ABSTRACT
This chapter studies a particular class of actuators. An actuator is a device that mechanically drives a dynamic system. A motor in a robotic manipulator is an example of an actuator. Proper selection of actuators and their drive systems for a particular application is of utmost importance in the instrumentation and design of an engineering system. There is another (mechatronic) perspective to the significance of actuators. A typical actuator contains mechanical components like rotors, shafts, cylinders, coils, bearings, and seals, while the control and drive systems are primarily electronic in nature. Integrated design, manufacture, and operation of these two categories of components are crucial to efficient operation of an actuator. This is essentially a mechatronic problem.
