At present, a transformation is taking place, with linear drives taking the place of pneumatic and hydraulic drives. Here, there is absolutely no longer any scope for measuring pressure. However, WIKA has another solution: Force measurement.
Hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are increasingly being replaced by electrical propulsion technology. For this, however, it’s important to implement force measurement using force transducers/force sensors. Force measurement through pressure measurement in a hydraulic unit or pneumatics is not possible. Uncomfortable because of this is linear drives.
Force measurement: the initial situation
A linear drive is a drive system that leads to a translational movement. Machine elements or system parts are accelerated in a straight line. It seems sensible to offer force measurement such drives, since a transformational change happens to be happening: Hydraulically and pneumatically powered drive elements are getting replaced with a combination of electric motor and mechanical thrust units. These modern drive systems are kept simple via modular systems but can, nevertheless, be adapted to individual customer applications with little effort. In addition they feature a advanced of versatility. However, pressure measurement is not any longer possible here.
Force measurement: advantages
This change offers the perfect possibility to measure forces directly in the process. Force measurement may be used with practically any linear drive. For the precise measurement of the forces, it doesn?t matter where within the force flow the force transducer is integrated. This is often directly on the motor, on the actuator or at the idea of force application. Force could be identified reliably at any point in the force flow.
The F2301 force transducers are ideal for force measurement in linear drives
Force measurement: WIKA products in application
For force measurement, thin-film sensors from WIKA?s volume production are used, which are welded onto the measuring tubes of the force transducers. That is also one of the reasons why tecsis, because the force measurement specialist within the group, is renowned for innovative quality solutions in metrology and sensor technology. With the different force transducer solutions, from the typical to the miniature tension and compression force transducers, the optimum solution are available for every application. This might involve controlling joining forces on electrically powered spindle presses, or monitoring the overload protection in lifting cylinders. The robotic arms of gripping and clamping robots in addition to punches, presses and welding tongs can also be measured. With the successful application for the EU ?Clean Sky 2? project, the sensors also meet the extremely high safety requirements of the aviation industry.
Note
Our portfolio, our quality standards, our production sites: You can find more detailed information on the main topic of force measurement on the WIKA website and inside our flyer.