HBM has developed a technology that directly embeds special strain gauges into components made from fibre composite material. The devices are installed during manufacture by fixing them to the material using matrix resin. Thus strain gauges can be located in areas that are inaccessible once the components are fitted. The contact pins are installed vertically to provide contact through the composite layers. For components subject to bending, the strain gage can be embedded at different levels; the deeper the strain gage is in the material, the smaller the measured strain.