Precision Actuators

Aims

The Section on Precision Actuators publishes original research and review articles dedicated to advancing the state of the art in high-accuracy positioning, motion control, and micro/mini-actuation. It aims to advance the design, demonstration, characterization, and performance evaluation of those systems by showcasing novel modeling, design, materials, and control techniques including those aimed to achieve precise actuation under conditions of strong nonlinearity and hysteresis. The Section highlights research on micro and sub-micro resolution actuation with applications spanning fields from medical to automated inspection and aerospace.

Scope

Topics addressed in this Section include:

• Precision actuation systems for:
  • Precision machining, such as ultra-precise CNC milling or laser cutting heads;
  • Semi-conductor lithography, such as nanometer wafer placement and orientation;
  • Automated fiber placement and advanced composite manufacturing;
  • Active vibration suppression and control, especially high frequency disturbance rejection;
  • Robotics including medical robotics or micro-injection needles;
  • Physical AI actuators;
  • Aerospace applications, such as active mirror deformation, satellite thruster pointing, and advanced gimbal systems for space navigation.

• Core actuation technologies to achieve high precision including, but are not limited to:
  • Electrostatic actuators;
  • Electromagnetic actuators: voice coil or levitation systems;
  • Piezoelectric or ferroelectric actuators;
  • Magnetostrictive and dielectric (electrostrictive) actuators;
  • Shape memory alloy or polymer actuators.

• Core metrology and sensors to achieve precise actuation:
  • Capacitive sensors;
  • Optical methods such as laser interferometers or optical encoders.

• Control methodologies to achieve high precision:
  • Advanced control linear and nonlinear control methodologies;
  • Compensation of hysteresis, multivaluedness, and other nonlinear effects;
  • Compensation for high-frequency noise from environmental sources;
  • Thermal management to compensate for heat or solar-induced positioning error.