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This study presents the use of two superimposed transparent acrylic plates as a load cell for strain and force measurement. The gap between the plates behaves like an interferometer. When a monochromatic light beam is incident upon the gap, it interacts with the two air-acrylic interfaces, causing constructive and destructive interference. This phenomenon results in the formation of an interference pattern. Interferometers are devices used for high-precision measurements. In this work, the strain and force applied to an aluminum bar were precisely measured using two acrylic plates fixed to the bar. The experiments showed that the proposed method has a measurement range of 0–60 μ ε and a resolution of 0.27 μ ε. It is demonstrated that the proposed method offers a low-cost strain measurement technique with a wider measurement range compared to fiber optic sensors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An immobile patient cannot be weighed on a stand-on weighing machine, i.e., a bathroom scale. They have to get weighed while lying, which is not easy. The main objective of this research is to design a medical apparatus that measures the patient's weight in a lying condition. To achieve this the apparatus is designed as a stretcher to carry the patient in and around the hospital. Methods: The stretcher has four load cells to measure the patient's weight; it can bear a weight of 500 kg and has a self-weight of 20 kg. A Microcontroller unit (MCU) is embedded into the apparatus to weigh the patient lying on it. The stretcher comprises the top frame, middle frame, and base frame. The top frame can be detached and mounted back to the middle frame; this will help the medical personnel shift the patients from a medical bed. The middle frame is a plate structure where the four load cells are mounted at the corners of the lower plate. The upper plate functions as a pressure plate on the load cell. The base plate has four heavy-duty wheels that can bear the load. The middle frame and base frame, together, form a single structure, giving mobility to the structure. A control panel is employed with reset, tare, and on-off buttons to control the embedded platform. The LCD panel on the side of the apparatus shows the weight when the patient is placed on top of the apparatus. Results and discussion: A prototype trolley equipped with a wireless data logging system was tested on 10 healthy participants. The device accurately measured weight within ±50 g across a scale range of 2-140 kg, with data captured every 30 s over a 5-min testing period. Wireless communication was successfully demonstrated over a 100-m range. The important add-on feature of this work is the apparatus is connected to the internet, transforming it into an IoT-based medical device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This experimental study focused on the measurement and analysis of the impact force caused by a tsunami bore on a coastal structure. The bore wave was produced by a dam break mechanism. The water depth in the reservoir and the location of the coastal structures were varied to simulate different impact scenarios. The time history of the force resulting from the impact of the bore wave on the coastal structure was measured. The propagation of the bore wave along the flume was recorded and the video recordings were converted into digital data using an image-processing technique in order to determine the flow depth variations with time. The hydrostatic forces and the corresponding depth and time-averaged hydrodynamic forces as well as the maximum hydrodynamic forces were acquired for each scenario. The ratio of hydrodynamic to hydrostatic forces were obtained, and it was observed that the calculated averaged ratio was within the recommended design ratio. The results indicate that an increase in the reservoir level caused an increase in the magnitude and intensity of the impact forces, however, the relationship was non-linear. Moreover, it was found that the location of the structure did not play a significant role on the intensity of the impact forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract During the operation of load cell, heat is generated by the strain gauge and the electronics on the PCB board, which leads to temperature gradients within the sensor itself. These temperature gradients are unstable at different ambient temperatures. Compensation inaccuracies can also occur when compensating for sensor measurements at different temperatures This paper proposes a method to change the position of temperature compensation resistors to address errors caused by the temperature field effect of the strain gauge sensor itself. Without affecting the sensor’s strain measurement, the correctness of the proposed method is demonstrated through steady-state thermal simulation results in ANSYS and experimental results, effectively addressing errors caused by unstable temperature gradients during the operation of strain gauge sensors.

Context: Isometric core stability exercises are commonly used to target muscles of the lumbopelvic–hip complex, including the rectus abdominis (RA) and erector spinae (ES). These exercises can be implemented in rehabilitation protocols to increase muscle strength and endurance. Difficulty can be progressed by modifying the base of support or adding an unstable element. Load cells can be affixed to suspension training devices to measure force exerted through the straps during exercise. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between activity of the RA and ES to force measured through a load cell fixed to suspension straps during bilateral and unilateral suspended bridge exercises. Design: Forty asymptomatic, active individuals completed a single laboratory visit. Methods: Participants completed 2 bilateral suspended bridges and 2 unilateral suspended bridges held to failure. Surface electromyography sensors were placed over the bilateral RA and ES to quantify muscle activity (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction). A load cell was affixed to the suspension straps to measure force exerted through the straps throughout the duration of the exercise. Pearson correlations were used to determine relationships between force and muscle activity of the RA and ES throughout exercise duration. Results: Force was negatively related to RA muscle activity in bilateral suspended bridges (r = −.735 to −.842, P <.001) and unilateral suspended bridges (r = −.300 to −.707, P =.002 to <.001). Force had a positive relationship with ES muscle activity in bilateral suspended bridges (r =.689 to.791, P <.001) and unilateral suspended bridges (r =.418 to.448, P <.001). Conclusions: Suspended bridge exercises can be a valuable tool to target posterior abdominal musculature such as the ES to contribute to core stability and endurance. Load cells can be applied during suspension training to quantify the interaction between individuals and the exercise equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to design a patellar-tendon-bearing (PTB) brace capable of measuring and quantifying weight offloading on the tibia. The PTB brace was designed with off-loading mechanism on the tibia with features, including ankle joint, vertical sliding adaptor, vertical sliding piece, and upper connector of load cells to PTB brace. Also, the present study investigated the effect of brace on 20 healthy individuals under 8 different off-loading conditions, based on measuring the vertical distance between the calf shells and foot plate through a sliding adapter at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5 cm. The Pedar device and load cells embedded in PTB brace were used to determine the extent of offloading and assess the reliability and validity of brace. Increasing the vertical distance between the calf shells and the footplate can lead to a greater amount of offloading. Accordingly, off-loading ranged from a minimum of 16.5% at 0 cm position to a maximum of 60.48% at 3.5 cm position of sliding adapter. Percentage values of tibia off-loading in 8 conditions were not significantly different in Padar devices and PTB brace. Therefore, PTB brace load cells, as a valid method, can measure off-loading levels. When fabricating a PTB brace, a monitoring system with load cells is essential to measure the amount of tibial offloading, leading to readjustment if limb slides down inside the brace. Additionally, a component is needed to correctly position limb in off-loading condition. In the current study, sliding adapter of brace can provide that capability.

This study aims to test electric ducted fans (EDF) at various power ratios and to determine EDF motor efficiency. Two servomotors were installed at nozzle inlet to control the thrust at specific angles (3°, -3°, 6°, and -6°). The EDF is placed on a slide mechanism, allowing it to move freely when powered. A load cell is used to measure the thrust produced in the direction of flow. The test setup allows the installation and removal of EDFs with different diameters. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were conducted on steady flow at various rotational speeds. Z-direction thrust values were obtained and plotted for angled nozzle scenarios. CFD analyses produced velocity contours in YZ plane and three-dimensional pathlines based on the velocity values of the entire flow field. Nominal thrust values and standard deviations are provided for all angles and power percentages. Thrust value increases proportionally as the power percentage increases, as shown by the measurement of the thrust forces. Experimental results and CFD analysis results are consistent and closely aligned. Linear regression was performed on the experimental values obtained, the "regression coefficient" was obtained close to 1. This shows that linear regression between power percentage and thrust values is compatible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to design a patellar-tendon-bearing (PTB) brace capable of measuring and quantifying weight offloading on the tibia. The PTB brace was designed with off-loading mechanism on the tibia with features, including ankle joint, vertical sliding adaptor, vertical sliding piece, and upper connector of load cells to PTB brace. Also, the present study investigated the effect of brace on 20 healthy individuals under 8 different off-loading conditions, based on measuring the vertical distance between the calf shells and foot plate through a sliding adapter at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5 cm. The Pedar device and load cells embedded in PTB brace were used to determine the extent of offloading and assess the reliability and validity of brace. Increasing the vertical distance between the calf shells and the footplate can lead to a greater amount of offloading. Accordingly, off-loading ranged from a minimum of 16.5% at 0 cm position to a maximum of 60.48% at 3.5 cm position of sliding adapter. Percentage values of tibia off-loading in 8 conditions were not significantly different in Padar devices and PTB brace. Therefore, PTB brace load cells, as a valid method, can measure off-loading levels. When fabricating a PTB brace, a monitoring system with load cells is essential to measure the amount of tibial offloading, leading to readjustment if limb slides down inside the brace. Additionally, a component is needed to correctly position limb in off-loading condition. In the current study, sliding adapter of brace can provide that capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying an airbag when a vehicle occupant is too close to it can cause injury. An adaptive Airbag Control Unit (ACU) would improve the effectiveness of the safety system, provided it is aware of the actual position of the occupants once the crash is going to occur. Occupants can be monitored with vision-based and radar-based sensing in the vehicle, but the research question is whether other reliable devices exist. In this research, a real seat is equipped with four sensors in the supports from the floor, as well as an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a microcontroller. The device is capable of identifying correct position or different Out of Position (OP) conditions and inform an adaptive ACU. The paper presents the seat layout in detail and its testing in extensive driving experiments with multiple participants. Depending on the position of the driver, the identification is correct 45–100% of the time. Monitoring the occupant position by a sensorized seat is feasible and can improve the reliability of the onboard safety system when integrated with other occupant monitoring devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionAn immobile patient cannot be weighed on a stand-on weighing machine, i.e., a bathroom scale. They have to get weighed while lying, which is not easy. The main objective of this research is to design a medical apparatus that measures the patient's weight in a lying condition. To achieve this the apparatus is designed as a stretcher to carry the patient in and around the hospital.MethodsThe stretcher has four load cells to measure the patient's weight; it can bear a weight of 500 kg and has a self-weight of 20 kg. A Microcontroller unit (MCU) is embedded into the apparatus to weigh the patient lying on it. The stretcher comprises the top frame, middle frame, and base frame. The top frame can be detached and mounted back to the middle frame; this will help the medical personnel shift the patients from a medical bed. The middle frame is a plate structure where the four load cells are mounted at the corners of the lower plate. The upper plate functions as a pressure plate on the load cell. The base plate has four heavy-duty wheels that can bear the load. The middle frame and base frame, together, form a single structure, giving mobility to the structure. A control panel is employed with reset, tare, and on-off buttons to control the embedded platform. The LCD panel on the side of the apparatus shows the weight when the patient is placed on top of the apparatus.Results and discussionA prototype trolley equipped with a wireless data logging system was tested on 10 healthy participants. The device accurately measured weight within ±50 g across a scale range of 2–140 kg, with data captured every 30 s over a 5-min testing period. Wireless communication was successfully demonstrated over a 100-m range. The important add-on feature of this work is the apparatus is connected to the internet, transforming it into an IoT-based medical device.

Context: Intrasession reliabilities of isometric knee extension kinetics via portable strain gauge have been reported across several knee joint angles and constraints. However, intersession variabilities, which are more valuable, have yet to be determined. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the intersession variability of knee extension kinetics over 3 testing sessions using an affordable and portable strain gauge. Design: Participants performed maximum voluntary isometric contractions of the knee extensors over 3 sessions. Methods: Eleven (6 men and 5 women; 31 [6.4] y) volunteers performed maximum voluntary isometric contractions in constrained (isokinetic setup with thigh and chest straps) and unconstrained (treatment plinth) conditions. Peak force (PF), peak rate of force development, rate of force development (RFD), and impulse (IMP) from 20% to 80% of PF were assessed. Means, SDs, percentage changes, minimal detectable changes, coefficients of variation (CV), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated and reported. Results: PF had the lowest intersession variability regardless of condition (CV = 5.5%–13.8%, ICC =.67–.93). However, variability of peak rate of force development (CV [range] = 12.2%–24.7%, ICC =.50–.78), RFD (CV = 10.0%–26.8%, ICC =.48–.84), and IMP (CV = 15.2%–35.4%, ICC =.44–.88) was moderate at best. The constrained condition (CV [SD] = 14.1% [4.8%], ICC =.74 [.08]) had lower variability compared with the plinth (CV = 19.8% [7.9%], ICC =.68 [.15]). Variability improved from sessions 1 to 2 (CV = 20.4% [7.7%], ICC =.64 [.14]) and to sessions 2 to 3 (CV = 15.3% [6.4%], ICC =.76 [.10]). Conclusions: PF can be assessed regardless of setup. However, RFD and IMP changes across sessions should be approached with caution. Backrests and thigh straps improve RFD and IMP variability, and at least 1 familiarization session should be provided before relying on knee-extensor kinetics while utilizing a portable strain gauge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since isometric training is gaining popularity, some devices are being developed to test isometric force as an alternative to the more expensive force plates (FPs); thus, the aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of "GSTRENGTH" for measuring PF in the isometric belt squat exercise. Five subjects performed 24 contractions at three different knee angles (90°, 105° and 120°) on two occasions (120 total cases). Peak force data were measured using FPs and a strain gauge (SG) and analyzed by Pearson's product–moment correlation coefficient, ICCs, Cronbach's alpha, a paired sample t-test and Bland–Altman plots. Perfect or almost perfect relationships (r: 0.999–1) were found with an almost perfect or perfect level of agreement (ICCs: 0.992–1; α: 0.998–1). The t-test showed significant differences for the raw data but not for the predictions by the equations obtained with the SG values. The Bland–Altman plots, when significant, showed trivial to moderate values for systematic bias in general. In conclusion, "GSTRENGTH" was shown to be a valid alternative to FPs for measuring PF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rolling resistance and aerodynamic losses cause a significant part of a truck's energy consumption. Therefore there is an interest from both vehicle manufacturers and regulators to measure these losses to understand, quantify and reduce the energy consumption of vehicles. On-road measurements are particularly interesting because it enables testing in various ambient conditions and road surfaces with vehicles in service. Objective: Common driving loss measurement devices require unique instrumented measurement wheels, which hinders effective measurements of multiple tyre sets or measurements of vehicles in service. For this purpose, the objective is to develop a novel load-sensing device for measuring braking or driving torque. Methods: The strength of the measurement device is calculated using finite element methods, and the output signal is simulated using virtual strain gauge simulations. In addition to the signal simulation, the device is calibrated using a torsional test rig. Results: The simulation results confirm that the device fulfils the strength requirements and is able to resolve low torque levels. The output signal is simulated for the novel cascaded multi-Wheatstone bridge using the strains extracted from the finite element analysis. The simulations and measurements show that the measurement signal is linear and not sensitive to other load directions. The device is tested on a truck, and the effort of mounting the device is comparable to a regular tyre change. Conclusions: A novel driving loss measurement device design is presented with an innovative positioning of strain gauges decoupling the parasitic loads from the driving loss measurements. The design allows on-road testing using conventional wheels without requiring special measurement wheels or instrumentation of drive shafts, enabling more affordable and accurate measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mining industry faces significant challenges when it comes to ensuring the safety and security of heavy-duty trucks operating outside the boundaries of the mine through remote routes and mineral load monitoring. To address these concerns, this study proposes an approach to enhance safety and surveillance by utilizing the Global Positioning System (GPS) and load cell technology to track trucks beyond the mine boundary and mineral load monitoring. The developed system will provide real-time information about truck location, speed, mass theft, and idle routes. To achieve this, a GPS tracker is installed on the truck, providing accurate and reliable location data, and a load cell is installed to monitor the mineral load. This will help ensure compliance with safety regulations and prevent unauthorized stopping and mineral theft. To monitor the location, speed, mass theft, load monitoring, and unauthorized stoppings BLYNK application is used. This system will facilitate improved decision-making, enable timely response to emergencies, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce the risks associated with truck operations outside the mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work introduces a novel sensing concept based on reaction forces for determining the position of the levitating magnet (mover) for magnetic levitation platforms (MLPs). Besides being effective in conventional magnetic bearings, the applied approach enables operation in systems where the mover is completely isolated from the actuating electromagnets (EMs) of the stator (e.g., located inside a sealed process chamber) while levitating at an extreme levitation height. To achieve active position control of the levitating mover by properly controlling the stator's EM currents, it is necessary to employ a dynamic model of the complete MLP, including the reaction force sensor, and implement an observer that extracts the position from the force-dependent signals, given that the position is not directly tied to the measured forces. Furthermore, two possible controller implementations are discussed in detail: a basic PID controller and a more sophisticated state-space controller that can be chosen depending on the characteristics of the MLP and the accuracy of the employed sensing method. To show the effectiveness of the proposed position-sensing and control concept, a hardware demonstrator employing a 207 mm outer-diameter (characteristic dimension, CD) stator with permanent magnets, a set of electromagnets, and a commercial multi-axis force sensor is built, where a 0.36 kg mover is stably levitated at an extreme air gap of 104 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baby weight and length measurement system has been designed based on ultrasonic and load cell sensors with data storage using MySQL database and website interface. This research aims to produce a baby weight and length measurement system with microcontroller NodeMCU ESP32. The system is designed with an ultrasonic sensor HC-SR04 and four half-bridge load cells of 50 kg. The ultrasonic sensor works on the piezoelectric and inverse piezoelectric principles, while load cell sensors work on strain gauge principles. An ultrasonic sensor measures body length, while a load cell sensor measures body weight. According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia's regulations, this system also has an LCD 20x4 to display measurement and nutritional status assessment results. The experiment used four doll objects with different lengths and weights. This research shows that the ultrasonic sensor HC-SR04 used in this research has an average error of 0.494% in length measurement. The load cell sensor and HX711 ADC used in this research has an average error of 0.949% in weight measurement. The designed system automatically assesses the nutritional status and stores the measurement result and nutritional status in the database to be displayed on the website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravenous fluids are used to replace the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. This is a crucial need for a patient during treatment, so infusion replacement should not be delayed as it can be fatal to the patient. Medical personnel must always pay attention to the patient's infusion. This has always been a problem because the limited number of medical personnel and the large number of patients often make it difficult for medical personnel to carry out their duties. The development of technology increases human creativity and creates various tools to help humans be more effective, including in dealing with problems in the medical world. Based on this background, the author designed an infusion fluid monitoring system to facilitate nurses in hospitals that lack electrical support and internet networks. This research aims to make an intravenous fluid monitoring tool using a microcontroller effectively and realtime. The research method we use is research and development, while the data analysis method uses comparative quantitative analysis. This research consists of three main parts, namely system input, microcontroller as system processor, and system output as expected. This infusion fluid monitoring uses Load Cell to measure the volume of infusion fluid, RTC module to estimate the time of infusion fluid expiration, LCD as infusion fluid status information, and buzzer as an information alarm if the infusion fluid is detected to run out. The microcontroller used in this research is Arduino Uno. The results showed that infusion fluid has the same pressure as human body fluids (isotonic). Load Cell has a mass reading accuracy value of 99.88%, the accuracy of testing the conversion of intravenous fluid measurements into milliliters of 99.49%, and the number of infusion fluid droplets per minute under normal conditions is 20, with an estimated time out for 8 hours.

Abstract The polymer transition temperature is a crucial parameter in the industry for knowing raw materials before starting the manufacturing process. The current work reports a novel low-cost prototype instrument to measure the transition temperature with reliable accuracy. The equipment was built using commercial load cells composed of strain gauges in combination with an Arduino® microcontroller. The prototype measurement quality was validated by measuring the transition temperatures of most commercial polymers. The obtained values were compared with values obtained by conventional thermal analysis known as differential scanning calorimetric and thermo-mechanical analysis (DSC and TMA), which results in identical values.

This experimental study focused on the measurement and analysis of the impact force caused by a tsunami bore on a coastal structure. The bore wave was produced by a dam break mechanism. The water depth in the reservoir and the location of the coastal structures were varied to simulate different impact scenarios. The time history of the force resulting from the impact of the bore wave on the coastal structure was measured. The propagation of the bore wave along the flume was recorded and the video recordings were converted into digital data using an image-processing technique in order to determine the flow depth variations with time. The hydrostatic forces and the corresponding depth and time-averaged hydrodynamic forces as well as the maximum hydrodynamic forces were acquired for each scenario. The ratio of hydrodynamic to hydrostatic forces were obtained, and it was observed that the calculated averaged ratio was within the recommended design ratio. The results indicate that an increase in the reservoir level caused an increase in the magnitude and intensity of the impact forces, however, the relationship was non-linear. Moreover, it was found that the location of the structure did not play a significant role on the intensity of the impact forces.

Parallel beam force transducers are used for the purpose of determining the masses of bodies and are essentially devices that react, both quantitatively and qualitatively, to a specific physical scalar integer (in this case, the mass of the element to be measured). The load being measured is converted into an electrical signal using such a device. The operating principle is based on Hooke’s law, i.e., there is a linear relationship between strains and stresses within proportional limits. The authors of this article make some general observations on possible errors associated with the installation of parallel beam force transducers.

A force plate is a device that measures the ground reaction force caused by a shift in the human body's center of mass (CoM). Using a controlled change in the human body's CoM, the human body's center of pressure (CoP) is shifted in a 2D plane, along with an acceleration of the CoM along the plane perpendicular to the force plate, which allows for a generation of reference values for game control. In this paper, the development and validation of a system for game control based on a force plate are described. The game control system consists of a force plate, an electronic board used for measuring and PC communication via USB, and a PC application for data acquisition, system calibration, and game control. Based on the measured values of the player's CoP and the CoM acceleration along a plane perpendicular to the force plate, the game control system simulates pressing the UP, DOWN, RIGHT, LEFT, and SPACE keyboard keys or moving the mouse and clicking the left mouse button, which allows players to control simple games. A mathematical model has been developed for the game control system which includes running system calibration procedures in the system for each individual player. The mechatronic game control system is described in detail, and experiments were run on said system for the purpose of system validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic, robotic-based systems for swab sampling were developed to reduce burdens on healthcare workers and their risk of infection. Teleoperated sampling systems are especially appreciated as they fundamentally prevent contact with suspected COVID-19 patients. However, the limited field of view of the installed cameras prevents the operator from recognizing the position and deformation of the swab inserted into the nasal cavity, which highly decreases the operating performance. To overcome this limitation, this study proposes a visual feedback system that monitors and reconstructs the shape of an NP swab using augmented reality (AR). The sampling device contained three load cells and measured the interaction force applied to the swab, while the shape information was captured using a motion-tracking program. These datasets were used to train a one-dimensional convolution neural network (1DCNN) model, which estimated the coordinates of three feature points of the swab in 2D X–Y plane. Based on these points, the virtual shape of the swab, reflecting the curvature of the actual one, was reconstructed and overlaid on the visual display. The accuracy of the 1DCNN model was evaluated on a 2D plane under ten different bending conditions. The results demonstrate that the x-values of the predicted points show errors of under 0.590 mm from P 0 , while those of P 1 and P 2 show a biased error of about −1.5 mm with constant standard deviations. For the y-values, the error of all feature points under positive bending is uniformly estimated with under 1 mm of difference, when the error under negative bending increases depending on the amount of deformation. Finally, experiments using a collaborative robot validate its ability to visualize the actual swab's position and deformation on the camera image of 2D and 3D phantoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of the experimental study of surface phenomena is not sufficiently reflected through the experiments carried out in teaching laboratories. The possibility of having cheaper equipment would be of great value for science and applied technologies students. The main objective of this project is the design of a piece of equipment measure the surface tension of liquids for teaching purposes, using the Du Noüy ring technique. Data acquisition will be based on the loading cell and HX711 module. Measurement tests of three different liquids are taken: water, olive oil and fuel. Then, a budget will be made, a basic comparison with the Krüss K20 equipment, and finally the conclusions. Necessary studies have been done to verify the design. Regarding the manufacture of some of the designed components, the tool used was UltiMaker Cura, where the characteristics of the parts were programmed for the 3D printing. Electronic components chosen to carry out the automation of the equipment; an Arduino UNO board, a Nema 17 engine with EasyDriver controller and a Loading Cell with an HX711 amplifier for data acquisition. The system implementation is done through 3 different software. Loading cell calibration and equipment operation are programmed in Arduino IDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomena of variability and interference in the natural frequencies of weight-sensing structures applied in complex working conditions must solve the problem of reducing or eliminating resonance under low-frequency vibrations to maximize stability, accuracy and reliability. The influence laws of the additional mass with relevant characteristics on the natural frequencies, which include the components of mass, stiffness and center-of-mass distribution, etc. Firstly, the theoretical formulas of the mathematical model are given based on different characteristics of the weight-sensing structure, and various combinations of additional masses on the weight-sensing structures are adjusted in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions. The key factors to be specifically considered in the theoretical formulas are discussed through simulation analysis and experimental validation. Secondly, the locking strength of the fastening screws of some components was changed, and another component was placed on the experimental platform in the experiment. The results show that the mass, center-of-mass, stiffness distribution and other factors of the additional mass have different effects on the natural frequencies, which are important for the demand for high-precision, high-stability weighing measurement. The results of this research can provide an effective scientific evaluation basis for the reliable prediction of natural frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet of Things (IoT) can be applied to various aspects, especially it can be used as a system for recording, storing, sorting, and processing data. This application can be used in a cattle body weight recording system. Recording is all types of record activities such as identification activities, genealogical records, production and reproduction records, maintenance management records and livestock health records in certain populations. In the process of fattening cattle, recording is an essential activity, but in a survey conducted at the Sumber Sekar laboratory of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Brawijaya, a problem was found, namely the availability of cattle scales for the recording process. For this reason, an internet of things-based cow body weight recording system was designed. The internet of things-based cow body weight recording system uses 2 Load Cell sensors to weigh the cow's body weight and an RFID sensor to read the cow's identity, in addition to the sensor the system has a website as a user interface. It is hoped that this application can improve the efficiency of the cow body weight recording process and produce an intelligent tool system.

Hand fine motor functions may be impaired by various conditions, from injury to neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, we developed a prototype called Rehapiano that used load cells to measure the force exerted by the individual fingers. Rehapiano could distinguish between Parkinson’s patients and healthy individuals by analysing the finger tremors. Based on the experiences with the prototype and consultations with experts, we developed a more advanced prototype, Rehabimano. We show here how we improved the ergonomics and electronics. In addition, we have performed experimental validation of the device and confirmed its ability to detect and measure frequencies of tremors. These results are a stepping stone for consecutive software development and pre-clinical trials.

Deploying an airbag when a vehicle occupant is too close to it can cause injury. An adaptive Airbag Control Unit (ACU) would improve the effectiveness of the safety system, provided it is aware of the actual position of the occupants once the crash is going to occur. Occupants can be monitored with vision-based and radar-based sensing in the vehicle, but the research question is whether other reliable devices exist. In this research, a real seat is equipped with four sensors in the supports from the floor, as well as an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a microcontroller. The device is capable of identifying correct position or different Out of Position (OP) conditions and inform an adaptive ACU. The paper presents the seat layout in detail and its testing in extensive driving experiments with multiple participants. Depending on the position of the driver, the identification is correct 45–100% of the time. Monitoring the occupant position by a sensorized seat is feasible and can improve the reliability of the onboard safety system when integrated with other occupant monitoring devices.