A novel force transducer for the measurement of grip force

A new strain gauge transducer has been developed to measure functional grip forces. The gripping area is a cylinder of diameter 30 mm and length 150 m m and simulates the handle of a number of devices, allowing a range of acti vities to be studied. The device measures radial forces divided into six co mponents and forces of up to 250 N per segment can be measured with an accu racy of +/- 1%. The device therefore gives information about the magnitude and distribution of force around the cylinder during gripping, and has been shown to be a valuable research tool in a study of four different types of grip, providing valuable input data For biomechanical models. (C) 2000 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.