Force measuring apparatus having electrically-insulated load bearing surfaces

摘要

An electrical insulator having high mechanical strength is disclosed for use in connection with a force sensor body portion of a weld probe force gage. The force sensing body includes a pair of pockets for receiving a corresponding pair of welding electrodes. The pockets are lined with one or more anodized aluminum alloy inserts. Disposed upon each surface of each insert is a layer of oxide, which acts as an electrical insulator. The inserts are bonded to the receiving pockets so that one layer of oxide is internally disposed between the receiving pocket and the electrode. The force sensor body is fabricated from an aluminum alloy and anodized to form a second oxide layer between the receiving pockets and the inserts. The inserts protect the two oxide layers from external mechanical wear from welding electrodes.