6. Actuators

Syllabus Points Covered

Programming mechatronics

Understanding mechatronic hardware and software

• Identify and describe a range of sensors, actuators and end effectors/manipulators within existing mechatronic systems

  • hydraulic actuators

• Use different types of data and understand how it is obtained and processed in a mechatronic system, including diagnostic data and data used for optimisation

• Experiment with software to control interactions and dependencies within mechatronic systems

  • motion constraints

  • degrees of freedom

• Develop wiring diagrams for a mechatronic system, considering data and power supply requirements

Chapter Contents

• 6.1. Overview
  • 6.1.1. Types of Actuators
  • 6.1.2. Motion
  • 6.1.3. Communication and Control
• 6.2. Electric, Hydraulic and Pneumatic Actuators
  • 6.2.1. Electric Actuators
  • 6.2.2. Hydraulic Actuators
  • 6.2.3. Pneumatic Actuators
  • 6.2.4. Electrification of Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
• 6.3. Rotary Actuators
  • 6.3.1. Stepper Motors
  • 6.3.2. Servo Motors
• 6.4. Linear Actuators
  • 6.4.1. Solenoids
  • 6.4.2. Motor-Driven Linear Actuators
  • 6.4.3. Rotary Motion to Linear Motion
• 6.5. Exercise: Actuators
• 6.6. Motion
  • 6.6.1. Constraints
  • 6.6.2. Degrees of Freedom (DOF)
  • 6.6.3. Forward and Inverse Kinematics
• 6.7. Exercise: Motion
• 6.8. Communication and Control of Actuators
  • 6.8.1. Voltage Control
  • 6.8.2. PWM Control
  • 6.8.3. Digital Bus Control
• 6.9. Exercise: Wiring
  • 6.9.1. Instructions
  • 6.9.2. Pre-Watch