DIS/CREADIS

ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS

ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS – ELEVATING LUXURY CAR COMFORT

Actuator Solutions GmbH is a German joint venture between SAES GETTERS and Präzision SE and is the largest manufacturer of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators for the automotive industry, mobile units, and the pharmaceutical industry. SMA is a group of high-tech materials that can be turned into pre-defined shapes when heated. Actuator Solutions utilize the special features of SMA to develop innovative, compact, energy-saving, and low-noise lightweight actuators for microfluidic and micro-optical drives for all relevant industries. Actuator Solutions have been working with DIS/CREADIS since 2012 to develop different actuators for the automotive industry and for mobile units.

Challenges

One of Actuator Solutions projects was the mechanical design and development of a valve used for a massage function in luxury car seats. The massage function is controlled by many small valves in the seat backrest. These valves regulate the cyclic ventilation in the pneumatic lifting elements in a pattern so that the driver experiences the highest possible comfort while driving. As the massage function requires many valves, it is advantageous to use compact, lightweight SMA valves compared to conventional valves. However, developing such a valve required SMA technology expertise and insight into Actuator Solutions' requirements. Actuator Solutions needed to find an engineering consulting partner with this knowledge and expertise to assist on the project.

Solution

Actuator Solutions and DIS/CREADIS worked together to develop a mechanical design and development plan for the valve. DIS/CREADIS utilized their expertise in SMA technology to create a compact, lightweight, and energy-saving valve that met Actuator Solutions' requirements. The collaboration between Actuator Solutions and DIS/CREADIS led to the seamless integration of the valve into the massage function.

Benefits

The collaboration between Actuator Solutions and DIS/CREADIS resulted in several benefits. The compact and lightweight SMA valves allowed for a reduction in weight and the energy consumption of the car, which is a crucial factor in the automotive industry. Additionally, the use of SMA valves provided Actuator Solutions with a competitive advantage in the SMA actuator market. The seamless integration of the valve into the massage function also resulted in a high level of comfort for the driver, enhancing the luxury experience of the car.

Why DIS/CREADIS

Actuator Solutions’ collaboration with DIS/CREADIS demonstrates the advantages of working with a partner who has expertise in a specific area. DIS/CREADIS’ knowledge of SMA technology and Actuator Solutions’ requirements enabled the development of innovative and high-quality actuators for the automotive industry and mobile units. Additionally, DIS/CREADIS’ experience in mechanical design and development provided Actuator Solutions with a reliable partner for further product development projects.

We have worked with DIS/CREADIS for several years and the advantage for us is that we have a partner who knows the SMA technology, and who knows how we at Actuator Solutions wish to implement it in our products, so that we can keep our leading position in the market for SMA actuators”, says Markus Köpfer, CEO at Actuator Solutions GmbH.

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