Force Measurement Beginner's Guide

System Composition. Every Force Measurement and Material Test System, regardless of application, has the same basic components: a test stand, software, a load cell, and a fixture.

THE LOAD CELL Load cells are required on every test stand. A load cell is a type of strain gage and is the part of the system which measures the amount of force being applied during a test. There are different formats of load cell, depending on test stand selection. Every type of load cell also comes in a range on load capacities, depending on the needs of the customer.

THE TEST STAND The test stand is the part that performs the movement in a tension or compression test. It is controlled by the software and tablet or PC interface. Test stands come in a wide range of sizes and travel options, depending on the needs of the end user.

Read more about load cells on page 10.

Read more about test stands on page 6.

THE FIXTURE Fixtures are required on every test stand. These

THE SOFTWARE Choosing the right software program is an integral part of every test system. There are several levels of software to choose from, depending on the type and level of complexity of the tests being performed.

components securely hold a work piece in place during a test to ensure accurate and repeatable results every time. Fixtures are the largest category of components for a test system in order to properly accommodate the thousands of applications in which force and material testing is relevant.

Read more about software on page 8.

Read more about fixtures on page 12.

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