Strain Gaging Services

Sensing Systems provides complete strain gage installation services tailored to meet every strain gage instrumentation requirement.  We offer in-house as well as field strain gage installation services.  All field and laboratory installations are performed using standard strain gaging procedures.  Depending on the application we will also customize procedures to meet specific gaging objectives. 

Our services and strain gage installations are unique because of the wide range of capabilities we offer:

  • Technical Expertise / Consulting
  • Experience
  • Fast Turnaround Time
  • Extreme Temperature Range Capabilities
  • Strain Gaging for Underwater/Submersible applications
  • Use of custom fixturing
  • Quarter, Half and Full Wheatstone Bridge installations
  • Any number of strain gages per installation.

Technical Expertise / Consulting

We can provide as little or as much assistance as the customer requires to accomplish the strain gaging objectives.  Our engineers routinely design custom sensors utilizing strain gages and sensing elements of every imaginable size, type and configuration.  We also travel the world performing field strain gaging on machinery and structure of every size and in all environments.  We encourage our customers to take advantage of our expertise. 

We will consult with the customer and make recommendations related to the number of gages, location, bonding orientation, wiring and environmental protection issues.  Alternatively, if instructed to do so, we will perform all work strictly following our customer’s instructions and procedures. 

Experience

Our engineers and technicians have over one hundred years of accumulated laboratory and field experience.  Our projects range from mundane to challenging to extremely complex.  We have applied strain gages to parts and equipment that operate in extreme environments such as underwater, cryogenic/high temperature, magnetic and highly corrosive environments.  Our unique experience has taught us what materials, techniques and procedures work in every application.  We welcome sharing our expertise to make your project a success.

Delivery

We recognize the need for fast turn around especially for prototypes and time critical production parts.  When requested, we will work overnight and ship parts in one day or as soon as they are finished.

Standard turnaround time from receipt of parts to shipping is One to Two weeks.  More typical projects include scheduled deliveries were units are shipped at timed intervals.

Extreme Temperature Range Capability

Sensing Systems routinely strain gages parts and components to be used in cryogenic environments and at very high temperatures.  These units are designed to operate in a wide temperature range from -452˚F to 450˚F (-269˚C to 230˚C).  Because of our experience, we typically recommend the materials and procedures to use for these applications. 

We also instrument parts, equipment and structures for use up to 1,300˚F (704˚C).  These installations may also be done in the laboratory or in the field.

Underwater/Submersible Applications

Sensing Systems designs and manufactures load cells and torque sensors for underwater or submersible applications.  We can use the same materials and procedures to instrument our customer’s components if underwater operation is a requirement.  These installations also require special cabling and/or submersible connectors.

Custom Fixturing

Sensing Systems strain gages parts for customers on a long term basis.  For these customers we design and fabricate strain gaging fixtures to be used during the instrumentation process.  These fixtures result in time savings, ensure uniform and reliable installations and long term cost savings. 

Quarter, Half and Full Wheatstone Bridge Installations

Our customers may specify the type of strain gage installation they desire.  We will review the intended application and suggest and/or recommend the type of installation that meets the performance to cost criteria desired by our customer. 

Number of Strain Gages per Installation

We routinely instrument components using one to thirty two strain gages in a single installation.  We will apply as many gages as needed to measure the desired variable and compensate for all unwanted effects.  We will use our expertise and experience to recommend the number, location, type and wiring configuration to accomplish the best possible measurement.

Material Selection

Selection of the proper strain gages and gaging materials is critical to ensure a long term accurate and reliable installation.  All strain gaging components must be selected with the intended application as a guide.  Sensing Systems will recommend the best suited materials to fulfill the requirements and keep costs low.

Environmental Protection

Strain gage installations need to be protected from potential damage due to the environment in which they operate.  Environmental conditions vary greatly between laboratory operation and exposed field conditions.  Protection of strain gage installations should be commensurate with the environment in which they operate.  Sensing Systems will recommend and use the materials and procedures that will ensure survivability of each installation.

Calibration

A natural extension of strain gaging services is the calibration of the instrumented parts.  Sensing Systems offers a full range of calibration services.  Calibrations may be performed in the laboratory or in the field through the use of loading fixtures.  All calibrations performed by Sensing Systems use NIST traceable standards. 

Technical Assistance

Please contact our engineering department to review your application, drawings and parts.  We will recommend a course of action and/or follow your instructions.

Contact Us now to discuss your application.