Axial Force Load Cell

Axial force load cells from Kingmach are designed around a straightforward principle: turn a known load into a precise electrical output, then make sure that output arrives cleanly. The sensing element uses bonded foil strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, with temperature compensation built into the circuit. The body—typically a cylinder of high-strength alloy steel or stainless—gets machined to combine stiffness with sensitivity, so you aren’t trading one for the other. We offer both solid designs for compression-only use and center-hole versions that let a tie-rod or anchor pass through, opening up tension and compression monitoring. These load cells show up most often on deep foundation jobs: static pile load tests, pile head monitoring during excavation, anchor pull-out tests, strut forces in excavations. But they also fit into heavy civil structures like bridge bearings and tunnel linings. Output options range from simple millivolt-per-volt signals for direct connection to strain gauge readouts, to amplified 4-20 mA or RS485 outputs for longer cable runs and noisy electrical environments. Because we manufacture a whole suite of geotechnical sensors—piezometers, inclinometers, settlement systems—we can help you put together a monitoring package that talks to a single datalogger. Each project has its own constraints. That’s why we keep in-house machining and calibration. If a standard capacity or dimension doesn’t line up, we can adjust the load range, add a load column, or tweak the mounting thread. Our technical team stays involved from selection through installation, with remote support and on-site guidance available through our distribution network. It’s not about selling a catalog part; it’s about making the measurement work the first time.