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Anniversary of Interface Miniature Torque Transducers

Interface received two patents for ‘Load Cell For Monitoring Torsion and Having Overload Protection’ for intellectual property used in the invention and manufacturing of Interface’s miniature rotary torque transducers.

Patent US 8,161,828 B1 was assigned to Interface based on submissions from Interface engineers and force measurement experts LaVar Clegg and Lawrence Burrow. The filing is based on IP used in the product designs for the Interface MRTP Miniature Overload protected flange style reaction torque transducer and the MRT2P Miniature Overload Protected Flange Style Reaction Torque Transducer. The second patent, US 8,904,883 B2, was awarded to years later for the same products.

Interface offers more than 50 different types of reaction and rotary torque transducers models with varying capacities, design features and dimensions. Our transducers are precision-machined and use our proprietary strain gages for accuracy in measurement. Interface’s miniature torque transducers are popular for their size, easy installation, durability, quality, and accuracy.

MRT2 and MRT2P Patents

Interface’s patented MRT2 Miniature Reaction Torque Transducer flange-type design is available in 44.3 lbf-in to 443 lbf-in (5 Nm to 50 Nm) capacities. It is small in size, 2.75 x 2.25 inches, which offers easy installation. With a low capacity, compact design it provides excellent linearity and repeatability. This Interface product uses our proprietary temperature compensated strain gages. It offers low deflection and high torsional stiffness, which makes it a suitable selection for reciprocating measurements. We currently offer three standard models 10 Nm Capacity, 20 Nm and 50 Nm). Modified and custom options are available.

The Interface MRT2P Overload Protected Flange Style Reaction Torque Transducer features 3X safe overload in 1.77 to 17.7 lbf-in (0.2 Nm and 2 Nm) capacities. The patented flange design and dimensions make it easy to mount. The U.S. made product uses proprietary Interface temperature compensated strain gages. The MRT2P has low deflection and high torsional stiffness. The MRT2P is also preferred for reciprocating measurements.

Interface has offered our MRT miniature reaction torque transducers for more than 20 years. Additional Interface miniature torque transducer models available include:

Robotic Surgical Arm Application Using Miniature Reaction Torque Transducers

The compact design of the MRT series makes this an ideal product for embedding into components or products. As defined in the application note, Robotic Surgery Force Feedback, Interface’s MRTP Miniature Overload Protected Flange Style Reaction Torque Transducer, along with our ConvexBT Load Button Load Cell and SMTM Micro S-Type Load Cell are utilized for measuring forces in a surgical robotic arm. The force measurement output is transmitted to the BX8 8-Channel Data Acquisition and Amplifier to provide real-time feedback during the design and testing of this advanced medical device. Read more about robotic surgery applications here.

Interface has a long history of awards and patents. Richard F. Caris, founder of Interface first filed for the patent in 1979, specifically for a weighing apparatus with overload protection for off-center loading. Caris received patents in 1981 and 1983 for these load cell inventions. Since these initial filings, Interface has received U.S. Patents for Axial Force Pressure Transducer, which is our proprietary AxialTQ product, and the Load Washer (Crockett). We have also received notification of allowance for the 2020 filing for a Wireless Load Cell Monitoring.

ADDITIONAL TORQUE RESOURCES

Flange Style Load Cells and Torque Transducers

Interface Sensors Used for Development and Testing of Surgical Robotics

Making Products Smarter with Interface OEM Solutions

Torque Measurement Primer

Choosing the Right Torque Transducer