Development of a pin-type loadcell.

Abstract

Recently, the development of force sensors for force measuring and control is required in many fields, like robotics, construction machinery, machine tools etc. The purpose of this research is the development of a loadcell, which is applicable to force measurement and control, and which can be adapted without machine reconstructions. For attainment of the above purpose, a "Pin-type loadcell" is newly developed which is a pin assembled as a loadcell. This pin-type loadcell is equipped with internal detection blocks structured with parallel plate structures. The detection block functions as a strain magnification mechanism. This structure enabled the development of a pin-type loadcell with high sensitivity and no strength reduction. The developed pin-type loadcell has a rated capacity of 100 KN, and its outer diameter is 50 mm. This loadcell functions as a 4-axis force/moment sensor. These pin-type loadcells are adapted in a excavation bucket of a power shovel, and experiments are performed to measure excavation load and torque during excavation.