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Humaniform MuscleTM -
Integrated Artificial
Muscle
The Humaniform Muscles (Patent Pending) is the
world’s first integrated pneumatic actuator. The Humaniform Muscle
has two integrated micro-miniature proportional air valves and also
features all the connectors, fixtures and fixings to make
installation easy.
- Powerful (power to weight ratio’s as high as
800:1!)
- Lightweight
- Smooth air operated movement, which is intrinsically
damped.
- Cost
effective to install and easy to maintain.
- Compliant (soft) materials are used in construction giving
a safe flexible actuator that does not require precision
alignment.
- Efficient - a muscle length can be maintained with minimal
energy input.
- Fast
-full contraction can be achieved in less than one second from
rest.
- Controllable - integrated airflow makes the muscles easy
to control.
The
Humaniform Muscle has been inspired by the design of a human muscle
and operates in an analogous manner. The muscle consists of a high
durability rubber inner tube that is surrounded by a tough braided
mesh. The muscle is mounted and secured using the clamp blocks
provided at each end. As air is allowed into the muscle, the braid
expands radially and contracts axially causing the muscle to shorten
in length (see
demo - large file).
The
Humaniform Muscle overshadows McKibben style actuators by
offering:
- Fast
reaction speeds due to internal valves.
- Secure mounting points for easy installation
- Integral push-fit pneumatic fixings.
- Efficient use of air.
- Low
current proportional valves.
- Compact, space efficient design.
- Robust design.
- Attachment lugs for remote (tendon) operation.
Further
technical information can be found here or visit our
applications
page. If you have any questions you can email us at sales@merlinsystemscorp.co.uk or use our
contact form.
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