COMPLIANT MECHANISMS ACTUATED BY SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATORS

Abstract

This paper deals with the specific features of compliant mechanisms and their actuation based on shape memory alloy actuators. Compliant mechanisms have a smaller number of movable joints, resulting reduced wear, reduced need for lubrication, reduced backlash and increased precision. The most important aspects referring to compliant mechanisms are presented in the paper and some actuation methods are emphasized. Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators are realized based on a property of certain materials to recover some previously defined shape or size when subjected to a heating procedure (shape memory effect). The most important issues in SMA actuators design are presented and some results regarding actuation of compliant amplifiers mechanisms are discussed.