Kick and Catch – cooperative micro-actuators for freely moving platforms

The aim of this research project is to develop new types of microactuators that are freely movable rather than mounted on bearings. They should also save energy, offer long travel distances and be fast. To make this possible, different types of actuators must co-operate with each other. To enable high speeds and large deflections, the mass should be subjected to a sudden impact (kick) and enter a free-flight phase. This mass is then caught in a defined end position (catch).

The Research Group for Modelling and Simulation of Mechatronic Systems, led by Prof. Bechtold, contributes its expertise in computer simulation and model order reduction. Computer simulations enable predictions to be made about the behaviour of complex micro-actuators, thereby reducing development costs as fewer expensive prototypes are required.