Hardware Podcasts

S2E20 Load Cells, Strain Gauges, & Learning Strategies | Robert Fuge

Being an Engineer · 30 Apr 2021 · 48m · Episode 20

What this episode covers

Robert Fuge, founder of Epsilon Laboratory, explains the physics and manufacturing of load cells and strain gauges, detailing how they measure material deformation via resistance changes in a Wheatstone bridge. He discusses the highly manual, craft-intensive production process required for high-precision instruments, noting that automation is difficult due to the need for individual temperature compensation and calibration. Fuge highlights common implementation errors, such as off-center loading and thermal drift, and advises engineers to perform in-situ calibration and warm-up periods to ensure data accuracy. He also advocates for a balanced approach between Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and physical testing, mentioning software like True Load to optimize sensor placement.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Epsilon Laboratory, Honeywell Interface, Pipeline Design & Engineering, Wolf Star Technologies, Boeing, Raytheon
Products
True Load
Also
NIST

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