Investigation on actuation and thermo-mechanical behavior of shape memory alloy spring by comparing On/off and PID controller for precise position control

Abstract

In this paper, PID controller is proposed to design in such a way that it can be able to control the input voltage as well as power to any load or electrical device not only manually i.e. through the computer but also automatically i.e. based on displacement. To evaluate the controller, an experimental set-up has been designed for investigating the thermo mechanical behavior of equiatomic Nitinol spring. Parameters such as load and position was varied and studied using a developed set up equipped with laser displacement sensor, programmable power supply and thermocouple connected to data logger. The control was superior while using PID controller for loads of 2.5 N and 3.5 N. Position control of 15 mm and optimum voltage of 3 V (4.073 A) was best suited with designed controller for more displacement PID controller is best. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2016.