Harnessing Flexiforce Sensors for Enhanced Data Collection and Analysis in Dental Applications

The measurement of bite force holds paramount importance within the realm of dental applications. This study delves into the calibration of the Flexiforce A301 sensor to attain a broad spectrum of force values. To expand the range of force measurements, the initial step involves acquiring a low drive voltage. Subsequently, this low voltage drive is incorporated into three distinct circuit configurations to evaluate their effectiveness in capturing a diverse range of force values. The simulation and experimental results were computed and compared, with the simulations executed using LTspice. The results clearly demonstrate that the circuit configuration involving a feedback resistor outperforms the other two alternatives: one based on a voltage divider concept and the other incorporating both a feedback resistor and a capacitor. This superior performance is evident in its capability to yield a broad spectrum of force measurements. This discovery not only advances our understanding of bite force measurement but also establishes a robust foundation for future calibration, especially when dealing with high-force applications.