Force sensors market: global industry analysis and opportunity assessment 2016 - 2026 available in new report

Force sensors are also known as force transducers that converts an input mechanical force into an electrical output signal. It act as a force sensing resistor in an electric circuit.

It has various benefits such as flexibility and ultra-thin sensor construction which leads to minimal interference in normal action of device and precise response. Depending upon the working and sensing method, variety of force sensors are available in the market.

Force Sensor Market: Drivers and Restraint

The global force sensor market is expected to witness substantial growth over the period of forecast. Technological advancement, low manufacturing cost, increasing product demand, rise in the demand of industrial robots, advancement of medical devices with force sensing technology, innovations and development in the manufacturing are the few factors encouraging the growth of global force sensor market.

On the other hand, factors which are restraining the global force sensor market are instability in the demand across various end-user industry and underdeveloped aftermarket sales channels.

Force Sensor Market: Segmentation

The global force sensor market can be segmented into type, application and region.

On the basis of type, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, optical force sensor, piezoresistive force sensor, capacitive force sensor, magnetic force sensor, ultrasonic force sensor, strain gauges, and electrochemical force sensors

Sensors has become an essential part of any measurement and automation applications. Overall global sensor market is witnessing a trend of increasing sensor accuracy, reliability, response time, efficiency, communication capability and robustness encourages the demand for sensors across various applications. 

On the basis of application, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, medical & pharmaceutical sector, automotive, printing & packaging, consumer electronics, industrial (robotic & manufacturing), and aerospace & defence. Key developments in the prominent industries such as medical & pharmaceuticals, robotics, aerospace & defence, manufacturing and others is expected to encourage the growth of global force sensor market by 2025.

Force sensors are used in manufacturing tools, transportation equipment, microelectronic packaging, transportation equipment. Force sensors can also be used in wireless inventory management system to improve order scheduling which helps in avoiding inventory stock-out issue.

Force Sensor Market: Region wise outlook

On the basis of region, the global force sensor market can be seven regions which include – North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America is dominating the global force sensor market due to high technological advancement and increasing adoption among various end-user applications.

However, revenue contribution from Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

Force Sensor Market: Key Players

Key players in the global force sensor market are FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc., OMRON Corporation, Texas Instruments Incorporated are the top players are global force sensor market. Apart from them, various other players are existing in market such as TE Connectivity Ltd., Tekscan, Inc., ATI Industrial Automation, and Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Key players are focusing on development of new technologies and new product launch. Merger and acquisition is another activity observed in the market by the market participants to increase their product portfolio and to grow the business.

The growth in global force sensor market is also due to growing awareness about the potential use of force sensors in different electronic devices by the original equipment manufacturers. For example, in August 2015, Apple, Inc.

posted a patent report, “An Advanced Force Touch Patent for the iPad Surfaces in Europe” to develop techniques to integrate the force sensors into the iPhone and iPad.

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New study: global force sensor market, forecast 2016 - 2022

Force sensors are also known as force transducers that converts an input mechanical force into an electrical output signal. It act as a force sensing resistor in an electric circuit.

Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd is released new forthcoming report on title "Force Sensor Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2022".It has various benefits such as flexibility and ultra-thin sensor construction which leads to minimal interference in normal action of device and precise response. Depending upon the working and sensing method, variety of force sensors are available in the market.

The global force sensor market is expected to witness substantial growth over the period of forecast. Technological advancement, low manufacturing cost, increasing product demand, rise in the demand of industrial robots, advancement of medical devices with force sensing technology, innovations and development in the manufacturing are the few factors encouraging the growth of global force sensor market.

On the other hand, factors which are restraining the global force sensor market are instability in the demand across various end-user industry and underdeveloped aftermarket sales channels.

The global force sensor market can be segmented into type, application and region.

On the basis of type, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, optical force sensor, piezoresistive force sensor, capacitive force sensor, magnetic force sensor, ultrasonic force sensor, strain gauges, and electrochemical force sensors

Sensors has become an essential part of any measurement and automation applications. Overall global sensor market is witnessing a trend of increasing sensor accuracy, reliability, response time, efficiency, communication capability and robustness encourages the demand for sensors across various applications. 

On the basis of application, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, medical & pharmaceutical sector, automotive, printing & packaging, consumer electronics, industrial (robotic & manufacturing), and aerospace & defence. Key developments in the prominent industries such as medical & pharmaceuticals, robotics, aerospace & defence, manufacturing and others is expected to encourage the growth of global force sensor market by 2025.

Force sensors are used in manufacturing tools, transportation equipment, microelectronic packaging, transportation equipment. Force sensors can also be used in wireless inventory management system to improve order scheduling which helps in avoiding inventory stock-out issue.

On the basis of region, the global force sensor market can be seven regions which include – North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America is dominating the global force sensor market due to high technological advancement and increasing adoption among various end-user applications.

However, revenue contribution from Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

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HBM Simplifies Measurement System Assembly with Force Sensors Equipped with TEDS Memory Modules

In the past, installing force sensors and configuring them with a system’s measurement amplifiers was a time-consuming process due to the increasingly miniaturized design of system components and connectors and the growing number of measurement channels typically involved. To simplify this integration and configuration process, HBM Test and Measurement (HBM) has developed a practical solution that combines an easy-to-order force sensor with a cable of the required length, an appropriate connector plug for the amplifier, and a TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) module.

A TEDS module speeds the system configuration process by having the individual characteristics of the force sensor, including sensitivity, nominal (rated) force, supply voltage, serial number and transducer type saved to memory when the sensor is delivered. The amplifier system reads the chip automatically and configures the measurement module with the correct sensor data, effectively eliminating entry errors and allowing users to begin making measurements right away.

TEDS modules are applicable to a wide range of transducers that operate on a variety of different principles. HBM and other leading manufacturers of transducers and amplifiers contributed to the development of the IEEE 1451.4 Standard for Smart Transducers.
HBM force sensors are delivered ready to install, including the appropriate plug and a cable in a length suitable for the application that has been tested for function and insulation resistance. These new convenient assembly options are available for almost all force sensors from HBM, as well as connector variants for nearly all HBM measurement modules.

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Force Sensor Patent Application Promises Better iPhone, iPad Touch Screens

Apple patent filing could result in the improved performance and accuracy of its mobile device displays.

Wearable technology such as Google Glass may be the next frontier when it comes to mobile computing, but in today’s world it is the smartphone and tablet computer that are still king. So it should come as no surprise that manufacturers such as Apple are always looking for ways to improve the performance of their current crop of mobile devices.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s recent patent application, titled "Gesture and Touch Input Detection Through Force Sensing," demonstrates one way to do just that. As shown on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website, the application outlines a method for increasing the sensitivity of touch screens, thereby making them more accurate.

How would it do that, exactly? By adding at least three force sensors to the screen to better distinguish particular kinds of swipes and improve how mobile devices differentiate unintentional gestures from real or intended ones.

According to the patent application, a computing device such as an iPhone or iPad configured to recognize a user’s input would include “a touch interface in communication with the processor and configured to detect a touch signal corresponding to an object approaching or contacting a surface, and at least three force sensors in communication with the processor and configured to detect a force signal corresponding to an object exerting a force on the surface.”

As the image taken from the patent application shows, the force sensors wouldn’t be placed on or buried underneath the screen. Rather, they would be located at the corners of the device. From there, the closest one would determine the pressure of a touch and the force or pressure it places on the display. The patent calls this the “force centroid,” which is then analyzed to determine if it should be treated as a single, multitouch or accidental gesture.

While the technology described is a clear match for smartphones and tablets, the patent application also mentions notebook computers, digital music players, portable gaming stations and the like as computing platforms that would benefit from force sensors.

Apple recently announced record fourth quarter sales of its mobile devices, moving 51 million iPhones and 26 million iPads. It also sold 4.8 million Macs.

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Force Sensors Market Analysis: By Application (Automotive, Medical, Industrial, Printing & Packaging)

Force Sensors are abounding in robotics, industrial automation equipment, automobile safety devices, medical systems and many others. The most well-known sensors for measuring force are load cells. They can use different technologies to sense loads. Strain gages, piezoelectric elements, and variable capacitance are among the methods in wide use.

In medical devices industry miniaturization has been a focus these days, sensor manufacturers have been responding to these innovations by providing variety of options in sensors with flexible mounting, small in sizes, and also have been adding new features to make sensors feasible with new applications by integrating multiple sensors in single package.

The increasing demand for force sensors in different platforms has set demand for force sensors; the market for the same is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.49% with total revenue of $2.36 Billion by 2020.

Recent developments in prominent industries such as Aerospace and Defense, Medical and Pharmaceuticals, Robotics, Manufacturing, Agriculture and others will shape up the Force Sensors Market by 2020. The market growth is estimated to observe a positive slope in Americas and Europe by 2020 end.

This market has been analyzed by product type such as capacitive sensors, strain gauges, piezoresistive sensors, pyroelectric sensors and others. In this report, the Force Sensors Market is further segmented into Applications and Geography. Applications include Aerospace and Defense, Medical and Pharmaceuticals, Printing and Packaging, Robotics, Automotive and others.

Competitive landscape for industry and market players are profiled with attributes of company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio and recent developments.

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Scientists develop force sensor from carbon nanotubes

A group of researchers from Russia, Belarus and Spain, including Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology professor Yury Lozovik, have developed a microscopic force sensor based on carbon nanotubes. The device is described in an article published in the journal Computational Materials Science and is also available as a preprint.

The scientists proposed using two nanotubes, one of which is a long cylinder with double walls one atom thick. These tubes are placed so that their open ends are opposite to each other. Voltage is then applied to them, and a current of about 10nAflows through the circuit.

Carbon tube walls are good conductors, and along the gap between the ends of the nanotubes the current flows thanks to the tunnel effect, which is a quantum phenomenon where electrons pass through a barrier that is considered insurmountable in classical mechanics.

This current is called tunneling current and is widely used in practice. There are, for example, tunnel diodes, wherein current flows through the potential barrier of the p-n junction.

Another example is a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), in which the surface of a sample is scanned with a very sharp needle under voltage. The needle slides along the surface, and the magnitude of the current flowing through it shows the distance to the sample with such accuracy that the STM can detect protrusions one atom high.

The authors of the article used the relationship between the tunneling current and the distance between the ends of the nanotubes to determine the relative position of the carbon nanotubes and thus to find the magnitude of the external force exerted on them.

The new sensor allows the position of coaxial cylinders in two-layer nanotubes to be controlled quite accurately. As a result, it is possible to determine the stretch of an n-scale object, to which electrodes are attached. Calculations made by the researchers showed the possibility of recording forces of a few tenths of a nN(10-10newtons). To make it clearer, a single bacterium weighs about 10-14newtons on average, and a mosquito weighs a few dozen mcN (10-5 N).However, the device developed by the physicists may find application beyond micro scales.

A double-layered coaxial nanotube is akin to a microscopic cylinder with a sliding piston. Such a system has already been considered by a number of other researchers as a potential part for various types of nanomachines. Nanotubes have been proposed for the role of micromanipulators, or connecting "studs" for complex mechanisms, and they may even be used for data storage; the position of the inner "piston" may encode one bit of information or more.

Furthermore, calculations have shown that it is possible to create a combined device, where inside a two-layer carbon nanotube there will be magnetic fullerenes. When placed in a magnetic field, a power will emerge, which could be measured by changes in the magnitude of tunneling current. This will convert the force sensor into a magnetic field sensor.

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Force Sensor Market Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2016-2026

Force sensors are also known as force transducers that converts an input mechanical force into an electrical output signal. It act as a force sensing resistor in an electric circuit. It has various benefits such as flexibility and ultra-thin sensor construction which leads to minimal interference in normal action of device and precise response. Depending upon the working and sensing method, variety of force sensors are available in the market.

Force Sensor Market: Drivers and Restraint
The global force sensor market is expected to witness substantial growth over the period of forecast. Technological advancement, low manufacturing cost, increasing product demand, rise in the demand of industrial robots, advancement of medical devices with force sensing technology, innovations and development in the manufacturing are the few factors encouraging the growth of global force sensor market.

On the other hand, factors which are restraining the global force sensor market are instability in the demand across various end-user industry and underdeveloped aftermarket sales channels.

Force Sensor Market: Segmentation
The global force sensor market can be segmented into type, application and region. On the basis of type, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, optical force sensor, piezoresistive force sensor, capacitive force sensor, magnetic force sensor, ultrasonic force sensor, strain gauges, and electrochemical force sensors

Sensors has become an essential part of any measurement and automation applications. Overall global sensor market is witnessing a trend of increasing sensor accuracy, reliability, response time, efficiency, communication capability and robustness encourages the demand for sensors across various applications.  On the basis of application, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, medical & pharmaceutical sector, automotive, printing & packaging, consumer electronics, industrial (robotic & manufacturing), and aerospace & defence. Key developments in the prominent industries such as medical & pharmaceuticals, robotics, aerospace & defence, manufacturing and others is expected to encourage the growth of global force sensor market by 2026. Force sensors are used in manufacturing tools, transportation equipment, microelectronic packaging, transportation equipment etc. Force sensors can also be used in wireless inventory management system to improve order scheduling which helps in avoiding inventory stock-out issue.

Force Sensor Market: Region wise outlook
On the basis of region, the global force sensor market can be seven regions which include – North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America is dominating the global force sensor market due to high technological advancement and increasing adoption among various end-user applications. However, revenue contribution from Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

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Reference design for smart, four-point industrial force sensor

Maxim Integrated has posted details of its Reference Design MAXREFDES82#, for a sensor configuration that measures mass, as well as the centre of mass of the object on it. This combination of features and speed means that the design operates as both a weigh scale and a touch interface with force sensor.

Built with a plastic plate, the system meets the needs of industrial human machine interfaces (HMIs). The design features the MAX11254 24-bit, 6-channel, 64 ksample/sec delta-sigma ADC with SPI interface. Four load cells are mounted on a quadrant plane to detect touch forces applied on the flat plastic plate. Based on the forces applied on each individual load cell, the system displays the total force magnitude, and the coordinates of the force centre. The force magnitude and coordinates are scanned approximately each 10 milliseconds.

The system includes a TFT liquid crystal display (LCD) module, digitally showing the forces on each individual load cell, and the total force applied on the top plate. The LCD module also graphically displays the force magnitude and the coordinates of the force centre. The design is low power and is supplied by a USB port. A PC-side GUI program is also included to facilitate the human interface input demonstration and development.

The block diagram demonstrates how a touch force and its movement are captured and used in a 3-dimensional human-interface input device. The design includes source files for the microcontroller to enable developers to evaluate and customize the design for their specific applications with minimal firmware or hardware changes. The board is designed in a compact form factor for rapid evaluation or installation.

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Force Sensor Market: Segments, Dynamics, Size, Forecast, Technology, Drivers and Restraints by 2016 - 2022

Force sensors are also known as force transducers that converts an input mechanical force into an electrical output signal. It act as a force sensing resistor in an electric circuit. It has various benefits such as flexibility and ultra-thin sensor construction which leads to minimal interference in normal action of device and precise response. Depending upon the working and sensing method, variety of force sensors are available in the market.

The global force sensor market is expected to witness substantial growth over the period of forecast. Technological advancement, low manufacturing cost, increasing product demand, rise in the demand of industrial robots, advancement of medical devices with force sensing technology, innovations and development in the manufacturing are the few factors encouraging the growth of global force sensor market.

On the other hand, factors which are restraining the global force sensor market are instability in the demand across various end-user industry and underdeveloped aftermarket sales channels.

The global force sensor market can be segmented into type, application and region. On the basis of type, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, optical force sensor, piezoresistive force sensor, capacitive force sensor, magnetic force sensor, ultrasonic force sensor, strain gauges, and electrochemical force sensors

Sensors has become an essential part of any measurement and automation applications. Overall global sensor market is witnessing a trend of increasing sensor accuracy, reliability, response time, efficiency, communication capability and robustness encourages the demand for sensors across various applications.  On the basis of application, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, medical & pharmaceutical sector, automotive, printing & packaging, consumer electronics, industrial (robotic & manufacturing), and aerospace & defence. Key developments in the prominent industries such as medical & pharmaceuticals, robotics, aerospace & defence, manufacturing and others is expected to encourage the growth of global force sensor market by 2025. Force sensors are used in manufacturing tools, transportation equipment, microelectronic packaging, transportation equipment etc. Force sensors can also be used in wireless inventory management system to improve order scheduling which helps in avoiding inventory stock-out issue.

On the basis of region, the global force sensor market can be seven regions which include – North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America is dominating the global force sensor market due to high technological advancement and increasing adoption among various end-user applications. However, revenue contribution from Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

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How to choose a Force Sensor?

There are several basic questions that must be answered when identifying the best AMTI force sensor for your application.
1. What forces and moments will be applied to the sensor?
The sensor you select must be appropriate for all loads and moments that will be applied to it, even those that will not be measured. If you would like assistance calculating the forces and moments (Mx, My, and Mz) that pertain to your application, please fill out the Application Questionnaire.
2. What are the size limitations for the sensor?
AMTI's standard sensors range in length from 2.5 cm to almost 2 meters. Custom-sized force sensors are also available to meet the dimensional requirements imposed by highly specialized applications.
3. Is there a specific shape that is required to fit your application?
AMTI manufactures cylindrical, square and rectangular sensors, as well as sensors with specialized attachment points and configurations (such as a flanged base for t-slot mounting in machinery).
4. Are there any special conditions that the sensor must meet?
Many of AMTI's standard sensors are engineered to operate in special conditions, such as underwater, outdoors, or in a vacuum. Standard sensors can also be customized to fit highly specific applications.

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Feasibility of novel four degrees of freedom capacitive force sensor for skin interface force

 The objective of our study was to develop a novel capacitive force sensor that enables simultaneous measurements of yaw torque around the pressure axis and normal force and shear forces at a single point for the purpose of elucidating pressure ulcer pathogenesis and establishing criteria for selection of cushions and mattresses.
Methods
Two newly developed sensors (approximately 10 mm×10 mm×5 mm (10) and 20 mm×20 mm×5 mm (20)) were constructed from silicone gel and four upper and lower electrodes. The upper and lower electrodes had sixteen combinations that had the function as capacitors of parallel plate type. The full scale (FS) ranges of force/torque were defined as 0–1.5 N, –0.5-0.5 N and −1.5-1.5 N mm (10) and 0–8.7 N, –2.9-2.9 N and −16.8-16.8 N mm (20) in normal force, shear forces and yaw torque, respectively. The capacitances of sixteen capacitors were measured by an LCR meter (AC1V, 100 kHz) when displacements corresponding to four degrees of freedom (DOF) forces within FS ranges were applied to the sensor. The measurement was repeated three times in each displacement condition (10 only). Force/torque were calculated by corrected capacitance and were evaluated by comparison to theoretical values and standard normal force measured by an universal tester.
Results
In measurements of capacitance, the coefficient of variation was 3.23% (10). The Maximum FS errors of estimated force/torque were less than or equal to 10.1 (10) and 16.4% (20), respectively. The standard normal forces were approximately 1.5 (10) and 9.4 N (20) when pressure displacements were 3 (10) and 2 mm (20), respectively. The estimated normal forces were approximately 1.5 (10) and 8.6 N (10) in the same condition.
Conclusions
In this study, we developed a new four DOF force sensor for measurement of force/torque that occur between the skin and a mattress. In measurement of capacitance, the repeatability was good and it was confirmed that the sensor had characteristics that enabled the correction by linear approximation for adjustment of gain and offset. In estimation of forces/torque, we considered accuracy to be within an acceptable range.


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Nanoscale optical force sensor made with living probes

Run a quick [search engine of your choosing] query for the phrase "Apple bezel patent," and you'll see a ton of news, dating back a number of years, related to all the possible improvements that Apple has considered regarding the black border around its iPhones and iPads.

According to the website, Patently Apple, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has recently published a patent application related to force detection on the bezel of Apple's devices.

As the related figure illustrates, Apple's ambitions – at least, as part of the patent application – involve slapping four different sensors in the four corners of an iPad (for example). These would be able to detect finger-pushing at any length along the device's bezel. In other words, you wouldn't just be stuck tapping one of the four corners in order to activate a particular action; you could tap any portion of the bezel to, say, raise and lower the iPad's volume via virtual buttons.

Presumably, the force sensors on the Apple device would be able to differentiate between single or multitouch gestures and, we hope, be able to discern whether you're just gripping the device near the bezel with your fingers or actively trying to engage a virtual button.
Since this is just a patent application, there's no indication that Apple actually plans to roll this technology out in future iterations of its iPad, iPhone, or who-knows-what-else.

Additionally, it's unclear just how Apple's patented technology would work with its more recent design update to its bezels. If you've taken a gander at an iPhone 5S or 5C lately, or an iPad Air, you'll note that there really isn't all that much bezel to speak of. The virtual buttons we previously mentioned would be more the size of a scrollbar's "thumb," if that.

If anything, we wonder if this wouldn't be a way for Apple to eliminate bezels entirely. If force-sensitive sensors could better discern between how one grips an iDevice versus how one actively manipulates it, what's to stop Apple from slapping these sensors under the display itself and extending the total viewing area to cover the entirety of an iPad or iPhone?

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Force sensor for chameleon and Casimir force experiments with parallel-plate configuration

The search for non-Newtonian forces has been pursued following many different paths. Recently it was suggested that hypothetical chameleon interactions, which might explain the mechanisms behind dark energy, could be detected in a high-precision force measurement.

In such an experiment, interactions between parallel plates kept at constant separation could be measured as a function of the pressure of an ambient gas, thereby identifying chameleon interactions by their unique inverse dependence on the local mass density.

During the past years we have been developing a new kind of setup complying with the stringent requirements of the proposed experiment. In this article we present the first and most important part of this setup—the force sensor.

We discuss its design, fabrication, and characterization. From the results of the latter, we derive limits on chameleon interaction parameters that could be set by the forthcoming experiment. Finally, we describe the opportunity to use the same setup to measure Casimir forces at large surface separations with unprecedented accuracy, thereby potentially giving unambiguous answers to long-standing open questions.


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New Miniature Low-level Force Sensor is Small but Perfectly Formed

The new Type 9215A miniature force sensor from Kistler Instruments is only 23.3mm long and 6.0mm diameter and weighs only 2.5g making it ideal for both laboratory and industrial applications where space is at a premium. This highly sensitive, piezoelectric force sensor is suitable for measuring quasi-static and dynamic tensile and compression forces from 1mN to 200N in three calibrated ranges. The sensor has a sealed DIN 1.4542 stainless steel body with an M5x0.5 external mounting thread and an M2 tapped bore for force input.

The highly sensitive measuring element fitted under low preload gives the sensor very high rigidity with simultaneously low sensitivity to transverse force and acceleration over the -50°C to +180°C operating temperature range. The versatility offered by the three measuring ranges, 2N, 20N and 200N, and the low force sensitivity make the new sensor exceptionally suited to a wide range of applications in product testing and for highly sensitive force measurements in research and development. Typical applications include:

medical device testing; contact force measurement on keys, switches, relays and similar components; measurement of spring characteristics; measurement of electrical connector contacts extraction forces; construction of highly sensitive miniature force plates for wind tunnel measurements; force measurements on automatic assembly machines, robots and micromanipulators.

The sensor comes with a force introducing cap and a fork wrench as standard whilst connecting cables from 1m to 10m are available options. With the cable connected and the O-ring correctly fitted in the cable connector, the plug connection is splash proof to IP65.

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Force Sensors Make Medical Devices Smarter

The practice of medicine has always been an art as well as a science. But, in the age of value-based care, the balance between those two is shifting in favor of the latter. Sensor-enabled medical devices are playing an important role in the trend.

The Flexi Force sensor from Tekscan is an example of a product that can help make medical devices smarter.

In healthcare in the 21st century, data is king. Number crunchers in hospitals’ procurement departments now wield considerable influence in the healthcare landscape. And group purchasing organizations (GPOs) are emerging as the Costco of healthcare—buying products in huge quantities and then selling them at discounted rates to members.

But healthcare needs more than hawking medical products at discounted rates; it needs a way to gauge their efficacy. It needs smarter medical devices.

A growing number of sensor-enabled medical devices are hitting the market, providing metrics for diagnoses and helping systematize how doctors deliver treatments.

Surgical tools are one example that could benefit from such technology. In the past, surgeons relied heavily on their training and experience to guide them in a procedure. Whether they squeezed a surgical instrument with the correct amount of pressure was determined largely based on experience.

Now, force sensors can be integrated into surgical grippers to help surgeons get a sense of the force they are applying. "The sensors can provide a surgeon with the feedback during a procedure that helps them avoid cutting a vital organ or vein," says Lisa Jones, marketing specialist, FlexiForce at Tekscan (South Boston, MA).

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Force sensor integrated into surgical forceps

Samsung's Device and System Research Center present a force sensor integrated into surgical forceps to provide surgeons with a sense of touch in robotically-assisted procedures. 

Sensory isolation

When performing open surgery, surgeons intuitively use their senses in combination to capture the information they need to complete the procedure. Their sense of touch plays a very large part in this, providing information on the body tissues that they are interacting with, the materials they are using as part of the procedure and their interaction with both, including the amount of force they are applying.

In order to reduce the trauma associated with surgery, more and more procedures are now routinely performed not as open surgery, but using minimally invasive techniques such as 'keyhole' surgery. Increasingly then, the surgeon has to rely on imaging technologies to mediate their vision, and their sense of touch is entirely mediated by surgical implements, such as forceps. This can lead to insufficient control of pinch and pull forces, leading to use of too little or too much force, both of which can result in tissue damage, through slipping or crushing.

This difficulty is particularly present in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery where there is no direct mechanical link between the surgeon's hand controls and the parts of the tools in contact with the tissue and surgical implements. In this context, accurate haptic feedback would be a significant boon to the surgeon. Such feedback first requires high fidelity measurement of the forces being generated at the tool tip.

Unfortunately, attaching force and pressure sensors to surgical tools, including forceps, is far from straightforward. The application environments make packaging difficult. Tools designed to be minimally invasive are, perforce, small. They also have to be sterilised, so the sensors need to be robust to warm gas sterilisation. They will also be used in close proximity to EMI sources including electrocautery tools. The requirements have proved difficult to satisfy with force sensing resistors and capacitance type tactile sensors.

Sensory fibres

In their current Letter, the team from Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology's Device and System Research Center present a design of force sensing forceps for surgical robot teleoperation that are robust to sterilisation and EMI with very compactly packaged sensors.

The Samsung team's design incorporates a pair of dual grating optic fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors that are sensitive to both tensile strain and thermal variations. By placing one FBG in the region of greatest strain of the forceps and one in an un-strained region, the grip force applied can be measured through the differences in the wavelength variation between the FBGs, removing the influence of temperature.

The team also believe this kind of FBG-based sensor could be used in other surgical applications such as in MRI-compatible biopsy needles to sense interaction forces at the tip of the needle's inner stylet and in radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Sensory fusion

"We are working on using the forceps for haptic feedback with a teleoperated surgical robot," explained team member Dr Soo-Chul Lim, but the team have plans far beyond this one dimensional haptic feedback. "We plan to develop three axis force sensible forceps. We expect that such force sensing forceps will enhance robot-assisted surgery by providing more stable feedback of interaction forces between the surgical tool and the tissue."

Over the next decade, the team believe it will be possible to incorporate grip and three-axis force sensing into same surgical tools using FBG sensors. It will also be necessary to combine this technology with advances from the wider world of robotics to create a truly intuitive haptic experience for the operator. "To use the developed haptic feedback system for performing real surgery, it will have to be implemented in a surgical robot that has a free motion generator at the robot wrist," said Lim.

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ALPS launches force sensor

ALPS has developed the “HSFPAR Series” force sensor, for sensing force in input devices and posture control in industrial equipment and robots, using MEMS technology to achieve the industry’s smallest size. Mass production is already under way.

Demand for high-precision pen-shaped input devices (stylus pens) has been growing with the rising popularity of digital drawing and painting. Stylus pens contain force sensors that are used to trace the trajectory of the pen tip, as well as to reproduce different thicknesses in artwork corresponding to the pressure applied. To enable smoother tone transitions, however, styli require sensors with high resolution, leading to pen shafts that are too thick, says ALPS.

The internet of things (IoT) and robotics markets have also driven up demand for compact, sensitive force sensors for applications like load detection on touch or contact, and load balance and grip strength control is expected to rise.

Force sensors today are generally either semiconductor or metallic strain gauge types, and both have their issues, the first being too big and the other sacrificing sensitivity for scale.

The HSFPAR series measure 2.00×1.60×0.66mm and can detect stress as low as 0.01N, enabling sensing of, for example, minor variations in pen pressure and load shift in robots.

It is also available as a unit type with a FPC (flexible printed circuit) included for easy integration into end products.

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Force Sensors Market Expected to Expand at a Steady CAGR through 2025

Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the “Force Sensors Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015-2025" report to their offering.

Force sensors are also known as force transducers that converts an input mechanical force into an electrical output signal. It act as a force sensing resistor in an electric circuit. It has various benefits such as flexibility and ultra-thin sensor construction which leads to minimal interference in normal action of device and precise response. Depending upon the working and sensing method, variety of force sensors are available in the market.

Force Sensor Market: Drivers and Restraint
The global force sensor market is expected to witness substantial growth over the period of forecast. Technological advancement, low manufacturing cost, increasing product demand, rise in the demand of industrial robots, advancement of medical devices with force sensing technology, innovations and development in the manufacturing are the few factors encouraging the growth of global force sensor market. On the other hand, factors which are restraining the global force sensor market are instability in the demand across various end-user industry and underdeveloped aftermarket sales channels.

Force Sensor Market: Segmentation
The global force sensor market can be segmented into type, application and region. On the basis of type, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, optical force sensor, piezoresistive force sensor, capacitive force sensor, magnetic force sensor, ultrasonic force sensor, strain gauges, and electrochemical force sensors

Sensors has become an essential part of any measurement and automation applications. Overall global sensor market is witnessing a trend of increasing sensor accuracy, reliability, response time, efficiency, communication capability and robustness encourages the demand for sensors across various applications. On the basis of application, the global force sensor market can be segmented into, medical & pharmaceutical sector, automotive, printing & packaging, consumer electronics, industrial (robotic & manufacturing), and aerospace & defence. Key developments in the prominent industries such as medical & pharmaceuticals, robotics, aerospace & defence, manufacturing and others is expected to encourage the growth of global force sensor market by 2025. Force sensors are used in manufacturing tools, transportation equipment, microelectronic packaging, transportation equipment etc. Force sensors can also be used in wireless inventory management system to improve order scheduling which helps in avoiding inventory stock-out issue.

Force Sensor Market: Region wise outlook
On the basis of region, the global force sensor market can be seven regions which include – North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America is dominating the global force sensor market due to high technological advancement and increasing adoption among various end-user applications. However, revenue contribution from Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

Force Sensor Market: Key Players
Key players in the global force sensor market are FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc., OMRON Corporation, Texas Instruments Incorporated are the top players are global force sensor market. Apart from them, various other players are existing in market such as TE Connectivity Ltd., Tekscan, Inc., ATI Industrial Automation, and Sensata Technologies, Inc. Key players are focusing on development of new technologies and new product launch. Merger and acquisition is another activity observed in the market by the market participants to increase their product portfolio and to grow the business. The growth in global force sensor market is also due to growing awareness about the potential use of force sensors in different electronic devices by the original equipment manufacturers. For example, in August 2015, Apple, Inc. posted a patent report, “An Advanced Force Touch Patent for the iPad Surfaces in Europe” to develop techniques to integrate the force sensors into the iPhone and iPad.

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Force sensors | isweek.com - Industry sourcing

Force sensors are initially rigid links between two shapes that are able to measure transmitted forces and torques. The rigidity of force sensors is conditional, in the sense that force sensors can be broken if a certain condition arises (e.g. if a force or torque threshold is overshot). Following figure illustrates an application using a force sensor:

Force sensor object (green) measuring the force and torque exerted by a beam (blue) anchored in a wall (red)

A force sensor measures a pair of 3 values representing the force on the sensor along the x-, y- and z-axis, and the torque on the sensor about the x-, y- and z-axis:

Initially, a force sensor acts as a rigid link. During simulation, a force sensor can however be broken when a specified force/torque threshold is overshot or when some other user-defined conditions are met. Following figures illustrate the broken state of a force sensor:

A force sensor is only operational during simulation if it is dynamically enabled. For more information on dynamically enabled force sensors, refer also to the section on designing dynamic simulations. Joints are also able to measure a force or a torque, however only along/about their z-axis.

iSweek（http://www.isweek.com/）- Industry sourcing & Wholesale industrial products

Force sensors | isweek - industry sourcing & wholesale industrial products

Force sensors are initially rigid links between two shapes that are able to measure transmitted forces and torques. The rigidity of force sensors is conditional, in the sense that force sensors can be broken if a certain condition arises (e.g. if a force or torque threshold is overshot). Following figure illustrates an application using a force sensor:

[Force sensor object (green) measuring the force and torque exerted by a beam (blue) anchored in a wall (red)]

A force sensor measures a pair of 3 values representing the force on the sensor along the x-, y- and z-axis, and the torque on the sensor about the x-, y- and z-axis:

[Forces and torques measured by a force sensor]

        Initially, a force sensor acts as a rigid link. During simulation, a force sensor can however be broken when a specified force/torque threshold is overshot or when some other user-defined conditions are met. Following figures illustrate the broken state of a force sensor:

[Broken force sensor]

A force sensor is only operational during simulation if it is dynamically enabled. For more information on dynamically enabled force sensors, refer also to the section on designing dynamic simulations. Joints are also able to measure a force or a torque, however only along/about their z-axis.

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