Digital module connects strain gauges and load-cells easily

The devices have many applications, including laboratory and R&D, aerospace, defence, marine, food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics and rubbers, sports technology, production and manufacturing, troubleshooting, weighing, and many others.

Available output formats include RS232, RS485 ASCII, Modbus, MantraCAN (J1939). For mounting internally inside sensors, the same electronics package is available also in a compact miniature puck format , the DCell, though RS232 is not an option with these. For mounting in a convenient IP65 enclosure, or for multiple load cell installations, two easy-connect mounting housings are available, the DSJ1 (1channel) and DSJ4 (up to 4 channels). A ready to go Evaluation Kit that includes one DSC or DCell is available.

The major features of the DSC are:

* Strain gauge to RS232, RS485 or CAN digital load cell conditioning card
* OEM PCB format for easy fitting to products
* Ultra high performance, resolution of 1 part in 400,000 (18bit, or 0.00025%)
* High speed, up to 500 updates per second
* Auto calibration or direct entry of mV/V with linearisation
* Programmable dynamic filter
* Temperature compensation
* Error reporting including strain gauge fault conditions and overloads
* Peak and trough (valley) recording
* Remote shunt calibration by software command or digital input
* Software enabling 24 DSC or DCells to be viewed and logged simultaneously

The DSC is but one of many signal conditioning solutions offered by Aptifirst, along with a range of load cells, accelerometers, fibre optic sapphire window probes, temperature monitors and controllers, and much more.