LOW PROFILE LOAD CELLS
High-Accuracy Pancake Load Cells Made in the USA for Industrial Force Measurement
FEATURES
MSNST #15XXXXX & #16XXXXX Low Profile Load Cell Highlights:
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Capacities from 25 pounds all the way to 4,000,000 LBS
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Optional connector, dual-bridge, or integral cable configurations
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Additional mounting hardware available for model installation
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Low-profile load cells, also known as pancake load cells, are compact force sensors designed to provide accurate tension and compression measurements where vertical installation space is limited. Their flat, typically circular design provides high capacity and reliable performance without the height required by many traditional load cell configurations.
MSNST manufactures low-profile load cells in shear-web and diaphragm styles for applications ranging from precision force measurement to high-capacity industrial weighing and testing. Available capacities extend from as little as 25 lbf to 4,000,000 lbf, with configurations engineered for compression, tension, and fatigue-testing applications.
Their compact geometry makes low-profile load cells particularly well suited for applications such as presses, test machines, tanks, hoppers, silos, structural testing systems, and other equipment where available mounting space is restricted. Depending on the application, MSNST can provide stainless steel or alloy steel construction along with customized bridge, excitation, output, cabling, and mounting configurations.
For applications that cannot be served by an off-the-shelf sensor, MSNST's engineering team can customize the load cell around the required capacity, dimensions, mounting arrangement, electrical output, and operating conditions.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Low-profile load cells are used when accurate force or weight measurement is required but space, capacity, or equipment geometry makes a conventional load cell difficult to install. Their compact construction makes them especially useful in testing, process weighing, and heavy industrial systems.
Common applications include:
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Press & Force Monitoring – Measure compression forces in hydraulic, mechanical, and industrial presses while minimizing the space required for sensor installation.
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Material & Fatigue Testing – Measure tension and compression forces during component testing, fatigue cycling, structural qualification, and other test applications.
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Tank, Hopper & Silo Weighing – Integrate load measurement beneath vessels and storage systems for inventory monitoring, batching, and process control.
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Aerospace & Structural Testing – Capture precise force data during component qualification, structural testing, and other high-performance engineering applications.
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Steel & Heavy Industrial Equipment – Monitor high loads in machinery and production environments where durability, capacity, and compact installation are critical.
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Machine & Equipment Integration – Incorporate force measurement directly into machinery, fixtures, and automated equipment where available installation height is limited.
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Custom Force Measurement Systems – Support specialized equipment requiring nonstandard capacities, mounting dimensions, electrical configurations, or load paths.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOW-PROFILE LOAD CELL
1
Capacity & Load Direction
Select a load cell rated above the maximum force expected during normal operation while accounting for overloads, shock loads, and an appropriate safety margin. Also determine whether the application requires compression only or both tension and compression measurement, as this will affect the appropriate configuration.
2
Space & Mounting
Evaluate the available installation height, mounting surfaces, load path, and surrounding equipment. Low-profile load cells are ideal where vertical space is restricted, but proper alignment remains critical. The load should pass through the sensor as intended to minimize side loading, bending, and measurement error.
3
Accuracy & Environment
Determine the measurement precision and operating conditions required by the application. Consider temperature, moisture, corrosion, vibration, and other environmental factors along with the required linearity and repeatability. Material, cabling, output, and other configurations can then be selected to support reliable long-term performance.
SPECIFICATIONS
Construction | 17-4PH Stainless Steel, 4340 Carbon Steel, or A36 Alloy Steel |
Example Capacities US LBF | 500 LBF ; 1K LBF ; 5K LBF ; 10K LBF ; 50K LBF ; 100K LBF ; 500K LBF ; 1M LBF |
Example Capacities Metric kN | 2 kN ; 4 kN ; 22 kN ; 44 kN ; 222 kN ; 444 kN ; 2224 kN ; 4448 kN |
Excitation Voltage | 10V–15V |
Excitation Voltage
AC / DC | 2 mV / V | 0V–5V, 4mA–20mA (customer preference) |
Temperature Range
(additional ranges optional) | 10°F — 115°F | (-12°C — 46°C) |
Bridge Resistance | 350Ω | (additional resistances available based on customer preference) |
Insulation Resistance | 5000 MΩ |
Accuracy & Precision | Linearity: 0.04% FS | Repeatability: 0.01% FS |
Maximun Load | Safe: 150% | Ultimate: 300% |
Please note that specifications or results may vary as we strive to improve our products. Additional information including dimensions and technical drawings available upon request.