Futek Demonstrates using LEGO

Futek demonstrates three load cell applications using LEGO®!

You read that right. For the MD&M West trade show this year, Futek decided to have some interactive applications at their booth; and instead of using aluminum or stainless steel, they constructed them entirely out of LEGO bricks!

In this three part video, the first application is an infusion pump/syringe test stand. Futek has attached a motor to a crank that creates a pushing/pulling motion. This motion is applied to the plunger of the syringe, which allows it to take in and push out water (or any other fluid). In line, between the plunger and the crank, is an LSB200 Miniature S-Beam Load Cell that measures the force exerted onto the plunger. 

The next application features Futek's LCM100 Miniature In-Line Load Cell in a pulley system to measure the tension created from the crane's payload. The tensile force will be immediately visible on Futeks IHH500 Handheld Display.

And lastly, what you are seeing here is a marble loaded onto a ramp and rolling down onto a sensing platform. The sensing platform has the LLB130 Miniature Load Button centered underneath, which measures the weight of the marble as it is loaded onto it. The load cell outputs a value (mV/V), which is amplified by the IDA100 Digital Amplifier (VDC), and then fed into the Arduino. The Arduino makes the decision if the marble is classified as "heavy" or "light". Once the distinction is made, it sends a command to the LEGO motor to sort the marble into the appropriate bin.

But seeing is believing. So take a look at these videos!