SoftForce®: What is SoftForce®? How does it benefit advanced factory automation and smart manufacturing?
What is SoftForce®?
SoftForce® is RobustMotion’s integrated high-precision force control technology built into electric actuators and grippers. It unifies sensing, control, and mechanics so contact force is regulated in a true closed loop at the point of application—without relying on slow external PLC loops or coarse current-only estimates.
Typical SoftForce-equipped products deliver microsecond-level force feedback, up to 10 kHz control processing, and stable accuracy on the order of ±0.01 N, with process data suitable for traceability in demanding electronics, automotive, optics, and medical-style production environments.
SoftForce®
Built-in precision force control for intelligent motion products
Why choose SoftForce®?
Advanced processes fail for predictable reasons: parts are fragile, tolerances are tight, and cycle time pressure conflicts with gentle, repeatable contact. Choosing SoftForce® means selecting actuators designed around those constraints—first by understanding where conventional force approaches break down, then by comparing what integrated SoftForce control delivers instead.
Why high-precision force control is necessary
The Force Control Challenges in Processes
Invisible Damage ?
High-value or easily deformable components are prone to developing invisible internal micro-cracks or stress under rigid contact. These can only be discovered in subsequent inspection stages and directly impact the yield rate.
Poor Process Consistency ?
Due to the inability to precisely sense the actual contact force in real time, processes like press-fitting are prone to "incomplete insertion" or "over-pressure" situations, leading to batch-to-batch variations in product performance.
Difficult to Improve Production Cycle Time ?
Conventional solutions often struggle to balance high speed with high precision. Ensuring precise force application typically requires sacrificing operating speed, which directly limits the improvement of cycle time (CT) and overall line efficiency.
Complex Equipment integration and commissioning ?
Self-built systems or traditional discrete solutions have complex structures and response delays, significantly increasing the difficulty of integration and programming. This leads to long commissioning cycles and high maintenance costs.
Where conventional approaches often fall short
Most lines still rely on open-loop (current-based) approximations or external sensor + PLC loops. Both can work for coarse tasks, but they struggle when the process demands stable contact force, low overshoot, and short cycle times at once—the exact gap SoftForce is designed to close.
Two common architectures—and their typical limits
Open-loop force control based on the current loop
► Insufficient Force Control Accuracy
► Overshoots
Typically lacks a force sensor, or the sensor is only used for reading force without participating in control. The output force is controlled by regulating the output current value.
Force repetition accuracy is generally between ±5% to 15%, suitable for general workpiece processes.
Unable to precisely control contact force, easily causing impact or over-pressure damage to delicate workpieces.
Unable to record, trace, or analyze the force control process.
General closed-loop force control with external sensors
► General Force Control Accuracy
► Difficult to Control
► Overshoots
An external force sensor is added to the actuator's end-effector, and an external controller like a PLC reads the data to form an external closed loop.
The signal path is long, and inadequate control algorithms can easily lead to response delays.
Force control accuracy can reach 1%, but response delays make it prone to overshoot, making it difficult to increase speed.
Complex integration and commissioning, increasing programming and maintenance costs.
After adding a load, both the magnitude and accuracy of the output force are affected.
What SoftForce® delivers
Integrated sensing and high-speed control inside the actuator translate into measurable differences on the line: tighter force accuracy, controlled contact, better CT, and more consistent results under real tooling loads—without bolting on fragile external control stacks.
01
Microsecond-level Force Feedback, ± 0.01 N Force Control Accuracy
Through a self-developed high-speed force sensor and a model-based predictive control algorithm with a processing frequency of up to 10,000Hz, a full closed-loop force control is achieved. This enables microsecond-level perception and response to force, resulting in stable, ultra-high force control accuracy with an accuracy of ±0.01N.
02
No Overshoot During High-speed Motion
High-frequency response provides extremely high system sensitivity.
Based on a model-based predictive control algorithm, it can predict and respond to minute changes in force in real time. Even at high speeds, it achieves a soft landing with no overshoot.
03
Balancing Cycle Time and Force Control Accuracy
Innovative control algorithms achieve the decoupling of speed and force.
While ensuring force control accuracy, it enables speed to reach optimal levels.
Directly improving equipment cycle time and overall efficiency.
04
Precise Micro-force Output Under Heavy Loads
A proprietary algorithm provides real-time and precise compensation for the inertia and gravity of the end-of-arm tooling.
Even when equipped with loads such as fixtures or vision systems, it can still ensure precise and constant output of either micro-forces or large forces, adapting to various complex working conditions.
How SoftForce® benefits advanced manufacturing
Below are representative application scenarios where SoftForce-enabled actuators and grippers apply precision force control: protecting delicate parts, stabilizing press-fit and pressure-holding processes, improving assembly consistency, and automating repeatable test routines across 3C, automotive, optics, and adjacent industries.
Application Scenarios
3C/Semiconductor
Optics / Optoelectronics
Precision Pressure-holding
Precision Pressure-holding and Pre-bending of FPC Flexible Cables
FPC flexible cables (also known as flexible circuit boards) are widely used in smartphones, AI glasses, smart wearables, and similar devices. Their pre-bending process requires accurate, constant force and high-temperature resistance at the end-effector.
Typical application: multiple RobustMotion SoftForce linear actuators combined with electric grippers and fixtures apply precise pressure-holding across irregular cable shapes in one pass.
Precision Force Control Pressure-holding for Hot Bar Soldering Pads
Common in force-controlled pressure-holding for mold soldering pads in heating stations and die-cutting automation in 3C and automotive electronics.
Typical configuration: four SoftForce linear actuators carry a soldering head heated to set temperature and hold 45N ± 0.5N for 90 seconds for process consistency.
Precision Press-fitting
Precision Press-fitting Flexible Press-fitting of PINs for Automotive Electronic Pressure Sensors
Excessive force can bend PINs; insufficient force leads to poor contact. Different PINs require adjustable and precise force ranges.
SoftForce actuators allow software-configured force values for different PINs, improving consistency and reducing frequent changeover adjustments.
Precision Press-fitting of PCB Connector Terminals
Press-fitting of PCB terminals directly affects connection quality and can cause insulation damage, weak joints, or short-circuit risks when force is unstable.
Integrated high-precision sensing and closed-loop control help improve both position accuracy and output force consistency for better yield.
Automotive Manufacturing
Lithium Battery / New Energy
Bio-technology & Medical Care
More
Precision Transfer / Assembly
IPEX Coaxial Connector Terminal - Self-aligning Precision Force Control Press-fitting
In consumer electronics assembly, small connector terminal press-fitting often relies on manual operation, with high labor and consistency risk.
SoftForce multi-axis actuator module with vision positioning identifies and presses fitting targets quickly while recording force-position curves for traceability.
Non-destructive Gripping and Flexible Transfer of Precision Components
Fragile components such as chips and optical lenses require high precision and flexible gripping to avoid surface or edge damage.
SoftForce electric gripper supports fast, non-destructive gripping across different thickness and size ranges for efficient transfer.
Precision Inspection / Testing
Precision Force Control Pressure Test for Smartwatch Band Spring Clasps
Conventional manual inspection has risk of misjudgment and lacks stable repeatability.
SoftForce micro platform actuator performs precise force pressing, compares deformation data to standard curves, and outputs automated OK/NG results.
Automated Testing of Laptop Screen Touch Functionality
Touch-function verification requires repeatable tap-and-swipe simulation over all areas of the screen.
A custom stylus with precise force control and coordinated motion platform enables high-efficiency, repeatable quality testing.
Bring SoftForce® into your advanced manufacturing line
Tell us about your force control, assembly, or test challenges—we will help you match the right SoftForce-enabled products and resources.
