We propose a three-DOF magnetostrictive micro actuator using Iron-Gallium alloy (Galfenol). The actuator consists of two parallel beam structure having a Galfenol core, located at either end of a Galfenol rod of 1 mm square cross-section and length 11 mm, with two orthogonal ditches cut down it of width 0.3 mm. Around the resulting prongs are wound, and the prongs are bonded to an iron end cap to close the magnetic circuit. When current is passed through a coil wound round one of the orthogonal parallel beams, the resulting magnetostriction enables the actuator to bend in two directions. In addition, longitudinal displacement with high frequency bandwidth can be generated by excitation of two or of all four coils. Maximum displacements were observed of 8 to 10 μm in bending and 2.2 μm in the longitudinal direction. This actuator is potentially applicable in machining (drilling), positioning, and in a micro-motor using wobbling or translational motion when powered by a small power supply.

Date Published: 2 April 2008
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 6929, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional and Composite Materials 2008, 692921 (2 April 2008); doi: 10.1117/12.775921

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6929:
Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional and Composite Materials 2008
Marcelo J. Dapino; Zoubeida Ounaies, Editor(s)