MA4-Actuators for Precision Engineering
Dr. David L. Trumper (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Dr. Lei Zhou (University of Wisconsin – Madison)
Monday, October 26, 2026 (1:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
This tutorial presents engineering principles for understanding the use of actuators and sensors in precision systems, as well as how to interconnect these devices with supporting electronics. The topics covered include: actuator principles, scaling laws, and physical limits; sensor principles and performance; linear and rotary motors, brushless DC motors and commutation, stepper motors, induction motors; linear- and switching-type amplifiers; when to use linear amplifiers; noise control via proper switching amplifier interfacing; low-level amplifiers, differential amplifiers, grounding and shielding; and the effect of mechanical design choices on system performance.
Details of brushless motors operation, commutation, and control are presented in detail. Case studies provide context. The tutorial is intended for practicing engineers responsible for actuation, sensing, and control in precision mechatronic systems.
Dr. David L. Trumper joined the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering in August 1993, and holds the rank of Professor. He received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, in 1980, 1984, and 1990, respectively. Following the Bachelor’s degree, Professor Trumper worked two years for the Hewlett-Packard Co. After finishing the Master’s degree, he worked for two years for the Waters Chromatography Division of Millipore. Upon completing the Ph.D. degree, for three years he was an Assistant Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, working with Prof. Bob Hocken in the precision engineering group during the start-up of that program.
Dr. Trumper’s research centers on the design of precision mechatronic systems, with a focus on the design of novel mechanisms, actuators, sensors, and control systems. He has conducted research in topics including precision motion control, high-performance manufacturing equipment, novel measurement instruments, biomedical and bioinstrumentation devices, and high-precision magnetic suspensions and bearings.
Dr. Trumper has been a member of ASPE since 1991, and has previously served two times on the board of directors, as the Mechatronics and Controls TLC chair, and as ASPE President. He has also been co-chair of a series of six topical meetings on the Control of Mechatronic Systems, with the most recent meeting held in virtual format in May, 2020.
Dr. Lei Zhou is an Assistant Professor jointed appointed in the ME and ECE departments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and serves as an Associate Director of the Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC). She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2019 under the supervision of Prof. David Trumper. Her research interests include the design and control of high-performance electromechanical systems, magnetically levitated positioning systems, actuators for robots, and electric machines for transportation electrification.