Actuationsensing

Actuationsensing is the integration of sensing capabilities with actuators to monitor and control the actuation process. It encompasses the measurement of physical quantities such as position, velocity, torque, force, current, temperature, and pressure, which are used to provide feedback for control, diagnostics, and system optimization. It is a core concept in mechatronics and smart actuation.

Common sensing modalities include position or angle encoders for linear and rotary actuators; linear potentiometers; torque sensors using strain gauges or Hall-effect devices; current sensing with shunt resistors or Hall-effect sensors; vibration or accelerometers for health monitoring; temperature sensors; and pressure or flow sensors for hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. Sensor fusion and embedded processing are often used to improve accuracy and robustness.

In practice, actuationsensing supports closed-loop control, fault detection, and predictive maintenance. Smart actuators may incorporate built-in sensors and microcontrollers, reducing cabling and simplifying integration. Applications span robotics, automated manufacturing, aerospace actuators, automotive systems, and industrial automation. Design considerations include sensor placement, calibration, resolution, latency, noise, power budget, EMI, and environmental ruggedness.

Limitations include added cost, complexity, and potential failure modes. Solutions involve redundancy, self-testing, and standardized interfaces. The term covers both hardware sensing integrated into the actuator and external sensing that monitors actuator outputs. It is closely related to sensorized actuation, embedded sensing, and feedback control.