NONLINEAR LABS - C25 features Printed Circuit Haptic knobs. The reference implementation brings tactile parameter states, detents, and dynamic feel into the expressive world of their music synthesizers.
Printed Circuit Haptics
a novel technique for haptic knobs and more...
Compact
Customizable
Low Cost
Adding haptics to a product usually means either: really expensive motor like components or sourcing an actuator with complicated assembly that only achieves low-quality and indirectly coupled vibrations.
Instead we propose a different and more integrated approach: PCB coil traces interact with stationary magnets to create powerful, directly coupled actuation. We perfected this as a more practical way to deliver higher-quality haptic feedback.
debut in a premium instrument
Why haptic feedback?
For users, physical control elements with haptic feedback make interaction intuitive. For products, the interface becomes richer and the overall experience is elevated!
A peek into the tech stack
the principle technique has been perfected over countless prototypes into sophisticated tools and software.
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Simulation
Compare magnetic field results across coil and magnet configurations before committing to a physical prototype.
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Generation
Leveraging a vast amount of electrical and mechanical parameters to optimize actuators for your product and engineering requirements.
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Mechanical
Parametric generation and simulation for flexure pcb geometries: Force transfer functions, deflection and stress analysis enables targeted PCB revisions beyond guessing. Later lifecycle tests are used to validate the design.
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Haptic Studio
Design Knob Profiles, features and haptic sensations like detents, boundaries, and textures live: Preview as you edit, then carry the tuned haptics into production.
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lib/pch
A portable and optimized C++ library renders haptic behavior on prototypes and runs safely on production hardware for a range of MCUs (STM32, ESP32 ...)
Beyond one degree
of freedom
Control elements can be easily upgraded with pressure sensing and PCB haptics to provide Z-axis push and joystick-like actuation.
Pressure sensing and Printed Circuit Haptics can give a simpler rotary control a crisp, programmable Z-axis click, replacing push-switch knobs such as the RV142. This lets us tune the press feel to your product and can reduce the cost of the rotary component.