In robotic arm applications that require high precision and control, i.e. surgical robotics, engineers can utilize strain wave gearing (aka a harmonic strain wave drive) to improve the robot’s performance.
Strain wave gearing benefits in robotic arm applications:
FUTEK’s torque engineering team has deep expertise in customizing low-profile, high-precision strain wave harmonic gearing torque sensors for any robotic application that uses strain wave gear technology. Not only is the geometry of the sensor customizable, giving mechanical integration flexibility, but our team is also highly adaptable in working with customers on connectivity (connector/cable) and the electrical interface to provide a solution that meets noise, performance, power consumption, fault detection, and other specific requirements.
Strain wave harmonic gearing torque sensors benefits in robotic arm applications:
An alternative to six-degrees-of-freedom sensors
Strain wave harmonic gearing sensors also have unique capabilities that make them an alternative solution to six-degrees-of-freedom( 6 DOF) sensors for certain types of high-precision robotic arm applications, such as minimally invasive robotic surgery.
For example, during some laparoscopic surgery procedures, surgeons must hold the position of the end effector (the instrument inside the abdominal cavity) while the robot arm is moving. This maneuver is difficult to perform with 6 DOF sensors only, as requires torque measurement on each joint in order to properly calculate the direction and magnitude of the equivalent force based on the output of each joint torque.
Other benefits of using strain wave harmonic gearing sensor as an alternative to 6 DOF sensors:
FUTEK's harmonic gearing torque sensors can be customized to comply with the functional safety requirements of ISO13849 standards.
The strain wave gearing torque sensor is mounted between the robot arm strain wave gearbox and its mounting points.
The torque sensor measures the torque outputted during arm movement which is then amplified by the IAA Series , IDA100 amplifier or QIA Multi-Channel SPI Digital Output.
The amplified signal is then sent to the PLC or robotic arm controller, providing high precision torque feedback and allowing closed control loop system.
Additionally, with the IDA100, amplified output from the sensor can be monitored and analog amplifier settings can be adjusted digitally with FUTEK's SENSIT™ Software.
Light-weight, low-profile, and high-precision Strain wave gearing torque sensors, paired with IAA Series Analog amplifiers, IDA100 Signal Conditioner or QIA Multi-Channel SPI Digital Output.
In robotic arm applications that require high precision and control, i.e. surgical robotics, engineers can utilize strain wave gearing (aka a harmonic strain wave drive) to improve the robot’s performance.
Strain wave gearing benefits in robotic arm applications:
FUTEK’s torque engineering team has deep expertise in customizing low-profile, high-precision strain wave harmonic gearing torque sensors for any robotic application that uses strain wave gear technology. Not only is the geometry of the sensor customizable, giving mechanical integration flexibility, but our team is also highly adaptable in working with customers on connectivity (connector/cable) and the electrical interface to provide a solution that meets noise, performance, power consumption, fault detection, and other specific requirements.
Strain wave harmonic gearing torque sensors benefits in robotic arm applications:
An alternative to six-degrees-of-freedom sensors
Strain wave harmonic gearing sensors also have unique capabilities that make them an alternative solution to six-degrees-of-freedom( 6 DOF) sensors for certain types of high-precision robotic arm applications, such as minimally invasive robotic surgery.
For example, during some laparoscopic surgery procedures, surgeons must hold the position of the end effector (the instrument inside the abdominal cavity) while the robot arm is moving. This maneuver is difficult to perform with 6 DOF sensors only, as requires torque measurement on each joint in order to properly calculate the direction and magnitude of the equivalent force based on the output of each joint torque.
Other benefits of using strain wave harmonic gearing sensor as an alternative to 6 DOF sensors:
FUTEK's harmonic gearing torque sensors can be customized to comply with the functional safety requirements of ISO13849 standards.