Load Cells – Understanding the Importance of Accuracy 

Accuracy – the quality or state of being correct or precise – is a critical factor in engineering and application development. To ensure correctness and precision is achieved, load sensors play the critical role of measuring and testing force, weight, and torque for applications.  

High-quality load cells and sensors are important for applications in many industries. If absolute accuracy is critical for your design, choosing the right load cell is important.  Here is a closer look at the critical factors required for accuracy and how load cells operate. 

Are The Readings Accurate?

When purchasing a load cell for your application it is important to ensure that it is working as it should for that specific use. This calibration is set for the particular application and should not be changed and used for something elses. Check that the right load cell units and sizes are being measured and that it continues to be accurate throughout its lifetime. Preventative maintenance where someone will recalibrate the load cell is important to ensure accuracy remains.

Can It Handle The Application? Thin Film Strain Gauge

Since there are a number of different uses and applications for load sensors it’s important to ensure that the one you use can handle your needs. Factors such as temperature, liquids and other corrosive matter can change the type of sensor material used.   Be sure the load sensor can handle the appropriate weight capacity, comes with lightning protection if outdoors, is waterproof and is sealed for compression and tension applications. 

Have You Chosen A Quality Provider?

A large part of getting quality, accurate load sensors is choosing a manufacturer with a good track record for delivering quality products. Each step of the manufacturing and design process can take a toll on its accuracy and quality. Be sure to choose a manufacturer that focuses specifically on high quality output and accuracy with every load cell they produce and that has an expert team available to ensure the load cell you choose is created to best fit your application needs. 

Choose SMD

SMD Sensors offers standard load cell sensor designs, available in a wide range of capacities, from milligrams to thousands of pounds — with multiple sensor models offering built-in overload protection through deflection stops. Armed with 30 years of technical experience including a leading-edge thin-film sensors manufacturing process, SMD engineers have the ability to produce application-specific load cell sensors and micro/miniature load cell designs within tight deadlines. These load cell sensors can withstand the high temperature, pressure, and humidity of repeated autoclave cycles.


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