Pressurex® sensor film

Sensor Products Inc. introduces Pressurex®, a tactile force indicating sensor film. The sensor is useful in assessing compression magnitude and distribution between any two mating or impacting surfaces. Applications exist for both manufacturing process control and machine/component inspection and calibration. Pressurex is a valuable aid in machine calibration unit pressure distribution between components of machine assemblies such as gaskets and flanges, clutch and brake plates, frames, shafts, welding heads, teeth of gears, glue and adhesive jigs, roller nips for steel mills, and electronic component packaging. Other applications are as diverse as ultrasonic welding, explosive forming, indication of uniformity during composite materials fabrication, determination of effective placement of strain gauges, determining drawing pressure in dies, package drop test pressure, and measuring the interface pressure in mechanically attached joints. In general, any application involving stress between two surfaces can benefit from Pressurex's capabilities.

Pressurex sensor film comes in the form of a large thin sheet, physically similar in appearance to this page. When placed in between impacting or mating surfaces, the sensor film instantaneously and permanently changes color. The intensity of this color is proportional to the amount of force applied allowing the user to actually quantify the stress characteristics across the surface. Precise PSI (kg/cm2) can be determined by comparison of the sensor film to a color calibration chart (conceptually similar to interpreting Litmus paper), or by using one of several imaging systems that Sensor Products supplies.

Pressurex is an NDT (non-destructive testing) concept that can greatly enhance yields and improve quality with a relatively minor investment. With a maximum gauge of 8 mils, this technology is ideal for invasive intolerant environments that cannot accommodate traditional load cells and other transducers. Its ease of use makes it an extremely low-cost (approximately $0.02 to $0.05 USD per cm2) and effective testing medium.

Sensor Products Inc., 188 Route 10 Suite 307, East Hanover, NJ 07936. Tel: 973-884-1755; Fax: 973-884-1699.