ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the subject of actuators, as related to mechatronics. The actuator is the device that mechanically drives a mechatronic system. Joint motors in a robotic manipulator are good examples of such actuators. Actuators may be used as well to operate controller components ( nal control elements), such as servovalves, as well. Actuators in this category are termed control actuators. Actuators that automatically use response error signals from a process in feedback to correct the operation of the process (i.e., to drive the process to achieve a desired response) are termed servoactuators. In particular, the motors that use measurements of position, speed, and perhaps load torque and armature current or eld current in feedback to drive a load to realize a speci ed motion are termed servomotors.
