3. Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation
3.1 Basic principle
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) were discovered over 80 years ago. They were first used in industry in the 1970s in the form of fastening sleeves for avionics. Since then, their use has spread to many fields, particularly nickel- and titanium-based alloys. These are exploited for three of their specific thermomechanical properties: hyperelasticity in the austenite state, plastic behavior in the martensite state and shape memory effect controlled by temperature change.
The field of robotics has also been using AMF actuators for many years. Recent robotics applications such as microrobotics, space robotics and medical robotics call for actuators that are not only increasingly efficient, but also easier to integrate into highly congested systems,...
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Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation
Summary
Bibliography
Websites
Cedrat Technologies http://www.cedrat-technologies.com
Festo https://www.festo.com/catalogue/dmsp
Piezomotor Uppsala AB ...
Events
Micronora: Europe's leading microtechnology and precision trade show (every two years in even-numbered years). http://www.micronora.com/
Standards and norms
- AFNOR Shape memory alloys (AMF) – Vocabulary and measurements - NF A51-080 AFNOR - 1991
Patents
Takagi et al. Pneumatic Actuator for Manipulator, US patent 4,615,260 (1986)
Richard H. Gaylor, Fluid Actuated Motor System and Stroking Device, US patent 2,844,126 (1958).
Thanks
This work was partly funded by the PAI 7/38 MicroMAST network initiated by the Belgian Federal Science Policy (BELSPO), by the ARC Prediction project, and by the Erasmus Mundus EASED program.
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