
Computer interfacing
Transducers for force and displacement
The strain gauge
The strain gauge works on the principle that resistance
of a conductor depends upon its physical dimensions.
Thus,
if something influences any of these dimensions, a
change in resistance will occur. This change can be de-
tected and measured in a bridge circuit. These devices
can be made from various metals, alloys or semiconduc-
tors.
In practice they take the form of a very fine
conductor network that may be unbonded (that is free
in space) or bonded to a fine foil which is cemented to
the member in which the force is to be measured.
Typical resistance values are 120 ...