Resources
Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) for Device Actuation:
Reasons for SMA wire actuation:
- • Increased robustness:
- o Solid-state, capable of 10k to 10M cycles
- •Reduced form factors:
- o Light, small & high energy densities
- o Overall fewer moving parts compared to: gear boxes/solenoids/motors/etc.
- • Reduced design complexity:
- o Linear actuation force
- o Constant actuation force over the whole cycle
- o Potential for closed-loop position control without additional sensors.
Applications for SMA Actuation:
- • Wearable-pumps
- • Tremor-dampening
- • Any wearable/portable device that requires small form factor actuators
Reasons for SMA wire actuation:
- • Engineers with experience in application of SMA wire actuators in medical devices.
- • Best-in-class, proprietary wire response model
Best-in-Class Model for SMA Wire Response:
FPrin’s new, proprietary model for SMA wire actuators
outperforms other models – particularly in
partial-transformation. This tool, combined with experienced
engineering talent, can make designing SMA actuators into
your medical devices much more predictable resulting in a
design that WILL work.
Shape Memory Alloys for Device Actuation (Video 1)
Shape Memory Alloys for Device Actuation (Video 2)
Shape Memory Alloys for Device Actuation (Video 3)
Iterating to Success: A First Principles Design Methodology
There is a spectrum of product development methodologies with two in particular that we would like to compare and contrast: Design By Analogy (DBA); and Knowledge Driven Product Development (KDPD). DBA is a “feel good” approach that satisfies one of the very basic tenets of good engineering, namely “don’t reinvent the wheel”. This also satisfies the sense of urgency that that goes with one of the three basic constraints on all development projects: schedule; budget; performance.
The comfort level with DBA seems to increase with the experience level of the development team. More experienced teams are often totally at ease with experiential learning and more inclined to rely on that experience. Similarly, the less in touch they are with their hard-earned engineering skills the more intimidating is a data-driven, analytical, process.
FPrin’s Proprietary Visual Measurement System
In science and engineering, the ability to measure motion of an object with precision and accuracy is often one of the most important steps in evaluating the performance of a device or system. Measurement systems that achieve the level of accuracy required can be difficult and expensive to implement in scenarios where observed systems are small, and often cannot accommodate a separate measurement system. Additionally, introducing a measurement system can disrupt or alter the physical behavior of the observed system, leading to inaccurate results. In this video, we discuss a Visual Measurement System (VMS) capable of measuring the position of multiple points in a 2-dimensional plane. We will also discuss verification of the Visual Measurement System by evaluating an example mechanical system.
White Paper: SAVI: Synchronous Advanced Visualization For Simulation Results
SAVI: a new way to easily, quickly and visually present your FEA modeling data to both technical and non-technical audiences. Please view the video below.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools are widely used to predict structural responses to mechanical and thermal loads in all types of consumer products, and many excellent commercial packages exist for this purpose.
White Paper: Evaluation of Energy Storage Methods in Auto-Injectors
Abstract: The specific potential energy of energy storage media is a crucial property when considering a power source for portable devices. Several methods of energy storage are evaluated in this whitepaper using a First Principles modeling approach. Two-phase Liquid vapor equilibrium (LVE) systems are of particular interest due to their near-constant vapor pressure, potential for compact storage, and low storage pressure.
First Principles: Elon Musk on the Power of Thinking for Yourself
First principles thinking, which is sometimes called reasoning from first principles, is one of the most effective strategies you can employ for breaking down complicated problems and generating original solutions.
The First Principles Method Explained by Elon Musk
The benefit of "first principles" thinking? It allows you to innovate in clear leaps, rather than building small improvements onto something that already exists
Elon Musk says he owes his success to a 3-step problem-solving trick used by Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla
It's easy to link Elon Musk's rapid success, ability to solve unsolvable problems, and genius-level creativity to his incredible work ethic.
