7 Force Sensor Manufacturers in 2022
This section provides overview, applications, and principles of force sensors. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 force sensor manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Force Sensor?
A force sensor is a device that measures the magnitude and direction of a force or moment.
Force sensor is basically 6-axis type and measure force and moment values in x-, y-, and z-directions, respectively. Depending on the intended use, 3-axis type force sensor also exist.
Force sensor measure using the magnitude and direction of deformation of the object being measured. There are strain gage, voltage, optical, capacitance, and other methods for detecting deformation.
Uses of Force Sensors
Force sensors are mainly used in industrial robots.
Force sensors need to be selected in consideration of accuracy, response time, detection range of force and moment, and durability, depending on the environment in which they are used.
The following are examples of force sensors in use.
- Detection of force in robots performing fitting operations in the assembly process
- Detection of forces on both the robot side and the operator side in a teleoperated medical surgical robot
- Detection of force for autonomous control of a biped robot
Principle of Force Sensors
Force sensors detect forces and moments using the deformation of the measurement object caused by the force. The deformation is measured using strain, displacement, or characteristic change.
Force sensors can be classified according to the measurement method, and the operating principles of strain gage, piezoelectric, optical, and capacitive force sensors, which are representative among them, are explained below.
1. Strain Gage Type Force Sensors
Detects the strain when the measurement object is subjected to tensile or compressive force and measures the force applied to the measurement object in combination with the gage factor of the measurement object.
2. Piezoelectric Force Sensors
The crystal built into the force sensors emits electrons when it is subjected to a force. The magnitude of the force is detected by measuring the amount of those electrons. It is necessary to be careful about the contact with the object to be measured.
3. Optical Force Sensors
Optical force sensors measure force and moment by measuring changes in a pattern placed on a measurement target using a camera or laser and analyzing the gauge factor of the measurement target. They feature non-contact operation.
4. Capacitive Force Sensors
Capacitive force sensors detect force by measuring the change in the amount of electrostatic charge generated when a force is applied to two parallel plates and the distance between the plates changes. It is characterized by its easy configuration.
Utilization
Force sensors are sensors that can simultaneously detect forces and moments in real time. Force sensors can be attached to the end part of a robot to detect external forces and reaction forces.
By having a person handle a robot equipped with force sensors, cooperative work between a person and a robot can be realized.
In addition, the use of force sensors makes it possible to perform detailed work that requires minute force adjustments.
In particular, in the manufacturing field, the use of force sensors enables automation of tasks that previously required precision and were difficult only for skilled craftsmen, thereby improving productivity.
In the medical field, force sensors are expected to be used for remote medical treatment, such as tactile diagnosis to understand the condition of an affected area.
HDR Force Sensors
There is a high dynamic range (HDR) force sensors. HDR force sensors has a wide dynamic range of force from 10 gram weight to 20 kilogram weight. By combining AI and robotics technology with HDR force sensors, fine assembly operations can be realized while adjusting minute forces. In addition, the ability to detect the completion of product assembly operations at production sites with a clicking motion is expected to advance robotic assembly operations.
Capacitive Force Sensors
Among force sensors, there is a type of force sensors called a capacitance-type force sensors. This force sensors are characterized by its ability to detect 6-axis components using two sets of parallel plates (electrodes). This enables a simple structure and low cost.
Some sensors are also equipped with an overload prevention stopper mechanism inside the sensor, preventing it from being destroyed by overloading.
Recently, force sensors have been widely used in the field of industrial robotics. Demand is expected to grow more and more as the manufacturing industry becomes more and more automated.
List of 7 Force Sensor Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Kistler Instrument Corp.
Force Sensor
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Force Sensor Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of January 2023 in United States
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WIKA | 33.3% |
| 2 | HITEC Sensor Developments | 33.3% |
| 3 | Baumer | 33.3% |
Ranking as of January 2023 Globally
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WIKA | 33.3% |
| 2 | HITEC Sensor Developments | 33.3% |
| 3 | Baumer | 33.3% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the force sensor page as of January 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- MinebeaMitsumi Inc.: 85,954
Newly Established Company
- Boltsafe: 1995 (28 years ago)
- HITEC Sensor Developments: 1971 (52 years ago)
- Baumer: 1952 (71 years ago)
Company with a History
- WIKA: 1946 (77 years ago)
- MinebeaMitsumi Inc.: 1951 (72 years ago)
- Baumer: 1952 (71 years ago)
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