FAQs

Do I need an Instron device to calibrate my ELF system?

Question: Do I need an Instron device to calibrate my ELF or WELF?

Answer: No! You can use dead weights and that will work fine. The video calibration tutorial uses one, but it's not necessary.

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Can I customize a Tekscan sensor?

Question: Can I customize a Tekscan sensor?

Answer: Yes. If you cannot find a sensor that fits your application needs in our standard selection, we can work with you to custom design and manufacture a sensor. Your sales representative can provide you with additional information.

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Can I purchase only Tekscan sensors?

Question: Can I purchase only Tekscan sensors?

Answer: Tekscan’s patented array or grid sensors are designed to only work with our software and hardware; therefore you cannot simply purchase the sensors unless you own a Tekscan system. We offer single element force sensors that can be purchased without our electronics and software.

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How do I clean Tekscan sensors?

Question: How do I clean Tekscan sensors?

Answer: You can wipe our sensors clean with alcohol or water.

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Can Tekscan sensors be cut or trimmed?

Question: Can Tekscan sensors be cut or trimmed?

Answer: Several of our sensors can be cut or trimmed to smaller sizes or shapes. For example, this is one of the most important advantages of our in-shoe F-Scan™ sensor, which can be trimmed to fit any shoe size up to a men’s size 14.

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How fast does the developed color of Prescale fade and what is the best way to keep the measured Prescale from being deteriorated?

Question: How fast does the developed color of Prescale fade and what is the best way to keep the measured Prescale from being deteriorated?

Answer: Ultraviolet rays accelerate the fading process of the color. Therefore, please protect the Prescale from ultraviolet rays by keeping it in a file and storing the file in a cabinet. The color will gradually fade even when storing the film in this manner. It is recommended that you measure the pressure values with a pressure measurement system within 60 minutes of applying the pressure and that you keep the data in digital form for reference.

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How fast is the Prescale System's minimum measurable pressure application speed?

Question: How fast is the Prescale System's minimum measurable pressure application speed?

Answer: The minimum measurable pressure application speed is 1 msec. At faster rates, accurate data cannot be guaranteed since microcapsules and color-developing material would absorb the pressure. As for the slowest speed, there's no limit unless pressure is repeatedly applied.

Correlation between pressure and micro-capsules

Micro-capsules in varying sizes and wall strength are used for Prescale. The size of the micro-capsule and the strength of its wall correlate with pressure. Large micro-capsules and micro-capsules with thin walls are broken by low pressure and small micro-capsules and micro-capsules with thick walls are broken by high pressure. The size of individual micro-capsules varies but starts as small as several µm. Small micro-capsules are coated on the Prescale to measure high pressure, and large micro-capsules are coated on the Prescale to measure low pressure.

Correlation between color density and micro-capsules

The volume of color forming material in micro-capsules and color developing material determines the color density.

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What is a puck/shim and do I need to use it?

Question: What is a puck/shim and do I need to use it?

Answer: A puck, otherwise known as a shim or load concentrator, is an object placed between the sensing area and load (like cheese between two pieces of bread) to ensure that the sensor captures 100% of the applied load if the contacting surface is larger than the sensor diameter and to reduce high pressure for point load applications. The applied pressure should be between 1 and 10,000 psi. If the applied force is small, e.g. 30 grams, a puck should be used to reduce the area to achieve at least 1 psi. For applied loads that are high but have a very small area, a puck should be used to reduce psi to below 10,000. For best results, the loaded area or puck should be between 70% (a diameter of 0.263”, or area of 0.077in² ) and 100% of the sensing area but can be reduced to achieve results as described above. Plastic pucks are recommended, as they are pliable but will not deform.

Tekscan offers peel-and-stick delrin pucks for purchase at our online store.