Hello,
I would like to know the maximum force that this sensor can sense:robotshop.com/en/interlink-1 … e-fsr.html
I looked at different spec sheets but it wasn’t clear.
Thanks,
Alex
Hi,
We have contacted the manufacturer and asked them about the maximum force that the Interlink Electronics 1.5” Square FSR can handle.
bdaouas
October 30, 2017, 12:50pm
3
We have received the following reply from Interlink for the the maximum force that the Interlink Electronics 1.5” Square FSR can handle :
The optimum measuring range for an FSR is 0 – 20N (0-2Kg). However we test all FSR parts up to 100N (10Kg). As you know the output of the FSR is a force curve which shows a decrease in resistance with increasing force. The curve is as in the sketch attached:
This is a log/log plot.
Above 20N (2Kg) the output of the sensor (resistance change) is very small and really not very useable. The change is so small that it would be impossible to use due to the natural variation in FSR sensors due to part to part and environmental variability. This is why we set the limit at 20N (2Kg).
The FSR sensor is a membrane force sensor. The sensor itself can be exposed to much higher forces without risk of damage. It is just not useable from a measuring perspective. Sensors have been used in quite a wide variety of applications where they are exposed to much higher forces and where they are not damaged. For instance they have been used in shoes for gait monitoring, under mattresses for occupant detection in hospital beds, in car seats for occupant classification, embedded in roads for traffic counting. All of these expose the sensors to much higher loads than the datasheet specifies. Unlike strain gauges there is no over force threshold that can permanently break the sensor. Obviously it is important to understand the actual integration situation and it can still be possible to damage a sensor but with sensible design integration it should withstand high forces.
There are a couple of provisos that should also be taken into account. The ideal situation is that the sensor is not permanently exposed to such high forces. Remember that under constant load you will get sensor drift. Also the sensor should not be exposed to constant high forces at temperatures above 70°C as this can cause permanent deformation of the materials of the sensor and permanently effect the sensor output and performance. Other than these it should be possible to expose sensor to high force excursions without risk of damage.
