Browse by Editorial Category
Browse by Edition Date

June 2017

Skip Navigation Links.
Expand Aerospace-Defense ManufacturingAerospace-Defense Manufacturing
Expand Applying TechnologyApplying Technology
Expand ControlsControls
Expand Finishing-Grinding-AbrasivesFinishing-Grinding-Abrasives
Collapse Current NewsCurrent News
A123 Systems to Build New Headquarters Complex In Michigan
Allied Machine andamp; Engineering Announces New Training Department
5th Annual ASSEMBLY Show to Feature Expanded Show Floor
ATI Industrial Automation Breaks Ground on New Headquarters
Beckwood to Supply Hydraulic Deep Draw Press to Columbia Metal Spinning
Indiana High Schools Precision Machining Program Receives Donation
BIG KAISER Presents Donation to NRL at Annual MFG Meeting
Camfil APC Waives Fee for Comprehensive Dust Collection Training Program
Comau Wins General Motors Supplier Innovation Award
Dake Celebrates 130 Years of American Manufacturing
Cold Work Premium Tool Steel Now Available
Chemeketa DMG MORI Enter Educational Partnership
Electro-Matic Ventures Acquires RAF Automation
AES Event to Focus on Large Scale 3-D Printing
GF Machining Solutions to Unveil Several New Machines at Open House
Gilman Precision Acquires Roller Precision Spindle Repair
HxGN LIVE 2017 June 13-16
Partnership Focuses on Powder Handling Solutions for AM
Hydraulic Pump Maintains Constant Pressure on Hydraulic Vises
Final Beam Placed on Lincoln Electrics New Welding Training Center
LMC Workholding Receives Governors Century Business Award
MC Machinery Systems Inc. Completes Move to New Headquarters in Elk Grove Village
Methods Machine Tools Launches Automation Center in Charlotte NC
New VMC Series for Heavy-Duty Applications
University of Michigan and Michigan Tech Designated as Innovation Hubs
Oerlikon Metco Acquires New Coating Technologies
Sense of Touch for Robots
Ritter Technology Acquires Tri-State Hose andamp; Fitting
ROMJ and Reshoring Initiative Cooperating to Bring Back One Million Jobs
Sigma Labs Forms Strategic Alliances
Sodick Breaks Ground on New U.S. Headquarters
Stratasys Unveils Project with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Synova Opens New Micro-Machining Center in Secaucus NJ
Techniks Industries Announces Acquisition of the Tooling Assets of Parlec Inc.
TM Robotics Partners with ASG
Toyoda Wins 2017 Automotive News PACE Award
Manufacturing Technology Orders Make a Jump in March
Vollrath Acquires CDF Industries for its Cleaning Equipment Division
Expand People In The NewsPeople In The News
Expand Plant MaintenancePlant Maintenance
Expand Retrofit-Remanufacture-RepairRetrofit-Remanufacture-Repair

show all editions →

Click here to watch Tutorial Videos >

SST ConsumablesSST ConsumablesIscarIscar

Sense of Touch for Robots



The 6-axis F/T sensors automate high-precision tasks to increase efficiency, speed project development and lower production cost.

Robotics company OptoForce has opened a U.S. office to provide 6-axis force/torque sensors for robots to the North American market. The technology is already being used in medical and service sectors and other difficult-to-automate assembly tasks throughout Western Europe and Asia.

"Easy to install, lightweight and robust, the OptoForce 6-axis sensors create a sense of touch required for robots to perform high-precision work such as polishing, bolt insertion and other finer assembly tasks," said a company spokesperson. Currently compatible with robots from Universal Robots and KUKA, OptoForce sensors automate these tasks, increasing efficiency, speeding project development and decreasing overall production costs.

"Robots working more closely with humans need to accurately and precisely sense their surroundings and accomplish many tasks requiring the dexterity and sensitivity of the human hand," said Akos Dömötör, CEO, OptoForce. "Equipped with OptoForce high-precision sensors, these robots can now feel if they are placing an object in the right place or need to adjust it, and can automatically correct course. This speeds the production process and ultimately decreases costs, an ideal scenario for many U.S. manufacturers that have long offshored production due to high labor costs and the traditionally high cost of automation."

The new sensors were developed after OptoForce founders, then university students, worked together on a walking robot, where they faced constant issues with the weight, rigidity and cost of then available multi-axis force sensors. To address the many challenges, they developed a prototype of the current sensors that used infrared light to detect deformations of the silicone sensor structure. "This new and unique approach forms the basis of the current OptoForce solution and guarantees precise measurements even up to 200% overload," said a company spokesperson.

Gary Eliasson will lead the North American OptoForce office. "With the 2016 North American robotics market breaking all-time records in orders and shipments, according to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) survey, OptoForce looks forward to playing a seminal role in the automation of North American manufacturing initiatives," said the spokesperson.

"Today's robotics tasks require a new level of sensitivity," Eliasson said. "OptoForce delivers this level of competence, outperforming related technologies in precision, cost, strength and flexibility. This opens up opportunities for companies to decrease costs and improve productivity."

Eliasson's first mandate will be to develop a strong distributor network. Current OptoForce distributors include Essential Robot Products and The Knotts Company, Inc.

For more information contact:

OptoForce

www.optoforce.com

< back