Force Safety Guide when Using Force Measuring Equipment in Various Applications

Force Safety Guide when Using Force Measuring Equipment in Various Applications

Our force safety guide will help avoid situations that may cause personal injury or equipment damage when using Load Cells, Proving Rings, Force Gauges, and other instruments to which forces are applied; this post was created. Our goal is to help anyone making force measurements be safe and keep their equipment functioning properly. These are common mistakes; several more are not covered in this post. In the future, we hope to continue this series of posts for both force and torque measurement safety tips.

When loading through a steel ball, the instrument should have a conical ball seat of the recommended size (see Figure 2 below), for the ball being used and the opposing surface should have a similar ball seat. Alternately, a soft steel pad of sufficient size and thickness may be used in place of a ball seat on the opposite surface for capacities of 200,000 lbs or less. The force must be applied axially within one degree. The bottom boss of the load cell or other instrument must bear against a flat hardened steel surface and, if possible, should be restrained for force safety. See Figure 1 above.

When loading a load cell or other force-measuring instrument thru a steel ball, be sure that the ball is made of hardened chrome alloy steel and that it is the recommended size (see Figure 2) to withstand the force applied.   Never use a carbide ball as carbide is brittle and will shatter under load.

Do not load between unstable surfaces. Under load, the instrument could be spewed from the machine with tremendous force. Never use a set-up where there are two spherical surfaces opposing one another without making the appropriate adapters to contain the instrument. Morehouse has developed special adapters for this type of loading. Without the appropriate adapters, the instrument could be thrown from the machine with tremendous force.   See Figure 3 above for an example of what not to do.

Do not load between two steel balls unless the loading components are mechanically restrained to prevent any possible lateral movement when loaded. Additionally, the surfaces of the components must have properly sized ball seats, the ball seats of the components must be axially aligned, and ball retainer clips should be used. See figure 4

When using tension member assemblies with mating spherical surfaces, ensure they are correctly installed. See Figure 5. Morehouse Quick Change Tension members (pictured below) are designed to help eliminate eccentric loads, resulting in a more accurate and safer force application.

Morehouse UCM with Load Cell in Tension using Quick Change Tension Members

Do not load between surfaces that exceed one-degree deviation from parallel. See Figure 6 below.

Force Safety

MOST IMPORTANT ...Any adapter or accessory you may design, make or purchase for use with a calibrating or force measuring instrument must be of proper design and made from steel of the proper strength to withstand the forces to which it is subjected. It is most important that adapters and accessories be test loaded under safe conditions before actual use with an instrument. Equipment should not be used beyond its maximum rated capacity. Failure to use the proper strength material may result in serious injury or death.

Read and understand all instructions and precautions applicable to the instrument and/or machines being used to apply the force.

Force Safety Guide when Using Force Measuring Equipment in Various Applications - Conclusion

If you enjoyed this content, check out our LinkedIn and YouTube channel for more helpful posts and videos.

If there are questions or doubts about force safety pertaining to Load Cells, Proving Rings, or other force measuring instruments, contact us by telephone at 717-843-0081 or email: info@mhforce.com.

Everything we do, we believe in changing how people think about force and torque calibration. Morehouse believes in thinking differently about force and torque calibration and equipment. We challenge the "just calibrate it" mentality by educating our customers on what matters and what causes significant errors and focusing on reducing them.

Morehouse makes our products simple to use and user-friendly. And we happen to make great force equipment and provide unparalleled calibration services.

Do you want to do business with a company that focuses on what matters most? Please email us at info@mhforce.com.

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