In these cases, we explore other possibilities to produce force sensors. If strain gauges are to be used on a flat surface, the originally manual process of gluing and wiring to build a Wheatstone bridge
can be automated. While automation minimalizes design opportunities here, the huge saving potential in production costs might be worth it.
For example: The construction of a parallel lever sensor can be broken down to two plane sensor elements, which are then mounted accordingly. Thick film technology enables us to cost-effectively produce sensor elements in medium-sized quantities. In this process, multiple pre-rendered sensor elements are composited onto a single sheet and separated later. Thick film paste is step by step applied with suitable stencils and burnt in in conveyor furnaces. These sensor elements are very robust and durable.
Please note that thick film technology allows us to produce strain gauges with a gauge factor of 8 to 10, while standard strain gauges only have a gauge factor of 2.