Tactilus® Real-Time Surface Pressure Mapping Technology

Tactilus Now Nist Traceable

Tactilus® is a matrix-based tactile surface sensor - essentially an " electronic skin" that records and interprets pressure distribution and magnitude between any two contacting or mating surfaces and assimilates the collected data into a powerful Windows® based tool kit. Each Tactilus® sensor is carefully assembled to exacting tolerances and is individually calibrated and serialized.

Basics of Tactilus® Technology
Tactilus Sensing Element, Hub and Software

Tactilus Sensing Element, Hub and Software

The architectural philosophy of Tactilus® is modular, allowing for portability, easy scalability, and simultaneous data collection from up to four discrete sensor pads. Tactilus® employs sophistictated mathematical algorithms that intelligently separate signal from noise, and advanced electronic shielding techniques maximize the sensor’s immunity to noise, temperature and humidity.

Extensive calibration techniques ensure accuracy during testing, while also saving valuable time by avoiding extensive calibration procedures. Our next generation software interface also improves the accuracy of the readings by taking into consideration the creep and hysteris effects natural to the sensors.

Any application or test where pressure lies between 0.1 to 200 PSI (0.007 to 14.1 kg/cm²) will benefit from a Tactilus® analysis. Our customization capabilities include sensors that will conform to difficult shapes like door seals, seats, wipers, tires, heat sealing machines, wafer polishers, lamination presses, between rollers, and many others.

Benefits
Software Features
  • Portable
  • Meets your need for real-time data collection and analysis
  • Totally customized to your size, resolution and pressure range
  • Pre-calibrated, never needs recalibration
  • Shielded from electromagnetic interference
  • Little adjacent sensing cell interference
  • Low ink = no aging or cracking
  • No temperature or humidity effects
  • User friendly
  • Requires minimal user training

Tactilus® is a tool kit that consists of an electronic sensor element ("skin"), signal conditioning electronics and software. The sensor skin is a thin flexible or rigid sheet that is densely packed with sensing points or pixels. These sensing points can be spaced as close as 2 mm (0.08") apart and can collect data as rapidly as 1,000 readings per second.

  • 2D, 3D and 360 degree image rendering with extensive user control
  • Up to 8 regions of interest
  • Max, minimum and average values
  • Pressure vs. time graph and pressure histogram
  • Sophisticated calibration control
  • Easily exportable data
Hardware Features
Tactilus software depicting the characterization of pressure distribution and magnitude while the sensor element is positioned in a door seal

Tactilus® software depicting the characterization of pressure distribution and magnitude while the sensor element is positioned in a door seal

The Tactilus® sensing element is very thin, allowing adaptation over curved surfaces and placement in invasive intolerant environments. The internal composition of the Tactilus® element is very durable and can be utilized thousands of times or more before replacement is necessary.

  • Pre-calibrated
  • Sensor conformability is matched to the performance requirements of your application
  • Discharge speed of the capacitor is 83 microseconds
  • Minimum spacing of 2mm (0.08”)
  • Pressure detection capabilities down to 0.01 PSI (0.007 kg/cm²)
  • Rapid response rate
  • Highly resistant to electromagnetic noise, temperature and humidity fluctuations
  • Serial, USB, Bluetooth connectivity and ultra wide band capability
Sensor Specifications
Technology Piezoresistive / Resistive
Pressure Range 0.1 to 200 PSI (0.007 to 14.1 kg/cm²)
Array Size Up to 64 x 64 lines
Thickness From 12 mils (0.3 mm) & up
Area Customizable from 0.16 in² to 1,900 in² (0.4 mm² to 12,250 cm²)
Sheet Size 17" x 11.25" (43 cm x 29 cm)
Scan Speed Up to 1,000 hertz
Spatial Resolution Customizable from 0.04 in (2 mm) & higher
Accuracy ± 10%
Repeatability ± 2%
Hysteresis ± 5%
Non-linearity ± 1.5%
Calibration Pre-calibrated for specified pressure

If you are looking for a matrix pressure sensor that enables you to carry out surface pressure mapping in your application, then you should contact us about Tactilus®.

Refer to our applications menu for additional information on any of these uses of Tactilus® for surface pressure mapping.

NOTE: You may also have read about electronic sensor elements, tactile surface pressure systems, force sensing resistors (FSR), free form sensor systems, pressure sensing arrays, and matrix-based tactile surface sensors. These terms are synonymous with our Tactilus® pressure sensor.