Want to know how strong your grip is? Squeeze it and find out - count your grip cycles with the CMCU-05/05A

1. What is the CMCU-05/05A?
The CMCU-05/05A is a single-channel thin-film pressure sensor tester that can connect to one thin-film pressure sensor. After attaching the sensor to the target position and connecting it to the module, it converts pressure signals into numerical values. The version with a screen (05A) can display directly, while the version without a screen (05) needs to be connected to a computer for viewing.
Its core function: real-time monitoring of pressure changes, outputting continuous numerical values. For example, attach the sensor between the two handles of a grip strengthener. Each time you squeeze to the bottom, the pressure value increases significantly, and it drops when you release your hand. By recording the pressure curve with computer software, you can see the waveform corresponding to each grip action.
Practical application scenarios: Rehabilitation therapists or family members can use the pressure waveform to count how many grip training sessions a person has done in a day, or compare the number of continuous grip cycles before and after rehabilitation. Simply put, to record the number of grip cycles, you can use the single-channel CMCU-05/05A together with computer software for analysis.

2. What do you need to prepare?

3. Where do you attach the sensor?
Important tips:
The sensor is a flexible thin film. Attach it where you want to measure pressure. If you want to measure a certain spot, just attach it there.
Taking a grip strengthener as an example: Attach the sensor to the inner side of both handles of the grip strengthener, at the position where they make contact when squeezed to the bottom.
How to attach it?
• Use double-sided tape to stick the sensor to the inner side of one handle, at the spot that gets pressed when the other handle is squeezed to the bottom.
• Then wrap the edges of the sensor with medical tape to prevent it from shifting during gripping.

4. How to connect the wiring?
Scenario A: Using the CMCU-05A (with screen)
Plug the sensor cable into the sensor interface, and you can see the value changes in real time on the screen.

Scenario B: Using the CMCU-05 (without screen)

1. Connect the sensor cable to IN+ / IN- (no polarity, connect either way)
2. Power supply: Connect the red wire of the power cable to V+, and the black wire to V- (DC 5~24V; a regular 5V phone charger works too)
3. Communication: Connect the A cable of the RS485 line to A+, and the B cable to B-. Connect the other end to a computer or microcontroller device via a USB-to-485 module.

5. How to view the data?
Method 1: View directly on the screen (05A only)
The screen displays the pressure value in real time. Double-click the function button to switch units (g/kg/N). The value increases when you squeeze to the bottom and decreases when you release your hand.
The screen only shows real-time values; it does not automatically count cycles. To count the number of squeezes, secondary development (connecting to a microcontroller for processing) is required.
Method 2: Connect to a computer (works with both 05 and 05A)

1. Open the data acquisition software provided by the manufacturer.
2. Select the corresponding COM port and click 'Connect'.
3. The software will display a real-time pressure curve. Each waveform that goes "from low to high, then back to low" corresponds to one complete grip action.
4. The computer software can save the collected data. During training, enable the save function to record the training process as a file for analysis and processing.

6. What exactly is measured?
You can choose one of the following experiments to try:
Experiment 1: Measure how many times you can squeeze in 1 minute (basic endurance test)

1. Connect to the computer and open the acquisition software to prepare for recording the waveform.
2. Start the timer and continuously squeeze the hand dynamometer as fast as you can for 1 minute (each squeeze must be fully depressed and then completely released).
3. Stop when the 1 minute is up.
4. Count the number of waveforms; this is the number of grips within 1 minute. The higher the count, the better the endurance. Experiment 2: Compare left and right hand endurance
5. Left hand test: Continuously squeeze the hand dynamometer as fast as you can for 1 minute (each squeeze must be fully depressed and then completely released). Connect to the computer to record the waveform, and count the number of waveforms after finishing.
6. Right hand test: Repeat the test using the same 1 minute duration and your fastest speed.
7. Compare the counts of the left and right hands: The hand with more squeezes has better endurance, while the hand with fewer squeezes needs more training. Experiment 3: Before and after rehabilitation comparison
8. Pre-rehabilitation test: Measure the number of grips in 1 minute and record the waveform count.
9. Undergo a period of rehabilitation training.
10. Post-rehabilitation test: Use identical conditions (same 1 minute duration and your fastest speed) to measure the grip count again.
11. Comparison: If the count has increased, endurance has improved; if it has stayed the same or decreased, the rehabilitation plan needs adjustment.

7. One-sentence summary
Attach the sensor between the two handles of the hand dynamometer, connect it to the CMCU-05/05A, and connect to the computer to view the waveform. Each waveform that goes "from low to high and back to low" represents one grip action. Count the number of waveforms to know how many squeezes were made. It's that simple.
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