A force measuring instrument generally consists of a sensor and a display on which the result of the measurement is output in the form of a numerical value with its associated unit. A force measuring instrument thus consists of a force transducer and a display on which the measured force can be read.
Fields of application for force measuring instruments
The measurement of the forces takes place as a tension or compression force. The areas of application of force measuring instruments are widespread. They are used in automation, in lifting systems, in manufacturing plants, in laboratories or in mobile applications in the automotive industry. Since a force measuring instrument combines the measuring component and the display unit in one, mobile use is particularly frequent.
The FRKPS chain hoist test set: an easy-to-use force measuring instrument
In addition to a wide selection of force transducers and load cells, WIKA of course also offers force measuring instruments. The FRKPS series chain hoist test set provides a force measuring instrument with which the friction clutches on chain hoists can be checked. These inspections are carried out at regular intervals in operations using chain hoists.
With the mobile FRKPS, this regular check is particularly easy because the device is extremely easy to handle. The chain hoist test set consists of a hand-held indicator, several centring sleeves and adapters, a charger and the signal cable. As the set includes a number of common adapters for the most frequently used types of chain, including section steel chains, the FRKPS is suitable for almost all industrial chain hoist testing applications. Because it is delivered in a handy aluminium case, all components are stored in an orderly fashion and quick and simple utilisation is thus ensured.
The handling is very simple. At the chain of the tension, the force transducer is pulled up to the chain tension stop and blocked there. Then the resulting force is measured to test the maximum force at which the friction clutch is triggered. Based on a comparison with the permissible values, compliance with the limit values is checked. With an accuracy of about 1 kg, the FRKPS can be used for measuring ranges from 40 kg up to 3,500 kg.
The FSK01 welding tongs test set: a force measuring instrument at welding points
Another force measuring instrument from the WIKA product family is the “welding tongs test set”, the FSK01 series. The welding tongs test set is used, for example, in the automotive industry, where welding robots are often used and, in addition to the welding time, the force in the process is also very important. For spot welding equipment, the FSK01 is used with a mobile force measuring instrument to check the electrode forces. At regular intervals, the electrode forces are simply measured with the FSK01 by holding it between the electrodes for the welding process. With the help of the reading instrument included, the measured value can be checked immediately on site and adjusted if necessary, which drastically increases the service life of the welding equipment and guarantees process reliability. The check does not interfere with the manufacturing process since the procedure takes very little time.
The FSK01 force measuring instrument is available in different measuring ranges of 1 kN, 10 kN and 20 kN. Force transducer and indicator are supplied in a practical test-set case. If the checks are performed on a regular basis and frequently, the force measuring instrument is also offered as a stationary test device. In this case, the test set is installed within the operating radius of the welding robots. A controller ensures that the device is approached regularly and the forces being applied are checked.
Hydraulic force measuring instruments
WIKA offers a whole range of other force measuring instruments. Thus WIKA is also active in the field of hydraulic force measurement. Hydraulic force transducers with mounted display instruments are used, for example, in control systems or special-purpose machinery. Hydraulic force measuring instruments are also very often used in the measurement of forces in tunnelling and for foundation work and slope stabilisation. The big advantage of analogue instruments: They don’t need any power! They are also excellent for application, for example, on cable-car masts: If other sensors are destroyed by lightning strikes, hydraulic force measuring instruments continue to work perfectly.
The displays of the force measuring instruments are either screwed directly onto the measuring body or connected with a cable. We are currently developing sensors that enable mobile transmission of the measured values. Thus, the measured values can then be transferred to a cloud and thus displayed at any time on a mobile device and evaluated by means of special software.
Summary: Force measuring instruments from WIKA
A force measuring instrument consists of a sensor and a display on which the measured value is output. Three types of force measuring instruments were described from the WIKA portfolio: the FRKPS chain hoist test set, the FSK01 welding tongs test set and the hydraulic force measuring instruments, which operate without any electricity. They are all easy to use and guarantee high process reliability through the quick monitoring of the important values.
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