Introduction

In manufacturing and research and development sites, accurately capturing even the slightest deformations and minute changes in stress directly leads to improved product quality and safety.

The semiconductor strain sensor STREAL is a strain sensor developed exclusively by our company that achieves"high-precision, high-sensitivity"strain measurement, which was difficult to achieve with conventional metal foil sensors.

In this article, we will introduce the appeal of the "STREAL Evaluation Kit," which allows you to easily experience the performance of STREAL, and some actual usage scenarios.

STREAL Evaluation Kit Features

"Ready to use" all-in-one configuration

The evaluation kit includes the STREAL unit, a main unit (capable of connecting up to four​ ​STREALs), an extension cable (up to 3m), a USB cable, a wireless receiver, and a dedicated PC app.

All you need is a computer, adhesive, and an object to be measured (such as a test piece), and you can immediately begin measuring strain with high accuracy.

Flexible communication methods

It is compatible with both wired (USB) and wireless (dedicated receiver) connections.

You can select the optimal connection method according to the site layout and purpose.

A demonstration that makes invisible changes visible

For example, if you place 10-yen coins one by one on the test piece, STREAL will display the slight changes in strain caused by their weight as waveforms in real time.

You can see at a glance how the amount of strain increases threefoldwhenstackingone sheet→ three sheets.

Image of three 10-yen coins placed on a test piece

Actual waveform (using high-precision STREAL type)

In addition to tension and compression, it also accurately detects minute deformations that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as torsion and vibration.

You will be amazed at how small a force it can really detect, and experience the high sensitivity and precision of STREAL.

Temperature and acceleration are measured simultaneously

STREAL has a built-in temperature sensor, so the temperature of the area where the sensor is attached can also be measured at the same time.

In addition, the main unit is also equipped with a three-axis acceleration sensor.

​A single unit can perform multi-point simultaneous measurement of strain, temperature, and acceleration.

For example, temperature changes when heating with a heat gun or acceleration changes during vibration testing can be recorded along with strain data.

Usage scenarios and future prospects

・Initial evaluation of manufacturing sites

・Predictive maintenance and abnormality detection for factory equipment

・Collecting data from vibration/shock tests and durability tests

・Experimental materials for educational and research purposes

​The STREAL evaluation kit is used in a variety of situations, such as:

Going forward, we plan to expand into industrial applications that require environmental resistance, and will continue to evolve as a partner that makes invisible issues visible on-site.

Summary

The STREAL evaluation kit is a tool that enables highly accurate strain measurement "anyone, anywhere, immediately."

Please try out this experience of making invisible changes visible on-site.