Abstract: An apparatus for sensing forces applied to a structure includes a generally cylindrical body having a pair of end portions and a smaller diameter intermediate portion with a central aperture extending longitudinally through the body. The end portions are slotted to form radially outwardly translatable legs for engaging a wall of a cavity formed in the structure. Strain gauges are attached to the intermediate portion for sensing forces applied to the structure when the body is positioned in the cavity and the legs are engaging the wall of the cavity. The wall of the central aperture has a pair of threaded sections for threadably receiving bushing and bearing assemblies inserted from opposite ends of the central aperture. Each of the assemblies has a tapered surface for radially outwardly translating the legs.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring force applied to a blank resting on a tool supported by a tool holder includes a tubular piezoelectric body having a central aperture extending between a first end and a second end of the body, a plurality of legs attached to an outer surface of the body and each having a free end extending beyond the first end of the body, and an elongated tube extending through the central aperture of the body, a first end of the tube terminating between the first end of the body and the free ends of the legs. Indica are provided on an outer surface of the tube for indicating the position of the body in a cavity formed in a tool holder. An electrical cable has a pair of conductors electrically connected to the body for generating a sensor output signal. Potting compound is forced through an interior of the tube to encapsulate the legs, the body, the first end of the tube and the cable to retain the apparatus in the cavity.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the forces applied to dies in an underdrive press includes the step of determining the position of a frame in an upper slide of the press in relation to a surface of the slide. One or more force sensing transducers are then mounted on the surface of the upper slide each in a predetermined position with respect to the frame of the slide. The transducers are connected to a load monitoring device which is then calibrated to indicate the forces being applied to dies in the press during the operation of the press. The same steps are performed for each slide of an underdrive press having an inner upper slide and an outer upper slide.