Monday, May 20, 2013

Inside Information On Load Cell Construction and Durability

By Marty Dakota


Load cells are made out of several unique materials. Tool Steel, Aluminum, or Stainless Steel. Here is a summary of each material that is utilized in the assembly of the cells.

Alloy steel elements are probably the most preferred load cells used today. The overall value is better, compared to other materials used in load cell construction. The most common alloy used is 4330. Tool steel load cells are comparatively cheap, have a large capacity selection and are best found in dry applications.

Aluminum is largely found in single point, small capacity applications. Aluminum is the lowest priced of the three materials utilized to make load cells. Aluminum load cells are limited by their low capacity array and shouldn't be exposed to wet or chemical situations.

The third material utilized for load cell development is stainless steel. This alloy has the finest overall performance of any of the stainless derivatives. Stainless steel load cells are more expensive than tool steel or aluminum, however their resistance to corrosion makes them a great choice in wet or corrosive applications.

Another significant item to take into account when designing a weighing system is how the load cell's internal elements are shielded from the environment. Learn more about this by visiting www.goscales.com.

Environmentally sealed is employed to spellout various techniques, but in the end is accomplished by one or more of the following: Rubber boots , glued on covers or potting the gauge cavity of the load cell. This sort of sealing will guard the load cell from deterioration attributable to debris and dust and mild humidity caused by splashing of water. Under no circumstances will the load cell be resistant to immersion under water or being subjected to pressure cleaning. An additional sealing technique used on load cells is hermetically sealed. This boasts a welded cover or sleeve that encapsulates the gauge pocket. The load cell cable entry area also implements a welded barrier to avoid moisture from wicking in the load cell, and shorting it out. This procedure is mostly utilized on stainless steel load cells as a stainless, hermetically sealed load cell should only be used in heavy wash down or chemical like applications. This tends to make for a more expensive load cell but if long life in a hostile environment is sought after, this is the most practical remedy over time.

A welded sealed load cell is identical to a hermetically sealed cell, with the exception of where the load cell cable comes out. A welded sealed cell generally has the same load cell cable bond as the environmentally sealed cell. In some instances, the welded sealed cell may have a conduit adapter for the load cell cable, allowing some amount of protection. While the gauge area itself is safeguarded by the welded seal, the cable entry is not. Welded sealed load cells are to be used where the cell might get wet from time to time, but aren't meant for heavy wash down situations.




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