Invented by Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Bertec Corp

The Market For Force Measurement System

In today’s globalized economy, quality control testing plays a vital role in production. For many, it’s the only way to guarantee products are constructed correctly and safely.

Force measurement instrumentation is an integral part of quality control systems in both laboratory and manufacturing settings. Continue reading to gain more information about this essential technology and its potential benefits for your company.

Cost-effectiveness

Force measurement system are used for a variety of tasks, from monitoring processes and operations to controlling or transporting loads and assessing system stability and dependability. They also contribute to optimising manufacturing conditions, material savings and quality assurance.

Measurement of force is vital for many applications, such as port logistics, crane operations, machine building and geotechnical engineering. Load cells provide this vital insight by measuring how much pressure is applied to an object or material by either tensile or compressive forces.

When considering the cost-effectiveness of a force measurement system, there are several factors that must be taken into account. The first is selecting an appropriate force transducer that meets the application requirements; this could range from simple load cells up to sophisticated integrated systems.

Another factor affecting the cost-effectiveness of a force transducer is its type of amplifier. Force sensor output signals are usually too weak for system control or display, so an amplifier must be employed to boost them before they can be measured by digital data acquisition (DAQ) systems.

Signal conditioners can be utilized to enhance the output signals produced by a force transducer. For instance, using a load cell amplifier, you can boost its voltage from its low level to one more suitable for system control and display applications.

A force sensor’s response curve can be plotted against its input value to provide a visual representation (known as a force curve) of its performance. This visual aid is useful when assessing the quality of either your force measurement system or strain gauge.

The market for Force measurement system is vast and includes various types of instrumentation. A major driver of growth in this sector is the need for cost-effective instruments that can accurately measure force, weight and other physical parameters. Therefore, manufacturers of force measurement equipment strive to develop instruments with superior accuracy that can serve a variety of applications. Doing so ensures that Force measurement system remains an invaluable and dependable asset for customers.

Accuracy

Accuracy in measurement is essential for any industrial weighing system. This guarantees that the weight of a product being weighed accurately matches its description.

Accuracy can be affected by a number of factors, such as temperature, electrical noise or vibration from other systems. Fortunately, all components within a force measuring system have been calibrated to produce accurate readings within acceptable tolerances.

Instrument manufacturers typically supply specifications that detail a system’s accuracy, precision, resolution and sensitivity. These may be specific to one device or apply across many models.

One of the most widely-used tests to verify the accuracy of a force measurement system is spring rate testing. This evaluation can assess any tension or compression spring, and it shows how much force is necessary to deflect an object.

However, these results can be misleading if they don’t take into account distance accuracy. This is especially relevant in applications where confidence and reproducibility are crucial, such as material testing.

Force sensors should be recalibrated periodically as part of their ongoing maintenance to assess how well they’re performing and whether accuracy has been maintained over time. Doing this helps guarantee your product weighs accurately, without risking production or safety by relying on inaccurate data.

Calibration is essential not only to guarantee your force sensor remains accurate, but it’s also a critical element of an effective Quality Management System. Neglecting to do so could lead to inaccurate readings which could negatively impact operations and the safety of users.

Therefore, force sensors must be calibrated regularly as they are subject to wear and tear from usage, drift, and aging. Furthermore, force sensors may be damaged due to mechanical or electrical effects or even loose cables or particulate matter in the environment.

Therefore, it’s essential to work with a force measurement supplier who can assist you in selecting the appropriate calibration service for your application. Doing so will guarantee that your system remains accurate and performs at its peak performance.

Flexibility

Force measurement systems have many applications and can be installed in any position with relative ease, making them user-friendly and maintenance a breeze. Furthermore, their accuracy and dependability make them the perfect choice for engineers and researchers alike.

Force measurement systems are becoming more and more popular due to their cost-effectiveness, high precision, and versatility. These devices find applications in numerous industries such as medical, design services, electronic components and manufacturing.

Flexibility is a critical factor in Force measurement sensor performance and can be measured several ways. For instance, deflection or stiffness – the ability of the flexible sensor to bend without losing accuracy – are two measures of flexibility.

Force measurement sensors are typically made from polymeric materials. Common types include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyimide (PI) and parylene.

Force measurement sensors must be immersed in a special liquid cell to measure deflection. This liquid cell may contain either conductive or non-conductive materials such as carbon black, copper, silver.

The most widely-used method to determine deflection in a Force measurement system is using an atomic force microscope (AFM). AFM optical viewing systems are highly sensitive and provide precise results when measuring single fibre deflection in aqueous solutions.

Triboloelectric sensors differ from piezoelectric flexible force sensors in that they only produce an electrical signal when exposed to mechanical stimulus. As such, triboelectric nanogenerators are commonly employed in order to produce self-powered force sensors and low-power power supplies.

Another popular method to determine the flexibility of a Force measurement sensor is by placing it in a flow channel and measuring its deflection. This approach has been widely employed by scientists in the pulp industry, allowing scientists to make relative comparisons between various pulps.

Repeatability, or the ability of a Force measurement system to withstand repeated strain, is known as repeatability. After testing in one environment for an established period of time and then retesting under different conditions, repeatability will be proven.

Application

Force measurement systems precisely measure and display the force, weight or torque between two bodies. They have many applications such as weighing, comparing two products, and tracking object motion.

In the past, these instruments relied on analog circuits for accurate readings. Modern instruments, however, utilize digital technology for an even more precise reading.

A strain gauge, also referred to as a load cell, is an electronic transducer that converts mechanical forces (such as weight, tension, compression or pressure) into an electrical signal that can be measured and converted. Load cells are widely used in many applications for accurate measurement and conversion of force.

The load cell industry offers a diverse selection of sizes, shapes and capacities. FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology offers an extensive selection of metal foil strain gauge load cells manufactured in the United States for customers across North America.

For instance, the FUTEK SGS-300 series boasts a sleek design that makes it easy to install on virtually any surface. Plus, this series provides superior accuracy and dependability.

These sensors have many industrial uses and are commonly found on machinery, pumps, gearboxes and valves. Furthermore, they’re employed in consumer products like automobiles, aerospace equipment and medical devices.

They are also employed by engineering and testing laboratories, manufacturers, and production lines to guarantee their products are durable and secure for use.

Force measurement systems are experiencing an uptick in demand from industrial and medical applications. Biomedical researchers are finding the technology useful for studying body movements, while sports athletes are using them to enhance their performances.

The Bertec Corp invention works as follows

A force measurement device is described in this invention. The force measurement system comprises a force measuring assembly that can receive a subject, a visual display screen and one or more data processing units that are operatively coupled with the force measurement apparatus and the visual display. The force measurement assembly can be a static force plate, and the visual device can be a head-mounted or an output screen that is configured to at most partially circumscribe the three sides of the subject’s torso. The force measurement assembly can be a displaceable forceplate and the visual device is a head mounted visual display device.

Background for Force measurement system

1. “1.

The invention generally refers to a force measurement device. The invention is more specifically related to a force measurement system and a method of testing subjects using that system.

2. Background

Force measurement systems can be used in many fields to measure the reaction forces and moments between a body’s surface and its support surface. Force measurement systems can be used in biomedical applications for gait analysis, mobility assessment, evaluation of sports performance, and ergonomics assessment. A force measurement system must include some form of force measurement device to quantify the forces and moments caused by the body placed thereon. The force measurement device can be any combination of a force plate, balance plate, force plate or jump plate depending on the application. Or it could be an instrumented treadmill that measures the forces and moments between the body’s support surface and the body.

A balance assessment of a human subject can be performed with a special type of force plate, also known as a balanceplate. The inputs of the vestibular, proprioceptive and visual systems help individuals to maintain their balance. The existence of conventional balance systems that can assess any one or more of these inputs is well-known. These conventional balance systems are often based on outdated technology, which can significantly reduce their accuracy in assessing a person’s weight and/or make them cumbersome and difficult for patients and operators (e.g. clinicians and other medical personnel). Some conventional balance systems use displaceable background enclosures that have fixed images on them. These are difficult to adapt to different testing methods.

A force measurement system that uses virtual reality scenarios or simulated environments to accurately assess the balance characteristics of a subject is required. This will allow for greater flexibility in balance assessment testing. A method for testing subjects that uses a force measurement system with flexible, interactive virtual reality scenarios or simulated environments is also needed. A force and motion measurement system that uses an immersive visual display device to allow subjects to be immersed in virtual reality scenarios or interactive games is also required.

Accordingly, this invention is directed at a force measurement device that substantially eliminates one or more problems caused by the limitations and inconsistencies of the related art.

According to one or several embodiments of this invention, there is a force measuring system that can be used to measure force. The force measurement apparatus has a surface that can receive at least one part of the subject’s body. It also includes at least one force sensor, which is configured to sense one or many measured quantities and output one of the signals to represent the forces or moments that the subject applies to the surface. The force measurement system also includes at most one visual screen device that is configured to at minimum partially circumscribe the three sides of the subject’s torso. The output screen can display one or several scenes so that the subject can view them. A data processing device that is operatively coupled with the force measurement apparatus and at least one of the visual display devices, the data processing gadget configured to receive one or two signals that are representative the forces or moments being applied to force measurement assembly surface by the subject and convert those signals into output forces or moments.

In another embodiment of the invention, the force measurement assembly takes the form of a static forceplate that stays stationary while the subject is placed thereon.

Another embodiment is that the output screen of at least one visual display devices engages enough peripheral vision of the subject so that the subject becomes immersed within the simulated environment.

A further embodiment of the visual display device includes a projector with a fisheye-shaped lens and concavely-shaped projection screens. The projector is designed to project an image through this fisheye lens onto the concavely-shaped projection screen.

Another embodiment of the projection screen is concavely shaped and hemispherical. A cutout is made in the bottom of the concavely-shaped projection screen, which is designed to receive a portion the subject’s body.

In yet another embodiment, the force measurement assembly can be vertically aligned with a cutout in the bottom of the concavely shaped project screen.

Another embodiment of the visual display device includes a curved screen or multiple flat display screens that are arranged in concave arrangements so as to at minimum partially circumscribe the three sides and torsos of the subject.

Another embodiment of the data processing device allows the manipulation of one or more scenes on an output screen of the visual monitor device in order to disturb a subject’s visual input during a balance test, or other training routines where one or more sensory signals are altered.

Another embodiment of the data processing device allows the use of the output forces and/or moment to assess the subject’s response to one or more scenes on the output screen.

According to one or more embodiments of this invention, there is a force measuring system that includes a force assembly that can receive a subject. The force measurement apparatus has a top surface that can accept at least one part of the subject’s body. It also contains at least one force sensor, which senses one or several measured quantities and outputs one or multiple measurement signals that represent forces and/or moment being applied to the top of the force measurement unit by the subject. The force measurement system also includes an actuator that is operatively coupled with the force measuring assembly. The actuator can be used to move the force measuring assembly. A visual display device has an output screen that displays one or several scenes to allow the subject to view them. One or more data processors that are operatively coupled with the force measurements assembly, the actuator and the visual display devices, are configured to receive one or multiple measurement signals from the subject and convert them into output forces or moments.

A further embodiment of this invention includes a base assembly with a stationary section and a displaceable section, the force measuring system also comprises at least one actuator that rotates the force measurement apparatus relative to the stationary part of base assembly around a transverse rotational direction.

In yet another embodiment, at least one actuator includes a first actuator that rotates the force measurement apparatus about the transverse rotational direction and a second actuator that translate the displacement portion of the base assembly which contains the force measurement assemblies.

A further embodiment of the visual display devices is a head-mounted visual device with an output screen. The output screen of this head-mounted visual device is configured to partially circumscribe a subject’s head so that the subject is immersed in the simulated environment.

Another embodiment of the visual display devices is a head-mounted device. The device comprises one of a virtual reality headset, or an augmented reality headset.

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