Tekscan’s FlexiForce® sensor can be used to measure the force between two surfaces. The single element sensor acts as a force sensitive resistor: when the sensor is unloaded, its resistance is very high and decreases when a force is applied between the two opposite surfaces. The sensor exhibits a high degree of linearity, low hysteresis and minimal drift when compared to other thin-film force sensors. The Parallax Flexiforce Sensor Demo Kit and example circuit demonstrates the resistive nature of the sensor with a resistor/capacitor discharge time measurement circuit but no correlations to actual force or weight are made. Typical applications include touch pads, alarm systems and robot gripper force sensing.

Maximum force (weight): 25lbs
Sensing area: 9.53mm diameter
Dimensions: 203 x 9.53 x 0.127mm
Operating temperature range: -9 to +60°C

220Ω resistor, 0.1uF capacitor, 0.01uF capacitor

Parallax offer an extensive range of sensor, communication and interface modules for the experimenter working on robotic systems. Most are supplied with extensive documentation making them ideal for use in education. Further information and tutorials are available from the Parallax website: http://learn.parallax.com/