There are two basic configurations, the ShuntMode and the ThruMode. The ShuntMode is more frequently used. It is constructed with two substrate layers, commonly of polyester film. One layer is coated with the proprietary force-sensing ink. The other substrate layer is screen printed with interdigitated conductive electrode fingers. The two substrates are then positioned facing each other. The top and bottom layers of the perimeter of the sensor areas can be adhered together with double-stick adhesive backed spacer material. The interdigiting conductive fingers can be manufactured in various ways. They can be screen printed on a substrate such as polyester film with silver or silver/graphite conductive ink, or etched in copper and gold plated on a printed circuit board. When a force is applied to the device the shunt or shorting circuit is complete. The more force applied the more conductive the output.
The sensor can be read by connecting an ohmmeter to the two contact legs of the sensor and applying a force to the sensing area. The resistance decreases when force is applied to the sensor.
The ThruMode device is also constructed with two layers of substrate such as polyester film. Conductive pads, which can be made of silver or silver/graphite blend ink, are then screen printed on each of the two substrates. The force-sensing resistor ink is then screen printed over the silver pads. These two printed substrates are then placed facing each other. Adhesive can then be used to laminate the two substrate layers together to form the force sensor. The more force applied to the ThruMode device, the more conductive the output.
The Force-Sensing Resistor can be used for such applications as computer input devices, musical instruments, interactive toys, robotics fingertips, automotive, sports, or medical applications.