Fundamentals of Mechatronic Actuators

When an electronic system must manipulate a mechanical component, an actuator is necessary. Because of constraints on cost and complexity, the vast majority of these actuators consist of a rotary drive connected to an armature. Understanding the various types of available actuators, as well as the differences between them, is key to making informed design decisions. Each lab in this manual begins with an overview of the basics of interfacing and commanding the most common mechatronic actuators. Students then investigate the essential decisions and comparisons made in mechatronics to gain insight and intuition into the design process.