Modular desktop machining center with shape memory actuation

考虑到目前的科学技术知识水平，用于微加工的机床尺寸与被加工工件尺寸之间存在不匹配。当前的机器概念源于缩小传统部件以应对越来越小的部件。该项目的目的是利用智能材料开发创新的直接驱动器。通过消除机床常用传动链的主要部件，可以实现技术和经济上的优势。在第一个资助阶段开发的模块化形状记忆执行器可以实现几微米的精确位移，并且可以组合到尺寸小于半米的机床上。由于驱动器的模块化结构，可以经济地制造和维护组件。在第二个供资期间，将根据以前的调查结果进一步发展这些活动，并将列入新的职能。重点在于配置机床的不同模块，以获得更高的灵活性。通过选择合适的部件，机器可以完全定制，以适应手头的加工任务。形状记忆致动器控制的进一步发展将增加可生产零件的范围。此外，额外的模块将被添加，以允许更多的自由度在制造复杂的结构。在项目结束时，所有模块将包含在原型中，以验证技术和经济优势。

Considering the current state of scientific and technical knowledge, there is mismatch between size of machine tools used for micro manufacturing and size of the manufactured work pieces. Current machine concepts are derived from scaling conventional components down to cope with increasingly small parts. The aim of this project is to develop innovative direct drives with smart materials. Through the elimination of major parts of the usual drive chain for machine tools, technical and economic advantages can be achieved. The modular shape memory actuators developed in the first funding period can accomplish precise displacements of a few micrometers and can be combined to a machine tool with dimensions of less than half a meter. Because of the drives modular structure, the components can be manufactured and maintained economically. During the second funding period, these drives will be developed further based on the previous findings and new functions will be included. The focus lies on configuring a machine tool out of different modules to gain an improved flexibility. Through choosing suitable components, the machine can be fully customized to fit the machining task at hand. Further developments in the control of shape memory actuators will increase the spectrum of parts which can be produced. Furthermore, extra modules will be added to allow for more degrees of freedom during the manufacturing of complex structures. At the end of the project, all modules will be included in a prototype to validate technical and economic advantages.