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Detailed Description:

Elevate your electronic projects with the versatile and compact Force Sensor Resistor (FSR), an essential tool for detecting force, pressure, and touch. Unlike a standard switch that is simply on or off, a Force Sensing Resistor provides an analog output, making it a perfect component for creating intuitive interfaces and responsive robotic systems. Its core principle is based on the piezoresistive effect, where the resistance of the sensor decreases proportionally as more force is applied to its surface.

Constructed from a thin, flexible polymer film, the FSR is a passive component that requires a simple voltage divider circuit with a pull-down resistor to function. By connecting one end of the FSR to your power supply (e.g., 5V) and the other end to an analog input pin on a microcontroller like Arduino along with a pull-down resistor to ground, you can easily read the changing resistance as a varying voltage. When no pressure is applied, the sensor's resistance is extremely high (>1MΩ), and with a light touch, it drops significantly to a few kΩ.

The applications for this sensor are vast and creative, making it a favorite among robotics enthusiasts and electronics designers. In robotics, it serves as a tactile sensor for grippers, allowing a robot arm to "feel" if it is holding an object. For touch interfaces, it can be used to create pressure-sensitive buttons for musical instruments or a touchpad for control. As a pressure sensor, it is valuable for monitoring weight or pressure in a specific area, from smart shoe insoles to bed occupancy sensors. While not suitable for highly precise measurements (e.g., a scientific scale), its simplicity, thin profile, and low cost make it an ideal choice for a wide array of DIY projects and prototyping in Pune, Maharashtra, India.

The FSR 406 is a flexible, thin, and durable force sensing resistor capable of detecting varying levels of force and pressure. Its square sensing area (39.6mm × 39.6mm) allows for a wider contact region, making it ideal for use in robotic grippers, touch panels, wearable devices, and prosthetics.

When force is applied, the sensor's resistance decreases — the greater the force, the lower the resistance. It can be easily interfaced with analog inputs on microcontrollers using a simple voltage divider circuit. This sensor is perfect for applications requiring dynamic touch, pressure, or weight sensing.

Key Features:

• 39.6mm x 39.6mm square active area

• Detects force from 0.2N to 20N (approx. 20g to 2kg)

• Thin and flexible (≤ 0.5mm thickness)

• Resistance decreases as force increases

• Analog output – compatible with Arduino, ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi

• Long-life cycle for repetitive sensing

• Lightweight, non-intrusive, and easy to embed

• Works with simple voltage divider circuit

Technical Specifications:

How to Use:

1. Create a voltage divider using the FSR and a fixed resistor (e.g., 10kΩ).

2. Connect the middle node to an analog pin of Arduino or ESP32.

3. Measure the voltage to determine the force level.

4. Calibrate force values through experimentation (not perfectly linear).

Example Arduino Code:

Applications:

• Robotic grips and tactile sensors

• Smart wearable devices

• Touch-based user interfaces

• Force/weight sensing in prosthetics

• Gaming gloves, pressure mats

• Interactive installations and smart surfaces

• Pressure mapping and IoT feedback systems

Package Includes:

• 1 x FSR 406 Square Force Sensing Resistor (39.6mm)