Interview: What Will the Future of Force Measurement Technology Look Like?

HBK force sensors are used across a wide range of applications, including production and assembly (IPC), test rigs and material testing, experimental measurements, calibration, and transfer transducers.

Over the past decade, HBK’s force measurement technology has advanced significantly. Sensors are now easier to use thanks to ‘the Easy to Order’ concept, allowing customers to configure solutions with a wide range of options. This includes adaptations, cable lengths, and connector types, so each sensor can be tailored to the specific task. The result is faster installation, reduced complexity, and lower overall costs. For example, sensors can be ordered with pre-mounted connectors for all HBK amplifier systems, eliminating the need for on-site soldering.

Accuracy has also improved – while maintaining stable price. Higher accuracy extends the usable measurement range, particularly at lower forces, and enables more reliable processes and improved yield.

At the same time, HBK force sensors have become more robust. Extensive IP68 and EMC testing before product launch ensures reliable performance in harsh environments. A recent example is the U93A, launched in 2025, which combines high accuracy with enhanced durability and reliability.

We’ve also expanded our measurable force range, now offering solutions up to 60 MN. Integrated amplifier modules further simplify system integration and improve overall measurement performance.

Our latest development is the integration of electronics directly into the sensor. Customers can choose between digital or analogue amplifiers, with support for established industrial interfaces. 

Each of these areas presents its own challenges.

• Accuracy requires high-end calibration and testing facilities, deep expertise in strain gauge technology, and highly stable manufacturing processes
• Robustness involves careful selection of materials, corrosion resistance, standardised testing, and the use of digital technologies to improve reliability. This also depends on specialised engineers and the right development tools. Our digital sensors include sensor health monitoring, which alerts the user before a sensor fails – essentially a digital enhancement that improves sensor reliability. We will continue to offer sensors without amplifier and with 0 – 10 V output signals, and with 4 – 20 mA output. However, digitally amplified force transducers offer significant advantages in terms of accuracy,
• Mechanical integration is often constrained by limited space. While this can be challenging, HBK is generally able to meet customer requirements through tailored designs

In practice, successful transducer development requires balancing all three.

Accuracy remains one of the strongest drivers for improving processes and reducing overall measurement costs. HBK will continue to introduce innovative mechanical designs that deliver even higher accuracy.

At the same time, integrated amplifier technology is playing an increasingly key role. While analogue technology remains relevant, digital technology offers clear advantages. Integrated digital amplifiers enable better compensation for temperature and linearity effects, lower system costs through simpler cabling and faster integration –our advanced sensor health monitoring is currently unique in the market.

Traceability remains an important requirement. Customers must be able to prove that their measurement results are correct and that measurement uncertainty is known. HBK will continue to support this with DKD and ISO 376 calibration services for all force sensors – whether analogue or digital.

Looking forward, we will further expand our portfolio of digital-output sensors, including IO‑Link interfaces. Importantly, customers can switch between analogue and digital interfaces without mechanical changes, as the sensor footprint remains the same.

The introduction of integrated amplifiers was not simply an add-on – it required expanding HBK’s entire ecosystem to support digital sensor production. By combining sensors and amplifiers as a unified system, we’ve achieved real operational benefits, including improved accuracy through digital temperature and linearity compensation.

Another major challenge was calibration. Digital sensors must be calibrated with the same rigour as traditional mV/V sensors, which required updating our calibration infrastructure to support multiple interfaces. Today, we can confidently say HBK is fully prepared for the digital production environment, with both products and services to match.

Digitalisation does not fundamentally change force sensors themselves, but it transforms how they are connected and used. Interfaces such as IO‑Link help bridge the gap between IT and OT environments. HBK’s digiBOX can communicate simultaneously with fieldbus systems and higher‑level networks using Ethernet, MQTT, or OPC UA.

Engineers often work with many different sensors, each requiring separate configuration and scaling. HBK’s smart force sensors use standardised interfaces such as IO‑Link, which significantly reduces this complexity.

Once connected to an IO‑Link master, the sensor immediately provides force values in Newtons with known uncertainty. From the user’s perspective, integrating a force sensor is no different from integrating sensors for torque, mass, or other physical quantities. This allows engineers to focus on their application rather than sensor setup – and eliminates common errors such as typos. HBK will continue to introduce more sensors with digital interface. Displacement sensors will be the next step, and solutions for torque and weighing technology are already available on the market.

Experience shows that failures are most often caused by damaged cables, overloads, or excessive temperature exposure. HBK’s digital force sensors continuously compare applied loads and temperatures against sensor limits. If thresholds are exceeded, the system issues a warning before failure occurs, significantly improving reliability and uptime. All digital sensors have an M12 connector. If a cable is damaged, the issue is quick and cost effective to fix. M12 cables are available on the market for under €10 – just connect the new cable an continue measuring. 

The core application areas will remain largely the same. Force measurement will continue to play a key role in production quality, test rigs, and reference measurement. All these areas will benefit from ongoing improvements in accuracy and digital integration. While new interfaces may emerge, HBK is well prepared to adapt as the market evolves. We can see that the trend is moving towards controlling every single production step, rather than relying on costly end-of-line test, where fully produced, high-value goods may end up being scrapped. 

Yes. Renewable energy is a growing field with many new challenges that require precise force measurement. Battery technology is another key growth area, where force sensors are increasingly needed in both research and development as well as production environments.

There is no single ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. Force measurement is always part of a larger system, and requirements vary widely depending on the application, geometry, tolerances, and interface needs.

HBK’s approach is to offer modular building blocks supported by modern digital technologies. This allows us to tailor force measurement solutions to customer needs efficiently – delivering high performance, reasonable cost, and reliable delivery times.