Sensor Film Measures And Maps Very Low Contact Pressures

You’ve wanted a more sensitive pressure sensor. Now, one has arrived. Pressurex Zero^® is a new sensor film that characterizes tactile contact surface pressure down to an extremely low 7.2 PSI (0.5 kg/cm²). The flexible film can be placed between contacting or mating surfaces to instantly and accurately measure and map pressure magnitude and distribution. Variations in contact surface pressure are immediately visible by the impression made on the film. The spatial resolution of the film is fine enough to expose minute surface defects and other imperfections. The range for Pressurex Zero^® is 7.2 – 28 PSI (0.5 – 1.97 kg/cm²).

It comes in the form of a thin clear plastic sheet (4 or 8 mil), physically similar in appearance to paper. It is available in eight pressure ranges with the highest measuring impact up to 43,200 PSI (1,300 – 3,000 kg/cm²). When placed between contacting surfaces, it instantaneously and permanently changes color directly proportional to the actual pressure applied. The precise pressure magnitude (PSI or kg/cm²) is easily determined by comparing color variation results to a color correlation chart (conceptually similar to interpreting Litmus paper). Pressurex^® can also be scanned through one of Sensor Product’s optical imaging systems.

Pressurex^® is used in design, manufacture, calibration and quality control. Contact surface pressure variations often result in manufacturing flaws and product defects. Design and assembly of products that use the compressive force of clamps, fasteners, connectors and bolted joints to join surfaces – including heat sinks and semiconductors – are particularly aided by Pressurex^®. Products that depend on defined or uniform pressure distribution over the contact surface area, such as rollers, wafer polishing, multi layer printed circuit board lamination and squeeze pressure distribution of solder cream, heat sealing equipment for packaging and LED panel assembly are candidates for Pressurex Zero^®.