Accurate force measurement Systems

to enable research, development and medicine.

force measurement systems

Accurate and precise force measurement sensors

What are soft force measurement systems?

Force measurement between two objects is an important and fundamental part of mechanics. However, force measurement between soft objects is more complicated because linear relationships, e.g. between force and displacement, no longer exist. The deformation of the soft objects if a force is applied also leads to a distribution of the force, so that basic force sensors measure different force components depending on their positioning.

Force measurement sensors require the ability to determine a precise and accurate total force from a distributed force. To do this, these sensors must be able to make an accurate measurement regardless of the distribution of the force, without affecting the system being measured.

How force measurement can be used with soft objects?

The measurement of forces in mechanical systems is the basis in the study and development of mechanically stressed objects. This concerns mechanical fields such as biomechanics, statics, engineering dynamics, kinetics, weight-bearing or load symmetry, gait analysis, sports science, and many more. In contrast to pressure distribution measurement, force measurement of soft objects does not focus on the deformation of the subsystem (e.g., the soft foot when stepping), but on the load of the whole system (e.g. the whole leg when stepping). Force measurement is therefore the optimal choice for investigating dynamic and static loads on entire systems.

force measurement sensor - sport science inshoe force measurement | loadsol

What to consider when mapping force?

Precise and accurate sensors for force measurement on soft objects were first introduced to the market a few years ago and there are only a few suppliers so far. The requirements for these sensors are high and the necessary technological processes are complex. The most important requirements are:
• Sensors should be full-surface to prevent force-by-pass. The entire contact area between the objects should be covered by the sensor for this purpose. Optimally, the sensor should consist of a single sensor instead of a number of single sensors.
• Sensors should be calibratable and adjustable to allow reproducible measurements in dynamic and static conditions.

A measuring system is suitable if:
• the drift of the measuring signal is low (e.g. with capacitive or resistive sensors)
• has a hysteresis that is as low as possible/suitable for the measurement (e.g. capacitive or piezoresistive sensors)
• has a constant displacement force curve (e.g. capacitive sensors).
Therefore, resistive sensors are NOT suitable for measurements with more than 5 measuring cycles.
Note that Piezo sensors are NOT suitable for measurements where the force is applied both dynamically and statically.