Strain gaging and load cells

A specialty of the AE Machine Shop is strain gaging and the construction and calibration of load cells.

Strain gaging

Electrical-resistance strain gages allow the monitoring of mechanical strains in loaded components, such as this composite shell. The AE Machine Shop specializes in applying strain gages to a wide variety of components, large and small.

Strain gages are commonly used for load cells, which are transducers for converting mechanical load to an electrical signal.

Load cells

Commercial-grade load cells are designed, AE Machine Shop strain gaging and load cells manufactured, repaired, and calibrated in the AE Machine Shop. Typical load cells use multiple strain-gage rosettes wired in a full Wheatstone bridge to minimize effects of bending and temperature change.

Load cells come in all sizes. Shown here is a miniature two-element load cell with a compliant core.