Shape Memory Alloys Achieve High Force and Precision

  • Magazine Article
  • TBMG-29019
Published June 01, 2018 by Tech Briefs Media Group in United States
Language:
  • English

With very little fanfare, a special class of alloys has been finding its way into our daily lives. From indestructible eyewear, to smartphone cameras, to coronary stents, this material is being used in a diverse range of applications. From simple beginnings in a Naval ordnance lab, the commercial and scientific uses of shape memory alloys (SMAs) are numerous, yet many engineers and designers remain unsure of how to utilize SMAs. This article explores the use of SMAs in an electric linear actuator. With an understanding of the actuator’s construction, operating principles, and capabilities, the suitability of SMAs for a particular application can be considered.