What IS a Miga
motor?
A Miga motor is a brand new type of electrically powered actuator, that can be used to replace old-fashioned motors and solenoids in many applications. Miga motors are small and lightweight... and very powerful.
How powerful are they?
As you can see in the movie (here), a DM01 actuator weighing only 0.7 ounces can easily heft a 7 pound bowling ball; almost 160 times it's own weight. That's the equivalent of a 200 pound man lifting 32-thousand pounds: the weight of a loaded cement truck!
What provides the motion/force?
Miga motors harness the power of Nickel-Titanium wires that contract when they are heated with electrical current. Because these special wires remember their original shape, they are called Shape Memory Alloy, or SMA wires.
Why should I use this motor instead of a solenoid?
Solenoids (and, in fact, every other motor in the world) are much heavier than Miga motors for comparable force output. Solenoids are also ON/OFF devices, and do not have speed, force, or position control; all of which are possible with Miga motors. Miga motors also produce a constant force throughout the entire stroke, while the output force of a solenoid drops dramatically after the first 10% of motion.
Why should I use a Miga motor instead of an electric motor?
Motors are, by design, rotary devices. Translating rotation into linear motion is less efficient than the direct linear motion provided by Miga motors, and also requires gearboxes and linkages. Miga motors are linear by design and most appropriate for linear motion. [Download a PDF comparison chart of motion solutions here.]
What applications are appropriate for Miga motors?
Any application where compact, silent, non-magnetic, electrically driven, high force, linear motion is desired. These applications would include robotics, scientific and laboratory instruments, home and office automation, hobby, automotive, medical, and aerospace.
How long do they take to actuate?
The DM01-10 actuates in roughly one second when powered with 9 volts. With higher voltages they can operate much more quickly. By controlling the power applied to a Miga motor, the actuation can be carefully tuned to many specific applications.
How do I operate the device?
Connect a battery or power supply capable of supplying several amps (see data sheet) between the actuator ground (black wire) and power line (red wire). It is safest to start with low voltages, and increase the voltage to a level appropriate for the desired speed. Voltages above 12V are capable of damaging (overheating) the wire, so limit switches or other power cutoff circuitry must be used. Miga is working on a miniature, micro-controller-based, integrated controller module that will safely power our actuators. We will add the controller to our site as soon as it becomes commercially available.
Can I use AC power?
Yes. Either AC or DC power can be used.
Are there stray magnetic fields?
No. Components in the DM01 are non-magnetic, and are even compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) applications (special orders are required to ensure degaussing, since 300-series stainless steel is used in the DM01).
Can these be used in high vacuum or high cleanliness applications?
Yes. Miga motors are constructed entirely out of high strength engineering thermoplastics and stainless steel. Unlike motors or solenoids, no lubricants or greases are used. (Special orders are required to ensure only vacuum approved adhesives are used.)
How long will they last?
All of our devices are designed for more than 100,000 cycles. When used properly, they will provide millions of cycles of operation.
Do the devices make noise when actuated, the way motors or solenoids do?
No. An SMA phase transition powers the device, and occurs without any sound. Compared to "whirring" motors or "clunking" solenoids, Miga actuators are totally silent: perfect for applications where quiet operation is desired.
What temperature range can the devices withstand?
The SMA phase transition begins at roughly 75˚C (167˚F), then needs to cool below roughly 60˚C (140˚F) to return fully to the un-powered position. They can operate below -20˚C (-4˚F).
Would Miga build custom actuators for my application?
Yes. Miga owns the patents for these devices, and has a staff of highly experienced engineers. Special products could include: different stroke and force outputs, custom mounting configurations, body materials, colors, and logos, custom output shaft features, vacuum compatibility, etc. Please contact us for additional information.
A Miga motor is a brand new type of electrically powered actuator, that can be used to replace old-fashioned motors and solenoids in many applications. Miga motors are small and lightweight... and very powerful.
How powerful are they?
As you can see in the movie (here), a DM01 actuator weighing only 0.7 ounces can easily heft a 7 pound bowling ball; almost 160 times it's own weight. That's the equivalent of a 200 pound man lifting 32-thousand pounds: the weight of a loaded cement truck!
What provides the motion/force?
Miga motors harness the power of Nickel-Titanium wires that contract when they are heated with electrical current. Because these special wires remember their original shape, they are called Shape Memory Alloy, or SMA wires.
Why should I use this motor instead of a solenoid?
Solenoids (and, in fact, every other motor in the world) are much heavier than Miga motors for comparable force output. Solenoids are also ON/OFF devices, and do not have speed, force, or position control; all of which are possible with Miga motors. Miga motors also produce a constant force throughout the entire stroke, while the output force of a solenoid drops dramatically after the first 10% of motion.
Why should I use a Miga motor instead of an electric motor?
Motors are, by design, rotary devices. Translating rotation into linear motion is less efficient than the direct linear motion provided by Miga motors, and also requires gearboxes and linkages. Miga motors are linear by design and most appropriate for linear motion. [Download a PDF comparison chart of motion solutions here.]
What applications are appropriate for Miga motors?
Any application where compact, silent, non-magnetic, electrically driven, high force, linear motion is desired. These applications would include robotics, scientific and laboratory instruments, home and office automation, hobby, automotive, medical, and aerospace.
How long do they take to actuate?
The DM01-10 actuates in roughly one second when powered with 9 volts. With higher voltages they can operate much more quickly. By controlling the power applied to a Miga motor, the actuation can be carefully tuned to many specific applications.
How do I operate the device?
Connect a battery or power supply capable of supplying several amps (see data sheet) between the actuator ground (black wire) and power line (red wire). It is safest to start with low voltages, and increase the voltage to a level appropriate for the desired speed. Voltages above 12V are capable of damaging (overheating) the wire, so limit switches or other power cutoff circuitry must be used. Miga is working on a miniature, micro-controller-based, integrated controller module that will safely power our actuators. We will add the controller to our site as soon as it becomes commercially available.
Can I use AC power?
Yes. Either AC or DC power can be used.
Are there stray magnetic fields?
No. Components in the DM01 are non-magnetic, and are even compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) applications (special orders are required to ensure degaussing, since 300-series stainless steel is used in the DM01).
Can these be used in high vacuum or high cleanliness applications?
Yes. Miga motors are constructed entirely out of high strength engineering thermoplastics and stainless steel. Unlike motors or solenoids, no lubricants or greases are used. (Special orders are required to ensure only vacuum approved adhesives are used.)
How long will they last?
All of our devices are designed for more than 100,000 cycles. When used properly, they will provide millions of cycles of operation.
Do the devices make noise when actuated, the way motors or solenoids do?
No. An SMA phase transition powers the device, and occurs without any sound. Compared to "whirring" motors or "clunking" solenoids, Miga actuators are totally silent: perfect for applications where quiet operation is desired.
What temperature range can the devices withstand?
The SMA phase transition begins at roughly 75˚C (167˚F), then needs to cool below roughly 60˚C (140˚F) to return fully to the un-powered position. They can operate below -20˚C (-4˚F).
Would Miga build custom actuators for my application?
Yes. Miga owns the patents for these devices, and has a staff of highly experienced engineers. Special products could include: different stroke and force outputs, custom mounting configurations, body materials, colors, and logos, custom output shaft features, vacuum compatibility, etc. Please contact us for additional information.
Actuator: A device that produces mechanical motion by converting various forms of energy into rotational or linear mechanical energy.
SMA: Shape Memory Alloy: in our case, a wire of NiTi.
NiTi: Nickel-Titanium, what our SMA wires are made from.
DM: Displacement MultiplicationTM, Miga's patented technology that provides long strokes in small devices.
DC: Direct Current
AC: Alternating Current
"Give me where to stand, and I shall move the earth."
-Archimedes 247 B.C.