Hmmm... from out in left field here, how about a small piece of
something pliable between the 2 cars.  Forces of compression
& extension would actually cause the cars to get closer/further,
though it may not be easily visible/apparent.  Now the problem
is to find a (precise) infrared or sonic distance/range detector,
which I would think should be easier than sourcing a strain gauge.



----- Original Message -----
From: "M. Adam Davis" <adampic@UBASICS.COM>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 6:05 PM
Subject: Re: [OT]: source for cheap strain guages?


> The cheapest expirementer's strain guage I've seen is conductive foam
> with copper foil tape on two sides.  Compressed foam shows a lower
> resistance than non-compressed, but the foam wears out and must be
> recalibrated.
>
> I'm trying to think in terms of your model trains though.  The space to
> put a gauge in is so small.  Measuring the twisting or pull of a part
> that doesn't twist or pull very much requires vey high precision sensors
> or a series of levers to amplify the change.
>
> -Adam
>
> David Harris wrote:
>
> >Hi All -
> >
> >Does anyone know of a soucre of cheap strain gauges?
> >
> >What I want to do is measure the force applied to the coupler on my
> >model train.  The plan is to measure the force and transmit it to a
> >readout station - via IR or rf.  So, I need a way of measuring the force
> >-- any other ideas?  (cheap is in :-)
> >
> >David
> >
> >--
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >
>
> --
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>
>

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