Page 30 - MACHINE TOOLS WORLD - September 2021

CASE STUDY METROLOGY SECTION

Barbing near Regensburg should give the
surgeon a helping hand by reducing the Even angles can be measured
costs per operation even in the case of with draw-wire sensors.
increasing quality requirements.
The device resembles an arm that can
be moved in several degrees of freedom,
whilst noting and maintaining its position.
Starting from a calibrated zero point,
the device automatically performs
the required individual movements in
order to traverse a specified complete
movement. The endoscopic camera
guided by the arm achieves an all-round
360-degree view with an inclination of
the endoscope of up to 80 degrees from
the perpendicular.
The arm is largely designed to be
MR and X-ray neutral, which is why no
sensors are used in the area above the The draw-wire sensors are ideal with saved in this way.
operating table. For this reason, direct regard to their size and have the required Manufacturers of operating tables use
measurement of the turning movements accuracy. Installation and adjustment are draw-wire sensors for this, which make it
on the arm with angle sensors is not possible without any problems”. possible to measure the positions of the
possible. individually adjustable elements.
The rotation angles are therefore Positioning of operating tables The sensors are normally used for the
determined indirectly with draw-wire Modern operating tables are modular vertical and horizontal table positions.
sensors, which are installed in the area in their design and provide many However, draw-wire sensors are also
underneath the operating table. adjustment options so that the position partially used for the (indirect) angle
Robert Geiger, Managing Director of the patient can be optimised for each measurement, since angle sensors often
of Aktormed GmbH, comments on the operation. Therefore, as well as the height cannot be installed on the rotation axes
application: “Using the sensors from of the table, the horizontal position and due to limited space.
Micro-Epsilon, it is possible for us to several angle functions, e.g. for head, As well as the applications outlined
measure and freely process the angle torso and legs, can also be adjusted. above, draw-wire sensors are also
change of the axes. The active Soloassist Complete profiles are pre-programmed used in medical baths, dentist chairs
camera guide must display X-ray images for certain positions or are created by and rehabilitation equipment. Other
free of any shadows and therefore no the user himself and then called up with applications that cannot even be
rotary encoders or potentiometers can be a single press of a button. Significant predicted today will certainly be added to
used. personnel and equipment times can be this list in the future.

Linear movements and angles
for operating tables are
controlled with draw-wire
sensors.

For more information,
Website: www.micro-epsilon.de

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