Keywords: Control , Hardware , Electronics , Networking , Cable drive system

Quick introduction to the DaVinci system that uses cable extension position transducers to determine the position of the robot arms:

Cable extension transducers consist of a measurement cable wrapped around a spring-loaded drum. The fixed-position-transducer plays out its cable the end of which secured to a moving objec. When the object moves, the cable rotates the spool which in turn turns a rotation sensor (potentiometer, encoder or resolver which alters the electrical output of the transducer).

That means linear movement is first changed to a rotational movement and ultimately to an electrical signal.

Cable extension position transducers offer the flexibility demanded by the daVinci system. Perfect alignment is not necessary, the transducer may be installed away from the motion plane and pulleys used to bring the cable end to the movement plane.