BMF Micro S-Beam Load Cell

BMF Series micro S-beam load cell overview

The BMF Series is an ultra-compact miniature S-beam load cell designed for tension and compression force measurement in applications where size is the primary constraint. At just 19.1 x 16.6 x 8.7 mm with a 3/4 in overall height, the BMF fits inside enclosures, robotic end-effectors, medical devices, and OEM instrument assemblies where no standard-size load cell could be accommodated. Despite its miniature form factor, the BMF uses a true S-beam geometry for accurate bidirectional measurement and provides a generous 250% safe overload rating, protecting against the handling and assembly mishaps common when working at small scales. All six variants share an identical body and mounting pattern, allowing capacity and material to be changed without modifying the surrounding fixture or wiring. Available in aluminum or stainless steel construction across imperial (5 lbf, 10 lbf, 25 lbf) and metric (20 N, 50 N, 100 N) ranges, with a 1.5 m braid-shielded silicone rubber cable and IP65 environmental protection.

Typical applications

The BMF is commonly specified wherever a true bidirectional force sensor must fit inside a constrained space — robotic systems, medical instruments, miniature test equipment, and OEM force-sensing modules where standard load cells are simply too large.

Robotics and end-effector force feedback The BMF's 19.1 x 16.6 x 8.7 mm body integrates directly into robotic end-effectors, grippers, and tool changers where every millimeter of space is accounted for. Its true S-beam geometry measures both tension and compression in a single sensor, supporting real-time force feedback for delicate pick-and-place, assembly, and contact detection tasks.		Medical devices and prosthetics Used inside prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation equipment, surgical tools, and wearable force monitoring devices where the sensing element must be small enough to embed within the device structure without adding meaningful bulk or weight. The silicone cable and IP65 rating support the cleaning and handling demands of medical environments.
Lab automation and miniature test fixtures Ideal for benchtop lab automation systems and miniature test fixtures where small force ranges (5 lbf to 100 N) need to be measured accurately in a compact package. The BMF's identical body across all six variants means a single fixture design can be used across multiple capacity and material configurations without modification.		Material and spring testing Used in compact tensile and compression test rigs for characterizing small springs, elastic materials, thin films, and biological tissue samples where the measurement range falls between 5 lbf and 100 N and the test apparatus must be kept small. The 250% safe overload provides protection during setup and unexpected sample failures.
OEM force-sensing modules The BMF's compact, interchangeable form factor and standard mV/V output make it well suited for embedding into OEM instruments, consumer products, and industrial devices as a self-contained force-sensing element. OEM customization is available on request, and all six variants are form-factor compatible within the same housing design.		Miniature structural and mechanical testing Suited for small-scale structural testing, micro-actuator characterization, and force measurement in compact mechanical assemblies where a larger sensor would interfere with the test setup. The stainless steel BMF-25lb and BMF-100N models offer additional corrosion resistance for more demanding test environments.

Technical notes