Nitinol 'muscle wire' actuators catching on
20 November 2002
Interconnection
Autosplice has become a leading innovator in the design and assembly of 'muscle wire' applications using nickel titanium (nitinol) materials that can be effectively used as simple, low-mass, low-power, low-cost alternatives to larger and more costly conventional solenoid assemblies.
Nitinol is a family of intermetallic materials that contain a nearly equal mixture of nickel and titanium, with other elements often added to adjust or 'tune' the material properties. Nitinol exhibits a combination of unique characteristics including 'shape memory' and 'superelasticity' that enable nitinol assemblies to flex like muscles when electrically driven, dynamically changing their internal structure at certain temperatures and then returning to their original shape when the current flow is ceased. Autosplice has quickly moved to the forefront when it comes to attaching nitinol muscle wire to PCB assemblies.
Because of its light-weight, low-cost and simplicity, nitinol muscle wire is rapidly gaining attention as a cost-effective alternative to other physical triggering devices such as solenoids that require more space, power and design complexity. Muscle wire has significant advantages for creating miniaturised assemblies because the Autosplice method allows the actuator wire to be attached directly to a PCB with a minimal use of PCB real estate.
See www.autosplice.com
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