Force and Moment Load Platform

Three Axis Load Cells are a valuable tool for measuring real world forces in dynamic systems. They can be easily inserted into a machine or vehicle using custom adapters because of their compact size. When large moment loads are expected, a load platform can be used in place of a single load cell because of increased strength and moment load ratings. Load platforms, or load cell arrays, use multiple Three Axis Load Cells to support greater force and moment loads. Because the load cells are at different locations, they allow the user to calculate the net forces and moments acting on a system. Load platforms can be customized to fit many different applications. 

LP-3030 Load Platform

The LP-3030 is Michigan Scientific’s first standard load platform. The LP-3030 has aluminum top and bottom plates with a grid of threaded holes on the top plate to make it easily adaptable to many applications. The LP-3030 is built with four TR3D-A load cells and has a force capacity of 15 kN, 45 kN, or 75 kN depending on which capacity load cells are used.   

Because four Three Axis Load Cells are used, the LP-3030 has a total of 12 strain gauge bridge outputs. These 12 outputs can all be recorded and used to calculate the net moments and forces acting on the load platform. The load platform can also be connected to the new JB3 Junction Boxwhich reduces the 12 strain gauge outputs down to three, eliminating the need for additional post-processing calculations. 

JB3 Junction Box 

Junction Box for Load Platform

The JB3 is a junction box that can be used with load platforms or load cell arrays. It connects the signals from up to four Three Axis Load Cells and outputs three force channels. For example, the Fx channels from each load cell are combined into one Fx output channel. The JB3 contains precision sensitivity trimming circuits for each input channel to make all of the load cell sensitivities equal. This ensures that the output will remain constant regardless of where the load is applied. 

There are two versions of the JB3 with different output types. The JB3-P combines the load cells in parallel using passive components, so it requires no additional hardware. The JB3-P can be hooked up to a three-channel strain gauge module as if it were a single Three Axis Load Cell. The JB3-A is an amplified version, which has all of the same components as the JB3-P but adds strain gauge amplifiers to the three output channels after they have been paralleled. The JB3-A outputs ± 10 V and can be used with any high-level voltage recorder. A PS-DC or PS-AC power supply can be used to power the amplifiers and control the shunt calibration and bridge kill features.

Junction Box Flowchart

 

The new LP-3030 Load Platform and JB3 Junction Box make measuring the net forces and moments quick and easy. If you have an application that requires a load cell platform, contact a Michigan Scientific representative.