Test Electrical Force Transducer Model-344

[GasparSandor]

Good afternoon.

I have to measure the output force of a hidraulic crimping tool using a Test Electrical Force Transducer Model 344 using Labview (tehnical data of the transducer is attached).

The description sheet says that is a Strain gauge strip-full bidge (Wheatstone measuring device), Cnom is 2mV/V more exactly 2.186 mV/V after the Calibration certificate.

I've tried to set it up in the DAQ Assistan as a Force Bridge but i recevide the following message : No supported devices found. It is only seen as Voltage or Strain.

I have no experince in Labview so I'm kind of lost how these devices need to be set up so I will get an accurate measurment.

Please if anyone have a VI for this Transducer pass it over to me or if anyone had worked with this kind of Transducer and knows how to set it up respond.

All the help is appreciated and well recived.

Thank you!

Best regards

Sandor,

[GasparSandor]

Almost forgot I have a NI USB-6251 where is hook up the Transducer.

[robo_Jeff]

Hi GasparSandor. Try out the example Cont Acq Force Bridge Samples (with Calibration).vi in the Attachments section of the page below.  Hopefully this will get you moving in the right direction. 

Continuous Wheatstone Bridge Force Measurements with Calibration
https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-12259

[GasparSandor]

Thank you for the VI.

But i get this error..when i try to start it up. (see picture attached)

[robo_Jeff]

I just noticed your note about the USB-6251. It does not support bridge/strain measurements. It is an analog input device with a voltage input range (not mV/V):
http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/371291h.pdf

This page might help you find the right device:
http://www.ni.com/white-paper/3642/en/#toc6

[GasparSandor]

Thank  you jMunny

I forgot to mention that we are using an external power source to power up the Transducer...and we no managing to read the output voltage from the tranducer.

But we are not sure how precise are the measurements. I've attached our VI as well.

You still recomend a device which is can support full bridge transducers? are those measurement devices more precise?

Best regards,

Sandor

[robo_Jeff]

What exactly do you mean by "precise"?  The spec sheet you attached contains creep and error information.  If that is not what you are looking for, you can try contacting TesT for support on their product. 

[GasparSandor]

What I was trying to say is, if I buy a NI 9237 card which has full bridge compatibility, will I get a more accurate measurement as I get now with the USB-6251? Or both daq devices provide the same accuracy. 

We have a PXEIe-1062Q chassis which has open slots for more cards so I could install the NI 9237.

Thanks

[robo_Jeff]

The accuracy depends on the measurement conditions, calibration, etc. The product specification documents are available on our website.

The NI 9237 accuracy for different measurement conditions can be found on page 24 of this document: http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/374186e.pdf

The NI USB-6251 Analog Input Absolute Accuracy Table is located on page 5 of this document: http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/371291h.pdf

Take a look at those with your environment and setup in mind.