On 30 June 2026 the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology, approved financial assistance to Puretronics India Pvt Ltd to commercialise the Load Magnetic Overload (LMO) sensor, described as India’s first fully contactless programmable load measurement system.
Technical features
- Measurement principle: Non-contact magnetic measurement that detects load-induced changes in magnetic parameters rather than mechanical deformation.
- Contrast with strain-gauge cells: Strain-gauge load cells measure mechanical stress via bonded resistive gauges in a Wheatstone bridge; LMO replaces this stress-based approach.
- Core components: High-resolution magnetic sensing, advanced digital signal processing (DSP), and programmable embedded electronics.
Applications and interfaces
- Target sectors: Elevators, cranes, hoists, material-handling equipment and cable machinery where precise load monitoring is required for safety and performance.
- Integration: Designed for interfacing with PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and IoT-based industrial automation platforms.
Performance advantages
- Reliability: Vibration-resistant and maintenance-friendly due to absence of mechanical load-bearing elements.
- Programmability: Embedded electronics enable configurable thresholds and digital signal conditioning for automation systems.
Manufacturing and policy linkages
- Commercialisation goal: Establish commercial-scale production in India to reduce dependence on imported industrial sensors.
- Funding agency: TDB finances commercialisation of indigenous technologies under the Department of Science & Technology.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- PLC: Programmable Logic Controller — industrial digital computer for automation control.
- SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition — system for remote monitoring and control of industrial processes.
- Import substitution: Indigenous sensor manufacture can affect trade in electromechanical sensors and components used across heavy industries.