Precision is key in manufacturing, and manufacturers must pay attention to every aspect of the process to ensure the final product is high quality. Digital strain measurement can improve precision and guarantee accurate measurements for certain products and testing. Check out some key things to know about digital strain measurement and how it can assist your operations.
What Is Digital Strain Measurement?
Digital strain measurement assesses changes in the shape of a material under stress. Employing advanced sensors and data acquisition systems enables you to capture and interpret minor changes in the material’s dimensions, providing valuable insights into its mechanical behavior and structural integrity.
How Does Digital Strain Measurement Work?
Digital strain measurement operates on the principle of change in electrical resistance. The process begins with applying a strain gauge—a thin, flexible sensor—to the material’s surface to be measured. As external forces act on the material, it deforms, and the strain gauge stretches or compresses with it. The strain on the gauge changes its electrical resistance, which is converted into an electrical signal and amplified. Finally, it translates into analyzable digital data. The ability to detect minute changes in resistance allows for precise readings on variations in time across the gauge’s sensor element.
Applications of Digital Strain Measurement
You can apply digital strain measurements to the following:
- Load cells
- Torque wrenches
- Kitchen scales
- Solar scales
- Pressure transducers
Any device or means that needs to calculate applied force uses digital strain measurements and strain gauge technology, making digital strain measurements valuable in many industries.
In the renewable energy industry, strain gauges in solar tracking systems align solar panels or mirrors to follow the sun as it moves across the sky, maximizing solar energy absorption. Strain gauges within the solar scales measure the force exerted upon the panel structure and convert the collected data into an electrical signal, which the system uses to adjust the panel’s position.
Benefits of Digital Strain Measurement
Digital strain measurements show essential information on a force, pressure, tension, or weight’s electrical resistance, offering insight into the measured materials, albeit solar charges or physical structures. The accurate, real-time data enables engineers to react to it in a timely manner.
At PMT, we sell strain gauge sensors that consume low amounts of energy while generating high resolution and accurate results—a high-performing and energy-efficient digital strain measurement technology! The low energy consumption further expands the possible applications of digital measurements.
Understanding these key things to know about digital strain measurement allows you to improve your products’ quality and enhance your operations. With precise measurement solutions from PMT, you can measure digital strain and reap the many benefits of low energy consumption, high-performance strain gauges, and insightful collected data!