Maintenance of Shape Memory Actuator Systems - Applications, Processes and Business Models

Abstract

Today products are more and more substitutabledue to progress in information technology as well as globalization. New competitors, particularly from developing and emerging countries are putting established companies under pressure, due to lower production costs. In consequence, the prices and thus realizable profits for companies are decreasing. Focusing on the customer value can help to break this trend. In this way, the product understanding is changing. Besides offering products, offering services and combining both is getting more and more important. However, the product requirements are changing and may require new technologies. For small-to-medium-sized actuator applications shape memory alloy based actuator systems are a promising technology. In addition to the advantages in physical and mechanical properties, the integrated sensor function allows a simple condition monitoring and thus easy maintenance processes. Companies can generate new value for customers and are therefore able to improve their competitiveness. The consequence is that companies are offering new business models. For this reason, these actuators are ideal for industrial product-service systems. This paper illustrates the maintenance processes of shape memory based actuator systems using the integrated sensor function. Based on these maintenance processes andsuitable business models are designed as well as analyzed. As a result, recommendations for these actuator systems are provided.It is vital to introduce the relevant areas like shape memory alloy based actuator systems, industrial product service systems, maintenance and business models in the field of mechanical engineering first.