Design, Development and Validation of a Rig to Test SMA Actuators

Abstract

In this paper, design, development and validation of a test rig to characterise shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators is presented. Sensors for measurement of strain, force and temperature were selected and calibrated. The test rig used a CCD (charge coupled device) based laser displacement sensor to accurately measure strain. An enclosure was also developed for isolating actuators from the ambient air currents. Laboratory Virtual Instrument Workbench (LabVIEW) software was used to actuate the wire actuators and record the test data. To validate the rig, two Nickel-Titanium based SMA actuators 0.2 mm in diameter were tested. The results of those tests were found compatible with the data sheet provided by the manufacturer