Understanding the Different Types of Load Cells: Which One is Right for Your Application?

Industry Insights

Understanding the Different Types of Load Cells: Which One is Right for Your Application?

Load cells are crucial components in measuring weight, force, and pressure across various industries, from manufacturing to aerospace. Selecting the right type of load cell for your application is key to ensuring accurate and reliable measurements. In this post, we’ll explore five common types of load cells—bending/shear beam, canister, pancake, load washer, and load button—and discuss their applications.

1. Bending/Shear Beam Load Cells

Bending and shear beam load cells are widely used in industrial applications where heavy loads are involved, such as platform scales, tank weighing, and conveyor belt systems. These load cells work by measuring the deflection of the beam under load, making them ideal for measuring large forces with high accuracy.

• Best For: Platform scales, tanks, hoppers, and process control systems.
• Advantages: High durability, resistant to side forces, and reliable in harsh environments.

2. Canister Load Cells

Canister load cells, often used in both tension and compression applications, are designed to handle extremely high-capacity loads. These cylindrical load cells are common in industries like transportation, heavy machinery, and structural testing. Canister load cells are also known for their robust construction and longevity, making them suitable for demanding environments.

• Best For: Truck scales, large-scale industrial equipment, and structural monitoring.
• Advantages: High capacity, durability, and the ability to handle extreme forces.

3. Pancake Load Cells

Pancake load cells (also known as low-profile load cells) are designed for applications requiring high precision in a low-profile form factor. They are ideal for applications like materials testing, structural testing, and press applications where space constraints are a concern. Pancake load cells are versatile and can measure both tension and compression forces with excellent accuracy.

• Best For: Material testing, hydraulic presses, and force measurement in confined spaces.
• Advantages: Compact design, excellent precision, and versatility in both tension and compression.

4. Load Washer Load Cells

Load washer load cells are annular load cells designed to measure compressive forces in applications where the load passes through the center of the cell. These are often used in applications where bolts, fasteners, or other load-bearing structures are involved, such as in structural testing and clamping force measurements.

• Best For: Bolt tension measurement, structural integrity testing, and industrial machinery.
• Advantages: Ability to measure compressive loads in through-hole applications, compact design.

5. Load Button Load Cells

Load button load cells are compact, cylindrical devices often used in applications where space is limited, and precise force measurement is required. Due to their small size and high accuracy, they are commonly used in medical devices, robotics, and testing equipment. Load buttons are designed for compression applications and are suitable for environments where installation space is at a premium.

• Best For: Medical devices, small-scale testing equipment, and robotics.
• Advantages: Small size, high precision, and ease of installation in confined spaces.

Which Load Cell is Right for You?

Choosing the right load cell depends on the specific needs of your application. For large industrial setups, bending/shear beam or canister load cells may be the best fit due to their high capacity and durability. If you’re dealing with space limitations, pancake or load button load cells could provide the accuracy you need in a compact form factor. Load washer load cells are ideal for applications that involve bolts or structural components requiring tension measurement.

At Sensing Systems, we offer a wide range of standard and custom load cells designed to meet the unique demands of your application. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in selecting the right load cell to ensure precise, reliable results every time.