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Calibration Services

Loadstar Sensors offers calibration and repair services for most of the sensors we offer including - Load/Force/Weight, Displacement, Torque and Level Sensors. We have a state of the art calibration facility in Fremont, CA. Every load cell we ship is calibrated and verified to make sure we meet the highest quality standards.  Please contact us to let us know what kind of calibration service you need!

 

calibration dead weights

 

What is Calibration
 

Calibration is the process of applying known inputs (such as loads or forces or weights) to a sensor and measuring the output parameter such as voltage or current in response to the applied known inputs. A calibration curve - linear, quadratic, cubic or other function - can be fitted to the obtained data and the resulting equation used to infer applied forces from the output voltage.

 
Why Calibrate

Sensors can change their behavior due to repeated use, misuse, abuse or simply with the passage of time. So Why do You Need to reCalibrate Your Sensors?

  • To make sure it is working accurately within its specifications
  • To meet ISO or other QA/QC requirements
  • To make sure the accuracy is in line with international references outside your facility
  • To avoid injury, errors or mistakes creeping into your products if sensor is reporting wrong results

We recommend recalibration of your sensors, at least once a year if you use it moderately. If the sensor is put to heavy use then you might want to recalibrate it more frequently on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.  If you suspect that the sensors are not behaving as expected then we recommend that you check the results carefully and send it in for inspection and recalibration immediately.

Cost: From $150
Note: Some customers require a sensor to be tested to see how "off" it is when received prior to calibration. In such cases, please make sure to add an 'As Received' verification service to your recalibration orders.
 
Calibration Equipment
 

Loadstar Sensors uses state of the art equipment traceable to NIST standards to perform calibrations. We calibrate each and every sensor before it leaves the building. Our internal standards are much more stingent compared to ISO or other standards. We are not an ISO certified test lab but use NIST traceable equipment, references and dead weights as needed to perform all calibration services. 

For Load Cells we use one of the three pieces of equipment as show below.

 
calibration 1 calibration 2 calibration 3
Dead Weights up to 250 lbs
Instron Test Frame Up to 10K lb
Instron Test Frame Up to 100K lb
 
How We Calibrate
 

Calibrations can either be Digital Calibrations or Analog Calibrations. We calibrate integrated load cells like the iLoad, iLoad TR or iLoad Pro directly using the raw digital output from the sensors. For most resistive load cells mated to DI-100, DI-400 or DI-1000 with USB or Wireless Output, we perfroma a digital calibration that outputs the calibrated values directly in Lbs or Kgs. For most resistive load cells mated to an AI-1000 or AI-1000CV, we perform an analog output that provides a best fit linear curve of Force vs. Voltage.

 
Digital Calibration

We apply known values to the sensor and read the resulting output signal. For example in the case of load cells, we place known dead weights (up to 100 lb capacities) or apply reference force using a test frame up to 100K lb.

We collect data at at least 5 points for one way calibration and for 9 points for two way calibrations at different load levels (as % of full scale loads).

 
One Way Loading Only
Two Way Loading & Unloading
0%
0%
25%
25%
50%
50%
100%
100%
 
75%
 
50%
 
25%
 
0%
 
 
A Typical Digital Calibration Run May Look Like This:

Apply known loads and read the raw digital values from the Digital Load Cell Interface
 

Capacity: 100lb.
Load Raw Counts
0 5000000
10 5100000
20 5200000
40 5400000
60 5600000
80 5800000
100 6000000
50 5500000
0 5000000
 
 
Curve Fit

A polynomial best fit curve is calculated which yields coefficients A, B, C and D for a cubic curve.  These coefficients are burned into the sensor itself or into the interface device to which the sensor is mated. The applied load is computed during use as follows:

load cell calibration curve

 

Raw Weight = A*Count3+B*Count2+C*Count+D
Computed Weight = Raw Weight – Tared Weight
 
 
Calibration Certificate

A calibration certificate lists details about the sensor, the equipment used, applied and measured loads with the percentage errors a fraction of the full scale capacity or range of the sensor. A calibration certificate with each of our shipped sensors.
 

You can view a Sample Digital Calibration Certificate here.

 
Analog Calibration

 

When a customer requests an analog calibration we apply loads and measure the resulting voltage or current output.
At each load position, we read the voltage in the 0.5 to 4.5 V DC range.

 

Capacity: 100lb.
Load (Lbs)
Raw Signal (V)
0
0.500
10
1.000
20
1.500
40
2.000
60
2.500
80
3.000
100
4.000
 

A linear curve with Force as the calculated parameter and voltage as the varying parameter is calculated. The equation looks like:

Force = A * Voltage + B

We provide this calibration equation to the customer who can then use it to compute the appleid force in their own application.

You can view a Sample Analog Calibration Sheet here.

 
 
A Word About Calibration

The load cells are calibrated under ideal lab conditions in our facility in California. Calibrated values can differ due to a variety of factors such including variations in gravitational fields at different locations, altidtude, environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, vibration in contacting surfaces etc.

For best results, users should calibrate the sensor in place after mounting it into their particular setup. We suggest that you ask a professional calibration shop to come to your facility and provide calibration service at your location for best results.

 
 
Calibration Order Processing
If you'd like to send in your sensors for recalibration, then please follow the steps as outlined below:

 

Step 1
Get a Quote
  • Send us the serial number of the units you want to send in
  • Let us know how urgently you need the recalibrated load cells back
  • We will send you a formal quote
Step 2
Place an Order for Recalibration
  • If quoted price is accepted, we will convert estimate into an invoice
  • Make a payment with credit card or send us a PO 
Step 3
Ship us the items for Calibration
  • Carefully pack and ship the items needed to complete the calibration 
  • Include the Invoice # on the box or inside the box 
  • Send us the tracking number for the shipment
Step 4
Evaluation and Processing
  • If sensor is in good workign condition we will recalibrate
    If sensor needs repair or replacement we will advise options & cost
Step 5
Ship Back
  • We will process the order in 1-2 weeks after receipt
  • We will ship sooner if an expedited processing option is selected
   
How to Calibrate Sensors Yourself
 

If you have good references or test equipment and can apply known values to the sensor, then you can calibrate it yourself. You need to have LoadVUE Pro, SensorVUE or ControlVUE software, has a recalibration utility that can help you recalibrate using a friendly GUI WIndows application that helps you calibrate, burn and test the sensors after calibration.

 
calibrate sensor
 

The calibration utility allows a user to use one of several methods to recalibrate a load cell. These include:

  • Enter mV/V number provided by manufacturer if you trust it
  • Do a 2 point quick linear calibration
  • Do a multi point calibration
  • You can verify the results quickly within the utility after calibration.

 

Software Cost: From $199


 

Product Details
C-Compression, T-Tension, U-Universal
SKUModeDirectionCapacityPriceQuantity
ACAL-MV*C01Analog - mV/VCompressionUp to 10 K lbClick here to see price
N/A
ACAL-MV*C02Analog - mV/VTensionUp to 10 K lbClick here to see price
N/A
ACAL-MV*C03Analog - mV/VUniversalUp to 10 K lbClick here to see price
N/A
ACAL-HC-MV*C01High Capacity Analog - mV/VCompressionAbove 10 K lbClick here to see price
N/A
ACAL-HC-MV*C02High Capacity Analog - mV/VTensionAbove 10 K lbClick here to see price
N/A
ACAL-HC-MV*C03High Capacity Analog - mV/VUniversalAbove 10 K lbClick here to see price
N/A
ACAL*C01Analog - 0.5 to 4.5V DCCompressionUp to 10 K lbClick here to see price
N/A
ACAL*C02Analog - 0.5 to 4.5V DCTensionUp to 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
ACAL*C03Analog - 0.5 to 4.5V DCUniversalUp to 10 K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
ACAL-HC*C01Analog - 0.5 to 4.5V DCCompressionAbove 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
ACAL-HC*C02Analog - 0.5 to 4.5V DCTensionAbove 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
ACAL-HC*C03Analog - 0.5 to 4.5V DCUniversalAbove 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
DCAL*C01DigitalCompressionUp to 10 K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
DCAL*C02DigitalTensionUp to 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
DCAL*C03DigitalUniversalUp to 10 K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
DCAL-HC*C01DigitalCompressionAbove 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
DCAL-HC*C02DigitalTensionAbove 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
DCAL-HC*C03DigitalUniversalAbove 10K lb.Click here to see price
N/A
  • Home
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  • Products
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        • DI-100 16-Bit Digital Interface
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    • Software
      • LoadVUE Lite
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  • Solutions
    • Impact Force Measurement
    • Inventory Management
    • Boxer Training Kit
    • Bite Force Sensor
    • IV Bag Monitoring
    • Counting Scale
    • Pedal Force Sensor
    • Level Sensor
    • Center of Gravity Scale
  • Services
    • Calibration Services
  • Technology
    • What is a load cell?
    • Plug and Sense Simplicity
    • Videos
    • Load Cell Buyers Guide
    • Why Capacitance
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Press Releases
    • Jobs
    • Policies
    • Contact Us
    • Blog
  • Support
    • Downloads
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