Mantis preys with miniature strain gauge!

The ICA2 load cell amplifier, from Mantracourt, is being used within the design of the Mantis, a hexapod robot, designed and manufactured by Micromagic Systems Robotics Ltd.

The Mantis!

The Mantis is an all-terrain machine that stands 2.8 metres high, weighs nearly 2 tonnes and can be manually piloted or remote wifi controlled.

“Working closely with Micromagic Systems Robotics Ltd, our UK technical partner Applied Measurements, supplied and designed customised load cells for this project,” said Louise Stubbs, Marketing Co-ordinator at Mantracourt. “These are especially robust, compact and submersible, as the Mantis is required to travel over most types of terrain and even wade through water. Using our in-line Mantracourt ICA amplifiers in waterproof enclosures, the load cell outputs are monitored via a 0-5Vdc signal to the control unit.“

Mantracourt’s ICA range of Miniature Strain Gauge Signal Conditioners offers a high performance strain gauge amplifier in miniature OEM format. The range has been designed specifically for fitting inside load cells, and converts load cell to 4-20 mA and 0-10 V output.

“The Mantracourt ICA family of load cell amplifiers is recognized for its high stability and fast response,” said Darren Skipp, Commercial Director at Applied Measurements. "This level of performance was essential for the safe operation of the Mantis. The Mantis is a great demonstration of how load cell technology has an important role to play in robotics and automation.”

Mantracourt’s miniature Strain Gauge Signal Conditioner (right> is available in 6 versions, ICA1H, 2H, 3H, 4H & 6H with high performance and ICA5S with industrial stability. The ICAH range offers very low drift over wide operating temperatures. There is ATEX certification pending on some variants.