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Sensors

Breakthrough in Engineering: Development of Low-Cost Multi-Axis Force/Torque Sensor

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A team of researchers at Brunel University London has made a significant contribution to the field of engineering by developing a low-cost multi-axis force/torque sensor using strain gauges. This innovative approach has far-reaching implications for various industries that require precise measurement of forces and torques, such as robotics, aerospace, and automotive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research introduces a new method for designing a multi-axis force/torque sensor using a low-cost pre-made strain gauge-based load cell.
  • The proposed sensor platform geometry is designed to decouple multi-axis force/torque values into force components, allowing for accurate estimation of multi-axis force/torque components.
  • The researchers developed a theoretical approach for designing the sensor platform and its actual prototype, which was fabricated using a rigid platform, load cells, and an electrical circuit for amplifiers.
  • A set of experiments were conducted to verify the methodology using the prototype through a calibration process, and sensing performances were described in detail.
  • The sensor is designed to be low-cost and can be used in various applications, including robotics, aerospace, and automotive industries.

Statistics:

  • The sensor platform geometry is designed to decouple multi-axis force/torque values into force components, allowing for accurate estimation of multi-axis force/torque components.
  • The sensor was fabricated using a rigid platform, load cells, and an electrical circuit for amplifiers.
  • A set of experiments were conducted to verify the methodology using the prototype through a calibration process, and sensing performances were described in detail.
  • The research was published in the MATEC Web of Conferences journal, volume 413 (2025), article 01008.
  • The publisher of the journal is EDP Sciences.

Sources:

  • A low-cost Stewart platform-based multi-axis force/torque sensor using strain gauges. MATEC Web of Conferences, 2025, 413():01008.
  • Journal of Engineering. October 20, 2025; p 554.
  • MATEC Web of Conferences - http://www.matec-conferences.org
  • EDP Sciences - the publisher of the journal.

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