Load cells calibration with a low cost data acquisition system

Abstract

In the present work, an experimental analysis was performed to obtain the calibration curve of three load cells connected in series. The control of the load applied on a given component is an important factor in some engineering applications, for example, in cases where it is desired to increase the heat exchange between two surfaces. One of the ways to control the applied load is the use of load cells, which has as its principle of use a strain gauge that has its resistance varied when it undergoes a deformation, thus causing a voltage variation due to the application of load. This study used an ArduinoTM microcontroller as a data acquisition system and blocks with known mass for load application.  In this way it was possible to obtain the calibration curve of the load cells by means of linear regression between the mass of the blocks and the data obtained by the ArduinoTM microcontroller and verify their applicability according to their measurement uncertainties.