6-Actuators for Precision Engineering (Half-Day, In-person)
Dr. David L. Trumper (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Dr. Lei Zhou (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Monday, November 4, 2024 (8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon)
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. Case studies provide context. The tutorial is intended for practicing engineers responsible for actuation, sensing, and control in precision mechatronic systems.
About the Instructors
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. Professor Trumper’s research centers on the design of precision mechatronic systems, in topics including precision motion control, high-performance manufacturing equipment, novel measurement instruments, biomedical and bioinstrumentation devices, and high-precision magnetic suspensions and bearings. He is a member of the IEEE, ASME, and ASPE (past-President).
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.