Choosing a Load Cell & Display for Bench Vise Clamping Force

I'm looking to buy a load cell and digital readout display to measure the clamping force of bench vises. I plan to place the load cell between the jaws, tighten the vise, and record the force.

Accuracy doesn't need to be extremely high. The display must be able to record and recall the peak force during a session. I have no equipment yet, so I need everything required to power and connect the load cell and display. I'm considering the ATO-LC-TC03 load cell, would this be suitable?

For the display, I'm looking at the ATO-DPM-LC5D, which mentions a "peak value" function. Is this display compatible? What comes with the load cell and display? What extra cables or power supplies do I need? Will setup instructions be included?

Thanks for any advice!

Benjamin wrote:
The ATO-LC-TC03 should work fine for this. Just make sure you get a model with an appropriate force range for the clamping pressure you expect. If you're testing larger vises, you might want a higher-capacity load cell.
For the ATO-DPM-LC5D, it does have a peak hold function, but it will only store one peak at a time. So if you're doing multiple tests, you'll have to reset it after each measurement.

Benjamin wrote:Dear Benjamin,
1. Yes, the ATO-LC-TC03 is suitable for this application.
2. The ATO-DPM-LC5D can record a single peak force value, but before starting a new test, you'll need to reset it to zero manually.
3. The load cell includes a cable 3m (<5 ton), 6m (≥5 ton), and the power cable of the display needs to be purchased additionally.
4. Once you confirm the sensor range and display model, we can recommend the right cable specifications and provide setup guidance.

Benjamin wrote:I'd double-check what additional power supply you need. Some digital displays run on 24V DC, while others use 110-240V AC. You may need to buy an adapter if you don't already have a power source. Also, do you need to log multiple tests over time? If so, you might want a display that stores multiple peak values rather than just one.

It's good to know about the peak reset! I don't need to store multiple readings—just the maximum force for a single clamping action at a time.

Sounds like I need to order:
1. Load cell (ATO-LC-TC03) with the correct range
2. ATO-DPM-LC5D display
3. Power cable for display
4. Any required connectors for wiring

I'll check the power supply requirements. Thanks, everyone!