Highly sensitive C-shaped load link for measuring very small loads

One of the method to measure very small axial loads (<;1kg) is to use thin metallic strip with strain gage and associated signal conditioning circuit. However, small loads generate very little amount of strain and hence, use of metallic strain gages require very large amplification by signal conditioning circuit. Semiconductor strain gages are highly temperature sensitive and hence are not preferred. Therefore, to circumvent the problem of measuring small loads, C-shaped load link has been designed and is presented in the paper. The paper discusses the FEM simulations carried out on various shapes, fabrication steps followed to design the load link and finally the test results. Two prototypes were made and the electrical output was fairly stable and sensitive to loads of few grams. The details of test results are presented in this paper.