Capacitive load sensors cut system costs

Loadstar Sensors reckons its M870 family of integrated capacitive low-profile load sensors can measure weights easily and at less than half the cost of currently available solutions.

Loadstar Sensors reckons its M870 family of integrated capacitive low-profile load sensors can measure loads (weights) easily and at less than half the cost of currently available solutions.

Users need only supply a 5V DC input to the sensor and can read a 0 to 5V DC output with a voltmeter or feed it into commonly used data acquisition or control systems.

Based on patented capacitive force sensing technology, the M870 series of load sensors offer high sensitivities in a mechanically robust package (2 x 2 x 0.4in maximum) and come in 10, 50 and 250lb capacities.

These sensors can be further customised for ranges lower than 10lb or higher than 250lb on request from customers.

Conventional load cells are based on resistive strain gauge technology whose typical full scale output is only 20-30mV.

This necessitates using good signal conditioning equipment to resolve microvolt range changes and drives up the cost.

In comparison, the M870 series of capacitive sensors offer between 2000 and 4000mV of output change from baseline to full load with a noise of only +/-2mV, enabling 0.1% sensitivity and 1% accuracy (including hysteresis, temperature effects and nonlinearity).

The high output signal strength in a small package without need for any external electronics at an attractive price makes it feasible to include load sensors in a wide range of applications.

Sensors with even tighter specifications are available on request.

"The new sensor technology combines the best of three disciplines: mechanical durability; sensitivity; and integrated electronics".

"We eliminate the need for external signal conditioning equipment and greatly simplify the process of measuring loads at a fraction of the cost of other load cells", says Bill Dallenbach, founder of Loadstar Sensors.

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