Complete Range of Industrial Load Cells

From precision retail scales to 100-ton industrial applications—VPG Force Sensors has the load cell for your needs

LOAD CELL QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is a Load Cell and How Does It Work?
A load cell is a transducer that converts mechanical force—tension, compression, or both—into measurable electrical signals. VPG Force Sensors load cells use advanced strain gage technology to transform physical weight or force into accurate, reliable measurements.

How it works: When weight or force is applied to the load cell, its metal body (aluminum or steel) deforms very slightly. Strain gages bonded to the load cell detect these minute changes and convert them into changes in electrical resistance. Through a Wheatstone bridge circuit, these resistance changes become voltage signals proportional to the applied force. This voltage output is then measured, processed, and displayed as weight or force values by weighing indicators and instruments.

Who Manufactures the Most Reliable Load Cells for Industrial Use?
VPG Force Sensors is one of the largest and most reliable load cell manufacturers worldwide, with over 60 years of experience. The unification of four renowned brands created an industry leader:

• Tedea-Huntleigh: Known for decades for single-point load cells. Manufactured to precise tolerances—easier to install and calibrate, bringing lower cost of ownership.
• Sensortronics: Known since the seventies as a premier manufacturer whose shear beams are widely recognized as the industry's best. The "preferred" load cell for many scale manufacturers.
• Revere: Built its reputation on medium and high-capacity double-ended shear beams for heavy industrial applications.
• Celtron: The preferred choice for many weighing scale manufacturers worldwide since 1987, recognized for reliability, precision, and best value.

How Do Industrial Load Cells Improve Measurement Accuracy?
VPG Force Sensors industrial load cells deliver superior accuracy through:

• Precise Manufacturing Tolerances: Our load cells are manufactured to tight tolerances, ensuring consistent performance and making them easier to install and calibrate.
• Advanced Strain Gage Design: Proprietary strain gage configurations minimize sensitivity to off-axis loads, side forces, and moment loads that can affect accuracy.
• Quality Materials: High-quality aluminum and steel specifically selected for load cell applications ensure stable, repeatable performance.
• Temperature Compensation: Built-in compensation minimizes the effects of temperature changes on measurement accuracy-critical for industrial environments.
• Proven Reliability: Decades of experience manufacturing millions of load cells means consistent, accurate measurements shift after shift, year after year.

What Are the Main Applications for Force Sensors and Load Cells?
VPG Force Sensors load cells are used across diverse industries:

• Scale Manufacturing (OEM): Our single point bending beams and shear beams are industry standards for retail checkout scales, floor scales, counting systems, medical scales, and precision balances.
• Industrial Process Control: Canister and shear beam load cells transform tanks, hoppers, silos, and reactors into accurate weighing vessels for batching, recipe management, and inventory control in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food production.
• Vehicle Weighing: Truck scales, rail scales, on-board weighing systems, and weigh-in-motion applications use our rugged double-ended shear beams and canister load cells.
• Medical Equipment: Hospital beds, patient lifts, and dialysis equipment integrate our precision load cells for accurate patient weight monitoring.
• Other Applications: Agriculture, food processing, machinery automation, safety systems, crane monitoring, and material handling equipment.

How to Select the Right Load Cell for Your Specific Project or Environment?
Follow these guidelines to choose the optimal load cell:

1. Capacity: Select a load cell with rated capacity 1.5-2x your maximum load (static applications) or 2-3x maximum (dynamic applications with shock loading).
2. Type: Under 10 tons use beam-type load cells (single point or shear beams). Over 10 tons use canister load cells. For tension applications use S-Type load cells. For limited space use low-profile compression disks.
3. Environment: Wet areas need hermetically sealed stainless steel. Corrosive environments require nickel-plated construction. Hazardous locations need ATEX/IECEx/FM/CSA certification. Food/pharma requires hygienic stainless designs.
4. Accuracy: High-value materials and legal-for-trade scales require highest accuracy models. Standard accuracy options work for less critical applications.
5. Integration: Analog load cells for simple, cost-effective installations. Digital load cells for long cable runs, multi-cell systems, or built-in diagnostics needs.

Need help? Our application engineers provide expert guidance—no project is too small or too large for VPG Force Sensors.