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From: rbgorbet@kingcong.uwaterloo.ca (Rob Gorbet)
Subject: SMA response frequency (was Re: Synthetic Muscles)
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Date: Wed, 19 Apr 1995 19:39:26 GMT
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Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu comp.robotics:19957 sci.materials:9797

In article <3n19f6$736@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, stel00001@aol.com (STel 00001) writes:
> -- Just my two cents worth...
> That last paragraph I believe is closest to what you want, if a metal will
> do vs. a plastic. Nickel Titanium Alloy (NiTinAl) contracts to one tenth
> its original length when a current is applied across such a wire.  Its
> pulling force is very good.  They are available in various lengths and
> diameters from a company that mail-orders these products.  They are also
> called "muscle wires".  The company also supplies piston-like devices with
> the wire built into them.  I found this technology to be quite an exciting
> and fresh approach to the direction of robotic applications.
> The company advertises in Electronics Now magazine under the heading
> "Motorless Motion".  The kit form includes a booklet of applications, some
> similar to yours.  Check it out, and good luck.

original article from comp.robotics, this is the first cross-posting to sci.mat

I've been investigating SMA wire behaviour (specifically NiTi) for some years now,
as my MASc in roboics and now my PhD, looking at modelling and stability.  One of
the main problems in the litterature is their low cycle rate, due to the 
requirement of cooling the wire from 100 degrees C (or so) to room temperature
in every cycle.

Does anyone out there work with a lot (any) of these kits from suppliers like
MondoTronics?  Would people be willing to post the highest frequency of 
repetative motion they've achieved, and the application?

Thanks!
Rob Gorbet,
PhD Candidate,
University of Waterloo,
CANADA
