scholarly journals Development of Miniature Stewart Platform Using TiNiCu Shape-Memory-Alloy Actuators

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa AbuZaiter ◽  
Ee Leen Ng ◽  
Suhail Kazi ◽  
Mohamed Sultan Mohamed Ali

A Stewart platform is a parallel manipulator robot that is able to perform three linear movements, lateral, longitudinal, and vertical, and three rotations, pitch, yaw, and roll. This paper reports a 30 mm × 30 mm × 34 mm miniscale Stewart platform using TiNiCu shape-memory-alloy (SMA) actuators. The proposed Stewart platform possesses various advantages, such as large actuation force and high robustness with a simple mechanical structure. This Stewart platform uses four SMA actuators and four bias springs and performs a linearz-axis movement and tilting motions. The SMA actuators are activated by passing a current through the SMA wires using a heating circuit that generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. This signal is varied to control the level of the displacement and tilting angle of the platform. The tilting direction depends on the SMA actuator that is activated, while all four SMA actuators are activated to achieve the linearz-axis movement. Each SMA actuator exerts a maximum force of 0.6 N at PWM duty cycle of 100%. The fabricated miniature Stewart platform yields a full actuation of 12 mm in thez-axis at 55°C, with a maximum tilting angle of 30° in 4 s.

Author(s):  
B. Y. Ren ◽  
B. Q. Chen

The different Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators have been widely used in the fields of smart structures. However, the accurate prediction of thermomechanical behavior of SMA actuators is very difficult due to the nonlinearity of inherence hysteresis of SMA. Therefore, the tracking control accuracy of SMA actuator is very important for the practical application of the SMA actuator. A dynamic hysteresis model of bias-type SMA actuator based on constitutive law developed by Brinson et al. and hysteresis model developed by Ikuta et al. is presented. The control systems composed of the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller as well as a fuzzy controller or a fuzzy-PID composite controller for compensating the hysteresis is proposed. The effort of tracking control system is analyzed according to the simulation on the displacement of SMA actuator with the three kinds of controllers. The result can provide a reference for the application of SMA actuator in the fields of smart structures.


Author(s):  
Hussein F. M. Ali ◽  
Hangyeol Baek ◽  
Taesoo Jang ◽  
Youngshik Kim

Abstract A biologically inspired finger-like mechanism similar to human musculoskeletal system is developed based on Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). SMA actuators are inspiring the design of a modular finger part with compact and compliant actuation. This paper describes a three-segmented finger-like mechanism. This mechanism is composed of six bending Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators. As a result, our finger mechanism is compact and compliant. The insider three SMA actuator are used for finger flexion while the outsider three SMA actuators are for extension. Each segment of this mechanism can be bent and/or extended independently by actuating a corresponding bending SMA actuator. Furthermore, full bending motion can be achieved by applying coordinated control of the three SMA actuators. Bending and stretching motions of the proposed mechanism are finally demonstrated. The work space of the three-segment finger is studied to verify the reachable points by the end tip. The kinematic model is developed to study the motion of the mechanism. The performance evaluation is executed using force sensor and a temperature monitoring of the corresponding SMA actuators. The simulation and experimental results indicate that the SMA-based finger module can achieve effectively the desired motions as designed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Hsiang Pan ◽  
Ying Bin Wang

This paper presents a novel microactuator driven by shape memory alloy (SMA). First, the helical spring-shaped SMA is fabricated from SMA wire (Ti50%-Ni45%-Cu5%) with one way shape memory effect and 0.6 mm in diameter. Subsequently, a compliant tube-type microactuator driven by helical spring-shaped SMA is developed. The performances of the helical spring-shaped SMA and the compliant tube-type microactuator, such as the response time, the recovery force and the surface temperature in terms of the driving currents, are investigated. The driving circuit system comprising a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit is used to drive the actuator. Experiments demonstrate that control of the SMA actuator using PWM effectively reduces the energy consumption and ensures a short cooling time to guarantee a high response time in actuating cycles. Finite element software (COSMOSWorks) is applied for the analysis of the compliant tube-type actuator, which aim is to demonstrate the agreement between the theoretical analysis and experiment as well as to improve the performance of the actuators.


10.5772/7228 ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hu Bing-Shan ◽  
Wang Li-Wen ◽  
Fu Zhuang ◽  
Zhao Yan-zheng

Wall climbing robots using negative pressure suction always employ air pumps which have great noise and large volume. Two prototypes of bio-inspired miniature suction cup actuated by shape memory alloy (SMA) are designed based on studying characteristics of biologic suction apparatuses, and the suction cups in this paper can be used as adhesion mechanisms for miniature wall climbing robots without air pumps. The first prototype with a two-way shape memory effect (TWSME) extension TiNi spring imitates the piston structure of the stalked sucker; the second one actuated by a one way SMA actuator with a bias has a basic structure of stiff margin, guiding element, leader and elastic element. Analytical model of the second prototype is founded considering the constitutive model of the SMA actuator, the deflection of the thin elastic plate under compound load and the thermo-dynamic model of the sealed air cavity. Experiments are done to test their suction characteristics, and the analytical model of the second prototype is simulated on Matlab/simulink platform and validated by experiments.


2011 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 392-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Mineta ◽  
Tomoe Deguchi ◽  
Eiji Makino ◽  
Takahiro Kawashima ◽  
Takayuki Shibata

Author(s):  
Md Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Theocharis Baxevanis

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-actuators are efficient, simple, and robust alternatives to conventional actuators when a small volume and/or large force and stroke are required. The analysis of their failure response is critical for their design in order to achieve optimum functionality and performance. Here, (i) the existing knowledge base on the fatigue and overload fracture response of SMAs under actuation loading is reviewed regarding the failure micromechanisms, empirical relations for actuation fatigue life prediction, experimental measurements of fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rates, and numerical investigations of toughness properties and (ii) future developments required to expand the acquired knowledge, enhance the current understanding, and ultimately enable commercial applications of SMA-actuators are discussed.


Author(s):  
Sven Langbein ◽  
Alexander Czechowicz

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are thermally activated smart materials. Due to their ability to change into a previously imprinted actual shape through the means of thermal activation, they are suitable as actuators for mechatronical systems. Despite of the advantages shape memory alloy actuators provide, these elements are only seldom integrated by engineers into mechatronical systems. Reasons are the complex characteristics, especially at different boundary conditions and the missing simulation- and design tools. Also the lack of knowledge and empirical data are a reason why development projects with shape memory actuators often lead to failures. Therefore, a need of developing methods, standardized testing of empirical properties and computer aided simulation tools is motivated. While computer-aided approaches have been discussed in further papers, as well as standardization potentials of SMA actuators, this paper focuses on a developing method for SMA actuators. The main part of the publication presents the logical steps which have to be passed, in order to develop an SMA actuator, considering several options like mechanical, thermal, and electrical options. As a result of the research work, the paper proves this method by one example in the field of SMA-valve technology.


Author(s):  
Paul Motzki ◽  
Tom Gorges ◽  
Thomas Würtz ◽  
Stefan Seelecke

The thermal shape memory effect describes the ability of a deformed material to return to its original shape when heated. This effect is found in shape memory alloys (SMAs) such as nickel-titanium (NiTi). SMA actuator wire is known for its high energy density and allows for the construction of compact systems. An additional advantage is the so-called “self-sensing” effect, which can be used for sensor tasks within an actuator-sensor-system. In most applications, a current is used to heat the SMA wires through joule heating. Usually a current between zero and four ampere is recommended by the SMA wire manufacturers depending on the wire diameter. Therefore, supply voltage is adjusted to the SMA wire’s electrical resistance to reach the recommended current. The focus of this work is to use supply voltages of magnitudes higher than the recommended supply voltages on SMA actuator wires. This actuation method has the advantage of being able to use industry standard voltage supplies for SMA actuators. Additionally, depending on the application, faster actuation and higher strokes can be achieved. The high voltage results in a high current in the SMA wire. To prevent the wire from being destroyed by the high current, short pulses in the micro- and millisecond range are used. As part of the presented work, a test setup has been constructed to examine the effects of the crucial parameters such as supply voltage amplitude, pulse duration, wire diameter and wire pre-tension. The monitored parameters in this setup are the wire displacement, wire current and force generated by the SMA wire. All sensors in this setup and their timing is validated through several experiments. Additionally, a highspeed optical camera system is used to record qualitative videos of the SMA wire’s behavior under there extreme conditions. This optical feedback is necessary to fully understand and interpret the measured force and displacement signals.


Author(s):  
Hussein F. M. Ali ◽  
Youngshik Kim

Abstract In this paper, we developed two degree of freedom shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator using SMA springs. This module can be applied easily to various applications: device holder, artificial finger, grippes, fish robot, and many other biologically inspired applications, where small size and small wight of the actuator are very critical. This actuator is composed of two sets of SMA springs: one set is for the rotation around the X axis (roll angle) and the other set is for the rotation around the Y axis (pitch angle). Each set contains two elements: one SMA spring and one antagonistic SMA spring. We used an inertia sensor (IMU) and two potentiometers for angles feedback. The SMA actuator system is modeled mathematically and then tested experimentally in open-loop and closed-loop control. We designed and experimentally tuned a proportional integrator derivative (PID) controller to follow the set points and to track the desired trajectories. The main goal of the presented controller is to control roll and pitch angles simultaneously in order to satisfy set points and trajectories within the work space. The experimental results show that the two degree of freedom SMA actuator system follows the desired setpoints with acceptable rise time and overshoot.


1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Sun ◽  
Ali R. Shahin

Abstract This paper investigates robust control problem of structural vibrations using shape memory alloy (SMA) wires as actuators. The mathematical model for these SMA actuators is derived with emphasis in model uncertainty. The linearization of the relation between stress and temperature dynamics of SMA actuators is analyzed for active control. To handle the uncertainties caused by the linearization and the neglected high frequency dynamics, optimal H∞ control was employed to design a controller. An example is used to demonstrate the design procedures and the control system is tested in a nonlinear environment.


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