The load cell is transported to the laboratory, where it is subjected to two checks: the dimensional and flatness checks.

6. Hardness test

After polishing and the mechanical checks, the hardness of the load cell is checked.
Approximately 10% of the pieces are checked at random, which is sufficient to ensure that the whole batch meets the required parameters.

7. Laser tracing and marking

Both tracing and marking are done with a laser marker that can engrave any material, for an extremely clean and precise result.

8. Ultrasonic cleaning

Once all the mechanical checks have been completed, the load cell is washed again.
This time an industrial ultrasonic washing machine is used to make sure it gets completely degreased.

9. What is a strain gauge and how does it work?

The strain gauge is a small grid consisting of constantan wires (a binary alloy of copper and nickel) and is the sensitive measuring component of the load cell.

10. Cleaning with conditioner and neutralizer

The load cell now reaches the most delicate department. It is here where the strain gauges are selected, positioned and glued expertly by skilled and specialized technicians.

Everything in this department is kept under the utmost control: the temperature is always between 20°C and 24°C, the level of humidity is kept constant and there is no dust whatsoever.
Everything is carefully monitored, nothing must affect the strain gauge and its isolation.

However, the load cell must be cleaned once again before gluing.
 

11. Gluing strain gauges

This is the most important step in load cell production.
It is precisely the accuracy of the gluing, performed by hand by extremely skilled operators, that esures optimum load cell perfomance in terms of repeatability, linearity and combined error.

12. Wiring

After gluing the strain gauges, the load cell wiring is made.

13. Calibration

The calibration test is used to measure the load cell response at 10 points up and 10 points down and the measured values are expressed in mV/V.
The response of a load cell must be directly proportional, i.e. linear, to the applied load (from 0 to its maximum capacity).

14. Temperature test

The load cell is placed in a climatic chamber, where the temperature test for the 0 thermal drift compensation takes place.

15. Resinating

1 - Resinating the cable
2 - Resinating the load cell slot

16. Welding

Once the resin has dried, the operator places the cover that will protect the slot ans fits it into the recess of the load cell.
The cover is designed specifically for each type of load cell and is made to measure with an elastic material so as not to affect the performance of the load cell in any way in terms of combined error, repeatability and linearity.

17. Testing the load cell and printing the certificate

18. Packaging and shipping