Force Measurement Device

(Mini Project Report)

Group members :

Index No Name

090165N Gunawardana G.B.B.C.

Module : Applied Electronics
090167X Gunawickrama S.H.D.T.
Module Code : EN 2852
090168C Gurusinghe S.M.
Department : DCPE
090193X Inan I.I.A.
Group No : Group 6
090195F Iresha R.D.H. Date of Sub : 15.11.2010
Solution for the Problem
Though there are lot of solutions for the given problem, here we have to focus our solution on
what we have learnt during last semester in EN2852.here we are not going for a mechanical
implementation since we are advised to concentrate on electronics. Weight sensor is something very
needy for this circuit. But it’s bit hard to find out this in sri Lankan market. The FlexiForce sensor is an
ultra-thin and flexible printed circuit, which can be easily integrated into our application. With its
paper-thin construction, flexibility and force measurement ability, the FlexiForce force sensor can
measure force between almost any two surfaces and is durable enough to stand up to most
environments. FlexiForce has better force sensing properties, linearity, hysteretic, drift, and
temperature sensitivity than any other thin-film force. Sensors. The "active sensing area" is a 0.375”
diameter circle at the end of the sensor. The linearity is a considerably very good advantage of this
sensor.
The weight sensor behaves with weight just as the LDR’s behavior under light. The sensor acts
as a variable resistor in an electrical circuit. When the sensor is unloaded, its resistance is very high
(greater than 5 Meg-ohm); when a force is applied to the sensor, the resistance decreases. Connecting
an ohmmeter to the outer two pins of the sensor connector and applying a force to the sensing area can
read the change in resistance. Basically the sensor does the major part of the solution for our problem.
The next major tool of our circuit is OP-Amp. For our circuit we hope to go for 741.As discussed in a
future page out put of our OP-amp based circuit changes with regarding to pressure/force condition of
sensor. We use this fact for our program to display the weight. We cannot directly use this out put but
a calibration also required. That’s all! this gives the solution for given problem for the mini project

Problem Description

This mini project is regarding to making an electronic Force measurement Unit. Basically it’s
an electronic balance which can measure weights up to 1kg accurate to the nearest gram. And also the
unit is capable of measuring the weight changes as dynamic as 10Hz.That mean’s it can figure out up
to ten times of weight changes per second. Since this is an electronic device there should be method
for reading measurements. For that purpose we can use a small LCD display with a little
microcontroller or a converted calculator. But since at the moment we are familiar with some
programming languages, we decided to implement the project with computer software to take an
output to the computer display. Since we are using a computer for the problem we are getting some
more advantages of this device than an ordinary electronic weight measuring unit. The measured
weight sent to a computer via a serial interface for post processing. So we can keep the data even for
future reference also. Reducing the noise level is also a target of this circuit. This is something which
can easily implement by a mechanical method. But we are advised concentrate out design on an
electronic method.
Proper sensor selection
We have selected three sensors with following details.

Ht201 (High-Temp)
Model A201 Model A401 Model
Model

0.375 in. diameter 0.375 in. diameter 1.0 in. diameter

Sensing Area
(9.53 mm) (9.53 mm) (25.4 mm)

Linearity
<±3% <±1.2% <±3%
Error

<±2.5% of full <±2.5% of full

Repeatability <±3.5% of full scale
scale scale

Response Time <5 microseconds TBD <5 microseconds

Operating 15°F to 140°F 15°F to 400°F 15°F to 140°F

Temperatures (-9°C to 60°C) (-9°C to 204°C) (-9°C to 60°C)

0-1 lb (4.4 N)
Low: 0-30 lb (133 N)
Force Ranges 0-25 lb (110 N) 0-25 lb (110 N)***
High: 0-100 lb (440 N)**
0-100 lb (440 N)**

But we selected the model “A201 Model”

as our sensor because,

 The force range of this sensor is relate with our requirement force range (0-10N).
 The sufficient sensing area.
 The error is less.
 Considerable reliability.
 The response time is low.
 Can operate in the usual temperature range without having damage.
Proposed circuitry

RF

-
+ Vout

+5V
RS

VT -5V

 Supply voltage should be constant.

 Reference Resistance RF is 1kΩ to 100kΩ
 Sensor resistance RS at no load is > 5MΩ
 Max recommended current is 2.5mA