Load Cell Challenges

For many years, weighing equipment suppliers have debated whether to use strain gauge load cells or LVDT load cells in their equipment—equipment that must support a wide range of operating conditions and loading requirements across a variety of applications. In response, Thayer Scale developed the Force Measurement Suspension System (FMSS) suspension scale design, a design which provides both strain gauge and LVDT capabilities. Customers may now choose the load cell option that best fits their unique application (e.g., light-material loading, severe environmental conditions, commercial certification).

Load Cell Utilization Factor: What is it?

A load cell is a critical component of a weighing system. In most weighing systems, a load cell must support dead weight (e.g., idlers, belting, suspension systems). In addition, these systems must incorporate an oversized load cell to counter over-loading, off‐center conveying, shock, vibration and negative integration. As a result, the range left for live-load weighing is just a fraction of the cell’s original rated output. The ratio of the live-load weighing range to the cell’s rated output is the load cell utilization factor.

FMSS Scale Utilization

FMSS: Force Measurement Suspension System

The genesis of FMSS is Thayer Scale’s Model-18 flexure scale. The Model-18 is the foundation for many Thayer Scale designs including the cable and low profile scales used on Loss-in-weight feeders, the flexure scales used on M and MXL machines, and Thayer Scale’s most accurate (0.1%) “RF” belt scale. The RF belt scale incorporates our FMSS (a mass-counterbalance technology) to ensure load cell utilization of at least 80 percent.

FMSS technology enables:

  • Field-adjustable, mechanical tare-balancing of dead loads (typically as high as 200 times net loads)
  • Load receptor deflection reduction
  • Zero-shifting reduction
  • Optimal access location of load cell for easy inspection or removal
  • Simplified application of test weights used for calibration and performance verification
  • Reduced signal velocity and acceleration under dynamic conditions

Thayer Scale’s Load Cells

Thayer Scale offers two distinct load cells for continuous weighing solutions:

  1. The LC-137 (LVDT) Load Cell: A precise and durable “tension-style” force transducer in force ranges from 5 to 465 pounds. The LC-137 is the ideal load cell for light-loading applications (where mechanical tare loads may represent 10 to 40 times the net material load), with performance at 200 percent of rated output. Our LC-137 load cell is guaranteed for fifteen years—a guarantee that is the longest in the industry.
  2. The LC-174 Load Cell: A conventional, NTEP-approved, strain gauge “S” beam load cell with mounting dimensions that match the LC-137 load cell. It is available in force ranges from 25 to 2,000 pounds, with an overload protection of 1.5 percent of rated output.

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