Help figuring out how to setup inline load cell

I have a situation where a RPi is running a rotary actuator which occasionally jams due to incorrect part orientation feeding into it. When jammed it bends expensive parts of the machine. I need an inline compression sensor so I can shut off the actuator if the sensor reading is to high (jam) to prevent the destruction of the machine. I’m looking at values in the range of 0-200 kg (not quite sure yet, would have to have the sensor on and see what the values of a jam would output).

I’m thinking along the lines of this item, which is threaded on both ends allowing it to be put inline with the actuator. https://www.amazon.com/DYMH-103-Tension … 73IMBF4DLW The issue is I know little about interfacing this type of sensor with the Pi. Anyone have any experience or ideas regarding this or other sensors? Google doesn’t seem to provide much help.

Thanks,

GWFAMI

Another option may be to measure the current draw of the actuator. Stall current of a motor is usually much higher than running current

Thanks. I thought of this, it won’t work due to the speed of the motor and the various loads put on it. I need something that can measure the actual force and stop everything if it looks like it is going up to fast.

You’ll need a load cell amplifier and an arduino. Sparkfuns hx711 board and their redboard version of an arduino uno (or real arduino uno) would be a good place to start.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13879

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15123

Check the hookup guide for the hx711 for directions on how to connect things.

Sure, after the load cell is mechanically installed inline, the instrumentation for toggling an output above/below a configurable value (often called a setpoint) is pretty easy. You can build something as @YellowDog described.

A quicker, easier, most robust way would be to use an off the shelf scale controller with some of these features built in, like this: [Rice Lake SCT-10. As you can see, there’s a lot inside: a couple I/Os, analog out, remote commands, wide Vcc range, 80 Hz sample rate, the display is primitive but usable.](SCT-10 Signal Conditioning Transmitter)