Application / Advanced Manufacturing R&D

Payload-to-weight above 3:1. Sub-millisecond torque response.

Advanced manufacturing R&D groups retrofitting cobots or building custom end-effectors need actuators with high torque density, precise torque control, and fieldbus integration that works with existing PLC infrastructure. TK actuators run EtherCAT natively — no bridge hardware required.

Request Engineering Sample EtherCAT Setup Guide
Performance specs for manufacturing R&D
Payload-to-weight (TK-240) > 3:1
Torque control loop 400 Hz
EtherCAT cycle time 1 ms min
TK-480 environmental rating IP67
Peak torque (TK-480) 220 Nm

Use Cases

Where TK actuators fit in manufacturing R&D

Cobot Retrofitting

Drop-in joint upgrade for existing cobot frames

Standard cobot joints top out at 15–20 Nm and use proprietary firmware. TK actuators fit 120mm–240mm joint cavities and expose a standard CiA 402 EtherCAT profile that your existing controller already speaks.

CiA 402 profile — no custom driver
Firmware update over EtherCAT SDO
ESI file ships with the unit
EtherCAT Integration Guide

Precision Assembly Arms

Sub-arcminute repeatability for tight tolerance work

19-bit encoder resolution and 0.08 Nm RMS cogging torque translate directly to positioning repeatability. For precision assembly — screw insertion, connector mating, gasket seating — the actuator doesn't introduce the joint-level error that ruins part-per-million tolerance requirements.

19-bit encoder — 524,288 counts/rev
0.08 Nm RMS cogging torque
Harmonic drive backlash < 1 arcmin
TK-240 Spec Sheet

Custom End-Effector Integration

End-of-arm tooling with torque feedback

Building a custom gripper, rotary end-effector, or multi-axis wrist? TK actuators close the loop on torque at the fingertip — not estimated at the motor, measured at the output.

Torque-controlled grasp

Run the gripper joint in torque mode. The actuator closes until the measured torque reaches the target — cmd_torque ROS 2 topic or EtherCAT object 0x6071. Part deformation doesn't happen when the actuator actively controls force, not position.

ros2 topic pub /tk_gripper/cmd_torque \
  std_msgs/Float64 \
  '{data: 2.5}'

Compliant contact detection

In impedance mode with low stiffness, the end-effector detects workpiece contact by monitoring actual torque vs. command torque divergence. No separate force/torque sensor required for basic contact detection in assembly tasks.

ros2 topic sub /tk_gripper/joint_state \
  tknd_msgs/JointState \
  --once

Model Selection for Manufacturing

Pick the right actuator for your arm

Application Recommended Model Key Spec Notes
Gripper / wrist rotation TK-120 18 Nm cont. Low mass (0.43 kg) for distal mount
Elbow / forearm pitch TK-240 42 Nm cont. 42 Nm/kg torque density, 240mm OD
Shoulder / base rotation TK-480 95 Nm cont. IP67 for coolant splash environments
Heavy payload (> 20 kg) TK-480 220 Nm peak EtherCAT-native, planetary gearbox option

Retrofitting a cobot or building a custom arm? Let's talk torque budget.

Tell us your DOF count, payload requirement, and fieldbus. We'll send you a model selection table and EtherCAT wiring diagram.

Request Engineering Sample