Most people have heard of weight scales, and often you will see the term “load cells” with them, especially when it comes to industrial applications. But what is a load cell? Here is a closer look at load cells and the important role they play in many kinds of industries today.
Definition
A load cell is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Without this technology, scales today would still be mechanical in nature, like the old ones of not so long ago. Load cell technology uses computerized equipment to supply data to the weighing process system.
Load cells contain a spring element and this is responsible for their measuring properties. A load cell is often constructed with strain gauges as part of an industrial scale. Strain gauges are connected to electronic circuits which provide information to the weight system.
Load Cell Factors
Many different factors can affect the performance of a load cell. For example, it depends on how much force is applied and whether the force is stationary or moving. Outside forces and ambient temperature can also have an effect. Many things must be considered when manufacturing industrial load cells, and this is why it is important to choose commercial scales made by a reputable and experienced company.
Although you cannot see it, a load cell is part of many kinds of weighing systems today. For example, if you purchase a bunch of bananas at the local grocery store, the clerk does not have to place them in a separate scale to weigh them. It can be done from the scanning section with just the push of a few buttons. The system will not only tell the clerk the weight, but also compute cost based on the price per pound. This is possible because of load cell technology.
Applications
You can find load cells in many different applications these days. For example:
- Agriculture and farming
- Automotive industry
- Healthcare services
- Food Processing
- Rubber
- Chemical
- Plastics
- Any business which must weigh materials
Industrial Weighing Processes
In a typical setup for electronic weighing, the load is placed on a platform or base. Underneath the base are load cells. Once force from the item being weighed is applied, it is transferred to each load cell and the information is then sent to a process system, which can be viewed on a computer monitor and even printed out if needed. Although this is an oversimplified example, it gives you an idea of the importance of load cells in the process of weighing modern day materials.
Hardy Process Solutions has been making accurate weighing and industrial platform scales for more than 95 years, and they are one of the leading manufacturers of load cells today. To check out their services and products, visit their website now.
