WHAT DO YOU CARRY IN YOUR STRAIN GAGE TOOLBOX

A screwdriver is the one tool that almost every stress analyst has at home.

The following components were used to convert a screwdriver into a transducer.

•  CEA-06-062UVA-350 Dual Shear Pattern (Advanced Sensors Technology).

•  EA-06-125AC-350 Small Uniaxial Pattern (Advanced Sensors Technology).

•  M-Bond AE-10 Adhesive.

•  M-Coat A Protective Coating.

•  330-DFV Leadwire.

•  430-DFV Leadwire.

•  361A-20R Solder.

The initial step in preparing for any strain gage sensor installation is the selection of the appropriate strain gage for the task. It might at first appear that strain gage selection is a simple exercise, of no great consequence to the stress analyst; but quite the opposite is true. Careful, rational selection of strain gage characteristics and parameters can be very important in: optimizing the gage performance for specified environmental and operating conditions, obtaining accurate and reliable strain measurements, contributing to the ease of installation, and minimizing the total cost of the gage installation.

Click here to read about strain gage selection: https://strainblog.micro-measurements.com/content/one-five

Here is a suggested list of strain gage installation equipment:

• A clean work area or table in a lab, which will vary greatly with the size and shape of test specimens.
• A quality soldering station with accurate temperature control.
• Degreaser (CSM-3) or isopropyl alcohol (GC-6) for cleaning specimen surfaces to initialize the surface preparation for strain gage installation.
• A set of application tools for handling strain gages, trimming bondable terminals, and preparing lead wires. We recommend the ATS-2 Gage Application Tool Kit containing surgical shears, dental probes, tweezers, and a scalpel: http://docs.micro-measurements.com/?id=6228
• Surface preparation accessories — conditioner (MCA-2) and neutralizer (MN5A-2), abrasive papers (multiple grits) (SCP-1, SCP-2, SCP-3), cotton tip applicators (CSP-1), and gauze sponges (GSP-1): http://docs.micro-measurements.com/?id=2368 Each item can be obtained separately or packaged in one of MM Application Kits based on different adhesive types: http://docs.micro-measurements.com/?id=2397
• Paper drafting tape (PDT-3) and strain gage installation tape (PCT-3MD), used for moving a strain gage into place and masking off gage portions for protection during soldering steps: http://docs.micro-measurements.com/?id=6228
• Solder, strain gage adhesive, protective coatings, and last but not least rosin solvent. These materials will vary by application and are also included in MM Application Kit. https://micro-measurements.com/accessories
• Appropriate lead wire to connect the strain gage sensor to a strain indicator or a DAQ. Connectors are generally needed at the instrument end of lead wires: http://docs.micro-measurements.com/?id=2383
• Appropriate signal conditioning amplification or data acquisition system for receiving and processing data from the strain gage. Micro-Measurements offers a variety of static and dynamic test instruments for each application:https://micro-measurements.com/instruments

With this short list of equipment — plus training — plus StrainTalks program anyone can easily become a strain gage testing master, saving your company the substantial cost of out-sourcing this widely used capability.

Strain Gage Sensor Reference Guide: http://docs.micro-measurements.com/?id=8690

Training Program Schedule: https://micro-measurements.com/training

Strain Gage Installation Checklist, available from Micro-Measurements. We all need checklists to keep track of what needs to be done to get an accurate strain measurement – especially when working with large projects and several team members. Link: https://www.strainblog.com/search/node/checklist