What Strainsert does

Strainsert is a privately held U.S. designer and manufacturer of precision force measurement sensors, founded in 1960 and headquartered in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, with a workforce of 11-50 employees. The company originated and continues to refine a proprietary internal strain gage process—protected by U.S. Patent No. 3,695,096 for internally gaged load pins and U.S. Patent #2,873,341 for force sensing bolts and studs—in which foil strain gages are bonded and sealed inside small holes along the neutral axis of sensor bodies. This architecture produces sensors with combined non-linearity and repeatability error under 1% of rated load (often under 0.5%) while preserving the full mechanical load path of the host assembly, enabling force measurement in harsh environments ranging from deep ocean (9,000 psi submersible ratings) to space flight.

The product portfolio spans four core categories: load pins/clevis pins (standard CPA/CBA, SPA wire rope, RCP/SCP shackle, SPHC hydraulic cylinder, submersible, bi-axial, dual bridge, and wireless variants, capacities from 1,500 to 800,000 lb), load cells (universal, compression, metric universal, and fatigue-rated versions, 250 lb to 2.5 million lb), force sensing bolts and studs (SXS, SDH, SXA hex head and ST stud series), and tension links (TLLR/TLLF pivot end, STL anchor/chain, TLN/TLS/TLNS threaded, capacities 1,000 to 400,000 lb). Supporting instruments include digital and analog signal conditioning modules (DCell, DSC, DSCUSB, SCD1, 4-20 mA), the T24 wireless telemetry ecosystem, digital weight/force indicators, and portable load indicators, plus accessories such as MIL-spec connectors, calibration resistors, keeper plates, threaded collars, and load cell bases. Custom engineered solutions are a stated center of gravity, supported by a Custom Load Pin Configurator and online questionnaires for custom load pins, bolts, and studs.

Strainsert generates revenue through direct B2B sales of standard catalog hardware and fully custom engineered force measurement systems, plus calibration, repair, technical support, and Quick Ship Program services. Pricing is entirely quote-based with no public list, and distribution is exclusively direct (no resellers or distributors). The company holds AS9100D (through June 30, 2029), ISO 9001, ITAR, CMMC Level 2, and J-STD-001 certifications, and serves primary segments of aerospace, military, marine, and industrial customers (with secondary automotive and entertainment exposure). Named use cases include NASA Mars Exploration Rover missions, Space Shuttle launching pad applications, parachute testing (for which the company received a NASA Achievement Award), landing gear clevis joints, armament suspension systems, offshore mooring lines, deep sea excavation, and industrial hoists and cranes.

Name

Strainsert

Legal name

Strainsert Company

Website

https://strainsert.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Strainsert is a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of precision force measurement sensors—load pins, load cells, force sensing bolts/studs, and tension links—using a patented internal strain gage process, serving aerospace, military, marine, and industrial OEM customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Force Measurement Sensors

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement) (IMAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pressure & Force Sensors (Pressure/Strain/Load Cells) (HDAHALAB), Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO)

Keywords

• Force measurement sensors
• Load pins
• Force sensing bolts
• Tension links
• Strain gage load cells

Headquarters

HQ city

Conshohocken

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Force Sensor Hardware Sales: Strainsert generates primary revenue through the sale of force sensor hardware including load pins, load cells, force sensing bolts and studs, tension links, and related accessories. Both standard catalog products and fully customized sensor designs are offered. Standard products are commercial off-the-shelf items designed, manufactured, and tested to AS9100 Aerospace Quality System standards including ISO 9001.
2. Custom Force Measurement Systems: Revenue is generated from complete turnkey force measurement system solutions combining sensor hardware, accessories, instrumentation, interconnections, integration, and software. Strainsert coordinates with customers on system specifications and can work with trusted system integrators for complex requirements.
3. Force Sensor Services: Services including precision calibration, repair, technical support, and the Quick Ship Program provide recurring service revenue. Calibration services ensure equipment meets exact performance standards supporting accuracy, consistency, and compliance with calibration certificates available through an online lookup tool.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Strainsert designs and manufactures precision force measurement sensors—including load pins, load cells, force sensing bolts and studs, and tension links—using a patented internal strain gage process. The company offers both standard catalog products and fully custom sensor solutions, ranging from 50 lbs to over 2.5 million lbs in capacity, with options for digital, analog 4-20 mA, and wireless (T24) signal output for aerospace, military, marine, and industrial applications.

Product overview

Strainsert is a precision force measurement company that designs and manufactures force sensors using a proprietary internal strain gage process (patented since 1960). The product portfolio centers on several core product lines: Load Pins/Clevis Pins (including standard CPA/CBA, SPA wire rope, RCP/SCP shackle, and SPHC hydraulic cylinder series), Load Cells (Universal, Compression, Metric Universal, and Fatigue Rated configurations), Force Sensing Bolts & Studs (SXS, SDH, SXA, and ST series), and Tension Links (TLLR/TLLF pivot end, STL anchor/chain, and TLN/TLS/TLNS threaded series). The company specializes in custom solutions including bespoke force sensors, custom load pins, load bolts, load studs, and complete force measurement systems. Supporting products include signal conditioning modules (DCell digital, Analog 4-20mA, USB), the T24 wireless telemetry system, instruments (digital indicators, signal conditioners, portable load indicators), and accessories (cables, connectors, keeper plates, calibration resistors). Services include calibration, repair, technical support, and the Quick Ship Program for select standard products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Load Pins / Clevis Pins Force sensing load pins that replace existing shear pins, clevis pins, shear axles, and other pinned joints, using an internal strain gage process for precision force measurement in shear applications across aerospace, military, marine, and industrial customers.
• Load Cells Precision strain gage load cells instrumented with Strainsert's proprietary internal strain gage technique, available in universal, compression, metric, and fatigue-rated configurations with capacities from 250 lb to 2.5 million lb for tension, compression, and fatigue test/control applications.
• Force Sensing Bolts & Studs Internally gaged fasteners using U.S. Patent #2,873,341 to indicate bolt tension due to preload with strain gage accuracy while preserving full load carrying capacity, available as hex head, 12-point, or custom configurations for measuring fastener tensile forces.
• Tension Links Tension load cells using Strainsert's internal strain gage process to measure tension forces, available in pivot end, anchor/chain, and threaded end configurations for integration with standard Crosby shackles and metric hardware.
• Custom Force Sensors Bespoke force sensors tailored to specific application requirements, designed and manufactured using AS9100 standards and Strainsert's patented internal strain gage process, including custom load pins from 1/4" to over 10" diameter, custom bolts/studs, and complete force measurement systems.
• Wireless Load Pin System High-performance license-free 2.4 GHz wireless telemetry load pin system for applications where wired installation is difficult or undesirable, integrating with T24 base stations, handheld receivers, LED displays, and Modbus gateways.
• T24 Wireless Load Cell System Wireless telemetry system with license-free 2.4 GHz transmission, up to 800 m range, and long battery life, including base stations, handheld receivers, LED displays, range extenders, and Modbus gateways for integrating force sensors with PCs, PLCs, and Modbus networks.
• Custom Force Measurement Systems Complete turnkey force measurement system solutions combining sensors, accessories, instrumentation, interconnections, integration, and software—ranging from simple systems to complex custom-designed equipment for various environments.
• Force Sensor Calibration Services Precision calibration services ensuring force sensor equipment meets exact performance standards, supporting accuracy, consistency, and compliance, with calibration certificates available through an online lookup tool.
• Force Sensor Repair Services Expert repair services to restore accuracy and reliability of force sensors, minimizing downtime and extending operational life, accessible via an online RMA request form.
• Quick Ship Program Expedited delivery program for select standard products including CPA/CBA load pins from CPA-0.375-1 through CPA-2.5, providing accelerated fulfillment for catalog items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Combined error due to repeatability and non-linearity of less than 1% of rated load typically for load pins, often less than 0.5%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature7 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TE Connectivity (Measurement Specialties): TE Connectivity's Measurement Specialties line is a large incumbent offering a broad portfolio of force, pressure, and position sensors. It overlaps with Strainsert in industrial and aerospace force measurement and dwarfs it in scale and distribution.
• HBK (HBM): HBK (formerly HBM) is a global leader in test and measurement, offering load cells, strain gages, force sensors, and complete data acquisition systems. It is a broader incumbent in the same precision force measurement category, with overlapping aerospace/defense/automotive customers.
• Mettler-Toledo: Mettler-Toledo is a global leader in precision weighing and force measurement, with load cells and weighing modules used in industrial process and lab applications. While more focused on weighing than aerospace, it overlaps with Strainsert's load cell and tension link product lines.
• Kistler Group: Kistler manufactures piezoelectric and strain-gage-based force, pressure, and acceleration sensors used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial test applications. Its force product lines directly overlap with Strainsert's, with a much larger global footprint.
• Honeywell Sensing & Safety: Honeywell offers a broad portfolio of force, load, and pressure sensors for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers, often competing with Strainsert on aerospace and military load cell and force-sensing bolt applications at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Dytran Instruments: Dytran Instruments designs and manufactures piezoelectric and strain-gage-based force, pressure, and acceleration sensors for aerospace, defense, and test applications, directly comparable to Strainsert's force sensor portfolio and mission-critical customer focus.
• FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology: FUTEK designs and manufactures load cells, force sensors, torque sensors, and pressure sensors with extensive custom-engineering capabilities, directly competing with Strainsert in OEM force measurement across aerospace, medical, robotics, and industrial markets.
• Sensor Developments Inc. Sensor Developments designs and manufactures custom force, load, and torque sensors, including load cells and force-sensing pins, with similar aerospace, defense, and industrial customer profiles and a comparable custom-engineering focus.
• Interface Force Measurement: Interface is a long-established manufacturer of load cells, force sensors, torque transducers, and multi-axis sensors, with a comparable focus on precision force measurement and custom solutions for aerospace, automotive, and structural testing.

Emerging players

• Loadstar Sensors: Loadstar Sensors focuses on digital and wireless load cells and force sensing platforms, competing in the modern smart-sensor slice of the same force measurement market where Strainsert's DCell and T24 wireless products compete.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Strainsert