Intelligent material study in context of automation applications

This work addresses topics related to intelligent materials and their recent and potential uses in the industry. Its aim was to select a proper intelligent material to be used in a conceptual design of a gripper mechanism in form of an actuator. As a result of theoretical preparation and optimisation process an intelligent material called flexinol was chosen as a candidate for use as a gripper actuator. In the next step a series of tests was conducted to determine characteristics of this material and its potential strengths and weaknesses. As the end result a conception of a gripper was made that work was based on the use of flexinol as an actuator.