A device called the 'Tactilus heat-sink analysis system' by Sensor Products
Inc. has been announced which enables engineers to precisely test and correct
surface contact and pressure distribution between a heatsink and heat
source.
Link to view short movie of Tactilus heatsink force sensor in operation.
With the Tactilus unit engineers are able to visualize actual contact forces and pressure distribution on circuit board components. As the heatsink mounting screws are torqued, Tactilus maps and measures the changing pressure distribution between the mating surfaces and displays it through its software. The heat sink interface can be tested, manipulated, and repositioned in real-time, speeding the trial and error process and eliminating the need for additional assembly."
"Tactilus is a matrix-based tactile surface sensor. Essentially an “electronic skin” that records and interprets pressure distribution and magnitude between any two contacting or mating surfaces and assimilates that data collected into a powerful Windows-based tool kit. Each Tactilus sensor is carefully assembled to exacting tolerances and individually calibrated and serialized. The architectural philosophy of Tactilus is modular
allowing for portability, easy expansion, and simultaneous data collection of up
to 4 discrete sensor pads. Tactilus employs sophisticated mathematical
algorithms that intelligently separate signal from noise, and advanced
electronic shielding techniques to maximize the sensor’s immunity to noise,
temperature and humidity."
More information on the Tactilus is available from Sensor products (sales@sensorprod.com ). Estimated price for the system: $8,000.
