Why Use a Custom Load Pin?
When a standard load measurement device does not fit the requirements of an application, a custom Load Pin may be the solution. Custom Load Pins are designed around the mechanical dimensions, load requirements, environmental conditions, certification requirements, and data needs of a specific piece of equipment.
A Load Pin is a type of force sensor that measures applied loads by converting mechanical force into an electrical signal. They are commonly integrated into cranes, winches, sheaves, shackles, and other load-bearing components. Because Load Pins can often replace an existing structural pin, they provide an effective way to add load measurement and monitoring to equipment without requiring a complete mechanical redesign.
Load measurement applications rarely have identical requirements. Equipment may use different pin diameters and lengths, have proprietary deck machinery, experience different load forces, have specific safety requirements, or operate in environments where standard sensors are not suitable.
A custom Load Pin can be designed to match the existing equipment while providing the required measurement capacity and output. This can be particularly valuable for retrofit load monitoring systems, specialized machinery, and applications where space or installation requirements limit the use of standard options.
Custom Load Pins can also be configured for specific operating conditions. Depending on the application, options may include different electrical outputs, cable configurations, redundant bridge outputs, dual-axis measurement, hazardous-area ratings, and subsea operation.
Custom Load Pins Across Multiple Industries
Custom Load Pins are used in a wide range of industries where accurate load measurement is important to equipment operation, safety, and performance. By designing the sensor around the equipment’s mechanical and measurement requirements, custom Load Pins can be incorporated into cranes, winches, sheaves, shackles, release hooks, and other load-bearing equipment.
Common applications can be found across utilities, oil & gas, maritime, and construction. For example, a custom Load Pin can be designed to replace a structural pin in a utility cable-pulling system where the existing dimensions do not accommodate a standard sensor, or integrated into a marine release hook where a specialized pin design is required to measure load while maintaining the hook’s existing mechanical function. These are just two examples of how custom Load Pins can provide accurate load data without requiring significant changes to existing equipment.
What Information Is Needed for a Custom Load Pin?
Designing a custom Load Pin begins with understanding both the application and the mechanical requirements. Rugged Controls’ Custom Load Pin Request Form collects several key pieces of information to help our engineering team develop an appropriate solution.
The form asks for:
- Application information: A description of the load monitoring application, quantity needed, and desired delivery date.
- Load capacity: Maximum line tension, units of measurement, sheave wrap angle, resultant load, proof load, and ultimate breaking load.
- Dimensions: Existing Load Pin dimensions and an engineering drawing, when available, and existing drawings of associated deck machinery.
- Connector preferences: Radial or axial orientation, connector or glanded cable exit, and the desired sensor output such as mV/V, mA, or digital.
- Additional options: Cable length, keeper assembly, dual-axis sensing, redundant bridge output, operating temperature, and hazardous-area requirements.
- Other application details: Additional information that may affect the design, installation, or operating environment.
Providing an engineering drawing can be especially helpful when designing a replacement or retrofit Load Pin, but it is not required to begin the request process. The more information available about the existing equipment and application, the easier it is to develop a sensor that meets the mechanical and measurement requirements.
Choosing the Right Load Measurement Solution
Custom Load Pins are more than simple load-rated components. They are engineered force measurement solutions designed to integrate with the equipment and monitoring system around them.
Whether the application involves a crane, winch, sheave, shackle, utility vehicle, oilfield equipment, or marine machinery, the right Load Pin can provide reliable force data while maintaining compatibility with the existing equipment.
Rugged Controls designs and manufactures custom Load Pins and Force Sensors for demanding load monitoring applications. If you have an application that requires a specialized load measurement solution, submit your requirements through our Custom Load Pin Request Form and our engineering team can help determine the appropriate configuration.
