01
What We Do
Shape memory alloy wires (SMA) produce motion with the highest force-to-weight ratio of any known actuator. But they can be difficult to control. Our expertise is in getting the wire to perform as desired.
02
Our Approach
SMA wire is ideal for electrical actuation because it is ‘resistive.’ That is, it obeys Ohm’s law: V=I*R. But how long does it take to actuate at a given voltage? How much power do I need to provide, and for how long? How long can I energize the wire so that it contracts fully, but does not overheat? We know the answers.
Our Mission
Common SMA Questions
How much current will it draw if my application requires a 9-volt battery, and I need 0.2″ of stroke with 1 pound of force?
What wire diameter, length, and voltage do I need to provide 0.125″ of stroke in 0.150 seconds, and to be ready to actuate again in 5 seconds?
How many cycles will I get from a 3.7 volt 200mA-hr lithium-ion cell?
How will my SMA actuator perform in low ambient temperature conditions? Does it require more time to energize?
I don’t need a million cycles, so how much force can I get out of my actuator if I only need it to operate 100 times?
Answer
Given a desired stroke and force, or desired operating speed or voltage, we can predict all other aspects of the actuation.
Some type of stroke or force amplifying leverage may be suggested if hard requirements exist for one or the other design parameters.
In other cases, longer wire sections may be required to meet speed or voltage requirements.
There are complex space and volume constraints for every actuator design, in addition to the more common force, stroke, or voltage requirements.
Our Offices
Indianapolis, IN USA
Portland, OR USA
Contact Us
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Office Hours
Mon-Sat: 8am - 5pm
Sun: Closed