Force measurement, tensile and compression testing, pull-off and crimp tests, ergonomic testing and materials evaluation on universal machines are fundamental activities in industrial quality control, in research and development and in product certification. The instruments cover an extremely wide range of applications, from tests of a few gramme-force on micromechanical components up to hundreds of kilonewtons on structural elements, and are organised into portable force gauges, manual and motorised test stands, integrated universal machines, and sensors and load cells for custom solutions.
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Principles of force measurement
The most widespread force sensors are strain gauge load cells, which measure the elastic deformation of a transducing element by means of a Wheatstone bridge, with typical accuracies from 0.1 % to 0.02 % F.S.; piezoelectric sensors for high-frequency dynamic forces; and capacitive and inductive transducers for precision applications. Load cells differ in geometry (S, button, pancake, pin, rod-end) and in the direction of the load (tension/compression, tension only, compression only). For portable measurements, force gauges are used that integrate the cell, a display and peak, average and statistical functions.
Test stands and universal machines
Manual and motorised test stands hold the force gauge and the parts to be tested, ensuring a constant test speed, alignment of the load and repeatability. Motorised stands with an encoder and PID control allow customised load profiles (ramp, step, cycle). Universal machines integrate a load cell and a displacement sensor for simultaneous acquisition of force and deformation, generating complete stress-strain curves for the analysis of tensile, compression, bending and shear tests. Biaxial versions and dedicated accessories (climatic chambers, extensometers, video extensometers) make advanced testing possible on composite materials and polymers.
Categories brought together
This section comprises digital and analog force gauges, manual test stands, motorised test stands with speed control and load profiles, universal machines for materials testing and R&D, force sensors and load cells with amplifiers and displays, test stands dedicated to crimping tests and cable pull tests, instruments for ergonomic testing (push/pull) and tests on SMD components and adhesive films, and industrial scales and crane scales for weighing suspended loads.
Applications and standards
Force testing is governed by numerous standards: ISO 6892-1 (tensile testing of metals), ISO 527 (tensile testing of plastics), ISO 7500-1 (metrological verification of static testing machines), EN 13411 for cables and ropes, ISO 376 for the calibration of load cells. For crimp tests on electrical terminals, IEC 60352 and UL 486 apply. Industrial scales follow OIML R76 and EN 45501 (NAWI – Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments). Typical fields of application: automotive (components, fasteners, seat belts), electronics (tests on SMD components and connectors), packaging (closures, seals), textiles and leather goods, medical, construction (materials testing) and aerospace.
Selection criteria
The choice must take into account the force range (a load cell works best between 10 % and 90 % of full scale), the acquisition frequency (high for dynamic tests), the precision required, the test speed, software integration, the space available and operator safety (protective guards, light curtains, limit switches). The child pages examine each family of instruments in more detail, with parameters and accessories.
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