Characterization of lithographically printed resistive strain gauges
This paper reports progress in sensor fabrication by the conductive lithographic film (CLF) printing process. Work describing strain-sensitive structures manufactured using a modified printing process and conductive inks is addressed. The performance of a "single-ink" strain-sensitive structure when printed on six alternative substrates (GlossArt, PolyArt, Teslin, Mylar C, Melinex, and Kapton) is analyzed. Though not intending to compete with conventional gauges in high-tolerance measurement, the structures exhibit properties that indicate suitability for novel applications.
Analysis of thick film strain resistors on stainless steel and ceramic substrates
Abstract Strain sensors printed on ceramic substrates and bonded to steel, are compared with those printed directly on steel. Various strain gauge characteristics are analysed, including linearity, hysteresis, creep and temperature effects. It has been observed that strain sensors printed directly on steel perform much belter than those printed on ceramics (and bonded to steel). The degraded performance of the ceramic sensor is attributed to the adhesive and the inferior mechanical properties of the ceramic itself.
Sensor applications of thick-film technology
A tool for squeezing off flexible pipe having a clamp with first and second clamp bars adaptable to receive flexible pipe therebetween, the bars having opposed flat pipe contacting surfaces configured such that the distance between the contacting surfaces is greater intermediate the length of the bars than near the ends, and means to force the clamp bars towards each other.