Back to Search
Start Over
Pneumatic microfinger with balloon fins for linear motion using 3D printed molds
- Source :
- Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. 234:65-71
- Publication Year :
- 2015
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2015.
-
Abstract
- Polymer-based pneumatic balloon actuators consisting of novel trapezoidal vertical microballoon fins were fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printed molds and validated experimentally. The introduction of 3D printed molds for pneumatic actuation provides additional freedom in the design of actuators, removing the limitation of extruded 2D shapes that is present with conventional microfabrication. Whereas conventional balloon actuators exhibit nonlinear response to applied pressure, the presence of balloon fins with 100 s-μm width was shown to produce a linear change in bend angle with the injection of pressurized air. The balloon fins also mitigate stress concentrations that can lead to material failure. Static bending (exceeding 80° bend angle) and the mechanical force of the fabricated microfingers were tested and compared with analytical models. The expanded design space permitted by 3D printing allows actuator designs to achieve a given deflection with less stress in the material as compared to planar designs. Feasibility of this design flexibility and fast prototyping enabled by the 3D printed molding process was demonstrated by fabricating and testing various designs of microfingers. When grouped, the microfingers with balloon fins can successfully accomplish complex object transfer tasks (i.e., multi-directional actuation with independently controlled displacement).
- Subjects :
- Materials science
business.industry
Metals and Alloys
3D printing
Mechanical engineering
Condensed Matter Physics
Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Planar
Deflection (engineering)
Linear motion
Electronic engineering
Material failure theory
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
business
Actuator
Instrumentation
Stress concentration
Microfabrication
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 09244247
- Volume :
- 234
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........9340fdbfe42bd696645d50f64abdad2c