Sanford Gmbh

Spacetec Imc Corporation

Hal Avery

John A Hilton

Stephan Roundtree

Lou Genatossio

Electronic scanner

An apparatus provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The apparatus includes a detection device that detects movement of a movable member relative to a base, and provides the electronic signal, by driving a plurality of first sensor components. The detection device includes a control circuit having a first output that provides a digital control signal, and a first input for receiving a comparison signal, and a second output that provides the detection signal according to the comparison signal; a digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to the first output of the control circuit, and an output that provides the drive signal in response to the digital control signal; and a measuring circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the digital-to-analog converter, a second input that receives a result signal from a plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the plurality of first sensor components, and an output coupled to the first input of the control circuit that provides the comparison signal, the plurality of first sensor components and the plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the controlling mechanism. The detection device is constructed using a method of constructing a printed circuit board assembly which includes the steps of: (A) forming a series of grooves in first PCB material to produce a bending region thereon; (B) bonding second PCB material to the first PCB material to produce a intermediate assembly, the second PCB material having an electrically conductive layer on one side; and (C) bending the intermediate assembly into the printed circuit board assembly.

Force and torque converter with improved digital optical sensing

A force and torque converter provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The converter includes a base, a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, a controlling mechanism, and a detection circuit. The controlling mechanism has a plurality of resilient mechanisms, connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member, that provide at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque. The controlling mechanism further includes a restraining member, disposed within the movable member, that restrains the movable member when the movable member is in contact with the restraining member. The detection circuit co-acts with the controlling mechanism, to detect the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provide the electronic signal.

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Needham, MA, United States of America

Hal Avery