Custom Joints are designed and engineered to fulfill unique performance requirements that standard joints fail to address. When we make an application-specific joint, we engineer based on customer-driven specifications for load capacity, movement speed, accuracy, environmental application, material selection of titanium or special alloy for durability and compatibility, sensors (i.e. torque, position feedback) for added control input, automated production with embedded sensors, etc. Norck Robotics specializes in solving custom-joint issues with proven streamlined mechanical design, precise integration for repeatability, and rugged implementation for specialized applications in industrial, research, or defense environments.
If standard joints are not able to meet the requirements of the project for technological, environmental, or performance reasons, a custom joint will be needed. These projects are often extreme by nature and will require critical features that are custom in nature. Typical circumstances include:
In all these cases, the need for custom robotic joints will be met at the pinnacle of performance, safety, and integration-and Norck Robotics is one company that specializes in this area.
Norck Robotics, as a division of Norck, proudly operates under ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Key aspects include:
This certification reflects Norck Robotics’ ongoing commitment to quality and performance.
Click here to view our ISO certification.
While many industries and applications can use off-the-shelf joints to effectively and reliably perform their intended tasks, some application areas will often require custom joints simply because their performance or environmental requirements are beyond the capabilities of commercially available joints. In these extreme environments, the custom flight control requirement will dictate a bespoke design, specialized materials, and unique performance characteristics.
Some typical tasks which require custom joints are:
Custom joints must be able to perform in vacuum conditions, withstand the experience of launch vibrations and extreme temperature variations, while lightweight, radiation tolerant, and thermally stable materials must be introduced in the design.
In oceans at extreme depths, the pressure is extreme, therefore joints must be designed to be pressure sealed, corrosion resistant, and reliable while operating near freezing temperatures. The materials used for deep-sea exploration typically include titanium and marine-grade alloys.
Many applications such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) or robotic weapon platforms will require a rugged joint, capable of withstanding shock, dust, vibration, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Precision, sterility, and biocompatibility are needed in medical systems. Custom joints can be designed to suit new, small-scale, minimally invasive, robotic systems that could incorporate sensor technology allowing for real-time feedback.
Custom joints will generally be required in areas where radiation, excess heat, or corrosive chemicals will not only compromise your joint, but also put the operator or user in jeopardy. Maintenance-free and robust sealing may even be a requirement in such environments.
In general, heavy industries (such as steel mills or chemical plants) will demand high-speed automated locomotion. Joints operating in heavy industry usually mean heat sealed joints that will only seal dust that is generated at high speed.
In all these areas, custom joint design is the only way to achieve reliable, long-term performance under conditions where standard components would fail.
Norck Robotics excels in the engineering and manufacturing of highly-engineered custom universal joints for robotic systems with custom motion control needs. Our custom joints are purpose-built to your application, whether you are involved in industrial robotics, medical robotics, aerospace or academic research. Our custom-made joints provide mechanical flexibility and accuracy, both of which cannot be achieved with a commercially made joint.
Our custom-made joints are completely in-house produced and tested, and built to sustain unique loads, complex geometries, and workstation conditions. Because we have flexible production capacity and fast lead times, and we make you a smarter, more capable robotic system, free from design constraints.
Norck Robotics provides custom solutions for specialized joint design by combining essential engineering skills with an understanding of your industry-specific needs. Here's how Norck Robotics meets those needs:
1) Application-Specific Engineering:
Norck designs joints based on your needs, whether it is for extreme loads, limited space, or extreme speed and accuracy, our solution will meet your functional and environmental needs.
2) Material & Component Optimization:
Through the use of advanced materials like titanium, aluminum alloys, composite structures and many others we ensure that they surpass acceptable weight and yet still be durable for the environment.
3) Sensor Integration & Mechatronics:
Norck can now embed torque sensors, encoders, or IMUs into the joint design seamlessly - providing embedded sensing to provide closed-loop control and real-time feedback.
4) Rapid Prototyping & Iteration:
With our in-house prototype capabilities the speed with which Norck can validate your design and make iterative changes is unparalleled - this type of agility is paramount while engaged in R&D or developing custom products.
5) Interdisciplinary Perspective:
Whether it is at home in robotics research, or across the spectrum of applications like medical devices, defense, or aerospace Norck draws on a broad portfolio of project experience to manufacture joint mechanisms that solve complex design problems without wasting precious resources.
6) Collaborative Development:
Finally, Norck collaborates closely with you at every stage, from concepts through design, simulation, manufacture, and testing, to efficiently provide solutions that are prepped for deployment in the real world.
In addition to its own expert engineering team, Norck Robotics provides access to a network of hundreds of top-tier system integrators, robot manufacturers, and component suppliers across the United States, Germany, and Europe.
Working with Norck Robotics reduces dependency on manual labor, increases production consistency, and secures your operations against unforeseen disruptions, quality issues, and fluctuations. This enhances your company's supply chain resilience.
Norck Robotics advances digital automation by developing custom-designed robot grippers, advanced vision systems, and innovative simulation software. With an AI-driven, data-centric approach, it enables smarter system design, optimal performance, and predictive maintenance solutions.
Norck Robotics encourages its partners to be carbon-neutral by reducing energy consumption and material waste through the efficiency of robotic automation, and prioritizes environmentally conscious suppliers.
