ADAPTRONICA is a small company performing research & development activities in the field of adaptive technologies, which can be applied in many areas of engineering e.g. in the space and aviation sectors. The company also offers consultancy services and products, related to the R&D activities.
About us
We are a small spin-out company, with the roots in the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research PAS in Warsaw. The majority of staff are highly-qualified engineers, strongly motivated to implement innovative technological solutions in various areas of engineering. The team includes a few experts with PhD in technical sciences.
Adaptive technologies
We understand adaptive technologies as interdisciplinary technological solutions, combining elements
of mechanics, electronics and vibroacoustics. The solutions utilize the effect of synergy between the so-
called smart materials, capable of adapting their qualities within some range, and dedicated in-house
software in the form of algorithms controlling the qualities appropriately.
Applications of adaptive technologies allow for improvement of the reliability of engineering structures
(e.g. airplanes, vehicles, bridges) during their lifetime, as well as for preserving their integrity in
extreme loading situations. These benefits are aligned with the goals of safety engineering.
Research and Development
Damping of structural vibrations
ESA Contracts
- 2025 Novel Exercise Hardware for Exploration – Gateway – Phase 1. ESA contract no. 4000148388, subcontractor of Space Applications Services NV/SA
- 2024-2026 Active Vibration Cancellation System for cryo-coolers.
Actuators redesign and TRL8 qualification (AVCS Phase III - Stage 1).
ESA contract no. 4000145783, prime contractor
- 2023-2025 Micro-g disturbance characterization and mitigation in pulsating heat pipes (PHP). ESA contract no. 4000141251, subcontractor of KP Labs Sp. z o.o.
- 2019-2021 TRL6 upgrade of Active Vibration Cancellation System for cryocooler microvibrations. ESA contract no. 4000128200, prime contractor.
- 2018-2019 Shock absorbers for an application on scientific spacecraft. Phase II. European Space Agency contract No. 4000122561, prime contractor.
- 2017-2019 Development of passive damping system for mini-CMG application. European Space Agency contract No. 4000121366, prime contractor.
- 2015-2017 Active vibration cancellation with proof mass actuators for cryo-coolers. European Space Agency contract No. 4000113621, prime contractor.
- 2014-2016 Shock absorbers for an application on scientific spacecraft. European Space Agency contract No. 4000109463, prime contractor.
Adaptive absorption of impact
AQUILA 2025-2028
Adaptronica is a partner in the consortium which carries out the European Defence Fund (EDF) project entitled „AQUILA – autonomous quick insertion and launch of AUVs”, 101223983. The role of Adaptronica during the 3-year project is to work out subsystems for safe airdrop of a mini-AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) from an aerial drone. It is the first EDF project since Adaptronica started its activity. The project is co-financed by the Ministries of Defence of two countries – Poland and Greece.
Partners:
Seaber (France - leader),
MarcTel (Romania),
Maresco (Greece)
SOFTLAND 2019-2022
Adaptronica is the leader of the consortium, which carries out an international research project within the framework of the European Program Eurostars 2, through the National Center for Research and Development in Poland. Project title: “SOFTLAND – Airbag system for increasing the small aircraft safety during emergency landing”, E113407.
Partner: Zall Jihlavan Airplanes s.r.o. , Czech Republic
ADBAG 2017-2019
Adaptronica is the leader of the consortium, which carries out a national research project within the framework of the Operational Program Intelligent Development, Sectorial R&D Programs, INNOSBZ, managed by the National Center for Research and Development. Project title: “ADBAG – Adaptive airbags for emergency landing of unmanned aerial vehicles”, POIR.01.02.00-00-0083/16.
The ADBAG project aims at development of an adaptive airbag system for a drone weighing up to 10 kg. The task of the adaptive airbag is twofold. First, the adaptive airbag system protects people or ground infrastructure from being struck by the drone in the event of its failure. Second, it protects against the destruction of the drone itself. This is especially important when there is valuable equipment or data on the board.
The adaptability of the system to be developed consists in adapting the airbag mode to the anticipated kinetic energy of the drone right before the impact with an object. Thanks to this feature, the system provides smooth landing for falls from different heights.
The adaptive airbag system, developed for the drone, can be rescaled for use in other aircraft of larger mass e.g. in the ULL-class ultralight aircraft.
Test systemu ADBAG w locie
Partner: Ster-Kom Piotr Kleczyński.
Structural health monitoring
COMPRESS 2016-2020
Adaptronica is the leader of the consortium, which carries out a national research project within the framework of the Operational Program Intelligent Development, Sectorial R&D Programs, INNOLOT, managed by the National Center for Research and Development. Project title: “COMPRESS – Light composite aero-structures based on new manufacturing techniques including prestress”, POIR.01.02.00-00-0027/15.
The aim of the COMPRESS project is to study the non-autoclave methods of producing composite structures that improve the quality of the components of the ULL-class ultralight aircrafts. In addition, the research includes the structural health monitoring issues during operation, thanks to deformation sensors integrated with or attached to the structure.
The developed methods of composite manufacturing can also be used for other structural elements, not only in the aerospace industry.
Partner: BELLA Zakład Kompozytów sp. z o.o.
Modo 2015-2018
MODO – a unit for measurement and assessment of dynamic response of operated railway bridge structures. National research project within the framework of the Applied Research Program, managed by the National Center for Research and Development PBS3/B9/36/2015
Partners:
Instytut Badawczy Dróg i Mostów |
Instytut Podstawowych Problemów Techniki PAN |
Politechnika Poznańska |
PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.
BridgeMON 2012-2014
EU research project for the benefit of SMEs (2012-2014) – Bridge Safety Monitoring – BRIDGEMON FP7-SME-2012, 315629.
Smart Rail 2011-2014
EU focused research project (2011-2014) – Smart maintenance and analysis of transport infrastructure – SMART RAIL, FP7-SST-2011-RTD-1, 285683.
Wodnik 2013-2015
Innovative system for detecting leaks and optimal control in water networks, based on remotely transmitted measurement data. National research project within the framework of the Applied Research Program, managed by the National Center for Research and Development PBS1/B9/15/2012.
Monitoring from aerostat
Aero-SDT 2020-2023
Adaptronica sp. z o.o. is a member of the consortium, which has been carrying out the project entitled „Adaptive aerostats reinforced by supporting structures SDT (Self Deployable Tensegrity) for multi-thematic Earth observation (Aero-SDT)”, within TANGO IV program, managed by NCBiR, TANGO-IV-C/0001/2019-00.
Partners:
Instytut Podstawowych Problemów Techniki PAN |
Geosystems sp. z o.o |
Smart sensors and actuators
ADAC 2017-2018
Adaptronica Sp. z o.o. carries out a national research project – “ADAC System for stabilization of vibrations in satellite structures”, the Agreement No. 01.02.00-14-5731/16, within the framework of the Regional Operational Program – Mazovia Region 2014-2020, “R&D activity of enterprises”, managed by the Mazovian Center for EU Funds Distribution. Project Total value: 1.390.776,00 PLN. Project Grant value: 1.023.360,00 PLN. Project Duration: 2017-2018.
The ADAC project aims at development of a solution to stabilize the vibrations of satellite and spacecraft structures, both orbiters and landers. The ADAC solution is based on the PAR (Prestress-Accumulation/Release) concept of damping of vibrations induced by an impact on skeletal structures. It takes advantage of an innovative adaptive clutch, which allows for quick switching from the frame to truss mode of node operation.
With ADAC, the satellite structure and the optical or measuring devices installed on it, will have a longer lifespan and more accuracy. The most important result of the project will be the implementation of the ADAC system. Adaptronica plans to enter the chain of suppliers of the space industry large integrators, extend international activities and increase the competitiveness of the Polish space sector.
The proposed ADAC solution is primarily a response to the needs of the space industry. However, it can also find other terrestrial applications such as image stabilization, vibration damping of industrial machines or equipment in bioengineering.
Safe Wing 2012-2015
Innowacyjne technologie dla poprawy bezpieczeństwa małego lotnictwa SWING (Safe-Wing), 2012-2015. Projekt współfinansowany ze środków finansowych pochodzących z Unii Europejskiej w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Innowacyjna Gospodarka. POIG.01.04.00-14-100/09
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
SureRob
SureRob - SUstainable and REconfigurable ROBots for green manufacturing
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under grant agreement ID 101226856.
LIVE-I 2020-2023
LIVE-I – Lightening and Innovating transmission for improving Vehicle Environmental Impacts – European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019, grant agreement No. 860243.
Smart Nest 2012-2015
EU Marie Curie Actions – Industry-Academia and Pathways (2012-2015) – Smart Technologies for Transport Safety – Innovation Cluster Nesting – SMART NEST. FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IAPP, 284995
Selected results
Semi-active damping of vibrations - PA-R system
The semi-active system for vibration suppression, the so called PA–R System (Prestress Accumulation – Release) is a combination of the vibration damping strategy and the implementation of this strategy in the form of an adaptive clutch. Taking advantage of the Prestress Accumulation–Release (PA–R) strategy, over 95 % of the vibration amplitude can be attenuated in only few cycles of oscillation, by appropriate switching of PAR Nodes to compliant mode of operation. The adaptive clutches of appropriate size can be installed in frame-truss structures to modify the response. A vibration sensor and a dedicated controller adjust stiffness of adaptive clutches in order to achieve superb vibration suppression without providing external mechanical energy into the structure. Only the electrical power for the system is necessary. The efficiency of the PA–R system was presented in an example of the demonstrator structure in the form of a cantilever frame with a length of about 1.20 m.
Main advantages of the PA–R System:
The adaptive clutch is a mechanical interface between structural members, capable of adjusting the bending moment capability of such an interface. Thanks to the innovative technology and unique design (patented), the adaptive clutch maintains its maximum stiffness in the idle mode of its passive operation. Then it switches to the compliant mode within few milliseconds, completely changing the way loads are transferred through the interface, which means ca. 50 times lower load levels than in the idle mode. The adaptive clutch can bear quite significant moments (ca. 50 Nm) relatively to its compact external dimensions (ca. 10 cm). The dimensions of the adaptive clutch can be both downsized or upsized depending on the application.
Main parameters of an adaptive clutch, elaborated for demonstration, are the following:
- height 78 mm,
- outer diameter 88 mm,
- weight 1,8 kg,
- max. moment 50 Nm,
- min. moment 1 Nm,
- actuation voltage 0-150 V.
Main advantages of the adaptive clutch:
- high transferred moment compared to compact design,
- fast reaction time,
- fail safe operation.
Possible applications:
- efficient semi-active vibration attenuation along with PA–R System,
- controllable voltage-driven clutch,
- structural joint of variable bending moment capability,
- structural fuse.
Portable weigh-in-motion rail device
Portable weigh-in-motion rail device is prepared for identification of parameters of loads exerted on the railway track by moving vehicles. The system developed by Adaptronica allows for weighing trains in motion.
Portable weigh-in-motion rail device makes use of the measurement of rail strain caused by the passing train. The device uses portable transducers (patented), attached to the rail foot in a non-destructive manner. The main components of the measurement system are schematically presented in Fig. 1.
The characteristic feature is that the additional preparation of the ballast and sleeper before the system installation is not required. The installation process of the detectors is fast. Closing the railway line is not necessary.
An important advantage of the system is the use of portable detector mounted on the rail foot by clamping elements, which significantly reduces the installation time and cost. The clamping element is designed in such a way that it can be adjusted to all types of rails. Before installation, additional preparation of the track is not required e.g. hardening of the ballast. A view of the portable weigh-in-motion rail device is presented in Fig. 2.
The basic measurement and diagnostic information related to the weighed rail vehicle are included in the time and amplitude parameters of the recorded measurement signal.
Measured parameters
- axle load measurement,
- rail car weight measurement,
- velocity of the rail vehicle measurements,
- number of cars detection,
- axle overload detection,
- unbalanced axle load detection,
- determination of rail vehicle type,
- wheel defects detection.
Basic technical parameters
| velocity range of the rail vehicle: | 5 – 100 [km/h], |
| axle load range: | 1000 – 30000 [kg], |
| velocity measurements precision: | ±3[%] dla σ=95[%], |
| axle load measurements precision: | ±5[%] dla σ=95[%], |
| rail car weight measurements precision: | ±5[%] dla σ=95[%], |
| temperature range of device operation: | -20ºC……..+70ºC. |
Recorder of touch-down parameters - AVI
System AVI of measurement and recording of the touch-down process, elaborated by Adaptronica performs the measurement of vertical speed of an aircraft and its distance from runway during touch-down. The system enables the user to assess the loads acting on the aircraft structure during landing.
The measurement of vertical speed of the aircraft and its distance from runway utilizes a transmitting-receiving ultrasonic head as well as targeted aquisition and signal analysis. The transmitting-receiving head allows for improving the ratio of the analyzed signal to noise level generated by the aircraft in flight.
The level of loads acting on the aicraft structure during touch-down is measured by an accelerometer placed in a preselected spot on the aircraft.
Thanks to aquisition and storage of measurement data on SD card, the system AVI provides better assessment of pilot skills based on recording of the touch-down process. It also enables monitoring of structural fatigue.
AVI can be applied on ultralight and light aircrafts and can be also adapted for unmanned aicraft vehicles.
The advantages of the AVI system are the following:
- possibility of assessment of pilot skills based on recording of the touch-down process,
- better evaluation of structural fatigue due to repetitive loads,
- possibility of assessment of aircraft failures,
- storage of data on SD card,
- waterproof ultrasonic head,
- autonomous power supply,
- low power demand,
- compact dimensions and low mass,
- easy mounting.
Vibration recorder
The main application of the vibration recorder is to take and store measurements of vibrations occurring in heavy-duty constructions and installations during their exploitation. The device elaborated by Adaptronica sp. z o.o. allows for taking measurements in harsh ambient conditions. The vibration recorder is equipped with a 3-axial accelerometer merged with an accompanying cable, which facilitates the installation. The acquired data with proper time signature are stored on SD card of maximum capacity 32 GB. The recorder can be powered through dedicated power supply or through batteries.
Technical data:
- 3-axial measurement of accelerations in the range 2, 4 or 8 g,
- Measurement range from 1 Hz to 300 Hz,
- Data storage on SD card,
- Possibility of setting a low-pass or high-pass filter,
- Possibility of plugging in 2, 3 or 4 sensors,
- Temperature range from -20˚C to 85˚C,
- Durable aluminum housing,
- Possibility of power supply through batteries.
It is possible to expand or adapt the recorder according to customer requirements.
Flights by tethered aerostats
Adaptronica offers flights using tethered aerostats, which enable lifting of multi-task payload, not exceeding 10 kg mass, to the height of 50-600 m above the ground. The payload is typically a camera, a set of sensors or an advertisement banner. The aerostats manufactured by Adaptronica are characterized by excellent aerodynamics, resulting in stable operation in the air over the tether fixing point. More information can be found at the MoniKite website. MoniKite.
We offer the flights by tethered aerostats for the following services::
- Advertisement,
- Observation of selected area from the air,
- Air quality tests,
- Aerophotography.
Vibroacoustic measurements
Vibroacoustic examinations offered by Adaptronica include measurements, recording and analysis of noise and vibrations generated by various sources. Vibroacoustic examinations are performed for diagnostic purposes as well as for assessment of harmful influence of noise and vibrations on structures, machines and human health.
Vibroacoustic services include:
- examination of vibrations and noise generated by machines,
- examination of vibrations and noise due to environmental factors,,
- diagnostics of machines,
- examination of soil vibrations and building vibrations,
- examination of influence of vibrations on buildings (according to the standard PN-B-02170:2016-12),
- examination of vibration level in large constructions,
- examination of vibration level in installations,
- examination of vibration level in railway vehicles (vibrations of structural elements, spectrum analysis of signals, determination of propagation paths, calculations of comfort coefficient),
- examination of noise level in railway vehicles (measurement and analysis of noise generated outside railway vehicles according to the standard PN-EN ISO 3095: 2005, measurement and analysis of noise generated inside railway vehicles according to the standard PN-EN ISO 3381: 2011),
- consulting on mitigation of vibration level (identification of vibration sources, design and selection of vibroisolating materials, structural modifications etc.).
Structural health monitoring
Adaptronica offers systems for condition monitoring of engineering structures such as bridges, viaducts, towers, warehouses. The company has developed and installed customized systems which perform measurements, recordings, signal analysis and remote transmission of data. The purpose of the system is to monitor the condition of a structure by examining quantities like acceleration, deflection, strain, angle of inclination as well as environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. The system provides both local storage of the measured signals for archiving purposes but also on-line, remote viewing of parameters processed in the analysis. In order to increase the reliability of the systems, Adaptronica utilizes hardware by renowned world brands such as Bruel & Kjaer or National Instruments. Depending on the needs and expectations of the client, systems are always configured individually.
An example of a system, implemented by Adaptronica on an engineering structure is the system for monitoring of acceleration levels on suspension rods of the railway viaduct in Huta Zawadzka (Fig. 1 above). Bruel & Kjaer transducers, National Instruments controller and measurement cards, and Telium wireless transmission module were used.
The following parameters of the measurement system were adopted:
- frequency range of the recorded acceleration 0.5-100 Hz,
- amplitude range of the recorded acceleration ± 5 g,
- acceleration measurements in three directions,
- temperature and humidity measurements,
- wireless transmission of data,
- emergency power supply up to 12 hours.
Sensors were mounted in a non-invasive way on some suspension rods of the bridge. In order to obtain the degree of environmental protection IP65 for the measurement system, the cables were placed in protective coatings and the sensors were located in hermetic housings.
Measured acceleration signals were stored in the local memory of the system for one month. Every five minutes, the selected measurement results, such as the maximum and average (RMS) values, were sent to the server.
The user interface designed for the system (Fig. 2 above) is capable of:
- viewing the history of measurement signals in both the time and frequency domain,
- tracking changes in monitored parameters,
- studying correlations between mechanical quantities and environmental values,
- controlling the system.
LABORATORY
Drop test stand
Adaptronica has in its laboratory a unique drop test stand aimed at performing crashworthiness tests and analyzing the resistance of various materials to impact loads. The stand enables performing free drop tests with possible horizontal movement of the platform on which the investigated item is dropped. Additionally, the drop test stand is equipped with a hydraulic ram e.g. to perform crumple tests.
The impact is due to the vertical movement of a trolley of adjustable mass and drop height, which allows for covering the whole range of impact energies. Depending upon the test type, the shape of the impacting element is properly selected. The investigated item may be mounted on the trolley (of vertical or horizontal movement) or on the base stationary plate.
The scheme of the drop test stand indicating major components is depicted below.
Technical parameters
maximum mass of the dropped item 150 kg,
minimum mass of the dropped item 4 kg,
maximum height of the free drop 5 m,
maximum impact energy 3 kJ,
maximum impact speed 10 m/s,
maximum in-plane dimension of the investigated item ca. 900 mm,
maximum velocity of the trolley in horizontal direction 600 mm/s,
maximum force produced by the hydraulic ram 15000 N.
Possible measurements,
- accelerations up to 400 m/s2,
- forces up to 20 kN,
- displacements of the trolley of vertical movement with the precision up to 0.01mm,
- acquisition of measured signals using the Pulse system (by Brüel & Kjær) or the CompactRio system (by National Instruments) up to the frequency of 40 kHz.
Examples of use of the drop test stand:
- Tests of dynamic properties of damping fillings and foams used in pilot seats (according to Polish standard PN-EN ISO 4651:2000),
- Crumple tests of paperboard packaging with perforation subjected to downward vertical load,
- Resistance tests of a housing subjected to free drop of a 6 kg impactor,
- Resistance tests of composite samples to impact load (according to the standard ASTM D7136),
- Resistance tests of composite samples to 3 point bending (according to the standard ASTM D790-3),
- Impact resistance tests of helmets for bikers, skateboard and roller skate users (according to the standard PN-EN 1078:2000).
Our high-tech hardware and software include:
- analyzer PULSE (Brüel & Kjær),
- accelerometer (Brüel & Kjær, Endevco),
- displacement sensors (Festo),
- sound level meters (Brüel & Kjær),
- laser vibrometer (Polytec),
- electromagnetic shakers (RFT, Brüel & Kjær),
- software: National Instruments LabView, Brüel & Kjær PULSE LabShop and PULSE Reflex.
Adaptronica 2023, All rights reserved