Abstract
Three innovative micro actuator concepts on the basis of the differential SMA principle are presented in this paper: a high adaptive multi-actuator system, which is driven by numerous identical single actuators connected in parallel and in series, a micro gripper for handling and assembling of complex hybrid micro systems and a micro actuator system in medical tools for the percutaneous resection of aortic valves. The SMA material is used in the form of 50 μm thin NiTi foils because of their well-defined properties and high strength. In order to integrate them into micro systems, different manufacturing methods have been applied and improved at the Institute for Microtechnology. Laser cutting and wet chemical etching are used for example to microstructure the actuator elements. Different methods for electrical and mechanical connections of the actuators are employed like soldering by the use of an additional gold layer. A batch fabrication process of SMA actuators is realized by embedding NiTi foil elements into SU-8 structures. To optimize the design of SMA actuator elements according to its application different simulation procedures are used.
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Acknowledgments
This work was funded by the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” (DFG) within the scope of the research project “multi actuator systems on the basis of shape memory alloys”, contract number Bu 340/15 and the SFB 516 “Design and production of active microsystems”. The development of the micro actuator system for the percutaneous resection of aortic valves is funded by the “Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung” (BMBF), contract number W3014.
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Leester-Schädel, M., Hoxhold, B., Lesche, C. et al. Micro actuators on the basis of thin SMA foils. Microsyst Technol 14, 697–704 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-008-0600-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-008-0600-9