Jump to: General Questions | Custom Sensors | Sales and Returns | Sensor Implementation
General Questions
What are some applications in which the Interlink sensors have been used?
Interlink sensors provide economical solutions and OEM tools to a variety of force measurement applications. Our sensors have been integrated into medical devices, QA/QC equipment, rugged computer equipment, industrial controls, sports and recreational gear, and more.
I have a technical question about an Interlink standard product. Who should I contact?
We recommend that you first check the RESOURCES section of the website for Data Sheets, White Papers, and Application Guides. If you still have a question, please fill out the Contact Us form and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. Depending on your location and the nature of your inquiry, we may respond to your request directly or refer you to one of our representative partners in your area.
I am a student or a small business with an unfunded project. What level of assistance can you offer me?
While we do our best to respond to every inquiry, unfortunately our resources are limited for non-commercial inquiries. However, you will find a lot of useful information under the RESOURCES tab in the navigation bar.
I have an Interlink Electronics RemotePoint, signature capture, or presentation product and require service or support.
Interlink divested these business units several years ago, and we are no longer able to offer service or support.
Custom Sensors
Do you offer custom sensor solutions?
Interlink can create custom sensors and provide varying degrees of integration support, including firmware development, output technologies (haptics, illumination, etc.), and even A-surface integration. Contact us for more information and advice. There are typically NRE charges associated with custom solutions, so we don’t recommend this route for small volume applications. For large volume commercial applications, a custom solution can be very cost effective.
Work with our team of experts to customize Interlink's sensors for almost any application you can imagine. Our host of in-house competencies—including materials science, hardware engineering, software and firmware engineering, and manufacturing—gives us the ability to assist and advise from design to delivery. Here are just a few of our specialties:
- Hybrid sensors
- Sensor fusion platforms
- IoT sensors
- Rugged sensing solution
What is the usual turn-around time for custom designs?
From receipt of purchase order to completion of prototype, expect 2-4 weeks, depending on queue status at the time of order.
What is the average cost of a custom design?
Each request is different, depending on size, complexity of design, force ranges, quantities, etc. Contact an Interlink sales agent for pricing.
What are the minimum and maximum quantities for custom designs?
Due to the cost involved, we typically do not design custom sensors for when expected volumes are low. The maximum quantities that can be produced depend on the size and complexity of the design. We have produced custom sensors in volumes as high as 20M pcs per year.
Sales and Returns
Who should I contact for a quotation or general sales inquiry?
Contact us at sales@iefsr.com for all sales inquiries. Depending on your location and the nature of your inquiry, we may service your request directly or refer you to one of our representative partners in your area.
How can I purchase Interlink standard sensors?
You can purchase directly from our online store at https://www.BuyInterlinkElectronics.com. If you can't find what you need there, you can also try our global distribution partner Digi-Key. Contact sales@iefsr.com for pricing on high-volume orders.
For international orders, we have alternative shipping options available other than those that show up automatically on our store. Please contact us at sales@iefsr.com to discuss the most cost-effective shipping option for your international order.
What is your return policy?
Your package must be returned unopened within 48 hours of receipt of merchandise. Please contact us at sales@iefsr.com to start a return.
Sensor Implementation
What is the lifetime of a Interlink sensor?
The sensor is typically operational beyond 1,000,000 hits. The durability of the Interlink sensor depends on the conditions to which it is exposed: magnitude of the load, the interface material, and the direction of the load (minimal shear).
How does the sensor react to force? Is the resistance constant, or is it decreasing with a constant value?
The inks in our sensors are resistive: the greater the force, the less the resistance.
How much can I overload the sensor without damaging it?
The mechanical properties of the different force range sensors are very similar. The polymer materials from which these sensors are manufactured will start to deform plastically around 6.89 newtons/square millimeter (10,000 pounds/square inch).
What materials/conditions could damage the sensor?
Temperatures >215.55°C (420°F), water-submersion (as the adhesive holding the top & bottom layers together would likely separate), sharp objects, shear forces, creasing the sensor, and loads that are around or above 6.89 newtons/square millimeter (10,000 pounds/square inch) can damage the sensor.
Can the sensor or the tail of the sensor be folded?
We recommend that you do not kink or crease the FSR device if you are bending the tail as this can cause breaks in the printed silver traces. The smallest suggested bend radius for the tail for evaluation purposes is about 2.5mm. Also, be careful if bending the tail near the active area. This can cause stress on the active area and may result in pre-loading and false readings.
Can I adhere the sensor to a surface?
If you need to adhere the sensor to a surface, we recommend using a thin, double-sided tape. Often the sensors are supplied with such a rear adhesive, covered with a removable liner.
What surface is best to use underneath the sensor?
A flat, smooth surface is ideal. Trapped air bubbles or dirt particles can cause the sensor to appear loaded in the absence of an external load.
What drive voltages can I apply to the sensor?
Electrically the sensors look like passive resistors. Any voltage that suits your circuit is fine. From 0.1V (as long as signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio remains acceptable) to 5V is the typical range.
What is the resistance range of the sensor?
The resistance range of the sensor is typically from >1MΩ at no load to approximately 1kΩ at full load. This can vary depending on the details of the sensor and actuating mechanics.
How long must the sensor be unloaded before you load it again?
There is no exact or estimated time.
Are the Interlink sensors waterproof?
No, the sensors are not designed for use under water. The FSR material is not compatible with direct liquid contact. Sensors are ideally suited to placement behind a waterproof enclosure.
Does humidity have any effect on the sensor?
Yes, of all environmental extremes, humidity causes the most change. Extreme humidity, for example 85 RH at 85C for hundreds of hours, will shift resistance dramatically upward.
Can the sensors pick up electrical noise?
FSRs are no more prone to noise pickup than a passive resistor, although they can have considerable surface area. Proximity to high intensity RF sources may require special measures.
What is the smallest active sensing area you can make?
Sensor sizes range from a minimum head dimension of 5mm (3mm active area) to a maximum of 56 x 42cm.