ATI Axia80 Force/Torque Sensor Review: Specs, Price and Applications
The ATI Axia80 is a six-axis force/torque sensor with all electronics built into its body. It connects directly to the robot controller over EtherCAT or Ethernet, avoiding a separate interface box and reducing cost and footprint.
A monolithic transducer with silicon strain gauges delivers low noise and high stiffness, and overload protection ranges from 5 to 20 times the sensing range. Two calibrations are available and can be switched during operation: a large default range and a smaller, higher-resolution range.
Quick Verdict
A cost-efficient, robust force sensor for robotic assembly, grinding and polishing. Silicon strain gauges and dual calibration give it an unusually good balance of resolution and durability.
ATI Axia80 Force/Torque Sensor at a Glance
Specification | Details |
Measured axes | Six (Fx, Fy, Fz, Tx, Ty, Tz) |
Transducer | Monolithic with silicon strain gauges |
Overload protection | 5 to 20 times the sensing range |
Calibration | Two, switchable during operation |
Communication | EtherCAT or Ethernet |
Electronics | Integrated into the sensor body |
Applications | Robotic assembly, grinding and polishing |
Price | Request a quote |
Design and Operating Principle
Silicon strain gauges produce much larger signals than foil gauges, so the sensor can use a stiffer structure while keeping noise low. Stiffness matters: a soft sensor adds deflection between robot and tool and degrades positioning accuracy.
High overload protection of 5 to 20 times the range means the sensor survives collisions and heavy accelerations that would damage many sensors with similar resolution.
Switchable calibrations let one sensor serve two jobs: the large range for heavy contact such as grinding and the small range for delicate insertion or hand guiding.
Integration and Selection
Choose the interface version to match the robot controller and confirm the available software integration for force control. Compensate the tool weight and centre of gravity in the robot program.
Select the calibration according to process forces and switch it in the program when tasks change.
Industry Applications
Industry | Typical use |
Automotive | Force-controlled assembly of components |
Metal finishing | Constant-force grinding and polishing |
Electronics | Delicate insertion with high-resolution range |
Research | Force-control development on industrial robots |
Functional Uses
Force-controlled assembly
Grinding and polishing with force feedback
Contact detection
Switching resolution between tasks
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Integrated electronics
High overload protection
Two switchable calibrations
Silicon gauges: low noise, high stiffness
Limitations
Interface must match controller
Force-control software still required
Tool load compensation needed
Who Should Consider the ATI Axia80 Force/Torque Sensor?
The Axia80 suits integrators adding force sensing to robots for assembly and finishing with minimal hardware.
Price and Availability
Price: Request a quote. ATI Industrial Automation prices the Axia80 by size, options and quantity, so the final figure depends on the exact configuration. Budget for the complete tooling package, including fingers or adapters, mounting, air or electrical connections and commissioning time, rather than the module alone.
Further Reading
ATI Axia80 Force/Torque Sensor FAQ
What does the Axia80 measure?
All six components of force and torque.
Which interfaces does it support?
EtherCAT or Ethernet.
How robust is it?
Overload protection is 5 to 20 times the sensing range.
What are the two calibrations?
A large-range default and a smaller, higher-resolution range, switchable during operation.
What applications suit it?
Robotic assembly, grinding and polishing.
How much does it cost?
Request a quote from ATI Industrial Automation.
