Compact, efficient and controllable moving iron actuation chain for industrial application

In the field of aeronautics, some parts of aircraft engines are tricky and costly to manufacture. In the low pressure turbine very thin pieces obtained by turning require a complex support. The R&D work performed here aims at improving the manufacturing process through the reduction of vibrations and active modification of the clamping conditions. For that purpose, Cedrat Technologies has designed a new innovative Moving Iron Controllable Actuator (MICA), which is embedded on the work-piece support. In the first part, the application goals and the main particularities of the developed MICA200M magnetic actuator are presented. To be easily driven in closed loop, the force is designed to be linear with the current and independent from the interface position. The MICA200M stroke is ±2.5mm and its force constant reaches 11.6N/A for a current range of ±15A in steady state. The nominal force of 174N for only 1 dm3 size and 3.2kg facilitates the integration and allows acceleration up to 132G in transient operation thanks to reduced 0.25kg mobile mass. In the second part, results of complete experimental characterisation are detailed. Finally, a comparison analysis is done with COTS voice coil actuators and the article concludes with the benefits of the MICA200M.