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From the Test Benches to the First Prototype of the muFly Micro Helicopter
19 June 2023
The goal of the European project muFly is to build a fully autonomous micro helicopter, which is comparable to a small bird in size and mass. The rigorous size and mass constraints infer various problems related to energy efficiency, flight stability and overall system design. In this research, aerodynamics and flight dynamics are investigated experimentally to gather information for the design of the helicopter’s propulsion group and steering system. Several test benches are designed and built for these investigations
FSPA and BSMA Nanometric positioning actuators for ground and space applications
19 June 2023
Many applications and more specifically space projects show need for a stable sub-micrometre positioning actuator. In order to meet this need, Cedrat Technologies has designed the new FSPA brand. This linear stepping actuator offers sub-micrometric positioning resolution along 5mm stroke combined with high actuation force (>100N) and the ability to hold its position without power.
The IASI-NG instrument is one of the key payload on-board METOP-SG which is a new meteorological satellite for Europe. The instrument is based on a Mertz interferometer and requires a very precise positioning of an optical blade used to separate the interferometer’s branches. A dedicated version of the FSPA, the Beam Splitter Mechanisms Actuator (BSMA) is then developed to achieve this nanometric positioning which is a key parameter for the overall instrument performance.
This paper firsts present the internals of both FSPA and BSMA actuators. Major design differences and their respective impact on the resulting performances are detailed. Results from the acceptance and qualification test campaigns are also presented.
Giant dynamic strains in magnetostrictive actuators and transducers
19 June 2023
Magnetostriction occurs in the most ferromagnetic materials and leads to many effects [1,2]. The most useful one to refer to is the Joule effect. It is responsible for the expansion (positive magnetostriction) or the contraction (negative) of a rod subjected to a longitudinal static magnetic field. In a given material, this magnetostrain is quadratic and occurs always in the same direction whatever is the field direction. Giant Magnetostrictive Materials (GMM), especially Rare earth-iron discovered by A.E.Clark [3], feature magnetostrains which are two orders of magnitude larger than Nickel. Among them, bulk Tb0.3Dy0.7Fe1.9, called Terfenol-D, presents the best compromise between a large magnetostrain and a low magnetic field, at room temperature.
Driving control electronics piezoelectric actuators space applications
19 June 2023
Piezoelectric mechanisms are more and more used in space applications requiring precise positioning functions for scientific payloads or optical functions. Indeed, piezoelectric actuators are generally deemed of being good candidates for driving and control compact mechanisms.
Dynamic strain limits of Amplified Piezo Actuators
19 June 2023
It is well known that the Amplified Piezo Actuators (APA) offer large strains in static conditions and at resonance. Because many applications as shakers, anti-vibration and motors would benefit also of large dynamic strain below resonance, the maximum strain of the APA has been theoretically and experimentally investigated in this wide frequency range. The tested actuator is the APA30uXS currently used in the SPA30uXS new inertial micro piezo motor.
Eddy current sensors on Printed Circuit Board for compact mechatronic application
19 June 2023
In a contact of always smaller and smarter mechatronics devices, the needs of more integrated sensors becomes critical. Particularly, small mechanisms using small actuators like piezo actuators require compact sensors, with performances that measure up to the actuators characteristics.
