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Universal Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 13(3), pp. 25 - 31
DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2025.130301
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Design and Evaluation of Flex Sensor-Based Wireless System for Force Monitoring in Agricultural Products Transportation

N. Neamsorn , K. Kitirat ^*
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Thailand

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to design and evaluate a wireless force measurement system to measure the forces acting on agricultural products during transportation. Two flex sensors, each 55.37 mm in length and with a resistance range from 25 to 125 kΩ, were installed on the surface of a flexible spherical ball that could adjust its internal air pressure. The voltage signals of the flex sensors were wirelessly transmitted via a Node MCU ESP8266 module to a computer system for recording and analysis. At air pressures of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 bar, the radius of the sphere was 82.8, 85.98, and 89.97 mm. We used the device to measure compressive forces up to 83.26, 92.07, and 121.38 N under various compression or impaction conditions. The testing process was divided into two parts: laboratory testing and measuring force during transportation. To test the wireless force-measurement device in the laboratory, it was put inside a 39 x 59 x 31.5 cm basket and contained cantaloupes. The measurements included compressive force, horizontal impact force, and vertical impact force. A vertical impact exerted a maximum force of 56.89 N on the cantaloupes inside the basket. The cantaloupes were kept for 5 days and showed signs of damage at the 3rd and 5th days of storage. To measure force while transporting, the basket that had both the force-measuring device and cantaloupes was placed on a pickup truck and transported over paved and gravel roads. The maximum forces exerted on the products during transportation were 15.56 N on a paved road and 21.98 N on a gravel road.

KEYWORDS
Agricultural Products, Force Measurement, Transportation

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] N. Neamsorn , K. Kitirat , "Design and Evaluation of Flex Sensor-Based Wireless System for Force Monitoring in Agricultural Products Transportation," Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 25 - 31, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2025.130301.

(b). APA Format:
N. Neamsorn , K. Kitirat (2025). Design and Evaluation of Flex Sensor-Based Wireless System for Force Monitoring in Agricultural Products Transportation. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 13(3), 25 - 31. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2025.130301.