Design and characterization of a digital actuators array with a structured plate for conveyance application

This paper presents a planar conveyance device based on a digital actuators array and a structured mobile plate. The actuators array is composed of 4 electromagnetic elementary actuators arranged in a 2×2 matrix configuration. The principle of the design of the actuators array is presented in the paper. The prototype, manufactured using rapid prototyping machines (laser cutting and 3D printer), has been experimentally tested and the structured plate displacement has been measured. Finally, a comparison between the experimental and theoretical results has been carried out and a good correlation has been observed.