Precision applications such as medical robots and semiconductor equipment are driving the miniaturization of touch edges, with thicknesses less than 20mm.
Nano-pressure-sensitive layers are deposited on stainless steel substrates using a magnetron sputtering process, increasing sensitivity to a detection range of 1-3N. An endoscope robotic arm has micro-touch edges embedded in its joints, instantly locking if it accidentally touches the surgeon's arm during surgery, with positioning errors controlled to within ±0.1mm³. The challenge lies in electromagnetic compatibility-high-frequency devices are prone to interfering with signal transmission. New shielded cable and twisted-pair designs can reduce the bit error rate to 10⁻⁶. In the future, integration with fiber optic sensing will enable submillimeter deformation monitoring.
