Contact control on a changing surface.
A simulated linear actuator adjusts a hold-down roller as a moving part changes thickness. Compare a fixed-height setting with force feedback from the same task.
An external ROS 2 controller sends commands and reads simulated feedback. Contact forces and the actuator model determine the head’s movement.
Watch the comparison.
Read the sequence
- 00:00 — Workcell and assembly. A guided actuator carries the roller above a moving profiled part.
- 00:10 — Side-by-side comparison. Both heads start at 15 N. The fixed-height head loses contact in the dip and exceeds the target on the rise. Force control adjusts the head height and maintains contact in this recorded run.
- 00:31 — Contact replay. A perspective view shows the roller following the profile, then retracting.
The controller responds to simulated contact.
The part travels at 100 mm/s through a 14 mm dip and an 8 mm rise. Both runs use the same profile and feed. The comparison records contact force, actuator travel and the gap beneath the roller.
The ROS 2 interface supports selected commands and feedback for this test. The model includes a guided joint, moving mass and a force–speed envelope.
No physical actuator was tested for this demonstration. Contact feedback comes from the simulator; a hardware implementation needs measured feedback or a validated estimate, followed by tuning and testing.
Part transport and visible roller rotation are prescribed. The test does not establish surface quality, wear, thermal performance or machine safety.
Test a device interface around a specific task.
A controller-connected model lets a team exercise commands, feedback and operating sequences before hardware is available. Physical testing then establishes how closely the model represents the device.
Have a device or control task to test?
Bring the device documentation and the behaviour you need to check. Start with a free twenty-minute scoping call; any paid assessment is agreed before proceeding.