CLOSING THE PERFORMANCE GAP BETWEEN STRAIN GAGE AND ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FORCE RESTORATION LOAD CELLS

摘要

Over the last few years, the increasing performance of strain gage (SG) load cells has allowed them to compete with electro-magnetic force restoration (EMFR) load cells, on the low end of the application/performance spectrum for EMFR load cells. Some of these applications that relied on EMFR technology have now been replaced by lower cost SG scales/balances. Examples include paint mixing scales, high performance single and multi-interval retail scales, portable balances used for jewelry etc. Improved electrical and mechanical designs, better test equipment, sophisticated numerical techniques, advanced material usage, higher performance electronics and patented compensation algorithms are key elements to this improved performance. The other key lies with manufacturing the product. Stringent incoming material control, automation of critical processes and process control all combine to provide repeatable SG load cell behavior that can be digitally compensated for high metrological performance.