3D FEM-Simulation of Magnetic Shape Memory Actuators

M. Schautzgy [1], U. Kosiedowski [2], T. Schiepp [3],
[1] ETO MAGNETIC GmbH, Stockach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany ; Department of Mechanical Engineering, HTWG Konstanz, Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
[2] Department of Mechanical Engineering, HTWG Konstanz, Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
[3] ETO MAGNETIC GmbH, Stockach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Published in 2016

Electromagnetic actuators are a well-known field where finite element simulations are applied. Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) actuators represent a new type of smart electromagnetic actuators where the MSM material elongates and contracts when applying a magnetic field. The MSM material typically is a monocrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler alloy, which has the ability to change its size and shape many million times repeatedly. For a further commercialization of the MSM actuator technology such tools as well as simulation strategies must be established for engineering purposes. Target of this research is to predict the magneto-mechanical behavior of MSM alloys as precise as possible by using the first time a 3D-FEM-tool for the considered simulation approach.