Smart Load Sensor from Sensor Technology Ltd

For instance, you may need to know how much material you have transported, or you could be handling two or more materials simultaneously which need to be accounted individually; or if working for multiple customers at the same time you can bill each appropriately.

The development, called LoadSense, is an intelligent load sensor that can be integrated with a crane hook, fork lift or other handling device. It has an on-board single-chip computer for recording, analysing and archiving readings, and wireless communications capability which can transfer data in real time to a host computer.

Designed and manufactured by Banbury-based Sensor Technology, internal batteries make LoadSense’s operation completely autonomous. As such it can be deployed with minimal disruption to operations, and will automatically begin transmitting data. No special training is required to install or operate the unit.

LoadSense is built around an intelligent load sensor, a hand-held display and a receiver. The load sensor is based on proven strain gauge technology, and is calibrated as standard in the range 1-5 tonnes, with other ranges available on request.

The transmitter (operating on an unrestricted 2.4 GHz waveband), enables accurate load data to be sent to the display, a full colour, TFT touchscreen computer, running the familiar Windows XP and LabVIEW. The display provides real time measure of the load, while the computer records and processes real-timevalues.