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Types of sensor
Quartz washers with piezoelectric properties can be arranged in sensors to enable measurement of one or more force components or a torque vector. For use in biomechanics, Kistler offers the following sensors based on piezoelectrics: - Single-component force sensors,
- Multicomponent force sensors,
- Multicomponent force plates and
- a wide range of other sensors for measuring strain, torque, pressure and acceleration
Single-component force sensors
Single-component force sensors, which are available in a wide variety of forms, are the design most suitable for measuring forces in a defined spatial direction.
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 Multicomponent force sensors
The piezoelectric measuring principle is also ideal for manufacturing multicomponent force sensors. The design of the sensor is similar to the single-component load washer. A pair of quartz washers sliced to exploit the longitudinal effect measures the normal component Fz, and one of each of a pair of washer sliced for the shear effect measures the two shear components Fx and Fy. As shear forces can only be transferred by friction, mounted multicomponent force sensors must always be under sufficiently high mechanical preload. When mounted in dynamometers or force plates, multicomponent force sensors are usually employed in groups or three of four with the same sensitivity rather than individually. |
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Charge amplifiers
Charge amplifiers convert the charge output by a piezoelectric force sensor into a proportional voltage that can be used as an input variable for analysis or control systems. Most charge amplifiers from Kistler allow setting of the sensitivity and measuring range of the sensor to allow use of one and the same sensor to measure very small through to very large quantities.
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 Calibration
Kistler sensors are calibrated for different measuring ranges prior to being dispatched from the factory. All of the relevant data is shown on the supplied calibration certificate. This ensures the output signal of the sensor can be converted accurately and reliably into the actual measurand (e.g. force). Kistler runs Swiss Calibration Service Laboratory No. 049, which is accredited to ISO 17025. The Kistler quality management system is certified to ISO 9001.
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DAQ system and software
Kistler supplies a variety of powerful data acquisition systems with USB 2.0 ports or a PCI bus and its analysis software BioWare®, which is used to set charge amplifier parameters with great ease. All systems measure both highly dynamic processes and very small variables, and can also be used to acquire any analog signals. Connection cables and external control devices integrate force plates from Kistler into data acquisition and motion analysis systems from other manufacturers.
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 Type 5691A1USB 2.0 ensures easy installation, remote control with integral charge amplifier, Powerful data acquisition and signal processing system, versatile data analysis and filter, external and internal trigger. Includes BioWare® 4.0 software
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Type 5695A...64ch DAQ-System, data acquisition and analysis system for Biomechanics
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 Type 2812A...Very versatile, easy to use Windows® software specially designed to work with Kistler force plates in the various fields of biomechanics.
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 Type 5233A2External control unit for measuring components with built-in charge amplifier.
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 Type 9865E...8-channel charge amplifier with 4 measuring ranges, remote controlled.
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» Connecting cables (PDF)
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