Hello!
I have played with Nitinol (muscle wires) to use for a robotic project. I could not get the
displacement of the wires that was advertised. (lilft per amp)
The heat of the wire was so small, I could not detect it, with my fingers, and I assume
that putting any temperature sensor on it may prove obtuse, because the wire needs
room to work.
I was going to use phase control for the current control part, and a current measuring
circuit kit (Jameco sells kits) for the current.
PWM may be a more efficent way to control the current and thus, displacement.
Electronic kits are avaliable that can be plug and play, and probably provide info to
your software, that may be avaliable.
Whatever method you use, you undoubtly will have to make a current vs. displacement chart that
is in context with your control programming; This part will only come with experimentation, unless you
know someone who has already done it. (Youtube?)
Interesting project, Keep me posted..........
