The constituent factors of the price of weighing sensors
2025-12-23
The constituent factors of the price of weighing sensors
In fields such as industrial production, logistics transportation, and scientific research, weighing sensors play a crucial role: they can accurately convert the weight of an object into electrical signals, thereby enabling precise weight measurement and control. For enterprises or individuals looking to purchase weighing sensors, understanding the factors that make up their price is critical — this helps in making smarter procurement decisions. So, what exactly constitutes the price of a weighing sensor?
I. Raw Material Costs
(1) Elastic Body Materials
The elastic body is one of the core components of a weighing sensor, primarily responsible for absorbing external force and converting it into mechanical deformation. Common elastic body materials include aluminum alloy, alloy steel, and stainless steel:
Aluminum alloy, with its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties, is often used to make low-capacity, high-precision sensors — though its cost is relatively high. For example, aluminum alloy elastic body sensors used in laboratory high-precision weighing equipment are typically 20%–30% more expensive than ordinary sensors.
Alloy steel and stainless steel are widely used in various weighing scenarios due to their high strength and good stability. Stainless steel, in particular, is suitable for corrosive environments (e.g., chemical production, food processing). Take a stainless steel elastic body weighing sensor from a certain brand used in chemical enterprises: thanks to its special corrosion-resistant stainless steel material, its price is 40%–50% higher than that of ordinary alloy steel elastic body sensors.
(2) Strain Gauge Materials
As the key component that converts mechanical deformation into electrical signals, strain gauges usually use polymer films as the base material, while high-purity constantan (a copper-nickel alloy) is commonly used for the sensitive grid — due to constantan’s excellent stability and sensitivity. If the strain gauge uses higher-quality materials or undergoes special processing to enhance performance, the sensor’s price will increase accordingly. For example, some high-end weighing sensors use constantan sensitive grids treated with special annealing: these sensors perform better in terms of precision and stability, and their prices are usually 15%–25% higher than ordinary strain gauge sensors.
(3) Sealant and Bonding Adhesive
To protect the internal structure of the sensor from environmental influences, silicone rubber is often used as the sealant — it offers long-term chemical stability, corrosion resistance, moisture resistance, and insulation. Bonding adhesives for strain gauges mostly use two-component polymer epoxy series adhesives to ensure a firm and stable connection between the strain gauge and the elastic body. Sealants and bonding adhesives of different qualities and performances have significant price differences. For instance, sensors produced with sealants that have ultra-strong resistance to high and low temperatures may cost 10%–15% more than those using ordinary sealants.
(4) Wire Material
The material of the wires used for signal transmission cannot be ignored either. High-quality weighing sensors may use silver-plated wires or copper wires to reduce signal loss and improve anti-interference capabilities. Weighing sensors that use silver-plated wires are typically 8%–12% more expensive than those using ordinary copper wires.
II. Technical Parameter Factors
(1) Precision
Precision is one of the most critical technical parameters of a weighing sensor: the higher the precision, the higher the price. Generally, each precision grade upgrade can increase the sensor’s price by 20%–50%. For example, a weighing sensor with ordinary precision (0.05%) may cost around 500 RMB, while a sensor of the same type with precision upgraded to 0.01% could cost 1500–2000 RMB. In fields like scientific research and medical care (where ultra-high precision is required), high-precision weighing sensors are indispensable — despite their high cost, relevant institutions are still willing to pay the premium to meet the accurate measurement needs of experiments or medical procedures.
(2) Operating Temperature
For weighing sensors that work in special temperature environments (e.g., high-temperature industrial furnaces, low-temperature cold storage), special manufacturing processes and material selections are required, which drives up the price. Sensors capable of adapting to extreme high or low temperatures are often 2–3 times more expensive than those for ordinary temperature ranges. For instance, a sensor suitable for normal temperature (-10°C–40°C) may cost 800 RMB, while a sensor of the same type that can operate stably in high temperatures (200°C–500°C) could cost 2000–2500 RMB.
(3) Range
For general ranges, the range parameter has a relatively small impact on price. However, for special ranges (e.g., ultra-small pressure or ultra-high pressure ranges), the design and manufacturing difficulty increases significantly, leading to a sharp rise in price. A standard 1000kg-range weighing sensor may cost around 1000 RMB; but an ultra-small 1g-range sensor, or an ultra-large 1000t-range sensor, could cost tens of thousands of RMB or more.
III. Brand Factors
Similar to ordinary commodities, brand has a significant impact on the price of weighing sensors. Imported brand sensors (backed by manufacturers with strong R&D capabilities, advanced production processes, and strict quality control) are generally more expensive. For example, imported brands like Germany’s HBM, the US’s Strainsert, and Switzerland’s Mettler Toledo typically cost 40%–120% more than domestic products of the same grade. A 500kg-range sensor from an imported brand may sell for 3000–4000 RMB, while a domestic product of the same type and precision may cost 1500–2000 RMB. However, domestic brands have developed rapidly in recent years: their technology continues to improve, and their products offer significant cost-effectiveness, meeting most industrial needs.
IV. Manufacturing Process Costs
(1) Production Process Complexity
Complex production processes can enhance the performance and quality of weighing sensors, but they also increase costs. For example, some high-end weighing sensors adopt advanced Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology — this process enables sensor miniaturization, high precision, and intelligence, but involves complex microfabrication techniques like photolithography and etching, leading to higher costs. Weighing sensors produced via MEMS technology are typically 3–5 times more expensive than similar products made with traditional processes.
(2) Quality Inspection Standards
Strict quality inspection is a key guarantee of reliable weighing sensor performance, but it also drives up costs. Reputable brands subject their weighing sensors to multiple rigorous inspection procedures before shipment, including static characteristic testing, dynamic characteristic testing, temperature characteristic testing, and anti-interference testing. Each step requires professional equipment and technical personnel, which adds to the final product price. For instance, a brand’s weighing sensor with an additional anti-electromagnetic interference test costs 8%–12% more than the same model without this test.
V. After-Sales Service Costs
(1) Warranty Period
Typically, weighing sensor manufacturers offer a 1-year warranty, but some brands extend the warranty period to boost competitiveness. A longer warranty means the manufacturer bears higher after-sales costs, which is reflected in the product price. For example, when a brand extended its weighing sensor warranty from 1 year to 3 years, the product price increased by 10%–15%.
(2) Technical Support
High-quality after-sales service also includes timely, professional technical support. When users encounter issues during use, manufacturers can provide remote guidance or on-site repair services — critical for ensuring uninterrupted production. Manufacturers offering comprehensive technical support usually price their products 5%–10% higher than brands with limited after-sales services. For example, weighing sensors sold by large multinational companies (backed by a global after-sales team that responds to user issues within 24 hours) are priced relatively higher.
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