Pressure Sensors / Detectors / Transducers
Tactile Sensor flexes to meet slight pressure applications.
Press Release Summary:
Customizable, 3-wire C500 uses capacitive-based conformable pressure sensors to quantify applied forces. It bends and forms to intricately shaped objects. ConTacts technology creates less than 1 mm thin discrete tactile sensing elements that integrate applied tactile pressure over sensor to provide measurement of total normal force. Sensor bandwidth reaches 1 kHz while maintaining 99% repeatability and 0.01 psi resolution.
Original Press Release:
New Low-Cost Single Point Conformable Tactile Sensors Flex To Meet Slightest of Pressure Applications
Los Angeles, CA (December 17, 2003) - Pressure Profile Systems, Inc. (PPS) today introduced the C500 Tactile Sensor, an affordable solution to discerning the slightest of impressions or pressures on curved and angular surfaces. The C500 is a simple, thin, customizable, 3-wire device that uses capacitive-based conformable pressure sensors to accurately and reliably quantify applied forces no matter how minuscule. Designed for lab use or to be integrated into OEM systems, the C500 easily bends and forms to intricately shaped objects such as the human hand, robot fingers, tool handles, joystick controls, pedals, helmets, mechanical joints, or feet.
The C500 sensor utilizes PPS's proprietary ConTacts technology to create less than 1 mm thin discrete tactile sensing elements that integrate the applied tactile pressure over the sensor to provide a measurement of total normal force. The simple design of the C500 makes setup a breeze. The user simply places the sensor where pressure measurements are needed and connects 3 wires: power (+12 VDC, 250 mW), ground, and output (1-10 VDC). The DC analog output integrates easily with laboratory or OEM data acquisition systems. As an integral part of a measurement system, the C500 can sample data quickly and accurately. Sensor bandwidth can reach 1 kHz while still maintaining PPS's industry-leading specifications of 99% repeatability and 0.01 psi. resolution, according to Dr. Jae Son, President of PPS.
Standard sensors are available in 10 mm, 25 mm and 50 mm square pads, as well as three pre-molded fingertip shapes. The standard pressure range is 20 psi., accommodating nearly all normal human grasp capabilities. The small, lightweight, matchbox-sized drive electronics (60 mm ´ 35 mm ´ 17 mm, 25 g) are easily tucked away, forming a highly portable, adaptable unit. These sensors and electronics are also suitable for impact testing where sampling rates greater than 1 kHz are often needed. For more complex applications, custom sensors can be designed by PPS engineers in almost any imaginable shape while reaching pressures of up to 200 psi. A complete, turnkey data acquisition solution including all necessary hardware and software is also available. PPS engineers can also assist with integrating the C500 into an existing product or instrumentation design for OEM applications.
Price and Availability
The C500 starts at $895 for a single sensor with drive electronics. Delivery is four weeks and a comprehensive one-year warranty is included. Full specifications can be found at www.pressureprofile.com/products/c500.html.
About Pressure Profile Systems
Pressure Profile Systems, Inc. (PPS) was formed in 1996 to design, develop, and manufacture high performance multi-element pressure and tactile sensing systems. PPS tactile sensing technology was originally developed at Harvard University and subsequently enhanced into PPS's proprietary TactArray technology through funding from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, Army Research Laboratory, and National Institutes of Health.
For more information on the C500, Pressure Profile Systems, or its other products, contact PPS at 310.641.8100; via e-mail at info@pressureprofile.com or visit the company web site at www.pressureprofile.com.
