World's smallest six-axis force/torque sensor
Keywords Force sensors, Robots, Sensors
Two tiny six-axis force/torque sensors, the Nano and Mini, have been developed by ATI Industrial Automation for use in robotic, medical, and manufacturing applications such as prosthetic device testing, physical rehabilitation, robotic hand research, and automotive part testing (see Plate 5). The Nano's size is 17mm dia. ×14.5mm thickness, while the Mini's size is 40mm dia. × 12.25mm thickness. These sensors represent the smallest commercially available six-axis force/torque sensors in the world.
Plate 5 World's smallest 6-axis force/torque sensor
The Nano can be calibrated to measure up to 50 N/0.5 N-m and the Mini can be calibrated to measure up to 80N/4 N-m. High overload protection is ensured by super-hard stainless steel monolithic construction. Silicon gages provide low-noise output and offer a gage factor 75 times higher than commonly-used foil gages.
The Nano and Mini are connected to an amplifier by a six-foot high-flex cable, which is connected to an intelligent controller or an optional ISA-bus controller which is installed in the user's computer. The intelligent controller provides data in RS-232, high speed parallel and analog output formats. Drivers for Windows 98/NT®,ActiveX and LabView® are included with the ISA-bus controller.
Contact: Steve Tatem, TIA Ltd, Unit 1, Newchase Business Park, Shaftesbury Street, Derby DE23 8YB, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1332 204850; Fax: +44 (0) 1332 204851; Email: info@tatem.co.uk
