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Caplex® Actuation Solutions
Caplex® Wearable Devices are exceptionally lightweight, high-performance, and versatile thanks to years of careful engineering and their leveraging of off-board actuation and control systems. All of our Wearable Devices are modular, to accommodate users with varying body dimensions and range of motion, and interchangeable to streamline experimental protocols and use in multi-investigator environments. Our Wearable Devices are designed to control single joints, with one or more degrees of freedom and/or actuation. Multiple devices can be combined to affect multiple joints.
The Full-Sized Multi-Axis Actuator Unit incorporates three, four, or five industrial servo motors and drives within a wheeled floor-standing unit for actuation of Humotech (or other cable-actuated) wearable devices. The Unit is designed for use inside of a lab and powered by 3-phase AC wall power. Multiple units can be linked to actuate any number of degrees-of-freedom. For one or two motor systems, we recommend the Single-Axis Actuator Unit (see below).
The Single-Axis Actuator Unit incorporates an industrial servo motor and drive within a wheeled floor-standing unit for actuation of a Humotech (or other cable-actuated) wearable device. The Unit is designed for use inside of a lab and powered by 3-phase AC wall power. Multiple units can be linked to actuate any number of degrees-of-freedom. For high degree-of-freedom systems, we recommend the Multi-Axis Actuator Unit (see above).
The Small-Scale Actuator Unit is contained within the benchtop/rack-mounted portion of the Small-Scale Caplex® System. It incorporates one or more high-torque-density servomotors contained within a fixed frame for actuation of a Humotech (or other cable-actuated) wearable device. The Unit is designed for use inside or outside of the lab (though it’s not tested against water/mud/dust—yet!) and powered by single-phase AC wall power. If you’re looking for more than one motor, please contact us with your request. Note: when requesting a quote for a Small-Scale system, please include the number of motors you require, along with your peak torque and speed requirements.
The Portable Actuator Unit is contained within the backpack/benchtop portion of the Portable Caplex® System. It incorporates one or more high-torque-density servomotors contained within a fixed frame for actuation of a Humotech (or other cable-actuated) wearable device. The Unit is designed for use inside or outside of the lab (though it’s not tested against water/mud/dust—yet!) and powered by single-phase AC wall power or a lithium polymer battery. Note: when requesting a quote for a Portable system, please include the number of motors you require, along with your peak torque and speed requirements.
Our standard Bowden Cable transmissions mechanically link our off-board Actuator Units to our wearable devices (or other cable-driven end-effectors) without obstructing the user’s natural motion. Flexible and long-lasting, they convert the rotary motion of the motor spindle to linear motion at the end-effector. Available in various diameters to achieve varying strengths, and featuring universal quick-release terminations, they’re suitable for transmitting forces large or small, with high force and precision. What about friction, you say? Typical Humotech wearables measure force at the body so as to obtain a direct measure of load applied. When configuring a Caplex System for you, we will recommend a number and length of cables to suit your application.
Our Universal Transmission is a cable-driven module that converts linear force into rotational torque, with instrumentation to measure force and motion applied by the unit. Packaged for easy usability and light weight, it makes designing end-effectors much easier. First used in Humotech’s Hip Exoskeleton, you will see more applications of this module soon—or feel free to build your own! Please request a quote to learn more.