Column type compressive load cell

A load cell is a primary transducer (electromechanical) which are used for the conversion of mechanical force (or weight) into corresponding electrical signals. There exist three types of load cells- column type load cell, cantilevered bending beam load cell and shear beam load cell. In a column type compressive load cell, the load to be detected is mounted on the top of the upper diaphragm. The outer covering body of this load cell is a can (called upper can) to which the upper diaphragm is welded at the top. Bottom portion of the upper can (or top portion of the lower can) is fixed to lower diaphragm by proper welding techniques. The combination of lower and upper diaphragms acts like hermetic sealing which prevents moisture and humidity from reacting with the internal elements of the cell. There exist two strain gauges each in the axial direction and transverse direction. These load cells can be used for the measurement of large forces and weights, measurement of compressive, tensile and shear forces etc. Load cells are less expensive and many varieties are portable due to smaller size. The main application of load cells is in weigh bridges.