Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: A programmable permanent magnet actuator, a magnetic field generation apparatus and a method of controlling thereof. The actuator has a first body that is a ferromagnetic material, a second body that is a single magnetized ferromagnet and a magnetic field generation device associable to the second body to generate a magnetic field in proximity with the second body. The actuator also has a controller adapted to control the magnetic field generation device to generate a controlled magnetic field. The controlled magnetic field is adapted to modify a magnetization of the second body such as to produce with the second body a required magnetic field to move one of the first or the second body with respect to one another according to a desired position or a desired torque. The desired position or the desired torque is maintained even after the application of the controlled magnetic field.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: A programmable permanent magnet actuator, a magnetic field generation apparatus and a method of controlling thereof. The actuator has a first body that is a ferromagnetic material, a second body that is a single magnetized ferromagnet and a magnetic field generation device associable to the second body to generate a magnetic field in proximity with the second body. The actuator also has a controller adapted to control the magnetic field generation device to generate a controlled magnetic field. The controlled magnetic field is adapted to modify a magnetization of the second body such as to produce with the second body a required magnetic field to move one of the first or the second body with respect to one another according to a desired position or a desired torque. The desired position or the desired torque is maintained even after the application of the controlled magnetic field.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: A capacitive or resistive tactile sensor having a conductive membrane, a flexible dielectric or weakly conductive sheet and a substrate having electrodes, and a method of manufacturing thereof. The flexible sheet has a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface and the second surface are uniformly distanced when at rest. The first surface is adapted to contact one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The second surface is adapted to contact another one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The body defines between the first and second surfaces, at a predetermined region, a plurality of laser ablated uniform cavities that are evenly distributed and operatively identical in order to provide a known compression index at the predetermined region of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A capacitive or resistive tactile sensor having a conductive membrane, a flexible dielectric or weakly conductive sheet and a substrate having electrodes, and a method of manufacturing thereof. The flexible sheet has a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface and the second surface are uniformly distanced when at rest. The first surface is adapted to contact one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The second surface is adapted to contact another one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The body defines between the first and second surfaces, at a predetermined region, a plurality of laser ablated uniform cavities that are evenly distributed and operatively identical in order to provide a known compression index at the predetermined region of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A capacitive or resistive tactile sensor having a conductive membrane, a flexible dielectric or weakly conductive sheet and a substrate having electrodes, and a method of manufacturing thereof. The flexible sheet has a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface and the second surface are uniformly distanced when at rest. The first surface is adapted to contact one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The second surface is adapted to contact another one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The body defines between the first and second surfaces, at a predetermined region, a plurality of laser ablated uniform cavities that are evenly distributed and operatively identical in order to provide a known compression index at the predetermined region of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A capacitive or resistive tactile sensor having a conductive membrane, a flexible dielectric or weakly conductive sheet and a substrate having electrodes, and a method of manufacturing thereof. The flexible sheet has a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface and the second surface are uniformly distanced when at rest. The first surface is adapted to contact one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The second surface is adapted to contact another one of the conductive membrane or the substrate. The body defines between the first and second surfaces, at a predetermined region, a plurality of laser ablated uniform cavities that are evenly distributed and operatively identical in order to provide a known compression index at the predetermined region of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: A dielectric for a capacitive-based tactile sensor of the type having a pair of spaced apart conductive plates with the dielectric conductively therebetween, comprises a body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material. The body is shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members adapted to extend from one of the conductive plates to the other. Some of the members comprises a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface. Second features are integral with the first feature and project from the second end surface. A cross-section area of each of the second features is substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface. A height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates is substantially greater than a height of the second features. A capacitive-based tactile sensor with the dielectric is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: A dielectric for a capacitive-based tactile sensor of the type having a pair of spaced apart conductive plates with the dielectric conductively therebetween, includes a body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material. The body is shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members adapted to extend from one of the conductive plates to the other. Some of the members includes a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface. Second features are integral with the first feature and project from the second end surface. A cross-section area of each of the second features is substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface. A height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates is substantially greater than a height of the second features. A capacitive-based tactile sensor with the dielectric is also provided.

Abstract: A dielectric for a capacitive-based tactile sensor of the type having a pair of spaced apart conductive plates with the dielectric conductively therebetween, comprises a body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material. The body is shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members adapted to extend from one of the conductive plates to the other. Some of the members comprises a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface. Second features are integral with the first feature and project from the second end surface. A cross-section area of each of the second features is substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface. A height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates is substantially greater than a height of the second features. A capacitive-based tactile sensor with the dielectric is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to force/torque sensor and more particularly to multi-axis force/torque sensor and the methods of use for directly teaching a task to a mechatronic manipulator. The force/torque sensor has a casing, an outer frame forming part of or connected to the casing, an inner frame forming part of or connected to the casing, a compliant member connecting the outer frame to the inner frame, and one or more measurement elements mounted in the casing for measuring compliance of the compliant member when a force or torque is applied between the outer frame and the inner frame.

Abstract: The cable lift system provides assistance to movement of a flexibly suspended payload actuated by operator input into one or more sensing devices attached to the payload. The sensing device is configured to collect information about the typical push-pull and lift-lower motions of an operator moving the payload horizontally and/or vertically, such that the operator's input to the sensor is intuitive and is provided in a manner which is substantially transparent to the operator. The assist mechanisms included in the system are actuated by a controller processing signals received from the one or more sensing devices on the payload. Movement assistance is provided such that the manual effort required by the operator to overcome the inertia of the payload in a starting or stopping event is substantially relieved, thus minimizing the ergonomic impact of the starting and stopping events on the operator.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot for moving a payload in response to a calculated input force. Sensors in respective sensor housings are connected to a handle, each sensor including a light emitter and receiver. The sensors measure a light beam received by a respective receiver. A controller calculates the calculated input force using received light. Each sensor housing modifies an interruption of the light beam in a sensor when the actual input force is applied, and the controller controls the robot using the calculated input force. A method of controlling the robot includes emitting the light beam, flexing a portion of the sensor housing(s) using the actual input force to interrupt the light beam, and using a host machine to calculate the calculated input force as a function of the portion of the light beam received by the light receiver. The robot is controlled using the calculated input force.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot for moving a payload in response to a calculated input force. Sensors in respective sensor housings are connected to a handle, each sensor including a light emitter and receiver. The sensors measure a light beam received by a respective receiver. A controller calculates the calculated input force using received light. Each sensor housing modifies an interruption of the light beam in a sensor when the actual input force is applied, and the controller controls the robot using the calculated input force. A method of controlling the robot includes emitting the light beam, flexing a portion of the sensor housing(s) using the actual input force to interrupt the light beam, and using a host machine to calculate the calculated input force as a function of the portion of the light beam received by the light receiver. The robot is controlled using the calculated input force.