jeffreyprows
Wheatstone bridge and an amplifier
The setup is a basic Wheatstone bridge. Since really accurate resistors are required and strain gages are really accurate resistors 4 gages are used. This has the added advantage of boosting the signal. An amplifier is also in the circuit in order to boost the measured voltage out of the microvolt range into something measurable. A potentiometer is in the circuit to balance the circuit initially although it wasn't ever really helpful.
Wheatstone bridge and an amplifier
The setup is a basic Wheatstone bridge. Since really accurate resistors are required and strain gages are really accurate resistors 4 gages are used. This has the added advantage of boosting the signal. An amplifier is also in the circuit in order to boost the measured voltage out of the microvolt range into something measurable. A potentiometer is in the circuit to balance the circuit initially although it wasn't ever really helpful.