- In-house engineering and production
- Short lead times
- Worldwide delivery
- More than 20 years of experience
Why choose a BoltSafe sensor instead of a strain sensor?
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Our bolt load sensors are able to measure the load across the entire surface of the ring instead of using just a few pressure points like with the Wheatstone Bridge Circuit.
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There is no need for recalibration or calibration at the side of the readout equipment, because we handle the calibration inside the sensor.
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BoltSafe sensors can withstand very low and high loads between 18 kN to 3000 kN. These loads are usually higher than what a strain sensor can withstand. This decreases the chances of overloading.
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Our sensors send out only digital signals, which can be converted to an industrial standard when using some of our readout methods.
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They have almost no creep effect and are drift free. A maximum deviation of 1% of the full scale is assured after factory calibration.
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BoltSafe sensors are dust free and water resistant because they meet the IP66 rating.
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Multiple readout methods are available to accommodate various wishes, situations and applications in many industries.
Bolt load sensors
BoltSafe bolt load cells are specially designed to monitor the bolt load in bolted joints. Knowing this information enhances safety, makes joints more dependable and results in better control over bolted constructions.
Readout methods
BoltSafe bolt load cells can send their data to different readout methods. We offer the following: the Handheld Reader, Network with PDI, Network with PDI-NT, RS-232 and Analog Converter and the IoT-node.
Bolt load sensors
BoltSafe bolt load cells are specially designed to monitor the bolt load in bolted joints. Knowing this information enhances safety, makes joints more dependable and results in better control over bolted constructions.
Readout methods
BoltSafe bolt load cells can send their data to different readout methods. We offer the following: the Handheld Reader, Network with PDI, Network with PDI-NT, RS-232 and Analog Converter and the IoT-node.
What is a strain sensor?
Strain is the relative change in length of a component under stress. This can either consist of an extension or contraction (elongation or compression, also known as tensile and compressive strain). The relative change in length is described as the strain. If the component is expanded, it is described as positive strain. If the component is compressed, the strain is negative. A strain sensor is used to measure this strain that results from forces being applied to the structure. The change in resistance caused by these forces is related to the strain by the quantity known as the gauge factor. A conventional strain sensor is based on strain gauge technology (also known as strain gage), usually using a Wheatstone Bridge Circuit. A device using this technology, is screwed onto the component. This has a linear output, but becomes non-linear at the extreme lows and highs of its range. Because of this, errors can result when precision measurements need to be made.
Contact us for more information or to order our load sensors
BoltSafe as an alternative to strain sensors
As mentioned, the strain sensors mostly use strain gauge technology. BoltSafe sensors are specially designed to measure bolt load, but are also capable of measuring other types of load. Our sensors use magnetoelastic technology and therefore measure changes in the magnetic field. Because of this technology, BoltSafe sensors are more compact and less expensive than strain sensors. Knowing the bolt load in a bolted construction enhances safety, gives better control and makes joints more dependable.
When they are used for measuring bolt load, they are used as washers which are placed on the non-driven side of a bolted connection, preferably under a nut. Tightening the bolt results in minor deformations of the stainless steel washer. This gives a change in the electrical resistance, which the sensor measures. We use this data to determine the bolt load at any given moment, as well during assembly as over time. This is a different method than measuring the elongation of the bolt to determine the force that was applied to it, but results in the same knowledge: knowing the bolt load.
Are you interested in using or distributing our bolt load sensors? Please contact us through info@boltsafe.com or call us at +31246790797. If you have any questions about the functionality, usability or applicability of our products, do not hesitate to contact us.