When force sensors are installed, a large number of general conditions must be observed for accurate measurement results. In addition to suitable ambient conditions, flat and sufficiently rigid bearing surfaces, the load performance ratios are also of great importance. Baumer DLM force sensors are available in the Button, Inline and Screw-on designs. The individual steps for mounting the force sensors are described below.
Button force sensors [DLMx0-BU]
Button force sensors are suitable for compressive force measurement in rough industrial settings.
The sensor is screwed on one side to a machine element and measures the applied force. The button compressive force sensors are screwed with four screws on an even and flat contact surface. Mounting with a torque wrench and the following tightening torque for the applicable sensor size is recommended.
The contact surface for the force sensor must always be larger than the sensor diameter and requires a maximum flatness of 0.1 mm and a roughness of Ra=1.6 um. The contact surface of the sensor must have a sufficiently stiff structure that does not deform during loading. A minimum thickness of 5 mm for the DLM20 and 10 mm for the DLM30/DLM40 is recommended.
Inline force sensors [DLMx0-IN]
Inline force sensors are suitable for tensile and compressive force measurement in rough industrial settings.
Ideally, the force sensor is screwed full contact on one side of the hexagonal bar of the sensor and fixed on the other side with a lock nut. The following three versions are possible for connecting the inline sensors to the counter piece.
Tool/counter piece is installed at the catch
Make sure that the thread length of the counter piece is deep enough. Use a torque wrench for the installation on the main thread.
Tool/counter piece is bolted and fixed with a lock nut
Make sure that the thread length of the counter piece is deep enough. Use a torque wrench for the installation of the lock nut on the main thread.
Tool/counter piece with through hole is fixed full contact with a lock nut
The maximum thickness of the plate must not be exceeded. Use a torque wrench for the installation of the lock nut on the main thread.
Screw-on force sensors [DLMx0-SO]
Screw-on force sensors are suitable for tensile and compressive force measurement in rough industrial settings. Installation of the force sensors takes place in two steps: The installation on the main thread and the installation on the screw-plate.
Step 1: Installation on the main thread
For the installation on the main thread there are generally four different options available.
Tool/counter piece is installed at the catch
Make sure that the thread length of the counter piece is deep enough. Use a torque wrench for the installation on the main thread.
Tool/counter piece is bolted and fixed with a lock nut
Make sure that the thread length of the counter piece is deep enough. Use a torque wrench for the installation of the lock nut on the main thread.
Tool/plate with through hole is fixed full contact with a lock nut
The maximum thickness of the plate must not be exceeded. Use a torque wrench for the installation of the lock nut on the main thread.
Tool/plate with through hole is fixed by a locknut on both sides
The maximum thickness of the plate must not be exceeded. Use a torque wrench for the installation of the lock nut on the main thread.
Step 2: Installation on the screw-on plate
The installation of the screw-on force sensors on the contact area is via four screws on a level and flat mechanically processed contact surface. The sensor can be mounted from the top side as well as from the bottom side. When mounting from the bottom side, the thread inserts must also be placed from above into the oval-shaped drill hole. Mounting with a torque wrench and the following tightening torque for the applicable sensor size is recommended.
Mounting from the top side
Mounting from the bottom side
General construction information
The following overview shows potential error possibilities which should be avoided in case of application. The installation instructions are shown using the button type as an example, but also apply to the Inline and Screw-on construction types.
The force must be applied centrically. Non-centrical force application leads to linearity and sensitivity deviations.
The force must be applied axially. Non-axial force application leads to linearity and sensitivity deviations.
The sensor contact surface must be smooth. A too rough surface leads to linearity and sensitivity deviations.
The sensor contact surface must be sufficiently rigid and may not deform under force. A too soft contact surface leads to sensitivity deviations and in extreme cases to a failure of the sensor.
For the Inline and Screw-on force sensors, a further requirement must also be considered:
No side loads/ torsion may be applied to the sensor. Side loads lead to linearity and sensitivity deviations and in extreme cases to a failure of the sensor.
