I am the US representative for Volz Servos GmbH & Co. Kg located in Offenbach, Germany. They produce high end actuators for industrial and aerospace applications. They have been in business over 30 years and have several COTS solutions and can also develop custom solutions. Volz servos are flying on several global UAV platforms around the world including the following (in the public domain): Lockheed Martin Fury 1500, Northrop Grumman BAT, AAI Corp Aerosonde Mk4.7, EADS Cassidian DO-DT target drones, Orbital Scan Eagle engine for Insitu, and Schiebel Camcopter S-100. Volz have high end optional features such as brushless motors, contactless postion sensor, position feedback, redundant solutions and clutch mechanisms for OPV (optionally piloted vehicle) applications. All hardware has traceability which can be difficult to obtain from high volume hobby RC servos. Volz is also ISO9001:2008 certified and applies advanced quality systems for demanding UAV requirements. This can include 100% HASS (highly accelerated stress screening) or even custom measurements depending on customer needs.
Key features of Volz servos are:
- CNC machined aluminum actuator case.
- IP67 standard for water/dust intrusion protection.
- Multi purpose lug mounts for variable servo fixation.
- Integrated microprocessor controlled PC boards.
- Fully programmable by the customer.
Optional features:
- ISS System protects gear train against shock loads.
- Serial communication interface (DA26/DA30 and larger).
- Wear free position sensor for improved reliability/life.
- Brushless motor for improved reliability/life.
Volz does produce small servos (DA10 & DA13) but I am focusing on the main servos that are typically used for UAV applications in this blog post. I have noted the COTS DA14-DA30 options below (including throttle, submersible, and OPV-optionally piloted vehicle alternatives).
DA14 (14mm class) – Link to datasheet/CAD
DA15 (15mm class) – Link to datasheet/CAD
DA20 (20mm class) – Link to datasheet/CAD
DA22 (22mm class) – Link to datasheet/CAD
DA26 (26mm class) – Link to datasheet/CAD
DA30 (30mm class) – Link to datasheet/CAD
Duplex – Redundant Class – Link to datasheet/CAD
OPV (optionally piloted vehicle) Class – Includes electro-mechanical clutch – Link to datasheet/CAD
Throttle servo class – Link to datasheet/CAD
Due to the high reliability of these servos, they have been selected by some of the largest UAV producers in the world. I have noted the references below that are in the public domain.
You can find out more info about these servo actuator solutions by visiting my Volz page at www.uavpropulsiontech.com/volz or the Volz website at www.volz-servos.com. If you have any questions regarding these solutions, please call or email me at: bob@uavpropulsiontech.com. PH: +1 (810) 441-1457
Key UAV News for the Week:
- SenseFly receives first Swiss approval for anytime Beyond Visual Line Of Sight operations
- Flying Submarine
- US Navy Uses Spike Miniature Missiles to Down UAVs
- DARPA sort of copies Insitu, Tern SideArm
Industry Events for February:
- Aero India 2017, FEB 14-18, Bengaluru, India. https://www.aeroindia.in
- IDEX – International Defence Exhibition and Conference, FEB 19-23, Abu Dhabi, UAE. http://www.idexuae.ae/
- Drones Oman, FEB 27/28, Muscat, Oman. https://dronesomanevent.iqpc.ae
Quote for the week:
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein.
UAV Propulsion Tech is unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hardware solution provider of propulsion, servo, autopilot, rescue/recovery parachutes, electric turbofans, pneumatic launchers, fuel flow/level sensors, hyperspectral cameras, INS, digital compasses, fuel cells, motors/generators, GCS and gyro-stabilized EO/IR gimbal solutions. Click on the HOME link above or go to www.uavpropulsiontech.com for more info.
