Industrialisation investigation for Wavedrives' radical magnetically geared electric actuator

驱动器将能量转化为力和运动，用于移动或控制物体。它们以各种形状和大小存在于几乎每一个机械设备中。现代技术的自动化、特异性和普及性增加了这个已经巨大的全球市场，同时也创造了对更可持续、更轻便和更强大的执行器的需求。例如，能源效率要求正在推动航空航天和汽车行业的电气化;物流和制造在低功率智能设施中实现完全自动化;治疗机器人和假肢之间的区别越来越模糊。然而，由于基本的设计限制，现有的成熟、耗电量大的技术无法发展以应对这些新挑战，这一点越来越明显。为了响应市场需求，WaveDrives开发了一种激进的电动驱动技术，其动机是二十年的商用机器人和动力假肢开发经验。受人体肌肉结构和性能的启发，他们的 **_S_**arcomere **_I_**nspired **_L_** linear **_A_**ctuator（**_SILA）_** 比同类技术更可控和高效，因为其非接触式传输没有由于摩擦而浪费的能量。WaveDrives已经建立了一系列令人印象深刻的合作伙伴，他们正在评估SILA在其产品和系统中的嵌入。早期迹象是积极的，但是 **_SILA_** 是一种先进的原型;由训练有素的工程师耗时制造。提高制造业生产力现在是企业的关键。在这个项目中，WaveDrives和来自布里斯托大学的跨学科团队将联合收割机力量，使SILA制造工业化。我们需要为 **_SILA_** 的新型磁性元件开发新的自动化制造技术，使我们超越仍然是手工装配的SOTA行业。我们还需要了解这些组件的制造公差如何影响致动器性能，并评估相关的新制造方法。项目结果将加速 **_SILA_** 的工业化。其他好处包括在布里斯托大学开辟新的科学研究途径，并为以研究为基础的教育提供信息。该项目将为WaveDrives在英国的第一个制造合作伙伴提供具有竞争力的英国专利技术，以支持该制造商和供应链的长期业务增长。通过采用 **_SILA_** 技术的创新和有竞争力的产品，并为产品用户带来进一步的经济效益，例如创新动力假肢，因此，该项目是将英国打造为“支撑电气化的核心技术制造的全球领导者”（ISCF DER挑战\[[URKI][0]\]）的核心。[0]：https://www.ukri.org/innovation/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/driving-the-electric-revolution/网站

Actuators convert energy into force and movement, for moving or controlling things. They exist in all shapes and sizes within just about every mechanical device. Automation, specificity and pervasiveness of modern technology has increased this already huge global market while also creating a requirement for more sustainable, lightweight and powerful actuators. For example, energy efficiency requirements are driving electrification in aerospace and automotive sectors; logistics and manufacturing are becoming fully automated within low-powered smart facilities; and the distinction between therapeutic robotics and prosthetics is becoming increasingly blurred. However, it is becoming clear that existing mature, power-hungry technologies are not able to evolve to meet these new challenges, due to fundamental design limitations.In response to market need, WaveDrives has developed a radical electric actuation technology, motivated by two decades' experience developing commercial robots and powered prosthetics. Inspired by the structure and performance of human muscle, their **_S_**arcomere **_I_**nspired **_L_**inear **_A_**ctuator(**_SILA)_**, is more controllable and efficient than comparable technologies because its contactless transmission has no energy wasted due to friction. WaveDrives has built up an impressive array of partners who are evaluating the embedding of SILA within their products and systems.Early indications are positive, however **_SILA_** is an advanced prototype; time-consumingly manufactured by highly-trained engineers. Increasing manufacturing productivity is now business critical. In this project, WaveDrives and an interdisciplinary team from the University of Bristol will combine forces to industrialise SILA manufacture. We need to develop new automated manufacturing technology for **_SILA_**'s novel magnetic components, taking us beyond the industry SOTA which is still manual assembly. We also need to understand how manufacturing tolerances in these assemblies affect actuator performance and evaluate relevant new manufacturing methods.Project results will accelerate **_SILA_** industrialisation. Other benefits include seeding new avenues of scientific research and informing research-based education at the University of Bristol. It provides knowhow on automation methods for potential UK exploitation in other high-tech magnetics applications.Specifically, the project will help secure WaveDrives' first UK manufacturing partner(s), providing a UK-patented competitive technology to support long-term business growth for that manufacturer and supply-chain. Further economic benefits would accrue through innovative and competitive products adopting **_SILA_** technology and to product users, e.g. of innovative powered prosthetics, more environmentally sustainable transport and more energy efficient logistics.Thus the project lies at the heart of establishing the UK as"a global leader in the manufacture of core technologies which underpin electrification"(ISCF DER challenge \[[URKI][0]\]).[0]: https://www.ukri.org/innovation/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/driving-the-electric-revolution/