Force measurement on deformable surfaces
Flexible calibrated sensors for area-distributed loads where deformation, movement and contact geometry matter.
What is loadpad?
loadpad measures loads and forces between two soft, deformable objects and enables the quantification and analysis of area-distributed forces. When two soft objects are pressed together, they deform and the total force is distributed across the contact area.
The thin, flexible and stretchable sensors adapt to deformation and can measure an area-distributed load with high precision using a single sensor.
Use cases
Force measurement between soft objects may be required in dynamic, static or semi-static situations. Because the human body is largely soft and deformable, loadpad is well suited for human and animal measurements.
Applications include manual therapy training, saddle force measurement for horses, forces on hands while walking with assistive devices, bicycle saddle optimization, car-door load analysis, medical applications, sports applications and ergonomics.
Key features
Sizes and shapes
loadpad sensors are available in multiple geometries, from compact manual-therapy sensors to larger posturo, saddle and robotic-foot formats. The shape, size, sensitivity and surface covering can also be adapted for application-specific measurement work.
| Name | Typical object or subject | Size in mm | SKU | Pressure range in kPa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| loadpad - ad | crutch / assistive devices | 105 x 50 | L2010 | 600 |
| loadpad - ch | child's heel | 30 x 30 | L2013 | 600 |
| loadpad - mt | manual therapy | 30 x 20 | L2012 | 100, 250, 600 |
| loadpad - mt S | chiropractic application | 10 x 10 | L2014 | 600 |
| loadpad - PT M | posturo / foot | 200 x 400 | L2321 | 600 |
| loadpad - PT S | posturo / foot | 150 x 350 | L2320 | 600 |
| loadpad - rbt | foot robots | 290 x 126 | L2430 | 240 |
| loadpad - riders | on horse saddle | 335 x 305 | L2260 | 600 |
| loadpad - saf 10.0 | any small area force | 100 x 100 | L2111 | 600 |
| loadpad - saf 15.5 | any small area force | 155 x 105 | L2110 | 600 |
| loadpad - stirrup | stirrup | 105 x 50 | L2011 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - dfu | diabetic foot | ø 17 | L3210 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - dq | anti decubitus | 50 x 50 | L3115 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - hss | hss | 150 x 100 | L3114 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - ht M | glove | 90 x 80 | L3110 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - mt D | manual therapy | 110 x 60 | L3116 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - mt L | manual therapy | 110 x 110 | L3112 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - mt M | manual therapy | 110 x 50 | L3111 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - mt Mc | manual therapy | 110 x 25 | L3117 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - mt S | manual therapy | 35 x 25 | L3113 | 600 |
| loadpad HT - ve | Vakuumextraktion | 110 x 50 | L3211 | 600 |
Applications
Force on crutches, fracture evaluation and guided load training.
Weight-lifting symmetry, pull forces, saddle optimization and workflow design.
Load protection, manufacturing optimization, veterinary medicine and IoT measurement tasks.
Train and document applied therapeutic force with real-time feedback.
Measure equestrian contact loads between rider, saddle and stirrup.
Measurement workflow
loadpad is useful when the contact area is larger than a fingertip or when a traditional rigid force plate would change the behavior being measured. The sensor is placed between the two interacting surfaces, then the electronics record the total force over time while the task is performed naturally.
The resulting data can document maximum applied force, loading rate, repetition consistency and the force-time integral. In training, therapy or product development, this makes subjective contact quality visible and comparable between operators, prototypes or sessions.
Manual therapy, saddle and stirrup contact, assistive-device loading, seating interfaces, soft product testing and force-sensitive industrial workflows.
Use measured loads to set target ranges, reduce excessive force, improve repeatability and compare material or geometry changes with objective data.
Scientific context
novel describes loadpad as a thin capacitive sensor for total normal force, including situations where the contact is heterogeneous across the sensor surface. The related publication landscape supports this positioning with studies in bite force, manual force profiles, equestrian loading and sensor-quality research.
loadpad is relevant when a user needs total force over a contact area rather than a detailed pressure map.
Manual therapy, bite force and operator-force studies show how objective force curves can support training and quality control.
Equine publications show why saddle, stirrup and rider balance measurements benefit from repeatable contact-force data.
loadpad
Claudius Steffen, Katharina Duda, Dag Wulsten, Jan O. Voss, Steffen Koerdt, Susanne Nahles, Max Heiland, Sara Checa and Carsten Rendenbach, 2023.
Equine
T. L. Bye and V. Lewis, 2019.
loadpad video
The loadpad system offers riders and trainers a comprehensive system that includes the riders’ loadpad and the stirrup loadpad. The riders’ loadpad sensor monitors the normal force between the rider and the horse saddle, providing feedback on the rider´s balance, symmetry, and stability while riding. The stirrup loadpad sensors measure the normal force exerted on the stirrups by the rider’s left and right foot. With the combination of both loadpad sensors it is possible to precisely monitor the posture and balance, making it a convenient and reliable tool for riders and trainers alike. The rider immediately gets visualized feedback and is able to improve the riding technique as well as document changes over time.
We can help match sensor size, range and workflow to your application.
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