Synapticon Announces New Actuators for Humanoid Robots
Synapticon is expanding the ACTILINK family with a new platform of integrated actuators for humanoid and quadruped robots. ACTILINK-JDX features Synapticon’s most powerful planetary gear actuators to date, designed for high power density and low unit costs in mass production. Each unit combines a motor, gearbox, servo drive, encoder system, and functional safety.
WHY THE ACTUATOR MATTERS
A humanoid robot is equipped with about 30 actuators. Each one must deliver high torque within a very small installation space while weighing as little as possible, because every gram on one axis must be moved along with the axes higher up in the kinematic chain. Weight saved at the ankle reduces the load on both the knee and the hip.
Drives composed of individual components are often oversized for this task. With ACTILINK-JDX, Synapticon therefore develops exactly the actuator the robot needs: featuring the manufacturer’s interface, with the torque and speed that are actually required, and thus optimized for weight and cost based on the specific production volume.
FULLY INTEGRATED
A two-stage planetary gearbox works in conjunction with a tightly integrated BLDC motor; many models feature a hollow shaft design. The servo drive is mounted on a compact, circular circuit board directly inside the motor housing, and communication takes place via EtherCAT. The platform is designed for certifiable functional safety and is compatible with POSITRON SAFETY AI.
START FROM SCRATCH, THEN OPTIMIZE
The form factor, mechanical interface, motor winding, feature set, and manufacturing process are tailored to the application and production volume. To ensure that manufacturers can still get started quickly, ACTILINK-JDX will also be available as a standard product line that is in stock. If it fits the bill, the project can begin immediately. If not, it serves as the starting point for optimization, and the manufacturer remains on the same platform as it moves toward series production.
"With a humanoid robot, the actuator determines whether the robot works and whether it can be mass-produced," says Andrija Feher, CTO of Synapticon. "With ACTILINK-JDX, we develop the drive, electronics, and safety systems as a single unit and align them with the robot's overall system. This is exactly the combination we offer, and it's what makes us fast."
AVAILABILITY
ACTILINK-JDX is now available for project inquiries. Synapticon provides technical specifications on a project-by-project basis under an NDA. Interested manufacturers can request an NDA briefing via the product page.
▶ Request more information about ACTILINK-JDX and the NDA briefing
