specific capacity. Once that capacity is reached, disposal of the contents is necessary. Utilizing load cells helps monitor the container’s capacity increase.

Application:

Automotive Seat Durability Testing

Description:

In the automotive industry, robots are used to cycle test seats for wear and durability. Automakers research how people of all shapes and sizes affect the upholstery, seat cushions and seat structures over the life of the vehicle. FUTEK’s LCF456 Fatigue Rated Pancake Load Cell is integrated into the custom testing robot to quantify data of the compression force placed onto a seat.

Application:

Oktoberfest Fermentation Tank Measurement

Description:

Perfecting a good beer takes equal parts of great grains, as well as great equipment. Fermentation vessels are integral in the outcome of beer's taste, color, and alcohol content. Load cells are used to monitor the tank's contents throughout the brewing process.

Application:

Plastic Injection Molding Force Feedback

Description:

During plastic injection molding and die casting, the mold is clamped together to resist the rapid thermal expansion and contraction caused by the molten material filling the mold cavity. Flawed parts can be created if the mold is not kept properly clamped to resist thermal loading throughout the molding and casting process. To mitigate these thermal effects, Pancake Load Cells are placed at the clamp contact points, enabling machinery monitoring processes to adjust clamping forces.

Application:

Package Drop Test Machine

Description:

Drop testing packaging is a novel way of testing the viability of various packaging processes to ensure that packaged products arrive at their destination safely. To accomplish this, a system is designed to drop packages from varying heights onto a platform that rests upon load cells placed beneath the platform. The load cells output the force of the impact of the packaging. In addition, by making the platform removable, different platforms can be constructed to test different drops, such as dropping down stairs.

Application:

Prosthetic Hip Fatigue Testing

Description:

Hip joint prosthetics, like most prosthetics are not one size fit all. Advancements in 3D printing technologies such has Direct Laser Metal Sintering (DLMS) have allowed for lower cost, custom, metallic implants. Reliability, durability, and fatigue resistance are critical for implant survivability in a patient. Fatigue and force testing is required to comply with ISO 7206-4, 6 and PI-58 (ISO 7206-8), and ASTM F 2580 test specification for hip implants. By incorporating load cells with amplifiers incorporating digital and analog signal output capabilities, tests can be easily automated and recorded for compliance purposes.

Application:

Differential Pressure Measurement

Description:

Engineers and operators can utilize differential pressure sensors to monitor the ratio of fluid to gas within a pressurized tank.

Application:

Hybrid Rocket Propulsion Pressure Monitoring

Description:

Pressure monitoring is a critical feature in the design, testing, and operation of Hybrid Rocket Engines. With gaseous or liquid components, rapid pressure spikes in the system can cause catastrophic failure. With monitoring systems in place, complex actions can be taken before failure or activation of pressure relief systems, preserving the system and the mission. Additionally, pressure monitoring can provide feedback on the performance of the system, allowing for system optimization. Typical pressure sensors on the market are limited to a 1kHz natural frequency, whereas the PFT510 series features natural frequencies between 6 kHz and 100 kHz.

Application:

Desalination System Monitoring

Description:

Access to clean drinking water is a necessity for every individual around the world. In many drought-stricken areas, freshwater is limited while saltwater from the ocean is abundant and plentiful. Converting saltwater into freshwater is most commonly performed through high-pressure reverse osmosis. These systems require constant pressure delivered from a system of pumps to maintain membrane health and maximize system efficiency. By incorporating a pressure sensor into a control loop control system, the pump can maintain a constant operating pressure for maximum efficiency.

Application:

Ghost Containment Monitoring

Description:

When the Ghostbusters capture a ghost in the field, it is placed in a Ghost Trap. No ghost wants to stay trapped, so they attempt to escape by exerting pressure on the trap wall. The Ghostbusters use FUTEK’s PFT510 pressure sensor to monitor pressure in the trap and adjust the containment field appropriately.