Actuator technology

The type MAS Fluidic Muscle is a membrane-contraction system that uses the same principle as human muscle. Areas of application range from stationary or mobile industrial use to consumer related applications.

The basic concept involves wrapping a water-tight, flexible hose with non-stretchable fibres arranged in a rhomboidal fashion. This results in a three-dimensional grid pattern. If compressed air is forced into the system, the grid pattern is deformed. A pulling force is generated in the axial direction which results in shortening the muscle as internal pressure is increased.

The muscle has a weight advantage as the overall weight is only about a tenth the weight of a metal cylinder of equal inner diameter. Nevertheless, the force, which is generated by contraction, is up to 10 times as great.

On the one hand, very slow movements are possible because the muscle is not influenced by the stick-slip effect. On the other hand, attainable dynamic performance is high.

End position cushioning is integrated. Simple positioning is possible with a change of pressure. Direct guiding of the load is not possible.

Installation lengths are greater in relationship to 'stroke' than is the case with conventional drive units. The product spectrum includes completely fabricated fluidic muscles with connectors. The initial program includes 10, 20 and 40 mm inner diameters with lengths of up to 9000 mm.

Accessories are available for attaching the parts to be moved to the muscle, such as rod clevis and flexible couplings.

Other characteristics include: flexible movement characteristics; variable installation possibilities; no mechanical wear; insensitive to contamination; resistant to many media and minimal compressed air consumption; leak-free performance; and easy transport.