FlexiForce® Sensors
Standard FlexiForce Sensors for Force Measurement
FlexiForce force sensors are ultra-thin and flexible printed circuits, which can be easily integrated into force measurement applications. These sensors are available for purchase in our online store.
|
FlexiForce® sensors are utilized in many applications to:
FlexiForce Sensor Definition
FlexiForce: (Noun) Pronunciation: flex e fôrs
Benefits of FlexiForce Sensors
|
|
| A201 MODEL | HT201 (HIGH-TEMP) MODEL | A301 MODEL | A401 MODEL | |
Physical Properties |
||||
| Thickness | 0.008 in. (.203 mm) | |||
| Length |
7.75 in. (197 mm) 6 in. (152 mm)* 4 in. (102 mm)* 2 in. (51mm)* |
1 in. (25.4 mm) |
2.24 in. (56.8 mm) | |
| Width | 0.55 in. (14 mm) | |||
| Sensing Area | 0.375 in. diameter (9.53 mm) | 0.375 in. diameter (9.53 mm) |
1.0 in. diameter (25.4 mm) |
|
| Connector | 3-pin male square pin | 2-pin male square pin | ||
Typical Performance |
||||
| Linearity Error | <±3% | <±3% | <±3% | <±3% |
| Repeatability |
<±2.5% of full scale |
<±3.5% of full scale |
<±2.5% of full scale |
<±2.5% of full scale |
| Hysteresis |
<4.5% of full scale |
<3.6% of full scale |
<4.5% of full scale |
<4.5% of full scale |
| Drift |
<5% per logarithmic time scale |
<3.3% per logarithmic time scale |
<5% per logarithmic time scale |
<5% per logarithmic time scale |
| Response Time | <5 microseconds | TBD | <5 microseconds | <5 microseconds |
|
Operating Temperatures |
15°F to 140°F (-9°C to 60°C) |
15°F to 400°F (-9°C to 204°C) |
15°F to 140°F (-9°C to 60°C) |
15°F to 140°F (-9°C to 60°C) |
| Force Ranges |
0-1 lb (4.4 N) 0-25 lb (110 N) 0-100 lb (440 N)** |
Low: 0-30 lb (133 N) High: 0-100 lb (440 N)** |
≈ 0-1 lb (4.4 N) ≈ 0-25 lb (110 N) ≈ 0-100 lb (440 N)** |
0-25 lb (110 N)*** |
|
Temperature Sensitivity |
Output variance up to 0.2% per degree F |
Output variance up to 0.16% per degree F |
Output variance up to 0.2% per degree F |
Output variance up to 0.2% per degree F |
* For an additional fee.
** See recommended drive circuit. In order to measure forces above 100 lbs. (up to 1000 lbs.), apply a lower drive voltage and reduce the resistance of the feedback resistor (1 k Ω min).
***Measurement ranges of 0-1 lb and 0-7000 lb are achievable with the A401 sensor by utilizing the recommended circuitry. The force range can be extended by reducing the drive voltage, VT, or the resistance value of the feedback resistor, RF. Conversely, the sensitivity can be increased for measurement of lower forces by increasing VT or RF.
Example of A201 Excitation Circuit
Please contact us regarding circuit schematics for other sensor models.
How the FlexiForce Sensor Works
The FlexiForce sensor acts as a force sensing resistor in an electrical circuit. When the force sensor is unloaded, its resistance is very high. When a force is applied to the sensor, this resistance decreases. The resistance can be read by connecting a multimeter to the outer two pins, then applying a force to the sensing area. Figure 1 below shows both the Force vs. Resistance and Force vs. Conductance (1/R). Note that the conductance curve is linear, and therefore useful in calibration.
Figure 1: Force v. Resistance/Conductance
One way to integrate the FlexiForce sensor into an application is to incorporate it into a force-to-voltage circuit. A means of calibration must then be established to convert the output into the appropriate engineering units. Depending on the setup, an adjustment could then be done to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the force sensor. Figure 2 below shows a typical sensor response (based on our recommended drive circuit).
Figure 2: Typical Sensor Response
FlexiForce User Manual
For more detailed information about setting up and using your FlexiForce sensors, please download the FlexiForce User Manual.
Other Force Sensing Options
We also offer a complete force measurement system. The ELF™ System is a turnkey package containing force measurement software, electronics, and force sensors.
The unique construction of FlexiForce® sensors carries the following advantages:
- better linearity
- measurement of higher loads
- stable output with respect to load area
FlexiForce Sensor Construction
The FlexiForce force sensor is an ultra-thin, flexible printed circuit. The standard A201 force sensor is constructed of two layers of substrate (polyester) film. The high-temp model (HT201) is constructed of two layers of polyimide.
On each layer, a conductive material (silver) is applied, followed by a layer of pressure-sensitive ink.
Adhesive is then used to laminate the two layers of substrate together to form the force sensor.
The active sensing area is defined by the silver circle on top of the pressure-sensitive ink. Silver extends from the sensing area to the connectors at the other end of the sensor, forming the conductive leads.
A201 sensors are terminated with male square pins, allowing them to be easily incorporated into a circuit. The two outer pins of the connector are active and the center pin is inactive.
FlexiForce Sensors measure force between virtually any two mating surfaces. Below are a few recent examples demonstrating ways customers are using our technology.
View All FlexiForce Application Briefs
There have also been a number of research projects conducted where FlexiForce sensor technology has played a crucial role. For a list of research studies, download the FlexiForce bibliography.
Bite Force Measurement of Reptiles
Differentiating the bite force of different species of lizards using flexible and thin force sensors.
Force Sensitive Insole
iShoe insoles contain FlexiForce® sensors to measure and analyze force distribution ...More >
Grip Force Measurement with FlexiForce
For grip force measurement, the thinness and flexibility of the FlexiForce® sensor's ...More >
Intubation Force Measurement
Researchers at Delft University in the Netherlands used force measurements from FlexiForce® ...More >
FlexiForce quickstart board: sensor integration made easy
|
|
The FlexiForce Quickstart Board is a finished single voltage source circuit which you can quickly drop into a prototype or easily design into a product to obtain force measurements. Perfect for the FlexiForce user looking for a completed circuit to use in their project, the Quickstart Board contains:
Purchase your FlexiForce Quickstart Board today for just $150! |
Quickstart Board Components
FlexiForce Starter Kit: Everything You Need to Build a Circuit and Measure Force
|
|
Ideal for the FlexiForce customer who is a novice when it comes to building circuits, as well as for the FlexiForce user who prefers the convenience of one-stop shopping, the FlexiForce Starter Kit contains:
Purchase your FlexiForce Starter Kit today for just $99.
|
FlexiForce Starter Kit Components
FlexiForce® Sensor Pricing
Standard FlexiForce Sensors: A201 |
|||||
| 4-Pack | 8-Pack | ||||
|
Standard Length (7.75 in.) |
$65/pack |
$117/pack |
|||
|
Trimmed (6 in., 4 in. or 2 in.) |
$77/pack | $140/pack | |||
 |
|
||||
High-Temp FlexiForce Sensors: HT201-L |
|||||
| 4-Pack | 8-Pack | ||||
|
Standard Length (7.75 in.) |
$163/pack |
$293/pack | |||
|
Trimmed (6 in., 4 in. or 2 in.) |
$183/pack | $325/pack | |||
|
|
||||
High-Temp FlexiForce Sensors: HT201-H |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Pack | 8-Pack | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Standard Length (7.75 in.) |
$265/pack |
$293/pack | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Trimmed (6 in., 4 in. or 2 in.) |
$476/pack | $508/pack | |||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
FlexiForce Sensors: A301 |
|||||
| 4-Pack | 8-Pack | ||||
| $65/pack | $117/pack | ||||
|
|
||||
FlexiForce Sensors: A401 |
|||||
| 4-Pack | 8-Pack | ||||
| $78/pack | $140/pack | ||||
|
|
||||
FlexiForce Starter Kit & QuickStart Board |
|||||
| Starter Kit | QuickStart Board | ||||
| $99 | $150 | ||||
|
|
||||
Sensors Expo
Jun 5th 2013 -
Jun 6th 2013
Rosemont, IL
Booth #510 ?>
Come see us in Rosemont, IL! Sensors Expo & Conference is the only industry event in North America ...More >
See more Events
Medical Design Briefs: Sensors Hit the Spot for Smaller, Sleeker Devices
Two key considerations when selecting a force sensor technology for medical designs are cost and accuracy. ...More >
Free E-Book: Force Sensors for Design
Download a free e-Book, published by Machine Design magazine, and learn more about selecting a thin, ...More >
See more News