ATI Industrial Automation, Apex, N.C., have introduced the Network Force/Torque (Net F/T) Sensor System that measures six components of force and torque (Fx, Fy, Fz, Tx, Ty, Tz), provides an EtherNet/IP and CAN bus communication interface, and is compatible with standard Ethernet. Applied Measurement distribute ATI Industrial Automation’s Net F/T Sensor System across Australia.
The Net F/T Sensor System is a fully ODVA-compliant Ethernet/IP interface and is powered by either Power over Ethernet (PoE) or by an external power supply (11VDC to 24VDC). The Net F/T’s interface (Net Box) is sealed to IP65 (water splash-proof), and its transducer and cable can be sealed to IP68 (submersible in fresh water to 10 meters).
Multiple transducer calibrations can be permanently stored in the system for user selection. The Net F/T system is available with all of ATI's Force/Torque transducer models allowing end-users to optimize their robotic applications.
The Net F/T Sensor System provides a variety of advantages over conventional systems, including:
- Multiple interfaces: Ethernet, EtherNet/IP and CAN bus, to support a wide range of automation and research applications.
- LAN connectivity: The Net F/T is easily connected to your Local Area Network (LAN) allowing for operation and monitoring anywhere the network is accessible.
- High-speed output: Output rates up to 7000 Hz for six axes of measurement over Ethernet (using UDP).
- Web-based configuration and demo: The Net F/T is configurable via a web interface, allowing the user to view and change system settings using a web browser. An easily accessible Java demonstration application provides a graphical view of six-axis measurements in real time.
- Programmable thresholding: User- programmable thresholds allow monitoring of force and torque conditions via a relay output or status bits to allow immediate action in case of critical process conditions.
- Built-in status indicators: LEDs in the Net Box alert the user to connection and load saturation status.
- Overload protection: The F/T transducer is extremely rugged and durable, its factor of safety can be as high as 4080%, depending on model and calibration.
- Tool transformations: Tool transformations can be used to translate and rotate the F/T point of origin to make measurements relative to the work at hand.
- Temperature compensation: Each F/T transducer features hardware temperature compensation to stabilise its sensitivity over temperature. This compensation method optimizes the transducer’s accuracy over a range approximately ±25ºC from room temperature.