RODER · Inspection · Mechanical quantities
Force and load
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.
On this page
What the measurement is for: force and load ↑ up
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.
Force measuring principles ↑ up
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 testing machines ↑ up
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.
Grouped categories ↑ up
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.
Selection criteria ↑ up
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.
The pages in this section ↑ up
The in-depth pages for this quantity: techniques, selection criteria and instrument families.
In depth
Digital and analog force gauges
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Digital and analog force gauges for measuring tensile and compression forces up to several kN.
In depth
Manual force test stands
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Manual vertical and horizontal test stands for force gauges, tensile and compression testing.
In depth
Motorised force test stands
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Motorised test stands with speed control and load profiles for repeatable testing.
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Universal machines with combined force and displacement measurement for materials testing and R&D.
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Load cells, force sensors and displays/amplifiers for integration into custom test stands.
Test benches dedicated to pull-testing of crimps, cable terminations and electrical joints.
In depth
Ergonomic, push-pull and SMD testing
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Instruments for ergonomic (push/pull) testing and for tests on SMD components and adhesive films.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes. Although it has been compiled with the greatest care, it may contain transcription errors or typos: for precise, up-to-date information please contact RODER SRL directly.
Contacts & Information
Contact for general information : info@roder.it
Machine Vision Division of RODER : www.visiotronix.com
RODER Instruments Division : www.innovacheck.com
More about RODER : about us
The information contained in this website is provided for information purposes only. Although it has been prepared with the greatest care, it does not constitute a contractual offer or a binding commitment to supply. It may contain transcription, translation or typographical errors. For precise and up-to-date information, please contact our company directly.
Note: Some images on this website have been intentionally generated using artificial intelligence (AI). This is because, for many applications and projects, photographs of the actual installation or system cannot be disclosed owing to confidentiality agreements, contractual clauses and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
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