About FlexiForce Sensors

FlexiForce™ sensors measure force between almost any two surfaces and are durable enough to stand up to most environments. FlexiForce sensors are ideal for integrating into OEM products because their thin, flexible profile allows them to measure forces where larger, bulkier technologies can not.

FlexiForce sensors can also be customized to meet the specific needs of your product design and application requirements.

There are 4 key uses for FlexiForce sensors. They detect and measure*: 

  • Force from an applied load
  • Rate of change of a force load over time
  • Force thresholds to trigger appropriate action
  • Contact and/or touch

*FlexiForce sensors must be calibrated by the user.

Our Products

Standard Force Sensors

Perfect for prototyping, proof-of-concept, or for embedding into a device. Available affordable 4- and 8-packs, or in high volumes.

Custom Force Sensors

If our standard sensors cannot suit your needs, Tekscan can create custom sensors designed to your application specs.

Force Sensor Integration Kits

Supporting electronics used to obtain proof-of-concept data for faster, easier integration.

An Overview of FlexiForce Sensor Technology

Why OEMs Choose FlexiForce

  • Unique form factor - sensors can be custom designed in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet your application and product needs
  • Operational capabilities - we offer three pressure-sensitive variations to meet your application and product needs: standard, enhanced, and high temperature.
  • Application Engineering/Integration support - our dedicated application engineering team is here to ensure a successful product integration. They have compiled some sensor integration resources to get you started.

Sensor Quality, Accuracy, and Application Engineering Expertise Sets FlexiForce Apart

I was looking for a thin, flexible film to measure force in my device; something that would not interfere with its size. We looked at some competing thin film force sensors but your FlexiForce product was more accurate in terms of feedback and linearity. The technical expertise and product quality were also important for us since we needed to get through the FDA approval process. I would recommend FlexiForce sensors to any design engineer who is looking to measure force feedback without compromising the size or weight of the device

Hank Daniecki, RGD Technologies

How Force Sensor Technologies Compare

Load Cell

Load Cells

  • Accurately measures force load on a single sensing point

  • Tend to be bulky and heavy, thus making them difficult to embed into compact spaces or designs

  • Require significantly more power than other sensor technologies

  • Require routine factory re-calibration

FlexiForce Sensors

  • Printed force-sensitive resitors that are used to measure compressive loads

  • Ultra-thin, flexible form factor allows them to be embedded into small, compact spaces

  • Low power requirements

  • Able to function on simple circuitry

Strain Gauge

Strain Gauge

  • Highly accurate, and small in size
  • Require complex circuitry, often requiring 3rd-party outsourcing
  • Strain gauges can be expensive to integrate

Advantages of FlexiForce Sensor Technology in Embedded Applications

Typical force VS resistance, and force VS conductance curves of a FlexiForce sensor.Typical force VS resistance, and force VS conductance curves of a FlexiForce sensor.

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, there is a proportional decrease in resistance.

The conductance (1/Resistance) exhibits a linear response, as illustrated above. 

The components of a FlexiForce sensor.The components of a FlexiForce sensor.

The unique construction of FlexiForce sensors brings the following advantages to your product design:

  • thinness [0.008 in. (.203 mm)]

  • better linearity than other force sensitive resistors, which simplifies calibration

  • measurement of higher loads than other force sensitive resistors
  • stable output with respect to load area

This article provides a detailed explanation of the difference between force sensing technologies.

Want to Learn More?

We're happy to help! Contact us today to discuss your embedded force-sensing application!

Contact an Engineer