The latest Moduflex family of products from Parker Hannifin, a manufacturer of motion and control technologies, is enabling the pneumatically operated Multitest Equilibre balancing device, manufactured by Framiral, to be used to examine the cognitive behaviour of patients at rehabilitation institutions simply and accurately. A compact and efficient Moduflex valve island, fed by a Moduflex proportional regulator, enables the Multitest Equilibre to offer high levels of repeatability and reliability, while reducing noise and extending service life considerably.
Framiral are a specialist provider of devices for imbalance disorder and vertigo instabilities. The company has produced the Multitest Equilibre to aid physicians and therapists in identifying and diagnosing numerous health problems associated with imbalance.
The Multitest Equilibre comprises a stand-on platform, which is mechanically suspended by three pneumatically driven springs. The actuators within these springs can be configured to match the requirements and weight of any patient and can tilt the platform along x, y or z axes, at various speeds, by means of a cam and lever action. In addition, sensors detect the reactions of the patient, and control the movement of the platform in response. The complete system is operated by a compact remote centralised pneumatic circuit, comprising Parker’s Moduflex valves and Moduflex proportional regulator.
Parker product specialist, Patrick Berdal, explained, “It was essential that the Multitest Equilibre be able to operate smoothly and in a controlled manner, while providing high levels of repeatability to ensure rehabilitation institutions could achieve reliable results for accurate patient diagnosis. The Moduflex valve system was the ideal choice for this application, due, not only to its compact size, but also to the facility to include a dump valve within the island in order to regulate pressure levels and offer smooth control. In addition, the Moduflex Proportional Regulator played a key part in ensuring the overall performance of the system was optimised.”
Parker’s Moduflex Proportional Regulator can quickly and accurately control the pressure flow towards the Multitest Equilibre by operating in response to an electric signal, regardless of compressed air or inert gas flow. This compact unit features an integrated pressure sensor, offering fast response times and allowing output pressures to be constantly monitored and adjusted to the requirements of the Multitest Equilibre. Offering exceptional hysterisis, full flow exhaust and overload protection, the regulator provides exceptionally high levels of overall performance.
Parker’s Moduflex valves are easily built into valve islands which can be configured to suit the application, providing simple connection and compact dimensions, making them ideal for the Multitest Equilibre.
Patrick Berdal commented, “With the Multitest Equilibre, rehabilitation institutions can process reliable test results with greater efficiency and accuracy than ever before, and specifying Parker’s Moduflex family of products has been essential in making this possible. In addition to delivering exceptional levels of repeatability, Parker’s control system also offers long, low maintenance service life, benefiting end users still further.”