Part 1: Introduction

Parts / Skills Required

To build this example project, you'll need the parts below. We'll assume you have some very basic experience with Arduino coding and uploading sketches. Having some basic knowledge about FSRs and traditional potentiometers is helpful, but not required.

• Force Sensing Linear Potentiometer (Sensitronics or Other)
• Arduino
• 5k resistor (x1)
• Solderless Breadboard
• Jumper Wires

What Can Force Sensing Linear Potentiometers Do?

Despite their name, FSLPs are actually quite different from traditional rotary-knob potentiometers. They have some very useful capabilities:

• Can be used to sense position and force
• Thin and lightweight, can be mounted on a variety of surfaces.
• Typically well-suited for human input force range (finger presses / swipes)

FSLPs open up some interesting touch-based design possibilities, especially in the field of electronic musical instruments. Let's start with a look at how they work...