Open Source RoboticsRobots, software & learning

Futek load-cell interface circuit

Robot / hardware build

Load-cell interface design intended to convert a 0–5 V sensor output into a Pi-readable I2C sensing path. [1] [3] [4] [5]

Build & first use →Official websiteUpstream build guide

For
Robotics developers inspecting the selected design and configuration [1] [3] [4] [5]
Cost
No current cost or bill of materials established yet.
Source rights
Some licenses are unresolved. Review licenses
Unknowns
host computer, tools, operating system not fully established. Review gaps

Source researched · Not tested by us
Sources checked · Research details

Licenses & related hardware
License
not fully assessed for electronics, documentation · Details by part

Requirements · Research details and dates

On this page

Overview

FutekTestBedCircuit provides a load-cell interface design intended to connect a 0–5 V sensor output to an I2C sensing path usable by a Raspberry Pi at 3.3 V logic. Its inspectable contribution is a circuit/board and assembly notes. The input/output description is the project's stated purpose, not a voltage-transfer or calibration result measured here. [1]

The supplied README states no project-wide reuse grant. Rights for the complete board remain unresolved in this review; no permission is inferred from its design files. This is an unlicensed design-reference entry for bounded inspection; manufacturing or redistribution permission is not inferred from a public repository. [1] [3] [4]

Is this for you?

Known limitations
  • No project reuse grant identified; footprint-library licenses do not clear the whole circuit.
  • README says connectors J1/J2/J3 are not placed in production files and require separate assembly.
  • No voltage transfer, I2C readout, calibration or protection behavior validated.

Editorial assessment of bounded source evidence; no runtime, fit, manufacturing or compatibility proof.

[1] [3] [4] [5] · Editorial assessment

What you need

Dependencies
  • Matched Futek sensor/output range, Raspberry Pi and I2C/voltage interface
  • SMD/through-hole connector assembly and exact board source/revision

[1] [3] [4] [5]

Hardware & parts

Hardware configuration

Load-cell interface design intended to convert a 0–5 V sensor output into a Pi-readable I2C sensing path.

Editorial assessment of bounded source evidence; no runtime, fit, manufacturing or compatibility proof.

[1] [3] [4] [5] · Editorial assessment

Actuators
  • External actuators or host robot selected separately; scope is the stated design contribution

[1] [3] [4] [5]

Assembly & first use

Open the upstream getting-started guide [1] [3] [4] [5]

  • Inspect original KiCad circuit/board and production placement information.
  • Reconcile external sensor/supply/I2C interface and missing connector assembly before fabrication or power.

Editorial assessment of bounded source evidence; no runtime, fit, manufacturing or compatibility proof.

[1] [3] [4] [5] · Editorial assessment

Cost

No current, complete configuration-specific build cost has been established for this profile.

3D preview

Preview not available yet. No hosted preview has been prepared for the configuration described in this profile. Inspect the linked sources and their reuse terms; a manufacturing-ready assembly has not been established by this preview status.

Model sources

No hosted preview has been prepared for the configuration described in this profile. Inspect the linked sources and their reuse terms; a manufacturing-ready assembly has not been established by this preview status.

Project notes

Inspect actual board and schematic source

The original KiCad schematic and PCB were retrieved and matched to their pinned Git identities. They contain structured source records rather than only a circuit image or ordering screenshot. Source inspection does not establish a native KiCad load, resolved libraries, correct connectivity, DRC or electrical suitability for a particular Futek sensor and Pi. [3] [4]

Begin by tracing the actual sensor input, supply and conversion/I2C interface against the exact external sensor and host configuration. Do not connect a nominal 5 V signal to the Pi solely because the README states the intended conversion. No rail-voltage, transfer-function, I2C address/readout, noise or protective behavior was tested. [1] [3] [4]

Reconcile the connector assembly notes with the placement file

The README says J1, J2 and J3 were not placed in the production files, but the inspected placement CSV lists J3. A placement row does not establish what a particular assembly order includes. Reconcile the order and parts list before deciding which connectors need separate procurement and placement. [1] [5]

For manual assembly, the README names J1/J2 part 651-1984620, J3 part 538-203558-0607 and mating connector 538-501330-0600. It calls for through-hole soldering for J1/J2 and a stencil, solder paste and hot-air tool for J3, with a warning about accidental ground-layer contact. These are upstream assembly notes, not verified fit or current availability. [1]

The inspected placement CSV is supporting assembly information, not a verified complete BOM or a finished board. The repository references separate ordering files, but a current reconciled parts list and complete delivered cost were not established here. Purchased sensor, host, tools, connector stock, fabrication, delivery and tax remain separate. No vendor account credentials were requested or used. [1] [5]

A bounded next step

At revision 7b262fcdb7d0f2f00026e42db6a18204992af97f, start with FutekCircuit_0213/FutekCircuit/FutekCircuit.kicad_sch, the adjacent FutekCircuit.kicad_pcb and FinalOrderingPackage/FINALCPLfile.csv. Match their connector, sensor, power and I2C paths before considering procurement. Resolve project reuse rights independently of technical interpretation. Then establish the actual assembly, calibration and host-readout procedure for the chosen configuration. No board fabrication, soldering, native DRC, voltage measurement, Pi communication, force calibration or load test was performed. [1] [3] [4] [5]

What we checked

Pinned source and selected artifact structure review only; no dependency installation, upstream build, native CAD/kernel/fit/strength validation, fabrication, wiring, calibration, simulation, powered operation or performance testing. Original archives stay private.

Not yet established

  • Requirements: operating system, host computer, tools

Updates

Upstream last updated
Not established
Latest release
Not established
Profile updated
Nov 1, 2026
Sources last checked
Nov 1, 2026
Next review
Dec 1, 2026
Reviewed revision
7b262fc

Source files and licenses

Identifiable robotics contribution with inspected actual source and bounded design/workflow investigation; no missing core functionality inferred.

LayerAvailability / license
electronicsavailable · License not fully assessed
Actual KiCad source inspected; project rights unresolved, vendor library rights separate. [4]
documentationavailable · License not fully assessed
Source-specific assembly notes; no blanket grant identified. [1]

Outside the selected contribution; no separate released layer claimed.

References

Each source links to the exact revision we read. “Used for” shows where this page relies on it.

Correction guidance · Discussion is not enabled · Profile format 0.7.0-draft.5

Change history