Strain Measurement Devices
Strain Measurement Devices is a privately held specialty sensor manufacturer founded in 1979, producing custom-engineered thin-film strain gauge load cells, pressure sensors, bubble detectors, and liquid level sensors for OEM manufacturers in medical, aerospace, oil & gas, and industrial markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersWallingford, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Strain Measurement Devices does
Strain Measurement Devices (SMD) is a privately held sensor manufacturer founded in 1979 that designs and produces precision measurement components based on proprietary thin-film strain gauge technology. The company molecularly bonds strain gauges to metal substrates (aluminum, stainless steel, Hastelloy, sapphire) via sputter deposition, eliminating the organic adhesive layers used in conventional bonded foil load cells and producing sensors with higher accuracy, lower power consumption, and improved long-term stability. Its product portfolio spans micro load cells and force sensors, pressure sensors and diaphragms, non-invasive ultrasonic bubble and occlusion detectors, optical and float-based liquid level sensors, weighing scales, capacitive level sensors, and signal conditioning electronics (I2C, SPI, 4-20mA, USB). Approximately 90% of SMD products are custom engineered to OEM specifications, with short lead times and a materials flexibility that supports a range of harsh-environment and medical applications.
The company operates two manufacturing facilities (Wallingford, Connecticut and Chedburgh, Suffolk, UK) and sells primarily to OEM manufacturers in medical devices (infusion pumps, dialysis, heart-lung machines), oil and gas (subsea, directional drilling), aerospace (miniature load cells), pharmaceutical/life sciences, and industrial manufacturing. GTM is sales-led via regional representatives covering the Americas, Europe, and India, supplemented by technical content marketing, trade show presence, and a small e-commerce storefront (FluidSwitch) for selected liquid level sensors. SMD is internally funded, holds ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications, and has launched two new products (N350 non-invasive pressure sensor in December 2024 and FMCX multi-level sensors for aggressive chemistries in January 2025), indicating ongoing R&D investment despite no external capital raises or ownership changes.
Strain Measurement Devices firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Strain Measurement Devices
- Legal name
- Strain Measurement Devices Inc.
- Website
- https://smdsensors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Strain Measurement Devices is a privately held specialty sensor manufacturer founded in 1979, producing custom-engineered thin-film strain gauge load cells, pressure sensors, bubble detectors, and liquid level sensors for OEM manufacturers in medical, aerospace, oil & gas, and industrial markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Strain Measurement Devices industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Sensors
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement) (IMAGAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Sensors (Pressure, Temperature, Flow, Level, Proximity, Vibration) (IMAGAFAA), Pressure & Force Sensors (Pressure/Strain/Load Cells) (HDAHALAB), Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO), Motor Encoders, Feedback & Condition Monitoring (Encoders, Vibration, Predictive) (IMAGACAJ)
Keywords
Where Strain Measurement Devices is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wallingford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Strain Measurement Devices business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Sensor Hardware Sales: Revenue from selling standard and custom load cells, pressure sensors, bubble sensors, liquid level sensors, optical sensors, and scales to OEM manufacturers across medical, industrial, aerospace, and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Custom Engineering Services: Revenue from custom sensor design and engineering services, with approximately 90% of products being custom engineered to fit specific applications.
- Signal Conditioning Products: Sale of signal conditioner circuit boards and modules including USB strain modules, I2C/VDC conditioners, and 4-20mA PC boards.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Strain Measurement Devices product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Strain Measurement Devices designs and manufactures precision sensors based on proprietary thin film strain gauge technology, including load cells, pressure sensors, non-invasive ultrasonic bubble detectors, liquid level sensors (optical, float, ultrasonic, capacitive), medical scales, and signal conditioning electronics. Approximately 90% of products are custom engineered for OEM manufacturers across medical device, industrial, aerospace, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical/life sciences applications, with short lead times and a wide range of substrate materials.
Product overview
Strain Measurement Devices (SMD) is a sensor manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of precision measurement products centered around thin film strain gauge technology. The product lineup includes micro load cells and force sensors (S100, S215, S251 series, S256), pressure sensors (B472, P940, P571, N350, B354), bubble detectors and air-in-line sensors (A130, A210, A330, A410, A630, A810, A830 series), weighing scales (W110, W120, W130, W140, W300), optical liquid level sensors (OS2-OS7), float switches (FH, FS, FM series), ultrasonic level sensors (FL50), capacitive level sensors (CQV), and signal conditioning electronics (E110, E120, E370). The company also offers extensive custom sensor engineering, with approximately 90% of products being custom-designed for specific OEM applications. Core technology differentiators include proprietary thin film strain gauge deposition, non-invasive measurement capabilities, and wireless communication options (Zigbee, Bluetooth).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- S100 Load Cell Micro load cell sensor designed and engineered using SMD's proprietary thin film strain gauge process for greater stability and accuracy.
- S215 Miniature Load Cell Miniature load cell featuring thin film strain gauge technology for high accuracy in compact applications.
- S251 Miniature Platform Load Cell Miniature platform load cell designed for precision measurements in small-scale applications.
- S251 High Range Load Cells High range load cells capable of measuring larger force magnitudes while maintaining precision.
- S256 Force Sensor Force sensor utilizing thin film strain gauge technology for reliable force measurements.
- Custom Load Cells Custom engineered load cells designed to fit specific OEM applications and aggressive cost targets.
- B472 Pressure Sensor Pressure sensor providing superior performance in medical devices and other applications.
- P940 Pressure Diaphragm Pressure diaphragm sensor for precise pressure measurements in various applications.
- P571 Pressure Sensor for Transducers Pressure sensor designed specifically for transducer applications.
- N350 Noninvasive Pressure Sensor Non-invasive pressure sensor that measures pressure without contact with fluid, ideal for medical applications.
- B354 Pressure Sensor Pressure sensor for various industrial and medical measurement applications.
- Custom Pressure Sensors Standard and custom pressure sensor designs with short lead times using various materials including aluminum, stainless steel, Hastelloy and sapphire.
- Custom Occlusion Sensors Custom sensors designed to detect blockages in tubing for medical applications.
- A130 Bubble Sensor Microfluidic bubble sensor for 1/16 inch OD tubing, detecting bubbles as small as 0.1 microliters using ultrasonic technology.
- A210 Bubble Detector Low-cost ABS bubble detector for air-in-line sensing applications.
- A330 Bubble Sensor Bubble sensor for 3/16 inch tubing with reliable and repeatable bubble detection.
- A410 Bubble Sensor Economy bubble sensor for air-in-line detection applications.
- A630 Bubble Detector Bubble detector for 3/8 inch tubing materials with accurate bubble detection.
- A810 Bubble Detector Bubble detector suitable for half-inch tubing applications.
- A830 Bubble Detector Bubble detector for 1/2 inch tubing using digital ultrasonic technology.
- Custom Ultrasonic Bubble Sensors Custom non-invasive air-in-line sensors with proprietary digital smart circuits calibrated for various fluids and tubing materials.
- W300 Hanging Scale Medical hanging scale with 10 kg capacity featuring thin film strain gauge technology.
- W130 Medical Diagnostic Scale 8 kg Medical diagnostic scale with 8 kg capacity for precise weighing applications.
- W140 Medical Diagnostic Reagent Scale 9 kg Medical diagnostic reagent scale with 9 kg capacity for laboratory applications.
- W120 High Accuracy Reagent Scale 3 kg High accuracy reagent scale with 3 kg capacity for precision laboratory measurements.
- W110 Low Profile Bottle Scale 2.8 kg Low profile bottle scale with 2.8 kg capacity for compact weighing applications.
- Custom Scales Custom weighing solutions engineered to meet specific application needs.
- OS2 Digital Optical Level Sensor Digital optical level switch providing point level detection for fluids in tanks and vessels.
- OS3 Industrial Optical Level Switch Industrial optical level switch for robust point level sensing applications.
- OS4 Industrial Glass Optical Level Switch Industrial glass optical level switch for harsh environment applications.
- OS5 Basic Optical Liquid Level Switch Basic optical liquid level switch for cost-effective point level detection.
- OS6 POS Glass Tip Optical Sensor Glass tip optical sensor for point of sale and other specialized applications.
- OS7 High Performance Optical Liquid Level High performance optical liquid level sensor for demanding applications.
- FH Horizontal Float Switches Horizontally mounted float switches for liquid level detection.
- FS Vertical Float Switches Vertically mounted float switches for liquid level sensing.
- FL50 Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor Ultrasonic liquid level sensor for non-contact level measurement.
- FM Multi-Level Float Switches Multi-level float switches for detecting multiple liquid levels in a single installation.
- FMCX Multi-Level Sensors Multi-level sensors designed for aggressive chemistries, providing an ideal solution where standard 316 stainless steel may not be suitable.
- Custom Level Sensors Custom designed liquid level sensors solving specific sensing requirements.
- CQV Capacitive Level Sensors Non-invasive continuous capacitive level sensors for accurate liquid level measurement.
- Custom Flow Sensors Custom flow meters designed for specific application requirements.
- Integrated Bubble and Occlusion Detecting Sensors Combined sensors that detect both bubbles and occlusions in fluid lines, saving space and providing comprehensive fluid monitoring.
- E370 DSC USB Strain Module USB strain module for connecting load and pressure sensors to computer systems.
- E110 Signal Conditioner Board (I2C/VDC) Signal conditioner board with I2C and voltage output for sensor interfacing.
- E120 Signal Conditioner Board (4-20 mA) Signal conditioner board with 4-20mA current loop output for industrial sensor applications.
- Custom Sensor Engineering Services Custom sensor design and engineering services, with approximately 90% of SMD products custom engineered to fit specific OEM applications and aggressive cost targets, using materials including aluminum, stainless steel, Hastelloy and sapphire, and delivered with short lead times.
Quantifiable outcome
- Thin film strain gauges have bridge resistance between 1,000-10,000 Ohms compared to 350-1,000 Ohms for silicon/bonded strain gauges, resulting in lower power consumption suitable for battery-powered applications.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Strain Measurement Devices
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Strain Measurement Devices technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Strain Measurement Devices partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Connecticut Department of Economic & Community DevelopmentminorPartnership for construction of SMD's corporate headquarters in Wallingford, CT, completed in 2008. The eco-friendly facility was designed as a role model for corporate construction.
- City of WallingfordminorPartnership with City of Wallingford for construction of SMD's green headquarters facility featuring geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Strain Measurement Devices competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology: US-based specialist in load cells, force sensors, torque sensors, and pressure sensors for OEM and test & measurement customers. Directly comparable to SMD in custom-engineered force and pressure sensing for medical, aerospace, and industrial applications.
- Interface Inc. Manufacturer of precision load cells, force sensors, and weighing systems serving test & measurement, medical, and industrial OEMs. Closely comparable to SMD in load cell/force sensor technology, materials, and OEM-centric go-to-market model.
- HBM (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær): Global supplier of strain gauges, load cells, force sensors, and test & measurement systems. Overlaps directly with SMD's thin film strain gauge and load cell product lines and serves the same aerospace, industrial, and test customers.
- Kistler Group: Swiss manufacturer of piezoelectric and strain gauge-based force, pressure, and acceleration sensors for industrial, automotive, and scientific applications. Comparable to SMD in high-precision force/pressure sensing for demanding OEM applications.
- ATI Industrial Automation: Manufacturer of force/torque sensors and robotic end-effectors for industrial automation, testing, and medical applications. Comparable custom OEM force-sensing business model and similar end-market overlap (industrial, medical).
Emerging players
- Loadstar Sensors: US-based specialist in capacitive and strain gauge load cells with USB and digital output variants for OEM and weighing applications. Comparable niche focus on digital-ready load cells but smaller scale and narrower product breadth than SMD.
Broad incumbents
- Honeywell Sensing & IoT: Division of Honeywell offering pressure, force, and position sensors across industrial, aerospace, and medical markets. Comparable product categories (pressure, force) at much greater scale and broader portfolio than SMD.
- TE Connectivity: Global sensor and connector manufacturer with a substantial force/pressure sensing portfolio (including Measurement Specialties). Overlaps with SMD on pressure sensors and OEM medical/industrial sales channels at significantly larger scale.
- Sensata Technologies: Industrial sensor manufacturer of pressure, force, and position sensors for aerospace, industrial, and heavy vehicle applications. Comparable product overlap with SMD in pressure and force sensing for harsh-environment OEM applications.
- Amphenol Advanced Sensors: Amphenol division producing pressure, temperature, and specialty sensors for medical, industrial, and automotive markets. Comparable in medical-grade sensor manufacturing and OEM channel reach, with broader portfolio and larger scale than SMD.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Strain Measurement Devices social profiles
Digital presenceStrain Measurement Devices compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Strain Measurement Devices financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Strain Measurement Devices leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Strain Measurement Devices subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Strain Measurement Devices funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Strain Measurement Devices M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Strain Measurement Devices
What does Strain Measurement Devices do?
Strain Measurement Devices designs and manufactures precision sensors based on proprietary thin film strain gauge technology, including load cells, pressure sensors, non-invasive ultrasonic bubble detectors, liquid level sensors (optical, float, ultrasonic, capacitive), medical scales, and signal conditioning electronics. Approximately 90% of products are custom engineered for OEM manufacturers across medical device, industrial, aerospace, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical/life sciences applications, with short lead times and a wide range of substrate materials.
Is Strain Measurement Devices a public or private company?
Strain Measurement Devices is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Strain Measurement Devices founded?
Strain Measurement Devices was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Strain Measurement Devices based?
Strain Measurement Devices is headquartered in Wallingford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Strain Measurement Devices make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sensor Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Engineering Services and signal Conditioning Products.
Who are Strain Measurement Devices's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology, Interface Inc., HBM (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær), Kistler Group and ATI Industrial Automation. Loadstar Sensors is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Honeywell Sensing & IoT, TE Connectivity, Sensata Technologies and Amphenol Advanced Sensors.
Does Strain Measurement Devices have an API?
No public API is recorded for Strain Measurement Devices.
What industry is Strain Measurement Devices in?
Strain Measurement Devices's product category is Industrial Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAF, Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement), with a secondary code of IMAGAFAA, Industrial Sensors (Pressure, Temperature, Flow, Level, Proximity, Vibration). Its NAICS code is 334519 and its SIC code is 3823.