How Actuators and Actuation technology works ?

Actuators and actuating technology

Actuators: An actuator turns a control signal into mechanical action such as an electric motor. Actuators may be based on hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, thermal or mechanical means, but are increasingly being driven by software. An actuator ties a control system to its environment.

  

Actuating technology: Technology that can be used for the actuators materials

1. Electric:   is a system of electric wiring that is able to produce electricity; Electric actuators are the perfect solution when you need simple, safe and clean movement with accurate and smooth motion control.

2. Fluidic: an actuator function for operation of pressure flows and actuating fluids.

3: Thermal: Thermal actuators are mechanical systems that use the thermally induced expansion and contraction of materials as a mechanism for the creation of motion on devices.

4. Mechanical actuators: Transform any form of energy into mechanical energy.

5. MEMS sensors and actuators: part of device that translate a large amount of deflection of device, means that it works as a micromechanical devices by generating motion with thermal expansion  amplification

6. Hydraulic: a device for shifting the control members of a hydraulic actuating mechanism, with simultaneous power amplification of the controlling action. Commonly used types of hydraulic actuators are those employing a throttling control or a jet control.

7. Pneumatic: control valve actuator converts energy (typically in the form of compressed air) into mechanical motion. The motion can be rotary or linear, depending on the type of actuator.

8. Magnetic actuators: Transform any form of energy into magnetic field energy

9. Actuator performance criteria: design of implantable sensor and actuator systems strongly depends on the sensor/actuator modality, the desired measurement range and the envisioned lifetime of the implant