Industrial Load Measurement - No Matter the Application, it is Accuracy that Counts

As leaders in load measurement and control, we understand why accuracy is important in every situation. Industries like construction, agriculture, manufacturing, engineering, and even entertainment need to ensure the safety of their employees, end users, and audiences, as well as maintain their financial goals. Here are the top applications for load measurement—and how load measurement devices like dynamometers can assist.

Overhead Weighing

There are many reasons you might use a crane for overhead weighing—to measure freight weight, conduct research and development, to ensure equipment meets weight limits, or simply to gather inventory data. Dynamometers allow you to collect accurate information while overhead weighing via crane. This is especially valuable in industries where a miscalculation with heavy and expensive equipment can have drastic financial impacts and significantly slow down projects. Likewise, it ensures your end users have a safe and reliable product. Consider your average theater, stadium, or concert venue—there’s likely heavy, hanging audio visual equipment overhead. Knowing the weight of this equipment is critical to ensure safe setup and usage.

Force Measurement Testing 

Accurate force measurements and material testing are required in many applications to determine the strength of materials, quality control, and consumer safety. Designing parts and components for industries like aerospace, medical, and automotive requires high levels of accuracy to ensure products are safe, reliable, and fully functional. In aerospace in particular, force measurements are needed to test the structural integrity of aircraft components, like fasteners, the fuselage, and the wings. Other applications include engine thrust, cable tension on elevators and winches, and checking parts for balance, lift, drag, and weight.

In the automotive industry, force and torque testing are an essential part of vehicle performance and safety. Likewise, accurate force measurements are needed in other industrial processes to determine the weight of vehicles, bins, ladles, tanks, vats, and hoppers. Finding the right dynamometer for the size of the load you are testing is important in determining accurate tensile forces or suspended loads. 

Safety, Lifting & Load Monitoring

Whenever a load is being lifted, there is a potential for overload, putting your lifting and handling equipment at risk of toppling. Accurate measurement via a load indicator is critical to preventing dangerous overloads—and constant load monitoring via a dynamometer provides an additional level of protection.

Accuracy Ranges & Choosing the Right Load Indicator 

When it comes to load measurement devices, there isn’t a one-size fits all approach. Different dynamometers have different accuracy ranges and weight capacities and—generally speaking—the lighter the load, the more wiggle room in accuracy. Since there are such a wide range of load measuring devices with different capacities, the best load measuring tool kits include multiple dynamometers to be prepared for any scenario. When purchasing yours, consider these key features as well:

Tare Weight

Tare weight must be accounted for when calculating weight capacity—for both your lifting and handling equipment as well as your net measurement data. A good load indicator should include a tare weight feature; look for it when making your purchase.

Peak Hold

Knowing your peak hold is useful when weight is applied and removed quickly or when your load is being weighed and processed at the same time (e.g., when pressure or other processing could affect weight). 

Units of Measurement

To ensure versatility and avoid costly, dangerous errors, look for dynamometers that can be set to both imperial and metric systems of measurement.

Remote & Wireless Tech

Many of today’s load measurement devices are compatible with remote and wireless displays, as well as downloadable software or apps that make it easy to read and track data from afar. Some advanced tensiometers can be connected to PCs and access databases of cables, hoists, and other equipment.

Load Measurement Devices from the Pros

When it comes to lifting and weighing, finding devices that offer pinpoint accuracy, durability, and quality can be challenging. At Tractel®, our equipment is tested to the highest standards—and backed by a team of experienced engineers, helping you ensure a safe lifting environment. Interested in finding the right load indicator for your worksite? Talk to our experts today. 

You can also visit our dedicated Dynafor® page to learn more about our industrial dynamometers.