reliable
Grip & Release

To “securely grip” something means to lock it in place and fix it at multiple points. The scalability of actuators makes it easy to meet the requirement of gripping at multiple points for secure holding. Many fixation points, for example, also help with handling flexible objects such as thin sheets or textile components. Releasing requires simultaneously opening all fixation points, which can be implemented easily with an electrical connection between the Curve bending actuators. If there is already relative movement between the gripper and the payload to be gripped, as in robotics, automation, or unmanned vehicles, this movement can be used for a passive and particular reliable locking function. Similar to a door latch, the actuator flexes elastically and then 'snaps' into place. Subsequently, releasing can be initiated by activating the actuators. Energy- and control-free snap-in always guarantees safe grapping according to the “fail-save” principle and, if necessary, even the release drive can be executed “fail-operational” through redundancy.

​

Whether in an industrial environment with cobots, in an intralogistics conveyor system, or under harsh conditions in outdoor applications with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for last-mile logistics, the Curve bending actuators can perform the gripping and releasing function with the highest functional reliability in a compact and lightweight design. Whether on land, on water, or in the air, the solutions can be used for emergency response unmanned vehicles and disaster relief drones. Secure functionality can be guaranteed regardless of how 'dirty' or ' humid' the environment is or how uncomfortable the temperatures are. In particular, for workhorses like cargo drones in last-mile delivery solutions, the high lifecycle of over 300,000 cycles is also important.