• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.541-558
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• 2014

This paper proposes a new design of shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuated gripper for open mode operation. SMA can generate smooth muscle movements during actuation which make them potentially good contenders in designing grippers. The principle of the shape memory alloy gripper is to convert the linear displacement of the SMA wire actuator into the angular displacement of the gripping jaw. Steady state analysis is performed to design the wire diameter of the bias spring for a known SMA wire. The gripper is designed to open about an angle of $22.5^{\circ}$ when actuated using pulsating electric current from a constant current source. The safe operating power range of the gripper is determined and verified theoretically. Experimental evaluation for the uncontrolled gripper showed a rotation of $19.97^{\circ}$. Forced cooling techniques were employed to speed up the cooling process. The gripper is simple and robust in design (single movable jaw), easy to fabricate, low cost, and exhibits wide handling capabilities like longer object handling time and handling wide sizes of objects with minimum utilization of power since power is required only to grasp and release operations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.391-395
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• 1996

This paper presents a robust force tracking control of a small-sized SMA gripper with two fingers using shape memory alloy(SMA) actuators. The mathematical governing equation of the proposed system is derived by Hamilton's principle and Lagrangian equation and then, the control system model is integrated with the first-order actuator dynamics. Uncertain system parameters such as time constant of the actuators are also included in the control model. A robust two degree of freedom(TDF) controller using H$_{\infty}$ control theory, which has inherent robustness to model uncertainties and external disturbances, is adopted to achieve end-point force tracking control of the two-finger gripper. Force tracking control performances for desired trajectories represented by sinusoidal and step functions are evaluated by undertaking both simulation and experimental works.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.675-676
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• 2007