Re: advice on cheap pressure sensors

Ben wrote: 
Hi all,

I'd much appreciate any advice on my search for a cheap and simple pressure sensor. I need to make a device which can measure how hard a baby is squeezing a silicon tube, around 2cm thick. I figure the best way is to connect the tube via a pneumatic tube to a pressure sensor. So what I need is a pressure sensor that does not have to be accurate in absolute terms, but needs to be relatively sensitive, so it can measure changes in grip strength. I reckon if it went up to 1000 kPa that would be more than enough. Preferably it would come with an integrated USB interface and drivers which provided an API. Alternatively, if you know a good one but it just outputs a voltage, perhaps you could also recommend a good cheap and cheerful USB A to D converter?

So far the best thing I've found is this, which you can combine with a USB interface from the same supplier: http://store.pasco.com/pascostore/showdetl.cfm?&DID=9&Product_ID=51374
&Detail=1
But I think it will only interface using their proprietary software - it's for classroom use, after all. But this gives you a basic idea of what I'm after.

Other solutions to the basic problem also gratefully received!

Cheers,

Ben

That's an absolute pressure sensor; you want a differential one with the atmosphere as the reference pressure.

Motorola used to make pressure sensors as a board-level part. I assume these were spun off into Freescale although they may be On semiconductor parts now. You'd have to build a little board to interface to an ADC.

Or try these folks: http://www.phidgets.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=22&page=1

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: advice on cheap pressure sensors
    ... I need to make a device which can measure how hard a baby is squeezing a silicon tube, ... I figure the best way is to connect the tube via a pneumatic tube to a pressure sensor. ... Preferably it would come with an integrated USB interface and drivers which provided an API. ... Alternatively, if you know a good one but it just outputs a voltage, perhaps you could also recommend a good cheap and cheerful USB A to D converter? ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • advice on pressure sensors
    ... way is to connect the tube via a pneumatic tube to a pressure sensor. ... integrated USB interface and drivers which provided an API. ... perhaps you could also recommend a good cheap and cheerful USB A to D ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: advice on cheap pressure sensors
    ... thanks very much for all your advice. ... > way is to connect the tube via a pneumatic tube to a pressure sensor. ... > integrated USB interface and drivers which provided an API. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
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