Have you ever wondered what the biggest difference is between a pair of tweezers and a litter grabber? The function? Not really. In both cases, it is to grip things, to be exact, the implementation of a force locking. The level of gripping effort? Open to interpretation. Both solutions can be developed for specific usages, it is merely a question of geometry and materials. The leverage ratios? Admittedly, the litter grabber generally transmits the force and the tweezers reduce the force. But what would happen if we swapped the input and output around?

The actual difference is in the foundational kinematic principles: The litter picker uses the relative motion between rigid parts and therefore requires a bearing in order to allow this motion yet still transfer the mechanical load. By contrast, the tweezers use the elastic deformation of the material and can therefore be built in one piece, without sliding or rolling interfaces. In the first scenario, the motion happens outside the material; in the second scenario it happens within it. For that reason the latter principle is called solid-state kinematics. It is the foundation of our business.

A secondary difference? Have a look at the list of advantages of compliant systems, which are based on the startlingly simple principle of solid-state kinematics.