Smart load sensing in robotics

The PAD shows attractive features for robotics holding significant potential, as the PAD offers high precision, dynamics, repetition accuracy and has the ability to lift its own weight. The PAD grants increased motion control and smart load sensing.

Specific advantages

• Operating in high magnetic fields or exposed to radiation
• Precision (<1 μm in multiple axis)
• High acceleration and deceleration
• Ability to lift own weight
• Increased motion control
• Smart load sensing possible
• Self locking at rest
• No heat generation
• No accumulation of position error
 

Delta 3 robot

Application possibilities

Automation
Due to the precision, dynamics and power of the PAD, the technology can easily find interesting applications both within the automation industry. If the PAD drive is incorporated and driven by accurate and exactly timed power signals a strong synchronization can be achieved which is crucial in robotics whether the demand is for high precision, a high degree for repetition accuracy or for increased motion control. Furthermore the smart load sensing capabilities of the piezo components allow for responsive behaviour and additional features such as evaluation of the load or collision detection.

Humanoid robotics
The actuators incorporated in robots can be seen as the "muscles" of the robot. There is a large variety of actuation solutions available but in relation to integration in robotics, the PAD technology constitutes a substitution to servo systems and should thus not be viewed as an addition to the existing range of piezo motors.

Surgery robotics
The use of PAD drives will allow for the exploitation of PADs dynamic capabilities thus allow for a higher degree of positioning accuracy than most conventional drive systems can deliver. Furthermore the application of PAD will allow for a system simplification in surgical robotics while simultaneously allowing for the utilization of the smart load sensing capabilities of the piezo components.