Since force testing is a quality control function, we are typically interested in the point at which things tear, break, crush or separate. A force gauge, together with other items such as a test stand, grips and fixtures, and a distance meter, is the means by which such testing is performed. Digital force gauges are replacing mechanical devices. These are handheld instruments containing an integral load cell, electronics and a display. The load cell is a spring, the flex of which is measured and outputted as a voltage. The electronics converts this voltage into a force value shown on the display. The units measured are most often in pounds, kilograms or newtons.
When a product or component is physically acted upon—pushed, pulled, probed—it should be force tested to make sure it functions correctly. Force testing is a term which can be interchanged with push or pull testing, tensile testing and compression testing. Such testing may be destructive or non-destructive.
In most applications, the peak or maximum observed force is the value of most interest. With this measurement it can be determined if a part is up to standard or not. So how is the standard set? A group such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may offer a standard, or the testing organization may develop a standard through their own research. Test procedure and tolerable range of force are typically specified by such standards.
Force testing is performed on a sample of product to make sure it operates to an acceptable standard. For example, a bag of potato chips that opens too easily will probably make a mess; a car horn that needs too much force to honk creates a safety hazard. Applications include peel testing, wire terminal pull-off testing, tablet crush testing, compression spring testing and Printed Circuit Board component pull-off testing.
Such testing detects important quality issues, helping ensure that processes are streamlined and production problems identified for correction before faulty batches are shipped. Below are a few industry application examples.
Push pull force gauges are not common tools; however, when properly used, they can provide a wealth of information about many common home improvement projects. These devices accurately measure the amount of compression or tension being applied between two objects. Without the use of this type of gauge, homeowners may only guess how much pressure is actually being applied, for example, by a heavy swinging gate on its mounting bracket, and whether the brackets maximum load is being exceeded. Proper use of a push pull gauge is easy to grasp.
1 Prepare the push pull gauge to take a measurement. Select the units of measurement, such as pounds, kilograms or Newtons, by sliding the selector switch to the appropriate setting. The switch is usually located on the face of the tool. Remember that tension (a pulling force) will be displayed as a positive number. Compression (a pushing force) will be displayed as a negative number.
2 Connect the sensor plug into the base of the gauge, then into the load sensor. The sensor plug is the long cable that transmits data from the load sensing component to the handheld gauge. Screw both eye hooks onto the load sensor. The load sensor looks like a rectangular block of aluminum.
3 Select either a "Fast" (0.2 seconds) or a "Slow" (0.6 seconds) rate of measurement setting. This setting determines how often the load sensor updates its findings to the gauge. Select the desired rate using the switch located on the face of the tool. Momentarily depress the "Zero" button on the face of the tool to zero the gauge between measurements.
4 Align the load sensor with the object being measured. Correct alignment means that there will be no rotation of the object being measured or of the load sensor during the test. Rotating or moving objects or any swiveling by the load sensor will diminish the accuracy of your test. The correct angle of measurement is always 180 degrees -- a straight push or pull motion.
5 Place the gauge in measurement mode by sliding the power switch to the "On" position. The switch is located on the lower edge of the gauges hand grip. You may select between regular display mode and back-light display mode by reversing the LCD switch located beside the "On/Off" switch. Pressing that switch momentarily will illuminate (back-light) the LED display for 15 seconds, then shut off.
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