Universal Pancake

FUTEK Universal Pancake load cells combine a flat, low-profile form factor with high structural rigidity and large bearing surface areas that make them suitable for high-capacity force measurement in structural testing, press monitoring, and applications where the sensor must carry large forces without significant deflection. The pancake geometry — wide diameter relative to height — provides inherent stability against overturning moments and lateral forces, reducing the impact of eccentric loading on measurement accuracy compared to thinner load cells.

The sensing element uses a shear web design with multiple bonded foil strain gauges in a fully active Wheatstone bridge, providing high sensitivity relative to the sensor stiffness. Both tension (via threaded fittings) and compression (via flat bearing surfaces) are supported in a single sensor, giving the Universal Pancake flexibility across different installation configurations. Precision machining and careful gauge placement ensure excellent output linearity and low hysteresis.

Universal Pancake load cells from FUTEK are available in capacities from a few kilonewtons up to very high loads for structural and industrial testing. Materials include alloy steel with protective coatings and stainless steel for corrosive or wash-down environments. Standard electrical output is mV/V; optional integrated amplifiers provide analog voltage or current, USB, and CANbus digital output for direct PLC or computer interface.

Typical applications include structural compression testing in civil engineering and mechanical testing labs, press force monitoring in manufacturing, fatigue testing of materials and components, measurement of forces in hydraulic actuators and test frames, and calibration of other force-measuring devices. NewRoad provides FUTEK Universal Pancake load cells in Israel for structural test labs, manufacturing quality control, and research facilities requiring stable, high-capacity uniaxial force measurement.