MAGNETOSHAPE®

“The Heart of Motion” describes the core of what we do and what we work for. That’s why it’s important to question the “heart” of motion and to take a fundamentally new approach to it. The anchor of an electromagnetic solenoid or the rotor of an electric motor are perhaps the most common, but not always the most ideal solutions for a job.

Magnetic fields lead to strains in magnetic shape memory alloys. This enables drives to be implemented where motion occurs on the interior of the material and tribological interfaces are avoided. We develop innovative drive concepts based on this effect under the name MAGNETOSHAPE®, from the material and actuator to the mechatronic system – always with the aim of creating the technologically best solution in line with our customers.

 

 

Magnetic shape memory technology explained briefly

 

Magnetic Shape Memory technology explained briefly

Magnetic shape memory alloys are ferromagnetic materials that generate force and motion under moderate magnetic fields. The typically single crystalline alloys made from nickel, manganese and gallium are able to generate 6% strain under external loads. And they do this with frequencies into the low kilohertz range.

The magnetic shape memory effect was discovered in the mid-1990s. Over the past few years, ETO has been carrying out intensive research in the area of the magnetic shape memory effect, significantly developing the material further and constructing actuators based on this. Today, ETO’s new MAGNETOSHAPE® is ready for use in initial series applications. Thanks to its unique advantages, the technology has the potential to replace electromagnetic and other actuator technologies in future.

 

 

 

Manufacture of single crystal MAGNETOSHAPE® material

 

PIC12

· The raw materials are melted and alloyed inductively at around 1,400°C

· Large single crystals are drawn using a modified Bridgman process

· The crystals are heat-treated for chemical homogenisation and adjustment of the microstructure

· The crystal orientation is determined using X-ray diffraction

· The crystals are typically cut into cuboid elements

· The elements are configured for the application

 

 

 

Technical data of the MAGNETOSHAPE® material

 

MAGNETOSHAPE ®
Alloy NiMnGa
Field induced strain

6 % under up to 2 N/mm²

Blocking stress Up to 3.5 N/mm²
Switching field 0.6 T
Temperature limits -40 °C – 60 °C
High cycle fatigue 2x109 (material)
Typical element size 1 x 3 x 10 mm³ to 6 x 6 x 30 mm³
Magnetic permeability 2 (hard axis); 50 (easy axis)
Frequency DC to 1 kHz
Switching speed <1 ms (depending on actuator)
MAGNETOSHAPER Materials Technical Data update
 

 

 

The design principles of the MAGNETOSHAPE® actuators

 

MAGNETOSHAPE® spring actuator

· Return springs opposite the MAGNETOSHAPE® element

· Extremely short switching times (~ 1 ms)

· Bistable variant with permanent magnet possible

· Different magnetic circuits dependent on the functionality needed (force, displacement, frequency)

Spring Actuator Picture and Diagram

MAGNETOSHAPE® push-push actuator

· Two MAGNETOSHAPE® actuator units work antagonistically

· Energy-efficient multi-stability

· Intermediate positions are stable without power consumption

· Enables fast and precise position control (< 5 µm)

Push Push Actuator Picture and Diagram

 

 

Benefits of MAGNETOSHAPE® actuators

 

· Energy-efficient

· Offer a high work output at high frequencies

· Enable improved design of the actuator with low tribological wear

· Display extremely fast switching characteristics

· Allow for high service life applications

· Can be designed as bistable or multistable actuators as well as monostable actuators with fail-safe functionality

· Can be thermally activated simultaneously

· Offer self-sensing ability

 

 

Non-actuator applications

 

MAGNETOSHAPE® smart materials can also be used for non-actuator applications. This is enabled by the inverse magnetic and thermal shape memory alloy effect.

· Measurement of position, speed, force, pressure, etc.

· Energy harvesting for wireless energy supply

· Passive and active damping

· Use of specific alloys as high-temperature shape memory alloys (SMA)

· Thinned monocrystalline material (< 30 µm) for microsystem-based applications (actuator, sensor, harvesting)

· Thin-film materials are in development in academia

 

 

Publications

 

2015

· Structural behavior and magnetic properties of a Ni–Mn–Ga single crystal across the martensite/austenite two-phase region

· MSM-Greifer mit stationärer Aktuierung

 

2014

· Over 7% magnetic field-induced strain in a Ni-Mn-Ga five-layered martensite

· Magnetomechanical properties of a high-temperature Ni–Mn–Ga magnetic shape memory actuator material

· High-temperature magnetic shape memory actuation in a Ni–Mn–Ga single crystal

· FEM-Simulation of Magnetic Shape Memory Actuators

· Recent developments in magnetic shape memory actuation

· A modular energy efficient actuator based on magnetic shape memory alloys

· Magnetic Shape Memory Actuators for Fluidic Applications

 

2013

· Structural modification and twinning stress reduction in a high-temperature Ni-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloy

· Failure mechanisms and high-cycle fatigue of MSM actuators

 

2012

· Progress in developing smart magnetic materials for advanced actuator solutions

 

2011

· A Novel Concept for Strain Sensing Based on the Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloy NiMnGa

· Effects of film thickness and composition on the structure and martensitic transition of epitaxial off-stoichiometric Ni–Mn–Ga magnetic shape memory films

 

2010

· Production and characterization of large single crystals made of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys Ni–Mn–Ga

 

 

Useful links

 

· Konsortium smart³ im BMBF - Programm Zwanzig20