Rainier Lamers
Well Known Member
Well, it's been a while. Those that are flying our autopilot will have noticed the entries in the autopilot setup of our EFIS systems refering to the "MGL Servo".
I am happy to report - they are flying !
What is a "MGL Servo" ? It is a stepper motor based servo, very similar to those from Dynon and Trutrak in overall shape, but with a CNC machined aluminium housing that is a bit thicker (about the same as the higher torque versions of other makes). We are likely to offer three different versions which differ only in achievable torque. This is where similarity stops.
It's fully self contained, all electronics is built in. It's claim to fame is a standard, built in method to measure the actual force acting on the servo output shaft. This way we can measure actual aircraft trim without having to guess it by looking at past actions (this does not work well in turbulence - where outside forces act on the aircraft).
So, the servo goes something like: "Hmmm, stick getting a bit heavy - tell the pilot to trim a bit nose up - ah, that's better...". Of course, that info can also be used to control a trim motor directly and the servo, conveniently, has the required motor driver for this in as well.
Further to this the servo is not limited to range of movement (more than 360 degrees is possible, no limit). Position feedback is highly accurate, repeatable and - best of all - completely contactless, no wear whatsoever. To support high axial loads, the output shaft is supported by two ball bearings. We do not use any bushes. Gears are generously over-dimensioned.
Where are we ?
Development and flight testing complete. We are now making 50 of them for an extended field test on various aircraft types. After this, we are putting them in full production.
Price ? Of course it's good. We are MGL remember ?
We continue the support for Trio Servos. This means you can choose between a clutched DC motor servo or a stepper motor based servo and you can even mix.
Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
I am happy to report - they are flying !
What is a "MGL Servo" ? It is a stepper motor based servo, very similar to those from Dynon and Trutrak in overall shape, but with a CNC machined aluminium housing that is a bit thicker (about the same as the higher torque versions of other makes). We are likely to offer three different versions which differ only in achievable torque. This is where similarity stops.
It's fully self contained, all electronics is built in. It's claim to fame is a standard, built in method to measure the actual force acting on the servo output shaft. This way we can measure actual aircraft trim without having to guess it by looking at past actions (this does not work well in turbulence - where outside forces act on the aircraft).
So, the servo goes something like: "Hmmm, stick getting a bit heavy - tell the pilot to trim a bit nose up - ah, that's better...". Of course, that info can also be used to control a trim motor directly and the servo, conveniently, has the required motor driver for this in as well.
Further to this the servo is not limited to range of movement (more than 360 degrees is possible, no limit). Position feedback is highly accurate, repeatable and - best of all - completely contactless, no wear whatsoever. To support high axial loads, the output shaft is supported by two ball bearings. We do not use any bushes. Gears are generously over-dimensioned.
Where are we ?
Development and flight testing complete. We are now making 50 of them for an extended field test on various aircraft types. After this, we are putting them in full production.
Price ? Of course it's good. We are MGL remember ?
We continue the support for Trio Servos. This means you can choose between a clutched DC motor servo or a stepper motor based servo and you can even mix.
Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
